Project Big Six-y: 1991 BMW 535i/5

[Jeff]

Update... I knew the fuse was good, as the same fuse controls my power mirrors, and they still worked. So, I took the console apart and jumped the connector. Lights both work when jumped. I have a new connector on order now ($6, thanks Pelican Parts) and it should be here Monday, which is the first chance I'll have to install things anyway.

Been looking at wheels and tires, but I think my bank account could use a rest for a few weeks at least...

What made you say "Must be the connector" rather then "Must be the switch" ? Sounds to me (not being able to see it obviously) like you determined the switch was bad with that test. Was the connector damaged?

[Jake]

Update... I knew the fuse was good, as the same fuse controls my power mirrors, and they still worked. So, I took the console apart and jumped the connector. Lights both work when jumped. I have a new connector on order now ($6, thanks Pelican Parts) and it should be here Monday, which is the first chance I'll have to install things anyway.

Been looking at wheels and tires, but I think my bank account could use a rest for a few weeks at least...

What made you say "Must be the connector" rather then "Must be the switch" ? Sounds to me (not being able to see it obviously) like you determined the switch was bad with that test. Was the connector damaged?

Oops, bad wording on my part. I really meant switch. Both halves of the connector look good and wiring going to the switch looks good as well. I jumped things where the connector comes apart. From there, side 'A' goes to the trunk and side 'B' goes to the busted switch.

Make better sense now?


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[Jeff]

A+

[Jake]

Update Time!

Parts came in and I've had some free time to tinker.

Reverse light switch was installed on Monday. It's literally a button that the shifter rod hits when you go into reverse. When the button is pressed in, it completes a circuit that activates the reverse lights. Supposedly it's a common failure point on old E34s. No big deal, it was $12 and if it lasts another 20 years, I'm happy. Easy to install once you can find the damn thing. Easy to miss after being covered in 20 years of road grime -- it's on the top of the transmission on the passenger side.

Fixed that switch and a sidemarker bulb that had blown out, and I passed VA Safety Inspection, woo!

Put the ZHP shift knob on the car. This knob came on the E46 3-series. The ZHP package was effectively the sports package in later model years. It's a nice knob, leather wrapped and nicely weighted. Worlds better than the stock vinyl knob.

Stock knob was all but deteriorated internally. When I removed it (just pull, no set screw or anything, avoid knocking out teeth) the inner plastic just crumbled. So now my interior has bits of black plastic everywhere.



Difference in height of stock knob (of any BMW) compared to the ZHP:



Also had time to put the new hood shocks on. The old ones were so tired and worn out that you could compress them by hand with no effort. While I am saddened by the loss of my BMW Dowel Rod Hood Prop ┬®, it's nice to have the hood "pop" on its own when you pull the lever inside the car. As a bonus, it stays open and will not fall and hit you in the back while you are doing things to the engine.



Andrew and I spent time on Monday afternoon swapping all the bawlin' audio gear from the Miata into this car. My JVC Arsenal head unit has been relocated to Bimmer Duty, as has the Basslink. Wiring wasn't too bad -- battery is underneath the backseat so we didn't have to run power very far. Everything sounds pretty good, although I'm still tweaking a few things relative to the subwoofer. Stock audio system is 8 speakers -- 2 door tweeters, 2 mids on top of the dash, 2 woofers in the front kick panels, and 2 of something on the back deck.

Still need to do the headliner and trunk shocks. An oil change could be good soon.

Coming up next: a post brought to you by the letters B, B and S.

[Dave]

...will not fall and hit you in the back while you are doing things to the engine.

Sounds to me like it was self defense. "No" means No, Jake.

[Jake]

I did a Hyperdrive in this Beastly Bimmer. Read about that experience here.

A little preview of what's in store for tomorrow:

[V1GiLaNtE]

Can't wait to see this :thumbup:

[Maengelito]

I didn't know BBS made Miata roll bars.

[Goodspeed]

I didn't know BBS made Miata roll bars.

:thumbup:

[Jake]

Pictchar time!

I bought these wheels from a guy in Richmond. 17x8 BBS RX. BIG thanks to Justin for picking them up and bringing them to VIR for me! Spent an hour or so with some 409 and a rag to clean them up, and they look pretty good now. Wrapped them in Kumho Ecsta AST's, sized 235/45/17.



Washed her for the first time... paint is mega-swirly. Still, she looks great from 10-15 feet and with the wheels, about 10 years newer. I'm in ruv.



My custom plates:



Bawlin'



ZHP shift knob on the car:



Ditched the sucktastic Alpine HU for my Arsenal:



Moved this from the Miata because I like my bass down low:



Unfff.

[ScottyB]

[CaptainHenreh]

[Jeff]

What they said

[V1GiLaNtE]

SEX.. I'm gonna say it but a little more low.. only like an inch and you've a mega boner DD

[REED]

I've always had a soft spot for E34s but man-o-man, you weren't kidding about those swirls in that last picture.

I never realized how similar the RX and RC styles were, thumbs up!

[PDenbigh]

Love the new wheels. Looking great Jake!

[andrew_j]

This shit looks so ill Jake. Glad you went with them.



We should do the body work and get it painted. That would make it pop.

[caa337]

Wheels look so good.

[SlimKlim]

This shit looks so ill Jake. Glad you went with them.



We should do the body work and get it painted. That would make it pop.

A polish and some dent work would do wonders for it

[ScottyB]

A polish and some dent work would do wonders for it

that chick or the car?