New to me 530i

Hey guys! I was on in the e36 forums for a little bit in anticipation of getting a 328i but I ended up getting an 1994 530i instead. I'm looking forward to owning this car for a long time! It's got 97K miles on it, the cooling system looks like it was recently replace and it drives smooth. I'm going to need to put new suspension in it soon and get one of the window regulators fixed but other than that it drives great! Here's a little teaser pic


Updated with new pics

Nice find! Good luck with it, let us know when you do your suspension, I've done it a few times alon with other 'festers. We'll be able to guide you probably.

Nice! Thanks for offer. I've done a few suspensions myself but any advice would be extremely helpful! What do you guys suggest for shock/spring combo or coilovers?? I want it to be comfortable for a DD but a little lower than stock.

Very nice. Welcome to the wonderful world of E34 ownership

Welcome, shock and springs are better for a dd, and easier to install and cheaper than coilovers. Is that your infinity in the back ground?

Originally Posted by M540FELLA

Welcome, shock and springs are better for a dd, and easier to install and cheaper than coilovers. Is that your infinity in the back ground?

Thank you! Yeah, that's my Infiniti in the background It's lowered on Tanabe coilovers with WedsSport wheels. It's only lightly modified at this point. Only short ram intakes. The coilovers are super comfy for street driving.

I've got a world of Euro parts to learn about lol. I've heard of Bilstein in my mustang days and Koni's are available for the G37 so I've heard of them as well. What kind of suspension do these cars have? In my Infiniti, the rears are a separate spring/shock but the fronts are a coilover system.

Beautiful car. Kudos on only 97k miles too.

I have bilstein and vogtland which I daily drive but I'm a kid so I like it lower and stiffer. A popular combo is bilstein and h&r which seems to be the magical combo.

Buy a ball joint separator and replace the mounts are my words to the wise, meyle mounts are the best, get those.
You should also do upper and lower control arms, get the ones with the bushings already in it unless you have a press. Lemforder is tops but $$$; meyle again for these - bang for your buck.

When you do the control arms, e in touch, I'll give you my number if you like, prelaoding is a bit annoying but easily done with ramps.

Wheels, if you so choose, just go with a 17" oem style you like, they are abundant and affordable. The only trick with these are that 3 series have high offsets and would require large spacers, stay to the 5ers, and E39s require hubcentric rings (74-72.5mm).

Before mods like wheels and upgraded suspension, double check that the cooling system is fresh, and make sure all vacuum lines and oil gaskets are good, which can be a fun afternoon of simple work.

Best of luck!! We're here for you, the finest forum on the web for a reason.

Originally Posted by 95 E34

I have bilstein and vogtland which I daily drive but I'm a kid so I like it lower and stiffer. A popular combo is bilstein and h&r which seems to be the magical combo.

Buy a ball joint separator and replace the mounts are my words to the wise, meyle mounts are the best, get those.
You should also do upper and lower control arms, get the ones with the bushings already in it unless you have a press. Lemforder is tops but $$$; meyle again for these - bang for your buck.

When you do the control arms, e in touch, I'll give you my number if you like, prelaoding is a bit annoying but easily done with ramps.

Wheels, if you so choose, just go with a 17" oem style you like, they are abundant and affordable. The only trick with these are that 3 series have high offsets and would require large spacers, stay to the 5ers, and E39s require hubcentric rings (74-72.5mm).

Before mods like wheels and upgraded suspension, double check that the cooling system is fresh, and make sure all vacuum lines and oil gaskets are good, which can be a fun afternoon of simple work.

Best of luck!! We're here for you, the finest forum on the web for a reason.

I'm only 29 haha and I like it stiffer too. However, this car will be my DD and it needs to pass the wife/mom/kids in the future test I'll look in the forums for reviews on coilover sets as well as spring/shock combos. I prefer a coilover but if they're all to stiff, then a spring/shock set up will do.

I've pressed ball joints in and out before on my mustang that I used to own (a long time ago). That was a b1tch of a chore haha. The guy I bought it from told me it'd be a good idea to change out the ball joints soon so that'll happen most likely at the same time I do the suspension.

Wheels will come at a later point. I actually like the smaller diameter. I'll keep an eye out but you can't beat the classic look of the car

I really appreciate the support. I've been part of a few other forums myself and it's super rewarding being able to provide advice for those that are new like me. I hope I can pay back the dividends one day. I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of questions from me!

Originally Posted by SwissCheeseHead

I'm only 29 haha and I like it stiffer too. However, this car will be my DD and it needs to pass the wife/mom/kids in the future test I'll look in the forums for reviews on coilover sets as well as spring/shock combos. I prefer a coilover but if they're all to stiff, then a spring/shock set up will do.

I've pressed ball joints in and out before on my mustang that I used to own (a long time ago). That was a b1tch of a chore haha. The guy I bought it from told me it'd be a good idea to change out the ball joints soon so that'll happen most likely at the same time I do the suspension.

Wheels will come at a later point. I actually like the smaller diameter. I'll keep an eye out but you can't beat the classic look of the car

I really appreciate the support. I've been part of a few other forums myself and it's super rewarding being able to provide advice for those that are new like me. I hope I can pay back the dividends one day. I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of questions from me!

the ball joints are what the ball joint separator are for. the press is for the control arm bushings

Originally Posted by 95 E34

the ball joints are what the ball joint separator are for. the press is for the control arm bushings

Gotcha. I guess I'd have to take a look to see what the set up is like. The car is still on the lot so I haven't had a change to get too intimate with it. I'm having the guy look at the window regulator and motor to get it working again. I've also DIY'd windows on the mustang but it was a pain. He quoted me about $100 to get the repair done...something I'm willing to pay him for. I'll take a look at the meyle products you listed. My aim is to bring to tip top driving condition. I'm no balla!

They are a MacPhearson type system. Coil over gas shock at all 4...

Originally Posted by 95 E34

They are a MacPhearson type system. Coil over gas shock at all 4...

Awesome. That'll make life a little easier.

I want to get some coilovers too. Here's review on the coilover systems by one our members look towards the middle of the thread, http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...1970&highlight=

Originally Posted by M540FELLA

I want to get some coilovers too. Here's review on the coilover systems by one our members look towards the middle of the thread, http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...1970&highlight=

Thanks man. I'll jump on in a take a peek! It seems just from reading that coilover options are not as black and white as I'm use it. Maybe I will do a spring/shock combo just for the cost and ease of finding them. I don't want to have to do any extensive modifications or pay too much. Gotta keep it cost effective. I've got to make the right purchases now that I have two money pits.

I just quickly looked at a DIY for the rear suspension....it looks like a mutha!!! The rear shock mounts are located on the rear seat deck?? Did I see that right?

Good thing I have a second car!

you can do it in a weekend. its just a little overwhelming at first... the rear seats are very easy to remove and the rear parcel shelf just slides out . Mounts are under the sound deadening, justl it back and yourre solid.

I strongly recommend buying a bently manual or downloading it from somewhere on the interwebz

Actually the rear shocks are pretty easy. I had to change my rear shock mount. Just have to remove the rear seat.
Pull up your the bottom of your back seat. Pry off the covers on the seat belt,be careful they can break if you're not careful.
There' two bolts behind the armrest and then there are two more bolts on the drivers side and passenger side towards the bottom of the seat of the seat back.
Then pull out the back seat.
There a 22mm bolt at the bottom of the strut assembly,take it out first. Then get a jack a support the trailing arm, and remove the three 13mm bolts on the rear deck. Then pull the whole assembly out. Get some spring compressors and compress the spring and disassemble the shock assembly.
Takes more time to take out the back seat but it took me about 1hr.

Thanks for the tips fellas! I'm thinking about going with Eibach/Koni combo. I've read that this is a good compromise between comfort and handling. The rear seat is surprisingly easy to take out. I didn't realize there was actually stuff under there!! I'll have to buy pieces at a time though. Do you recommend replacing both the front and rear shock mounts also? Any particular brand I should go with?

yes. all four. meyle.

Thanks!!

I also updated the first post with new pics

the low mileage really shows on that car. its a dime for sure

Originally Posted by 95 E34

the low mileage really shows on that car. its a dime for sure

Definitely is! I'm so happy with the purchase. It so nice.

Originally Posted by SwissCheeseHead

Thanks for the tips fellas! I'm thinking about going with Eibach/Koni combo. I've read that this is a good compromise between comfort and handling. The rear seat is surprisingly easy to take out. I didn't realize there was actually stuff under there!! I'll have to buy pieces at a time though. Do you recommend replacing both the front and rear shock mounts also? Any particular brand I should go with?

I've got eibach's and bilstiens. It's a great combo, I love them. They firm but IMO not too firm. I agree with 95e34, it's best to go ahead and change out the mounts. They're pretty cheap. Also look into get some front and rear sway bars. I've got the mtech/m5 sways on mine and the help make feel like it's on rails. I know you're on a budget but it's just some thing to think about. Where in Wisconsin do you live? My mom's side of the fam are from LaCrosse. I went up there once when I was little but I have yet to return.

Sent from my SPH-M910

Originally Posted by M540FELLA

I've got eibach's and bilstiens. It's a great combo, I love them. They firm but IMO not too firm. I agree with 95e34, it's best to go ahead and change out the mounts. They're pretty cheap. Also look into get some front and rear sway bars. I've got the mtech/m5 sways on mine and the help make feel like it's on rails. I know you're on a budget but it's just some thing to think about. Where in Wisconsin do you live? My mom's side of the fam are from LaCrosse. I went up there once when I was little but I have yet to return.

Sent from my SPH-M910

Did you go with HD or sport? It has to meet the gf/mom test so I don't want anything too firm but I also don't want it to rock like a boat. I've had eibachs with other cars before so I'm going to stick with those. They're still pretty soft. I'll chang out the mounts also. It seems I'll be changing out most of the components in the suspension anyway just because it's due time. I'll buy all of the parts over several month's time so it doesn't empty the wallet too much then have a big suspension party next spring.

I'm in Madison, WI, which is about 2 hours south of LaCrosse. I've never really been to LaCrosse, only have driven through it to get to St. Paul, MN. It's a college town so there's gotta be something other than cows and beer there