hello

[welshbee-em]

just joined got '94 518i manual with 187000mls on it and still going strong only prob is i've lost the fan {completely} and will be fitting elec fan with switch on the dash hopefully this will do the trick

[632 Regal]

put the factory fan back on and be done with it?

[dacoyote]

Just get a factory fan....

[TonyC2639]

Welcome to the board. Post some pics of your vehicle!

Some years ago I spent a lot of time in Wales. It's my favorite country abroad. The nicest people I've ever met. I had a blast there. The Welsh know how to party! I spent 6 months in the UK before geeting to Wales. I never expected such a difference in the people. You guys put the Brits to shame. I used to go every week to the Abercynon R.F.C. games. We used to party with the team afterwards. Ymlaen!;)

[wingman]

Howdy WBM! The 518i has always intrigued me. How does she go? We didn't get them in OZ so I've never driven one. As stated some pics would be nice. Can you post a pic of the engine bay please. Welcome aboard and good to see another member who drives from the 'right' side of the vehicle;)

[Rob]

Howzit Bru,

Welcome aboard the best E34 forum going! :)
Get those pictures soon hey!

Wingman, down here in South Africa we also drive on the 'right' side of the car! :)

[cschollum]

Howdy WBM! The 518i has always intrigued me. How does she go? We didn't get them in OZ so I've never driven one. As stated some pics would be nice. Can you post a pic of the engine bay please. Welcome aboard and good to see another member who drives from the 'right' side of the vehicle;)

heres a pic:

http://img-archive.auto24.ee/auto24/560/1907455.jpg

[Rob]

Looks clean. :)

What engine is that?

[cschollum]

Looks clean. :)

What engine is that?


its not my engine, its just a pic of a 518 as someone requested

[wingman]

Thanks dude. It's empty isn't it.

[genphreak]

just joined got '94 518i manual with 187000mls on it and still going strong only prob is i've lost the fan {completely} and will be fitting elec fan with switch on the dash hopefully this will do the trickYep I'd go a factory fan, most of these cars have a factory belt driven clutch fan as well as thermo-fans for overload, A/C and heavy traffic. The best setup for reliability employs all 3 fan devices. Weird I know, but it works far better than kick-arse thermos...

To all those wondering how a 518i goes... it is perfectly streetable and even can run at autobahn speeds, (I drive a 316 once w 4 people in it through Germany, and after that a 325td and then a 2 hour run in a very, very fast 500bhp real rally-spec Audi Quattro. All this in the same week. It's amazing how well BMW make those little 4s go. It just isn't a massive accelerater and you have to use the revs to get it to move.

One thing for sure- I bet a 518i manual can almost keep up w an early (non-vanos) auto 525i, which is probably why it got the 5-speed auto early on. :) Nick

[cschollum]

One thing for sure- I bet a 518i manual can almost keep up w an early (non-vanos) auto 525i, which is probably why it got the 5-speed auto early on. :) Nick


i highly doubt that...

[Rob]

i highly doubt that...

Same here, a 518i keep up with a 525i? Hmm. :)

[welshbee-em]

thanks for all the advice will post pics soon when i get the wife to wash and wax etc the car goes well enough although a little under powered but a good driver
wouldn't like to drive a similar ford or vauxhall with the same mileage on it
as this is my first venture into bimmerland i'm impressed with the overall build
thanks
phil

[wingman]

Same here, a 518i keep up with a 525i? Hmm. :)

Streuth Genphreak! What are you thinking? If we compared the M20 2.0/M with the M20 2.5/A we'd have a race on our hands from 0-100kph but the 2.5 would (statistically) still win. The 1.8 gives away 16bhp (kw?) on the 2.0 and a massive 57bhp on the 2.5. The 518i would have a slight weight advantage but not enough.

[welshbee-em]

i personally dont think this 518i would out run much else but it would out class many a similar vehiclemy previous car had a 2.3 twin cam honda engine fitted and ran quite well until the headgasket blew
are most of you american?

[welshbee-em]

how much for a factory fan in u.s.
about £150 in uk
which is about 1/2 as much as i paid for the car

[genphreak]

how much for a factory fan in u.s. about £150 in uk which is about 1/2 as much as i paid for the car The fan clutches cost about $70 from memory, look it and any otherparts you need up on www.bmaparts.com (http://www.bmaparts.com). I find it best to do the water pump, thermostat and coolant, hoses etc. whilst you are at it and not be worrying another wear item that could fail. The parts are cheap, its not worth messing around wiht one if your time is precious in the long run.

[genphreak]

Streuth Genphreak! What are you thinking? If we compared the M20 2.0/M with the M20 2.5/A we'd have a race on our hands from 0-100kph but the 2.5 would (statistically) still win. The 1.8 gives away 16bhp (kw?) on the 2.0 and a massive 57bhp on the 2.5. The 518i would have a slight weight advantage but not enough.Sorry dude, I know it sounds contrite.. but in my experience an old 518i manual will kill an auto w a much larger engine due to slip and other inefficiencies in the tranny at these ages (and typical general condition). I've noticed also that the 4 cylinders seem to keep their response where the 6s tend to go south (AFM, ICV etc). Maybe people replace the fuel injection parts on the 4s more regularly- maybe when they go wrong the effect on the car is greater :D (ie the car stops as opposed to just getting sluggish...) Admitted, the 525 has much more oomph but a manual is always a lot more lively to drive. If I had to choose between an 520i auto and a 518i manual I'd go the 4 cylinder anyday. A 525i makes it harder, but if it wasn't vanos and I wasn't going to charge it, I'd prefer the manual w a tad less poke anyday.

Each to their own really. I guess I'm not into racing these cars, I just enjoy a good drive- and for that I need not be straight line racing it everywhere.

[cschollum]

Sorry dude, I know it sounds contrite.. but in my experience an old 518i manual will kill an auto w a much larger engine due to slip and other inefficiencies in the tranny at these ages (and typical general condition). I've noticed also that the 4 cylinders seem to keep their response where the 6s tend to go south (AFM, ICV etc). Maybe people replace the fuel injection parts on the 4s more regularly- maybe when they go wrong the effect on the car is greater :D (ie the car stops as opposed to just getting sluggish...)

this isnt right, you are compairing the fact that the 525 will have issues and the 518 wont! thats just not right, a 518 manual in the same condition as a 525 auto will not be anywhere near as quick or quicker than the 525, you cant compare 2 cars unless they are both in the order they should be as the manufacturer recommended, if all the 525s autos you have tested have issues regards slippage ICV faults etc, then they need fixing! otherwise they eventually will stop and all cars will be faster than them!

[welshbee-em]

hi there just put an e 30 fan on the car £17.50 off e bay and a pair of michelins for £50 205/65x15