Second Update (09/09/08): Got a good deal on 17 inch style 19s with 235/45/17 tires. Scroll down for pics


Update! Scroll down for pics and and info (07/01/2008)


Lost my max 4 weeks ago in an accident http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=553520
This is my new ride. 1995 BMW 525i with 166k miles. Found it on autotrader, it was about 80 miles away from my house. I was not impressed with the pics on the internet, but when I test drove it, I instantly fell in love with her. I am the 4th owner, and I got all the maintenance records and carfax history.
Few pics of the car after I hand washed it :

 

Best bits : Heated leather seats- coming in handy in this freezing weather:


Smooth 2.5L inline 6:



5spd manual :

 

6 disc CD changer:

 

5 spd FTW dude. Nice find.

 

cool

 

First mod to the car should be a chip! Those cars get good power from just a chip. Not the ebay chips though.

And then there is always a M3 motor swap. hehe.......

Surprisingly, you can toss the M3 crank, rods, pistons, and cams and have yourself a poor mans M3 motor. Then you also need the ECU. The cylinder head and block are the same.

 

Nice man...

 

Awesome! That is so clean.

 

cleaaaan

 

Nice ride. I wouldve been too picky because the engine isnt clean. Very nice interior though .

 

That's a good find w/ only 166 miles. You'll be cleaning that eng right?

 

RWD

 

Wow, nice find. I love E34's. I was going to get a 93' 525i 5-spd before I got the max but decided against it. Looks clean and nice though!

 

Nice car. I think some more modern BMW rims would look badass.

 

any reason why they decided to paint the lower panels on just the front and sides? Paint that rear and it'll look much better IMO.

I have a 325is with the same engine/tranny combo. M50B25 FTW, lol

 

+1. looks like it's missing something.

 

First mod is a major tune-up- INSPECTION II is due according to service light indicator. I got quoted around 700-1000 for it not including brake/clutch flush or coolant flush. I guess I will try to do it myself and for the saved money I'll do a performance chip upgrade.
From what I've read, it's best bang for the buck just like a y pipe for a maxima.

 

Which end do you mean?

 

Thanks for pointing that out, I've never thought about that. I guess they didn't paint it because they didn't want the owner to clean the rear after each burnout? I dunno...

 

I think it's missing a lot of things. After I finish with all the maintenance, I'll be doing:
1. Chip
2. Tint
3. Clear side markers and turn signals
4. Drop
5. New set of shoes (probably from a newer bmw)

 

keep the signals amber. looks better. clear corners are overrated.

 

The rear bumper has that black plastic piece on the bottom. Perhaps paint that white to match the rest of the car?

 

Update!
Put the EAT chip like in April, painted the black piece on bumper and fixed the dent in rear right just below the tail light.
FYI: EAT chip added around 20 hp and my gas mileage went up by 1-2 MPG. It makes a very noticeable improvement over the stock. For instance, when I put the stock chip to pass the emission test I couldn't stand how sluggish it felt.
Anyway it's still slow from 0-60. On a highway though, it's a different story . Not to mention how quiet and stable on high speeds. This car built for cruising on autobahn, yeah!

 

 

Looking much nicer... With some Rims and Tires + Tint that thing will be VERY sharp. I wish I could get my hands on a E34 5-Series for a decent price. It still looks like your trunk needs a little alignment to get it just right...

Keep us updated.

 

great job.no more rsut-looking bubbly thing.

 

big six > little six

but nice find anyway, nice and clean

recently drove an E39 540 with all the bells and whistles and it is hard to obey speed limits on the highway... thing feels as much at ease at 120 as it does at 60

 

Lovin ittt!!!!

E34's done right are pure secks.

Good find man!

 

Thanks for all the comments!
I think I am gonna keep it as it is for now and will be doing only required maintenance. After test driving few new cars I changed my mind about modding an old car. Don't get me wrong, but I learned my lesson- 5k old car is still going to be worth 5k even after I spend 5k+. Right now I am focusing on other stuff like education and making more money so I can buy a 2nd, 3rd and etc. car and mod this E34. I am planning my next car to be new M3.

 

are those the old 3pc bbs RS wheels?

 

Update 09/09/08 @178,200 miles: Got style 19s with 235/45/17 tires. Initially I wasn't looking to buy wheels but I got them for same $$ as it would've cost me to replace tires on 15" Basket Weaves. Happy with the purchase. Car looks and performs much better now except it now looks more like I have dead bodies in the trunk lol. With worn out old rubber and tiny 205 width tires, I almost crashed several times. No more misery for me:-).

Next on the to do list: Replace the worn out clutch. I'll keep you guys updated.

p/s: if anybody wants my OEM wheels please pm me or see my post on "Other For Sale/ Wanted". Thanks

 

 

Looks like it's coming along nicely. I see that you got around to painting that lower cladding on the rear bumper. It looks so much better now. Those rims are sweet too. I see a lot of E39 540i's around here rolling on those.

 

the rims look goood !!

 

car looking good....

 

good fine but wrong section though

 

Nice 5.

 

I'll be honest, I liked the original wheels better. That car looked clean as hell. Love E34s.

If you throw some M Parallels on there though it will look fantastic.

 

+1 With the M parallel's or some BBS RK II's!

 

I wish I should've kept the original wheels but I didn't had any space. I could've used them as winter wheels...
I know what you mean about throwing some M parallels but they are not that practical in my 525i. They cost a lot plus they're staggered which is a pain in my wallet since I'll be changing tires more often.