Page 1 of 16 1234567891011 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 400

Thread: My Calypsorot 540/6 Thread

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 540/6 Calypsorot

    My Calypsorot 540/6 Thread

    Starting this thread to keep track of maintenance and modifications during my ownership. I'm terrible at taking photos while working on the car, but I'll post what I have and try to be more picture conscience moving forward.

    My love for the E34 started a little over 2 years ago when I purchased a 94 525i. Over that time I learned a lot and with the help of my friends at Soley Bimmer, I was able to properly maintain the car while adding some modifications to increase my driving experience. After refreshing the suspension and adding coilovers and bigger sway bars, it just wasn't enough for me.



    Thus my search for a 540/6 began. I contacted several owners looking to sell their cars, but none of them really impressed me until I saw this particular car on Craigslist. The biggest turnoff was the mileage, but after speaking to the owner I was willing to take the next step and have a PPI done along with a compression test. CA Tuned in Sacramento inspected the car and the results were better than expected. The car needed very little so, I contacted the seller, made him an offer, and flew up to pick up the car.

    As soon as I arrived at the airport, the previous owner was waiting with the car. He surprised me with a trunk full of parts, including a 3.64 LSD I have yet to install. After a brief look I paid him and drove the car to a local muffler shop, where I had the muffler deleted and had some nice dual wall tips added. IMO it sounds amazing.



    One of my best friends made the journey with me and we took the scenic drive back down to Laguna. We drove through Carmel and Big Sur, down through Santa Barbara and LA before making it home after 9+ hours of driving. Such a great drive!











    Since taking ownership I have added an afe dry flow air filter, windshield washer reservoir and cap, ZHP shift knob, E60 SSK, a beautifully redone M-Tech II steering wheel, CA Tuned coilovers, AKG bump steer kit, and I reconditioned the leather with Leatherique.











    I have a good idea of where I want to go with this car so, stay tuned as I will add to this thread as I further my progress.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Springfield OH
    Posts
    1,189
    My Cars
    1993 525i 1995 553i
    Really a beautiful car. Calypso is the definitely the best color out there.
    95 E34 553i6 LS TR6060 Project
    93 E34 525iA Beater with no heater
    VANOS kicked in yo!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    South of Boston
    Posts
    8,235
    My Cars
    Scrap
    That is a great looking car.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Saint Francis, MN
    Posts
    109
    My Cars
    1994 540i, 1995 540i/6,
    Beautiful!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Atlanta
    Posts
    368
    My Cars
    95 e34 540i/6
    Looks really nice!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    NSW, Australia
    Posts
    1,273
    My Cars
    E34 540i, R34 GTT
    I'm personally not a fan of that colour, but your car looks immaculate, credit to the previous owner, and now credit to you!

    Love those steering wheels, but an airbag delete?

    Look forward to seeing where this goes!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    westerville ohio
    Posts
    1,802
    My Cars
    95 540i/6 07 cibic si
    Lol "respect your elders". I've got one of those stickers around somewhere. Congrats on a clean looking ride

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    1,522
    My Cars
    1992 525
    I like it. I like your previous car as well!
    "Helicopters: 10,0000 pieces of metal fatigue rotating around an oil leak."


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    sacramento ca
    Posts
    43
    My Cars
    mk4 jetta vr6, e34 540i
    Nice ride sir!✋🙌

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 540/6 Calypsorot
    Thanks everyone, this car is going to be a fun, longterm project. Here are a few pictures of the front suspension with the AKG bump steer correction spacers, adjustable sway bar links, Dinan sway, and the CA Tuned coilovers.






  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Las Vegas
    Posts
    1,043
    My Cars
    Too many
    Subscribed
    1994 e36 325i convertible, 5 spd samoablau metallic-just acquired
    1994 e34 525i schwarz II auto
    1985 Nissan 300zx 5spd
    1991 e34 535i calypsorot metallic 5spd-SOLD

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Romania
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    Bmw 520 ,2001
    Very Nice

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    4,176
    My Cars
    E53, E38, E34, E39T
    Lovely. That 3.64 lsd will kill your gas mileage.





    Some Places remain unknown because no one has ventured forth. Others remain so because no one has ever come back......

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 540/6 Calypsorot
    Quote Originally Posted by Trasportador View Post
    Lovely. That 3.64 lsd will kill your gas mileage.
    I know, thats why I haven't installed it yet. I've been thinking of selling it or trading it for a 3.15 LSD. Haven't made up my mind yet.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    4,176
    My Cars
    E53, E38, E34, E39T
    Quote Originally Posted by UnrulyGrace View Post
    I know, thats why I haven't installed it yet. I've been thinking of selling it or trading it for a 3.15 LSD. Haven't made up my mind yet.
    I'd go 3.15, but I may be biased





    Some Places remain unknown because no one has ventured forth. Others remain so because no one has ever come back......

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    ATX
    Posts
    3,450
    My Cars
    Sundry old Grrrrmans
    Gorgeous, particularly on minty M-Pars.

    I also spy aluminum LCAs, are they M5 or E31?

    I highly recommend Mooseheads if your upper (thrust) bushings need fixin'.
    - Brent
    www.angry-ass.com

    Quote Originally Posted by danespann View Post
    Every E34 needs the same things in the end.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 540/6 Calypsorot
    Quote Originally Posted by BleedsBlue View Post
    Gorgeous, particularly on minty M-Pars.

    I also spy aluminum LCAs, are they M5 or E31?

    I highly recommend Mooseheads if your upper (thrust) bushings need fixin'.
    Not sure if they are M5 or E31, but they are genuine BMW. After reading through your build thread, I will definitely be going with Mooseheads when I refresh the front end.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    ATX
    Posts
    3,450
    My Cars
    Sundry old Grrrrmans
    Quote Originally Posted by UnrulyGrace View Post
    Not sure if they are M5 or E31, but they are genuine BMW. After reading through your build thread, I will definitely be going with Mooseheads when I refresh the front end.
    Cool, your setup (coilovers, big sways, etc) will definitely benefit from them. I think one way to check if they are M5 (bushing) or E31 is to twist the arm by hand (while it's all bolted up). If it deflects and returns to neutral, it's the M5 bushing; if it "stays" where you move it, it's the E31 bearing.

    How is the ride/crashiness w/ the coilovers and your specific spring rates?
    - Brent
    www.angry-ass.com

    Quote Originally Posted by danespann View Post
    Every E34 needs the same things in the end.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 540/6 Calypsorot
    Quote Originally Posted by BleedsBlue View Post
    Cool, your setup (coilovers, big sways, etc) will definitely benefit from them. I think one way to check if they are M5 (bushing) or E31 is to twist the arm by hand (while it's all bolted up). If it deflects and returns to neutral, it's the M5 bushing; if it "stays" where you move it, it's the E31 bearing.

    How is the ride/crashiness w/ the coilovers and your specific spring rates?
    I love the ride, its smooth yet I have incredible feel/feedback from the road. The crash is minimal, only slightly noticeable when going over large speed bumps. Front spring rate is 10/560 and the rear is 8/448. This is the first set of coilovers I've had the pleasure of running so, I don't have much to compare them with, but I think they're great.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Posts
    455
    My Cars
    '95 530it/5spd
    So awesome, color combo and motor! Looks really clean and seems like your taking excellent care of it. That wheel is pure sex, in fact almost everything you've done to it so far is.

    by the way, how does the muffler delete sound? any drone?

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 540/6 Calypsorot
    Quote Originally Posted by Kinghorn View Post
    So awesome, color combo and motor! Looks really clean and seems like your taking excellent care of it. That wheel is pure sex, in fact almost everything you've done to it so far is.

    by the way, how does the muffler delete sound? any drone?
    Thanks Kinghorn!

    I love the muffler delete. No drone, very mild when I'm not in the throttle, but screams when I'm in it. Perfect for my taste.

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    ATX
    Posts
    3,450
    My Cars
    Sundry old Grrrrmans
    Quote Originally Posted by UnrulyGrace View Post
    I love the ride, its smooth yet I have incredible feel/feedback from the road. The crash is minimal, only slightly noticeable when going over large speed bumps. Front spring rate is 10/560 and the rear is 8/448. This is the first set of coilovers I've had the pleasure of running so, I don't have much to compare them with, but I think they're great.
    Nice. I'm not 100% satisfied with the drop from the H&Rs, but the ride is so good (w/ full length Billies, not Sports) that I'll have a hard time justifying the extra $1-2k for coilovers just for an extra 0.5-1" of drop.

    Roughly what did the CATuned units run you? I bet this thing corners w/ authority and flat as a pancake, do you have front and rear sways?
    - Brent
    www.angry-ass.com

    Quote Originally Posted by danespann View Post
    Every E34 needs the same things in the end.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 540/6 Calypsorot
    Quote Originally Posted by BleedsBlue View Post
    Nice. I'm not 100% satisfied with the drop from the H&Rs, but the ride is so good (w/ full length Billies, not Sports) that I'll have a hard time justifying the extra $1-2k for coilovers just for an extra 0.5-1" of drop.

    Roughly what did the CATuned units run you? I bet this thing corners w/ authority and flat as a pancake, do you have front and rear sways?
    The coilovers replaced Dinan springs and full length Bilsteins, and its a night and day difference. These coils ran me ~$1,500 and that included them welding the fronts and new wheel bearings. It has Dinan sways front and rear, identical to Racing Dynamic sways, and it really handles corners well with very little body roll.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    ATX
    Posts
    3,450
    My Cars
    Sundry old Grrrrmans
    Quote Originally Posted by UnrulyGrace View Post
    The coilovers replaced Dinan springs and full length Bilsteins, and its a night and day difference. These coils ran me ~$1,500 and that included them welding the fronts and new wheel bearings. It has Dinan sways front and rear, identical to Racing Dynamic sways, and it really handles corners well with very little body roll.
    Thank you for all the input! I look forward to seeing your progress, though to be honest I'm already very impressed
    - Brent
    www.angry-ass.com

    Quote Originally Posted by danespann View Post
    Every E34 needs the same things in the end.

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Roseville, CA
    Posts
    1,706
    My Cars
    2003 325i
    There she is! That's my old car. Looks great on the coilovers and I'm sure it sounds great with the new exhaust - those were the two things I had hoped to do. Man I can't possibly think of a better buyer, and I'm stoked to see where you take her from here.

Page 1 of 16 1234567891011 ... LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •