Newbie - 93 525iT

[brobins@earthlink.net]

Greetings all. Brand new to this site and hope to be a frequent visitor & contributor. I just purchased a 1993 Blk/Tan 525iT with 99k miles.

The mechanics and body are in great condition but cosmetically it needs some TLC. I'm in the midst of researching a good paint shop and I am deciding on new rims/tires. Thanks to those who've helped me so far in the very short time I've been on here. I will post my upgrades as they happen and if anybody has recommendations or comments - I'm all ears.

Here are a few pics of my 525iT - completely stock.

Thanks,
Bret

http://home.earthlink.net/~brobins/93525iTFront.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~brobins/93525iTFrontSide.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~brobins/93525iTRearSide.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~brobins/93525iTSide.jpg

[BobHarris]

No pics!!

[uscharalph]

Welcome! Looking forward to the pictures.

[brobins@earthlink.net]

No pics!!

Finally got them up.

[Javier]

JavierFinally"] ("Javier@earthlink.net)

[Paul in NZ]

looks pretty tidy from here!

[Rigmaster]

Woohoo!! Another Bret with another Touring!! :)

I just picked up my '92 525iT today- it's White with dark blue "leatherette" interior, which is surprisingly nice + seems to have worn ALOT better than most of the E34 leather interiors I've seen in cars of similar age + mileage.

Car has a couple of issues (which I knew about ahead of time), but I got a great deal and I look forward to driving an E34 on a (more) regular basis...the wife doesn't like to give up her 535i very often.... :)

Will post pics when I can take some in the daylight.......

Bret.

[uscharalph]

Nice!

[Kalevera]

So you bought it then, hmmm :D

People have looked at me like I am crazy for saying this, but...I think the E34 touring is just about the most drop dead gorgeous car ever conceived. The lines are just so darn sexy. Like a beautiful woman with a hint of arrogance about her....You just gotta pursue her, even though you know it's probably not the best thing in the world for your health :)

Mister Robins: very nice car. Nice to see the Ohio plates on it. How in the world are you getting away with not displaying the front one? I don't know how they number counties in Ohio, but 18 (cuyahoga, where I live) can't be far away from 25. What are the body/cosmetic issues?

best, whit

[mattyb]

damn fine. u dont see a lot of these in oz. yours looks very nice indeed. did they ever come in bigger engine? a 540 would be just sweet.

[brodee]

Nice looking touring Bret. Here's a shot of a nice black one to get you inspired.

http://www.tmdnet.com/album/albums/Cars/E34%20Tourings/wgn4.jpg

[ScottyWM]

Congrats Bret! Guess I can kiss goodbye any great deals on touring parts now! My E36 has a dark blue interior. The seats are in great condition too, better than the E34 tan. We are in the middle of redoing the door panels, it's turning out great, will post pics hopefully.

[moogplayer]

I got my 94 touring about 2 months ago. Loving every minute of it (although I'm gonna change out the rims sometime in the future)

http://www.salvationarmory.com/upload/images/IMG_0162.JPG

[brodee]

Ours has the blue interior also

http://www.tmdnet.com/album/albums/Cars/525iT/After%20Springs/normal_PICT3511.JPG

[BobHarris]

Looking good

Cheers

Bob

[nyc525iTe34]

Nice touring...same year and model as mine. Are you replacing your stock rims/wheels? If yes, are you willing to part with them for a reasonable price?

[gtopaul]

Greetings all. Brand new to this site and hope to be a frequent visitor & contributor. I just purchased a 1993 Blk/Tan 525iT with 99k miles.

The mechanics and body are in great condition but cosmetically it needs some TLC. I'm in the midst of researching a good paint shop and I am deciding on new rims/tires. Thanks to those who've helped me so far in the very short time I've been on here. I will post my upgrades as they happen and if anybody has recommendations or comments - I'm all ears.

Here are a few pics of my 525iT - completely stock.

Thanks,
Bret

The black makes the gap between the tires and the front fender much less noticeable than my Kashmere Beige iT. I just received my H&R Touring lowering springs from Germany a few days ago after waiting 6 weeks for them. I bought them off of Germany Ebay. They come in two different models for the Touring, 92-93 with self leveling and 94-95 without. They aren't available in the states any longer and I tried everywhere including the distributors indicated on the BMWE34.net Touring Lowering page. I'm going to change just the front to begin with. I ordered new stock upper and lower spring pads so the drop probably won't be as drastic as if I used the old flattened pads. I'll change the back if it needs it. I also have 4 new 18" AZEV Type E wheels to go on it when I get the lowering done. I also bought one of those $30 performance chips off ebay and it sure makes a difference. Much smoother and responsive and I use super already so no big deal there. I'm awaiting my M3 steering wheel now and with some window tint it should look about right.

Good luck with the car and lets see it again as you make modifications.

Regards.

Paul L

PS Pic attached with 18" test wheels.
http://members.aol.com/gtopaul/private/525006.jpg

[Gayle]

Nice looking touring Bret. Here's a shot of a nice black one to get you inspired.

http://www.tmdnet.com/album/albums/Cars/E34%20Tourings/wgn4.jpg


Pictures and in person can look different but I think yours would look nice with shadowline, IMHO.

[brobins@earthlink.net]

Woohoo!! Another Bret with another Touring!! :)

I just picked up my '92 525iT today- it's White with dark blue "leatherette" interior, which is surprisingly nice + seems to have worn ALOT better than most of the E34 leather interiors I've seen in cars of similar age + mileage.

Car has a couple of issues (which I knew about ahead of time), but I got a great deal and I look forward to driving an E34 on a (more) regular basis...the wife doesn't like to give up her 535i very often.... :)

Will post pics when I can take some in the daylight.......

Bret.

Nice to know another 'one' is out there. Good luck with your T.

Bret

[brobins@earthlink.net]

So you bought it then, hmmm :D

People have looked at me like I am crazy for saying this, but...I think the E34 touring is just about the most drop dead gorgeous car ever conceived. The lines are just so darn sexy. Like a beautiful woman with a hint of arrogance about her....You just gotta pursue her, even though you know it's probably not the best thing in the world for your health :)

Mister Robins: very nice car. Nice to see the Ohio plates on it. How in the world are you getting away with not displaying the front one? I don't know how they number counties in Ohio, but 18 (cuyahoga, where I live) can't be far away from 25. What are the body/cosmetic issues?

best, whit

I'm sure I won't get away with it for long - the "it's brand new" will only work for a short time. I'm not looking forward to screwing in that plate...
25 = Franklin - Cbus.

Pictures can be very deceiving... The paint needs a lot of attention. Minor - Several major dings with one on a crease, but likely most can be fixed with 'Dent Doctor'. Black paint shows every scratch and this is a perfect example. Too many to buff out - too many that are too deep. The rear bumper needs a complete repaint as well as the hood. There is about a 15" double scratch that penetrates to the metal under the pass. door. The chrome for the most part is in bad shape but I'll be using some techniques I've found in these forums to try to get them back to health. Some other minor issues like fading in places and scratches on the underside that I will also work on fixing. But first, a repaint if feasible and then new rims and a tint. I'll be posting pics.

b

[brobins@earthlink.net]

Nice touring...same year and model as mine. Are you replacing your stock rims/wheels? If yes, are you willing to part with them for a reasonable price?

Yes & Yes :)

[brobins@earthlink.net]

Nice looking touring Bret. Here's a shot of a nice black one to get you inspired.

http://www.tmdnet.com/album/albums/Cars/E34%20Tourings/wgn4.jpg

Very nice indeed. I'm looking into M5 style rims at the moment - but I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks for the pic.

[Elekta]

Nice tourer. They can and will do most anything...fully loaded at 85mph for hours on end...even concluding with the last few miles on caliche in the rain.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/DSCN1995.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/DSCN0798.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/DSCN1064.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/5257622e.jpg

[brobins@earthlink.net]

Nice tourer. They can and will do most anything...fully loaded at 85mph for hours on end...even concluding with the last few miles on caliche in the rain.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/DSCN1995.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/DSCN0798.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/DSCN1064.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/bmw/5257622e.jpg

Silver looks killer - very sporty, especially with the clear lenses. I'm hoping to increase performance soon. I'm used to a little more power, but this engine is a total work horse and it sounds like you know that first hand.

Thanks for the pics.

[Qsilver7]

... I'm not looking forward to screwing in that plate...
Just a FYI...you are aware that you remove the BMW insert (on your front bumper) when you mount your front license plate, right? I would hate to see a nice part that you can either trade for the plate holder (item #12 in diagram) or sell on eBay (or classifieds)...get destroyed by drilling holes into it. :p

Here's the diagram of the front bumper...you should be able to de-construct how to remove the BMW insert (#33) to mount the license plate holder (#12)...sometimes there are small removable covers (#20...just screw them off) over the threads for the plate holder: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD63&mospid=47404&btnr=51_0611&hg=51&fg=15&hl=86

Like I stated earlier...I'm sure there are members on this board that may be willing to trade or purchase your "cover" for a "plate holder".

BTW, welcome to the "Touring Club"...only 6658 Tourings were imported to the USA:

E34 5 Series Touring Wagon
YEAR - MODEL - NUMBER IMPORTED

1992 - 525iT - 1778 (M50 engine)

1993 - 525iT - 1672 (M50TU engine - w/VANOS)

1994 - 525iT - 1025 (M50TU engine - w/VANOS)
1994 - 530iT - 353 (M60 30B V8 engine - Nikasil)

1995 - 525iT - 1047 (M50TU engine - w/VANOS)
1995 - 530iT - 107 (M60 30B V8 engine - Nikasil)

1996 - 525iT - 655 (M50TU engine - w/VANOS)
1996 - 530iT - 21 (M60 30B V8 engine - Nikasil)

Info taken from: Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 2nd Edition 1946-2002
by Krause Publications: (krause.com) (888-457-2873)

[brobins@earthlink.net]

Just a FYI...you are aware that you remove the BMW insert (on your front bumper) when you mount your front license plate, right? I would hate to see a nice part that you can either trade for the plate holder (item #12 in diagram) or sell on eBay (or classifieds)...get destroyed by drilling holes into it. :p

Here's the diagram of the front bumper...you should be able to de-construct how to remove the BMW insert (#33) to mount the license plate holder (#12)...sometimes there are small removable covers (#20...just screw them off) over the threads for the plate holder: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD63&mospid=47404&btnr=51_0611&hg=51&fg=15&hl=86

Like I stated earlier...I'm sure there are members on this board that may be willing to trade or purchase your "cover" for a "plate holder".

BTW, welcome to the "Touring Club"...only 6658 Tourings were imported to the USA:

E34 5 Series Touring Wagon
YEAR - MODEL - NUMBER IMPORTED

1992 - 525iT - 1778 (M50 engine)

1993 - 525iT - 1672 (M50TU engine - w/VANOS)

1994 - 525iT - 1025 (M50TU engine - w/VANOS)
1994 - 530iT - 353 (M60 30B V8 engine - Nikasil)

1995 - 525iT - 1047 (M50TU engine - w/VANOS)
1995 - 530iT - 107 (M60 30B V8 engine - Nikasil)

1996 - 525iT - 655 (M50TU engine - w/VANOS)
1996 - 530iT - 21 (M60 30B V8 engine - Nikasil)

Info taken from: Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 2nd Edition 1946-2002
by Krause Publications: (krause.com) (888-457-2873)


Hehe - thanks for the info. I am planning on removing the BMW plate before I put on my tags. I am procrastinating as much as possible, I really don't want to fill my front bumper with an ugly metal plate... For now I plan on keeping the cover, but if I do end up selling/trading I'll let the board know ASAP.

Thanks for the prod. info. I didn't realize such a small number were imported. It looks like the rejuvination of the 'wagon' has begun in the states - so I'm curious to see if the numbers on the previous and new model 5 wagons increase. I did have a chance to see the brand new 5 wagon - fully loaded in the showroom - it is a beast! I know most are not Bangle fans - but I was totally impressed with inside and out. I have yet to drive though - the all wheel drive is a very nice feature.

Anyone driving a V8 530 out there? Is the performance difference significant? I love the 525 but I'm needing more power...

[BobHarris]

I have a 530 touring, but have not driven a 525, so I can't realy compare.

I do enjoy driving it. It goes like a rocket compared to my previous e34 (518 saloon).

Sorry I can't be more help.

All the best

Bob

[brodee]

I love the 525 but I'm needing more power...

here ya go... M3 s50 engine with a Dinan supercharger, should do the trick....

http://www.jimmyjoe.com/gallery/albums/Denver%20e34/normal_Denver-25.jpg