She clicked over 200K the other day....

[Jeff N.]

Miles that is. Indicated. I know she has more.

Juuuust a few new parts in the 130K or so that I've had her.

- couple engine swaps and a new motor
- couple tranny's
- diffy swap
- a few drivelines
- 2 sets of thrust arm bushings
- couple sets of dogbones
- one front end rebuild
- a radiator and coolant tank
- who knows how many sets of tires
- one headliner swap

...and a stack BMA receipts about 2 inches thick.

Stiiiiilllll going.

[Robin-535im]

I hear you on the BMA receipts. It's not until you pick up the folder and start leafing through that the memories come pouring back. I still had all the docs from the original owner and from Derek too... I was jut sure the Smithsonian would be knocking at my door... :)

[Hector]

Hey fellas, been incommunicado but mine has 240k clicks and still roars like a lion. I am still amazed at what a great car it is. My son drives it from time to time and prefers this car over the much newer and sportier GTI he owns. There is (was) a member who had 400k a couple years ago on his. That is incredible!

All I need to do now is change the fuel hoses near the fuel filter. I get a sporadic leak from that area but I still can't locate where it is coming from. I've rebuilt the front end (timing chain, sprockets, tensioner and more,) rebuilt the head, changed oil pump, replaced front struts, numerous thrust and control arm swaps, rear subframe mounts and list goes on but for some reason this blitz doesn't compare to your engine and tranny swaps. I'm humbled (on my knees bowing...)

Actually, need to get back to looking for the EKT (is it real OEM?) to get part numbers for these fuel hoses.

[stx133]

i have a 94 540 with 418,000 on the clock, still original engine, trans, diff..
still running well but have upgrades to an '01 E39 540 sport. some different, very nice..

[Jeff N.]

Hey Hector...we've both been scarce around here.

Good to see yours is still running. My little track habit (before I retired her from that) contributed a lot of wear. A 3800lb car just doesn't like that (ab)use. :D

[Russell]

I am at 190 K with same engine and auto trany. All is fine. on the third radtiator and, I think, third water pump, replace thrust arms, front/rear struts/shocks. 2 sets of tires and have my winter tires on second set of stock basketweave wheels.

Needs some suspension/steering work, driver's seat cover replaced (i have another one), and a few other minor things. Will keep driving it!!

Also a big stack a receipts from BMA AND my local indy. Only one from the dealer's shop and a few from their parts dept.

[repenttokyo]

432,000 km's on my 91 525.

[Hector]

Swwwwwweeeeeet, you guys!!!

Yeah Russell, that reminds me I also have a steering wheel issue. Hear a clicking noise when turning right or left. I've been driving like this for over year and the problem hasn't gotten worse but the auto specialist thinks it is coming from the steering box. A while back Jeff (Regal) suggested it might be the slip ring. Good hearing from you Jeff.

It will be a while before I join the 400-mile club. Power on fellas! Hey Robin, your absence will be felt and your contributions missed but I get the feeling you will be hanging around for a bit longer.

[Russell]

Swwwwwweeeeeet, you guys!!!

Yeah Russell, that reminds me I also have a steering wheel issue. Hear a clicking noise when turning right or left. I've been driving like this for over year and the problem hasn't gotten worse but the auto specialist thinks it is coming from the steering box. A while back Jeff (Regal) suggested it might be the slip ring. Good hearing from you Jeff.

It will be a while before I join the 400-mile club. Power on fellas! Hey Robin, your absence will be felt and your contributions missed but I get the feeling you will be hanging around for a bit longer.

Correct, my steering wheel also makes the clicking noise-only in winter. My mechanic told me it was the airbag? slip ring which must be replaced to eliminate the problem. Mine has done it for about 4+ years/

[Bill R.]

If its a single click when you turn it in each direction the odds are that its the big nut under the dash on the steering shaft. Remove the lower dash panel and you can get a big crescent wrench on it. While holding it , turn the key to on and turn the steering wheel clockwise until its tight.

[Russell]

If its a single click when you turn it in each direction the odds are that its the big nut under the dash on the steering shaft. Remove the lower dash panel and you can get a big crescent wrench on it. While holding it , turn the key to on and turn the steering wheel clockwise until its tight. I think it is multiple clicks/squeak. Havent heard it since about March.

[Hector]

Hi Bill,

Yeah, I am victim of multiple clicks. Sounds like 4 or 5 clicks per turn. It doesn't bother me much anymore unless I am thinking about it but I would like to get this issue taken care of some time soon. Well, it is that time to adjust the valves so I better go to the garage and make sure I have everything I need to do this job smoothly (thanks to the switch mechanism you suggested a few years ago to crank the engine) and painlessly.


If its a single click when you turn it in each direction the odds are that its the big nut under the dash on the steering shaft. Remove the lower dash panel and you can get a big crescent wrench on it. While holding it , turn the key to on and turn the steering wheel clockwise until its tight.