Happy to be back - S52 powered 1995 E34

[mcw323is]

Hey all - just wanted to reintroduce myself. 5+ years ago I had a 1998 e36 323is which was my first BMW and this forum fostered many ideas and purchases (some less functional than others). I sold that e36 after getting married and building a house, but two kids later I’m thrilled to be back.

In September on a Sunday night Craigslist whim, I found a 1995 E34 525i with the motor and transmission from a 1997 M3. It’s got about 186k on the body. It needed a new vanos unit and some other maintenance items but it’s been a ton of fun so far. It has the m50 manifold, Turner chip, and a set of m-parallels. I’ve been grabbing misc euro bits on eBay and things like that. Someday it’ll need some paint work, especially on the top surfaces and an upgraded exhaust, but I couldn’t be more thrilled to be back, needing to read things here and incessantly checking online for parts.

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Matt

[pob944]

For me, the red jeep is an insane build.

[Petrolheadpilot]

Very cool!! Welcome back, great looking car. I’d love to have an S52 in mine someday.


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[dannyzabolotny]

Good score! Buying it already swapped saves you a whole bunch of money and time. Stoked to see what you do with this.

[E38740iMD]

Would love to see in person. Since your a MD resident.

Looks well cared for. Welcome back

[BleedsBlue]

Welcome - and thanks for posting! That's a great swap, I've always wanted to try one. I came up in the E36 world, and at that time the M50 manifold was a very polarizing topic amongst the S52 guys. I ended up reverting to my stock manifold after trying a few bolt ons, preferring the more factory-like powerband.

[moroza]

A 532i, nice! How're the interior and suspension?

[Sleepyhead97]

Very cool and super jelly

[mcw323is]

A 532i, nice! How're the interior and suspension?

So to be honest I haven't done anything with the suspension other than replacing the rear struts right when I bought it. It had these wheels and sat at this height when I picked it up. Its on my radar but it handles well enough now as I deal with some other things.

The interior is in pretty decent shape for 25 years, but the drivers seat is BEAT and the headliner is held up by thumbtacks - haha. There was so much foam showing on the one part of the driver's seat I got an Amazon leather patch for the time being. I'm getting the headliner done this month. The back seat looks like it was rarely sat in, same with the passenger seat. All of the wood trim is nearly perfect minus the shift surround which was a little faded and got covered with my Ukraine special E34 M5 surround. I got the shift boots from Condor Speed Shop and love them. I'll have to grab some more pictures after I clean the leather this weekend.

My old E36 had tan interior and I always said I wouldn't do it again, but when I saw the engine swap was already done I figured it would be lame to turn down the project over that.

[mcw323is]

Welcome - and thanks for posting! That's a great swap, I've always wanted to try one. I came up in the E36 world, and at that time the M50 manifold was a very polarizing topic amongst the S52 guys. I ended up reverting to my stock manifold after trying a few bolt ons, preferring the more factory-like powerband.

Thanks are due to you actually - just got my door handle gaskets in the mail yesterday!

My old 323is was so under powered that I don't have a ton of context for the powerband. I think with the TMS chip and OBDI 1 conversion the power is good for my purposes, something to tinker with and drive hard once or twice a week if I can without getting into too much trouble.