***Mileage Poll***

[bimmerd00d]

Post the model and year of your E34, what mileage you are currently at, and what major repairs/replacements have you done. Also, what oil brand and weight have you been running.

1993 525iM
*205,128 as of 12/5
*2nd transmission at 184k
*all the usual things fixed
*2nd set of coil packs at 200k
*Mobil 1 10w30, and 15w50. (Might switch to Royal Purple 5w30)

[Hypr5]

1990 525iA
*128,200 miles
*Castrol GTX 20w50
*no MAJOR repairs yet
*all regular maintenance.

[winfred]

90 535ia actual mileage unknown as the cluster was melted when i got it, i suspect around 120-130k from general condition when i got it, i installed a cluster with 104k that's now about to roll over 140k. head gasket barffed shortly after i put it back on the road and instead of changing the gasket i just grabbed another motor off of the shelf that had been sitting for a couple years but had only 79k on it (the salvaged black on black 535 it came from was a roll over and did stand in for a black and tan 530 that was in the movie lush (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0197646/) that was supposed to wreck, filmed on north street in baton rouge at about 3am on it's roof) the motor cost me about $50 in op/vc and a few other gaskets but a head gasket job would of been over $150 in parts, i sold my old parts and made the shop several hundred bux, tim c has my old head and my short block is in a local 735. it runs on castroil 20w50 every 3000-3500 and don't use a drop plus the old oil comes out looking like it was in there a week, the tranny is a factory zf reman with id guess around 70k. the only parts that i've not removed from this car are rear subframe, diff (about to be replaced with 4.27ls) front subframe, trunk lid, gas tank, windshield, back glass, hard brake & fuel lines (some of the brake lines have been custom made by me to convert from 3 to 4 channel abs pump because i didn't have the correct later 3 channel pump that went with the 92 525 body harness i used and the one on the donor car had a locked up solonoid) radiator core support and sunroof channel (all guts have been out), all other parts have been off of the car at least once

[liquidtiger720]

1995 525ia
132,325 miles
at the moment castrol gtx 20w50. soon to be mobil 1 ow40 or redline 10w40
2nd tranny at 130k
new radiator when car was crashed by my sister.

[Paul in NZ]

euro 535is rhd dec 1989 build
p/o did clutch and gearbox after it was stolen and "driven"
all usual other stuff
lately castrol ll01 softec 5 w 30 run for full service interval

[ron56]

complete front suspension, otherwise nothing major, i wonder how long the tranny will last. i purchased car with 80, 000 miles and have never changed fluid , fluid is still nice color red, i felt if it's not broke don,t fix it, should i just leave it be?????. to bad but the clear coat os shot.

[Kev]

UK 525iM touring sept '93 build, maldivenblau ;111,000 miles.
bought in jan '02 with 94,000 miles and at the time I wouldn't have known a suspension bushing from a hole in the ground. but thanks to this forum ,Bruno's site and the bentley I've had the confidence to do the following in the past 10 months or so:replace water pump ,thermostat + housing, top & bottom hoses- thermostat was stuck open .Original water pump was ok at 10+years and 100k but there were some cracks in the impeller; replaced thrust arms & bushings(my friendly local stealer pressed the bushings into the thrust arms for me), control arms and bushings, front anti roll bar and links; installed EAT chip; repalced brake pad wear sensor;did an inspection 2 service last week used castrol gtx magnatec 10w 40 - still have to do fuel filter and final drive oil change. My big problem is that 10 scottish winters have taken their toll on the underside- my fuel lines are in pretty bad shape in places, cv joints don't look to hot either.

[E34-520iSE]

UK 520i SE March 1990. 187,850 miles. Brilliant red. Castrol GTX 20W50
Complete bottom end rebuild, new radiator & clutch @ 178,500 miles May - September '03
Apart from the block rebuild last year it's only had service parts replaced (viscous coupling, ignition leads, brake pads, discs, bushes, track rods, bulbs, tyres)
Still needs minor trim / cosmetic work

Cheers,

Shaun

[javanic]

151K miles
Mobil 1 oil
upper thrust arms changed, transmission case seals changed, all intake manifold seals changed, replaced fuel injectors with Bosch Design III, auxilliary water pump replaced.

[George Davis]

1994 525i auto, 102,650 miles, bought at 99,850 miles with rebuilt driveshaft just installed.
Rebuilt trans at 100,000, new water pump, thermostat, alu thermostat housing, radiator, belts, aux. fan resistor, thrust arms w/750i bushings, and rear upper shock mounts at around the same time.
Rebuilt starter at 102,600, plus 3 coolant hoses under the intake manifold.
Probably dino oil in it now, will switch to Mobil1 synthetic 10W-30 or 10W-40 at 103,000.

[peks]

89 535iM
217000 when the gauge cluster stopped working a while back.
thats the next repair
otherwise..clutch, diff, control arms, blowermotor, and all the reste of the usual stuff. going to have a brand new car bit by bit at this rate.e
mobil1 0W-40

[Bimmer Nut Ed]

and both running strong.

Heck the 1992 just passed Illinois emissions, fast passed in under 30 seconds. And it's engine oil stays clean all the way till the engine meter tells me to change it (synthetics only).

Generally replaced most suspension components, but nothing on the engines.

[Mr Project]

1991 535i 5-speed.
185k, new HG (HG was original) at 182k.

Owned only since 172k, 10/03. Nothing 'major' before that in the records.

[JonE]

1990 535iA
96,000 miles
switched to mobil1 0-40 at last oil change.
LKM resolder, large coolant hose replaced, aux. pump, fan clutch, outside temp. sensor repair, EAT chip, "sword" replaced, steering column nut tightened, had door bottoms repainted, plugs, tranny and diff. fluid changed, air and fuel filter replaced, backseat door panel reglued, various bulbs, etc.
Hey Winfred, will you keep us informed about how the 4.27ls works out, I have been curious about how the performance changes?
Jon

[Hallmark]

No major repairs on either.
Biggest repair expense to date is new radiator on #2.
Upgraded struts and spings on #1 with Sachs kit.

Both Mobil 1 5W-30
Mobil 1 ATF on #1 (soon on #2)

[Martin in Bellevue]

3 years ago, purchased it with 84k miles showing on the odometer. It seems to be at 82,292 miles this morning. Gotta love German electrics.
I've since, done the following:
•complete repaint (paid for, anyway)
•replaced suspension for that rolling barrel 'o bolts sensation
•850 brakes
•early 15lb flywheel
•couple sets of wheels; new throwing star hubcaps are coming from Germany, thanky Ed
•mtech2 steering wheel
•3.64lsd
•added cd player, installed in rear armrest
•regrind cam
•add heated & lumbar driver seat
•added oil cooler
•maf conversion

http://www.bimmer.info/bmw/Martin5er/82k.jpg

[Craig]

180K

Most of the front suspension parts were changed in the last 3 years by the PO.

Stuff done by me:
wheels
850Ci brakes
turbo
headgasket at 176K miles

[50 fiver]

1990 525ia 210,000 mi castrol syntec 5w 50, new 134 air, with compressor, new thrust/control arms, bav auto springs, bilstien touring shocks, 18's, that's about it, need to do timing belt in next 10,000.

[l8apex]

I bought this car new. It is now pushing 180,000 miles, and is my garage queen and track car. I trailer it to the track, mainly to keep mileage down, but also for insurance that I will be able to get home if something breaks.
My first mod was a Dinan DME and transmission chip. I still use the transmission chip, but switched to a Conforti DME chip. Second mod was polyurethane thrust arm bushings at about 50,000 miles. Still work fine, never had any shimmy.
I put in a (way overpriced) Dinan air intake tube. It doesn't stay in, do I just run without one through a K&N filter. I have Schroth 4 harnesses in front.
Suspension mods were next with Bilstein Sports, H&R springs, and Racing Dynamics anti-sway bars and front strut brace.
I have a SuperSprint cat-back exhaust system, and installed UUC "Very Serious Brakes front and rear with stainess steel brake lines. These are alloy two-piston calipers made by PBR in Australia for the recent Z-06 Corvette. They use off-the-shelf BMW 850 front and 540 rear rotors. A worthwhile mod for the price compared to Brembo or Porsche kits, and still offered by Ireland Engineering in LA.) I use Hawk "Blue" pads.
I had Brett Anderson of Koala Motorsports rebuild my differential with a 3.46 gearset using a Quaiffe torque sensing gear locking unit. Filled it with Redline gear lube. While I had the diff out, I replaced all of the rear subframe bushings, mounts, and Pittman arms, as well as the center driveshaft bearing and guibo.
The car has new engine and transmission mounts, transmission selector seals, and tie-rod-ends.
The most recent mod is a custom all-aluminum radiator from Ron Davis. This made a world of difference in my tendancy to overheat at the track. I also replaced the waterpump, belts, idler pullys, and cooling system hoses. I discovered that I don't need the engine-driven cooling fan (or viscous connector) or radiator shroud with this setup.
I used mineral BMW 10W 30 or 20W 50 for the first 120,000 miles. Now I use Mobil1 0W40 or 10W50, and it doesn't use a drop. I use BMW coolant 1:1 with distilled water and a pint of Water Wetter. I had a leakdown done at about 150,000 miles out of curiosity, and it passed. Some cylinders were fine, others had a little wear, but none were out of spec.
This is controversial, I know, but I have never changed the original "lifetime" transmission fluid. I have had virtually no problems with the transmission, and I certainly don't baby it.
I use BBS RK 17 x 8.5 wheels with Kumho Victoracer 245/45-17 tires all around for the track, and Mille Miglia 11-2 17 x 8.5 with Bridgestone Pole Position S-03 tires all around in the rain and on the street.
Unusual repairs that come to mind were cruise control module (expensive!), and fuel tank "7-way" vent valve. My fuel tank partially collapsed due to unvented vacuum. I also replaced my radio with another stock unit. I used BMW mud flaps for the first 150,000 miles. They looked OK, and helped protect the paint which is all original. I have put the Euro front and rear bumper strips and front license plate covers on.

Future plans/projects:

Replace original "sandblasted" windshield
"Shadowline" trim
Rear side and back window tint
"Smoked" headlights and tail lights (?) opinions?
Repaint (Oxford Green)
I have collected all the parts I need to do a conversion to a six-speed manual that came out of an e-39 except the lightened flywheel. This includes the pedal box, clutch master and slave cylinders and hydraulics, M5 clutchpack, Auto Solutions custom short shifter kit, Ireland Engineering transmission mounts, guibo, driveshaft, and brckets/hardware.
I want to develop a Lysholm-based twin-screw, air-to-water aftercooled supercharger setup for this car at some point if one does not become available.

[Sweetwater]

64835 miles.

No real mods except I pulled the Motorola phone and the coin box which was also in my way. 60K mile service done last month and the mech says I'll need new brake pads in the next 3-5000 miles. Run premium fuel and have been considering getting a set of regular Bilsteins but with two tuitions coming due this spring, I'll probably do nothing.

Been running dino, 20-50W - summer, 10-30W - winter.

BTW, these cars suck on ice, I had to make a run at a minor right hand sweeper with a 15 foot grade over 40 feet and the wheels spun out. Took 5 runs at it. The old Audi quattro wasn't even phased when I came back in it to pick up my son.

[winfred]

screw chargers are cool, in more ways then one


I want to develop a Lysholm-based twin-screw, air-to-water aftercooled supercharger setup for this car at some point if one does not become available.

[632 Regal]

History (http://www.bimmer.info/~632regal/BMW%20530i%20Maint%20History.xls)

[Dave M]

499,000km (@300,000miles) on a 91 525, small celebration planned for the 1/2 million mark next spring when it wakes up. Original block, original 5-speed tranny, replaced cylinder head two years ago. Castrol 10/30, 15-40 as long as I've owned it.

Dave M

[tim]

75004 on my 540i. Alusil block at 52k. Battery, and other electronics; Links, arms, and struts; waterpump, radiator, pulleys, belts; Valve cover gasket, afm boot, AT cooler lines, tranny serviced. Eat enhanced. That's the big stuff in addition to the inspection items. Even as a stock sleeper, the car never fails to get a comment. Rides on rails. Shockingly fast. The 5-0 usually let you slide and pulls over someone driving something a little 'sportier'-heh.

15w50 mobil 1.

[Marshy]

142000 miles now

Shell Helix Ultra oil - their top line synth oil, though I forget the weight.

Things done:-
- tranny rebuild (still dragging on...)
- engine mounts
- rear subframe bushings + Bruno's inserts
- new rad (top hose joint gave way)
- new water pump + hoses
- power steering pressure switch ($30 part - stranded me at midnight, 50 miles from home)
- a tie rod or two
- EAT chip :)
- PDA based SatNav - brilliant stuff!

Things to do:-
- thrust arms/bushes
- sway bar links
- rear shock mount sounds dead :(
- what I really want is M5 spec suspension all round, minus the expensive self-levelling stuff
- pray my friend sells his throwing stars to me..

[JR'Z 525]

1992 525 IA bought in Apr 2001 w/115,000 miles on it. PO had A/T rebuilt @ 104,000. Now it has 162,000 on it. I've rebuilt the front suspension completly then turned around a year later and installed Bav Auto lowering springs w/Bilstein Sport stuts. Much better road manners over stock. I've also replaced the following usual e34 items: radiator, rad shroud, water pump, valve cover gasket, 2 P/S hoses, converted to r134 and 1 A/C hose, rear diff output seals. I switched to Mobil1 oil and ATF 1-1/2 years ago.
Bruno's site has saved me some big $'s in upkeep for sure!
John R :D

[Am Piobaire]

1989 525i with 255,000 km on the clock - so far so good, I have had the car 3 years and so far the only major rebuild was the alternator - but it needs new brake rotors and I should get the timing belt done. Apart from that it's still pretty good - with the age and the mileage the electronics are starting to play up but that's pretty normal.

[Kamil]

Almost 241k miles. Original block, trans, diff.


PO replaced shocks/struts, and clutch.
HG might have been changed.
I replaced the radiator and starter.

All electronics work, including headrests and heated seats.
Original muffler will be replaced in the spring.
The driver's seat is a little worped making it uncomfortable, but the leather still looks good. Is there a way to fix that?

Edit - yea, the paint is just horrible. :(

The car takes a beating driving on horrible NYC roads daily (Tri-boro bridge, grand central pkwy being the worst) and takes me between NYC and Boston almost weekly. I put around 800 miles per week on it. Does not burn any oil. :)

I like the car a lot and my wallet loves it.

[Bill'93Touring]

But I just got this touring, PO did tranny 16k miles ago and head gasket 4k miles ago. May switch to synthetic oil.

My two '81 745i turbos drink full synthetic 20w50, to avoid any coking of the oil supply line to the turbo, or in the turbo.

[Sean H]

89 535iM, 10/88 build date
147,5XX miles, owned since 3/03 with 126,000 on the clock
Major repairs are the HG replacement (had the head machined when it was off), new radiator, waterpump (x2) and clutch. Me thinks it was abused in a previous life.
Oil is Castrol 10W-30

[Elekta]

Bought May 2002 for $13,500 with 58k; now has 87k or 141km as it reads on my euro speedo (really thinking about getting a US speedo at 100k)

500km, 18 gals = 310m / 18 = 17.22mpg

That was a city tank. I'm thinkin some new 02 sensors after the holidays.

Last repair was replacing upper rear shock mounts. Elim annoying rattle and made deep cornering a dream now without the squat a hop effect that spooks you in a highway exit ramp.

Did a wheel alignment and discovered that LF wheel camber is slightly positive, probably a bent strut or spindle, which is the next assignment. Car tracks ever so slightly to the left still. Any ideas?

New brake light switch

Fixed passenger door brake for the wife.

that was back in August $702 and change incl castrol change and some LAD fluid too.

Have replaced a radiator hose myself, and now think that I'll have to do the water pump, as there is something losing blue fluid on my garage floor.

[SharkmanBMW]

changed intake manifold & pcv plate, thrust arm bushings, rebuilt tranny, tranny bushings, bruno's delrin inserts for the subframe,
Most repairs were done before I bought it.... rad, water pump, aux fan, windshield,
the previous owner spent over 15000$ canadian in 3 years at the stealer repairing EVERYTHING they could think of, I have all the bills to prove it!
I was going to put mobil 1 synth. but the shop doing the work put agip before I could get them the mobil 1, so until next time.... agip will do!

[atomicDog]

1995 525i Touring
*143,000 miles
* Changed water pump, belts, tensioners and fan clutch @ 100K
* Changed passenger door power window motor @ 115Ks
* Upcoming repairs include driver's side door repair @ door brake area, front & rear struts, upper and lower control arms/bushings, driver's door power window motor
* At some point trans rebuild will be required/performed, as trans goes into reverse slowly and occasionally pendulum shifts
*Valvoline All-Climate 10w40 (approx. every 5K). May switch to a 15w40

I've had the car for two years (3rd owner) so far and thoroughly enjoy it!! Hope to be with it to at least 300K and beyond!!

[Luke]

[IMG]new Bat @50k
EAT chip at 60k
water pump @ 60 k
Tranny mounts @60 k
2 fuel pumps. (one developed a buzz)
raidiator and hoses at 80k
struts, shocks (boge), pitman arms, lower/upper control arms, shock mounts @ 100k
2 drivers window actuators. @ 50k and 110k

I run 15W-40 Chevron Delo 400
ATF III for tranny. (change filter and fluid every Inspection II)
75W 90 synthetic for diff (not a limited slip)

Brakes are PBR delux (looking foward to changing them. Too much fade and glaze)

Rotors are Balo

[granit_silber]

1992 Granite Silver 525iA
157K
New computer at 81K (1st owner)
Castrol GTX 20w 50
Plans: New air compressor/R-134a retrofit, new driver-side fog lamp, redo interior fabrics, 16-17" wheels(bbs or basketweave), get both channels of my stereo/changer working, respray, possible manual conversion(when at goes south), refinish wood trim, new tires.
(owned for 5 weeks now)
-ashley

[DueyT]

1995 540i/6
- 165,200 km as of 7-Dec-04
- original Nikky block
- clutch and thrust arms by prev owner 145,000 kms
- regular filters/belts/plugs/etc... at 160,000 km
- Mobil1 0W40 year round
- Redline MTL in the tranny at 150,000 km
- Brembo rotors and Raybestos QS pads at 156,000 km
- replaced aux water pump at 164,000 km

Cheers,
Duey

[Messerschmitt]

1994 530ia
*185,000 miles (original Nikasil block)
*Original transmission
*all the usual things fixed, and then some...
*Getting ready for my 5th new windshield!
*Mobil 1 10w30, Mann or Mahle filters

Messerchmitt

[MTechnik540i]

10/'95 M Technik 540ia
*132,246 as of 12/11
*2nd tranny at 108
*Original Nikasil Block
*Only BP/Amaco Gas
*Only Mobil 1...can't remember weight, will update.

[pbrennan10]

1993 525iA 229k
1 water pump
1 $7 sliding shifter cover

[KenB]

1993 525i 5 speed

143,000 miles

NO major repairs or replacements

Mobil 1 15-50

[scott540]

2/95 540i - 6 speed

82,000 miles

new radiator, water pump, power steering hoses

Mobil 1 0W-40

[winfred]

90 535ia actual mileage unknown as the cluster was melted when i got it, i suspect around 120-130k from general condition when i got it, i installed a cluster with 104k that's now about to roll over 140k. head gasket barffed shortly after i put it back on the road and instead of changing the gasket i just grabbed another motor off of the shelf that had been sitting for a couple years but had only 79k on it (the salvaged black on black 535 it came from was a roll over and did stand in for a black and tan 530 that was in the movie lush (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0197646/) that was supposed to wreck, filmed on north street in baton rouge at about 3am on it's roof) the motor cost me about $50 in op/vc and a few other gaskets but a head gasket job would of been over $150 in parts, i sold my old parts and made the shop several hundred bux, tim c has my old head and my short block is in a local 735. it runs on castroil 20w50 every 3000-3500 and don't use a drop plus the old oil comes out looking like it was in there a week, the tranny is a factory zf reman with id guess around 70k. the only parts that i've not removed from this car are rear subframe, diff (about to be replaced with 4.27ls) front subframe, trunk lid, gas tank, windshield, back glass, hard brake & fuel lines (some of the brake lines have been custom made by me to convert from 3 to 4 channel abs pump because i didn't have the correct later 3 channel pump that went with the 92 525 body harness i used and the one on the donor car had a locked up solonoid) radiator core support and sunroof channel (all guts have been out), all other parts have been off of the car at least once

[Wyn]

'91 525im (s50) Build date is dec. '90
209,000 when I left to come here to Bahrain.
New headgasket at 198k.
Original tranny, still very tight.
burns a little oil.
needs a new clutch when I return.
replaced drive shaft at 202k
Still saw 120+mph every day when I left :D

I can't wait to get back, bought some euro headlights for about $50 here.

[Reuben Lim]

89 525i matic US, 80,000 miles, roads here in Manila bad, changed lot of the suspension, transmission rebuild due to hesitation beyond 2500 rpm, but problem wasn't corrected, turned out a lot of foam gunk was floating around gas tank. EAT chip, waterpump, cylinder head gasket, camshaft to smoothen idling w/o A/C, cooling coil as well. Use Castrol mainly. 17" austrian mags on Bridgestone Potenza G3s, Shnitzer bumpers, sideskirts. Love this car. Problem is keeping the leather fresh though.

[cjones]

1994 525ix Touring
189,650 kilometers = 118,000 miles
CAT shocks ball joints steering rack front cv boot
Castrol synthetic 5-50

[mikemaster]

92 535

161,000 miles

much of the suspension, exhaust, and some little stuff. Besides "upgrades" :p

[Alan_525i]

108K miles. First major repair going on as we speak (headgasket). Bought the car with 54K in 2000. Wish I had kept my old car and kept the miles down on this one. All of the front suspension redone, a bunch of mods (latest of which is rear headrests) and when it comes back maybe something a little more powerful than stock...

[spitfire]

95 540/6
157,000 kms
Smooth idle(Nikasil)
M5 Rims
Replaced upper control arms and bushings, engine mounts, new springs(4), front struts, water pump, rad, clutch.
Has-Dinan Chip, Super Sprint Exhaust
Needs:Original air-intake plumbing, set of QUIET 235/45/17's, tighter front end. Cheers

[DanH]

Pushing 239k in my 89 535iA - bought at 204k 2.5yrs ago
Oil: Castrol syntec 5w-50 and Mobile 1 5w-30

Has averaged 19.867 mpg since i've owned it (city/hwy about 50/50).
And has cost $0.167/mile for gas($0.082/mi), maintenance and repairs.
That is $0.29/mile including the purchase price.
(Yes, I have the records to prove it. I like statistics...)

Not-so-minor Repairs:
-Driveshaft center bearing @ 204k
-Front and rear suspension parts boge shocks/eibach springs @ 208.5k
also control, thrust arms, tie rod ends, dogbones
-Battery @ 209k
-Radiator @ 209.8k
-Dunlop 225/60R15 SP A2 @ 217k
-(Front end rearranged by woman in SUV) @ 222k
-Alternator @ 223k
-Original Thermostat @ 224k