Seriously this time, I know i change my mind more than 2 times a week about what kind of car i want to get but this time its almost set in stone.
I have in my grasp a 1990 535i with 160k and a 20k old trans. Heres the catch, it has front clip and driver side front fender damage. The guy who has it wants under a grand, and i blue booked decent ones and they are like 3-4 k.
Now I know i can have the body work done anywhere, but does anyone here have any bimmer hookups.
Also, I would love make this an M, since they are im guessing unibody, i can drop in the M engine, switch the badges, and convert it to manual relatively easily with experienced hands doing it. If i cannot do this, im looking to turblo it.
Cliffs. 1990 535i 160k 20k old trans Good buy?
Bimmer hookups for the damage, body panels cheap ?
M engine and trans switch easy? cheapish? doable?
M Engine swap? Not unless you want to spend BIG money. You’re looking at $5-7k min for an S38B38/36. You’d be better off getting a 4.4L V8 (BMW), an Ls1, or an S52.
Ok here is the conversation we had over PM on another board.
At the April op we were talking cars round the fire and i recall you saying you had a 1990 or so BMW 5 series with front clip damage.
Im interested in possibly buying it from you if available. I want a bimmer to play with, with a manual and rear wheel drive. Plus they are very tunable.
Let me know the facts, miles motor stuff, interior stuff, if you can get pics sweet, and ill come check her out. Might be able to purchase mid summer.
Me^^^ I’ve got pics somewhere I can show you.
1990 535i e34
3.5 L Straight 6
Conforti EPROM
approx 220 bhp
160k
Newish tranny - 20k
Front Passenger side - flitzed
Hood - flitzed
Interior - good shape
Other three corners - good shape
Hasn’t been started in over a year
I’ll find the pics when I get home from my business trip. BTW its an automatic. Automatic is faster than the manual, and there are tranny chips available to adjust the shift pts. redlines at about 6500 rpm.
Later,
jimi
The facts ^^
Ok snap me some pics, what color is it? I remember you saying black. but idk
and what are you looking to get pricewise
me again ^^
Nah, it’s blutrott (non-metalic red) with tan leather interior… I’m thinking less than $1,000.00. I’ll be home by Saturday, and I have the pics on my home pc.
I have a '90 535i 110K in great condition if you’re heart is set on getting one. I’m looking to sell it. It’s white with grey interior. no body damage, no rust, clean title.
deff, everyone has to start somewhere man. its great to have projects and to learn the basics as you go.
i started my first swap when i was 16 and pretty much taught myself how to do almost everything. it was a money pit, never saw the road, and frustrating, but at the same time taught me so much about the scene.
manuals are great for sure. the cars i like to work on ( pre 95 veedubs) are pretty straight forward with manual tranny swaps. i could do one in an afternoon. but audi’s/bmw’s are a different story. i wouldnt attempt to do one unless i had help.
the only good advice i think you should listen to though is if you do something along the lines of a bmw project, have a DD. pulling a motor/tranny on your daily is teh sux. trust me.
I have a DD, a buick lesabre, This is purely project material. Get garaged in the winter, worked on in the spring summer fall. Modded, prettied up. like everyone else haha
I also didnt plan on doing any work without a manual and some experienced help
