E34 540i 6-speed
Discussion
After taking my Nissan Silvia off the road to address numerous issues, I set about looking for a nice interim runabout. My eyes originally firmly set on a £500 base spec E36 / E34 that could be sold on shortly after, I instead ended up clearing out my bank account and selling a few things to pick up this well specced 1996 E34 540i 6spd.
A manual V8 E34 has always been a bucket-list car for me, but I've never been a fan of the way standard BMWs drive and E34s are a bit of a pain to get up to scratch, with one-piece strut/hub assemblies and dodgy aged arms/bushings giving them interesting handling characteristics when pushing on. When this came up priced under market value with BC coilovers, brand new front arm kit, polybushes all round and a professionally done decat S/S exhaust system I saw my opportunity to own a properly built fast road 540 and snapped it up.
First thoughts were somewhat underwhelming; having been used to the viscerally direct controls and experience from my Silvia, the E34 felt somewhat detached. It also didn't *feel* that fast; at least until I looked down at the speedo and realised I was generally going 30-40% faster than I realised. The non-vanos 4.0 is quite a cammy engine and needs to be past 4k to really be in its element, which when combined with the long gear ratios and supremely refined nature of the car means it disguises its speed extremely well. After a few days of ownership I acclimatised myself to the way it drives and realised how absolutely blistering the pace is; it's in its element on empty dual carraigeways and A-roads, where you can munch through 3rd and 4th and enjoy the (relatively) big V8 at its fullest.
I also initially found myself underwhelmed by the noise; having never had or driven a V8 before I was expecting, or rather hoping for the typical thumping cross-plane V8 rumble at idle. M60 V8s on the other hand have a more refined shriek, the noise building to an electrifying crescendo past 5k; its addictive and really gets under your skin. I didnt realise quite how loud it was until I let a friend drive it while I stood by and watched; its about twice as loud outside the car as it is in, even with the windows down. It does has a pleasing rumble when you saunter about in the lower revs; it will happily cruise about town sitting at 1k in 5th or 6th, and from the outside there is no mistaking it for anything other than a V8.
It's probably the highest riding car I've had in a while, but I love the way it looks; period correct Avez As give it a purposeful stance and people seem to move over for it pretty rapidly so it definitely has some road presence. Despite averaging 17mpg its massively got under my skin and has gone from an interim car to a potential long term project; whether or not I'll be able to afford to run it when I go back to uni is still to be decided however. Being my first car with over 200bhp (have always stuck with 325/328 E36s and stock-engine 200SXs) it's definitely redefined what fast is; if anything its almost quite frustrating as I find the opportunities to use the full 280BHP few and far between. Can't imagine what an E39 M5 would be like.
Overall it's a brilliant bit of kit, and I can't imagine I'll find many opportunities to drive a manual V8 in the future so I'm going to enjoy it while I can. Its surreal downshifting and rev-matching through the gears and hearing a V8 as you do so, and tunnels or high-walled streets provide a constant source of entertainment.
IMG_0063 by Gooles Boolington, on Flickr
IMG_0067 by Gooles Boolington, on Flickr
IMG_0065 by Gooles Boolington, on Flickr
IMG_0062 by Gooles Boolington, on Flickr
To-do list is to fix the rear windows as they dont go down, get some plain, pre-2001 font numberplates, maybe a 3.15 diff and possibly some chrome grills; although the black ones are growing on me. It also needs some cosmetic bits sorted, but generally cleans up well. I'd love a pair of Recaro SR3s upfront, ala the ltd edition M5s, as the big leather arm chairs sit me a little higher than I'd like.
Videos to come soon.
A manual V8 E34 has always been a bucket-list car for me, but I've never been a fan of the way standard BMWs drive and E34s are a bit of a pain to get up to scratch, with one-piece strut/hub assemblies and dodgy aged arms/bushings giving them interesting handling characteristics when pushing on. When this came up priced under market value with BC coilovers, brand new front arm kit, polybushes all round and a professionally done decat S/S exhaust system I saw my opportunity to own a properly built fast road 540 and snapped it up.
First thoughts were somewhat underwhelming; having been used to the viscerally direct controls and experience from my Silvia, the E34 felt somewhat detached. It also didn't *feel* that fast; at least until I looked down at the speedo and realised I was generally going 30-40% faster than I realised. The non-vanos 4.0 is quite a cammy engine and needs to be past 4k to really be in its element, which when combined with the long gear ratios and supremely refined nature of the car means it disguises its speed extremely well. After a few days of ownership I acclimatised myself to the way it drives and realised how absolutely blistering the pace is; it's in its element on empty dual carraigeways and A-roads, where you can munch through 3rd and 4th and enjoy the (relatively) big V8 at its fullest.
I also initially found myself underwhelmed by the noise; having never had or driven a V8 before I was expecting, or rather hoping for the typical thumping cross-plane V8 rumble at idle. M60 V8s on the other hand have a more refined shriek, the noise building to an electrifying crescendo past 5k; its addictive and really gets under your skin. I didnt realise quite how loud it was until I let a friend drive it while I stood by and watched; its about twice as loud outside the car as it is in, even with the windows down. It does has a pleasing rumble when you saunter about in the lower revs; it will happily cruise about town sitting at 1k in 5th or 6th, and from the outside there is no mistaking it for anything other than a V8.
It's probably the highest riding car I've had in a while, but I love the way it looks; period correct Avez As give it a purposeful stance and people seem to move over for it pretty rapidly so it definitely has some road presence. Despite averaging 17mpg its massively got under my skin and has gone from an interim car to a potential long term project; whether or not I'll be able to afford to run it when I go back to uni is still to be decided however. Being my first car with over 200bhp (have always stuck with 325/328 E36s and stock-engine 200SXs) it's definitely redefined what fast is; if anything its almost quite frustrating as I find the opportunities to use the full 280BHP few and far between. Can't imagine what an E39 M5 would be like.
Overall it's a brilliant bit of kit, and I can't imagine I'll find many opportunities to drive a manual V8 in the future so I'm going to enjoy it while I can. Its surreal downshifting and rev-matching through the gears and hearing a V8 as you do so, and tunnels or high-walled streets provide a constant source of entertainment.
IMG_0063 by Gooles Boolington, on FlickrIMG_0067 by Gooles Boolington, on FlickrIMG_0065 by Gooles Boolington, on FlickrIMG_0062 by Gooles Boolington, on FlickrTo-do list is to fix the rear windows as they dont go down, get some plain, pre-2001 font numberplates, maybe a 3.15 diff and possibly some chrome grills; although the black ones are growing on me. It also needs some cosmetic bits sorted, but generally cleans up well. I'd love a pair of Recaro SR3s upfront, ala the ltd edition M5s, as the big leather arm chairs sit me a little higher than I'd like.
Videos to come soon.
Edited by Gooly on Sunday 21st January 21:19
Ran my e34 540 for 7 years, and still miss it in some ways (despite being thrilled with Alpina B10 3.3 manual, which is much quicker/sleeker everywhere*)
if you want a hair more rumble and grumble, open the airbox, and unclip/poke out the internal snorkel in the front-side air inlet. (this is reversible!)
This is about NVH and inlet noise suppression, and doesn't affect power at all - in fact if anything it breathes easier at high RPM. Don't bother with a 'cold air intake' and if it already has one - source & refit the standard airbox!
And the M60 does love to rev, it's much sweeter IME than the M62, 4.4 version (which has a redline 1000rpm lower!) Don't bother with the 3.15 diff, it makes no difference overall if you plot the curves: just hold the lower gears longer. For my taste, yes, do stick the chrome grill back on it
Take care of this car; it's a now-rare, and a lovely thing. I kept a pretty full history on my 540 (in profile still) if you want to mine if for maintenance items and costs.
Dammit I want another .....
if you want a hair more rumble and grumble, open the airbox, and unclip/poke out the internal snorkel in the front-side air inlet. (this is reversible!)
This is about NVH and inlet noise suppression, and doesn't affect power at all - in fact if anything it breathes easier at high RPM. Don't bother with a 'cold air intake' and if it already has one - source & refit the standard airbox!
And the M60 does love to rev, it's much sweeter IME than the M62, 4.4 version (which has a redline 1000rpm lower!) Don't bother with the 3.15 diff, it makes no difference overall if you plot the curves: just hold the lower gears longer. For my taste, yes, do stick the chrome grill back on it
Take care of this car; it's a now-rare, and a lovely thing. I kept a pretty full history on my 540 (in profile still) if you want to mine if for maintenance items and costs.
Dammit I want another .....
- I'd describe the B10 3.3 as the best-trained gundog you've ever been around; when an e34 540 is the most-fun Springer you've had romp around, if that makes sense
Edited by Huff on Friday 23 June 20:46
PS : one more thing at your next oil change*
DROP the sump (it's in two parts, you only have to drop the front part) and ENSURE the oil pump bolts are snugged-up, and the chain play is correct (c.6-8mm under a straight edge on the longer run is about right. adjusted in the next stage)
Don't be surprised if you find a bolt or five lying in the oilpan...!
Don't worry, this is not a terminal problem either, and the pump cannot actually fall off or fail on you: but snugging it up, and setting the chain drive play correctly(it's one of the bolts exposed) will ensure things are quiet, and you'll have the piece of mind of knowing it is right. Can be done in 15mins on with jackstands and a 10mm socket on a ratchet with short extension. HTH.
DROP the sump (it's in two parts, you only have to drop the front part) and ENSURE the oil pump bolts are snugged-up, and the chain play is correct (c.6-8mm under a straight edge on the longer run is about right. adjusted in the next stage)
Don't be surprised if you find a bolt or five lying in the oilpan...!
Don't worry, this is not a terminal problem either, and the pump cannot actually fall off or fail on you: but snugging it up, and setting the chain drive play correctly(it's one of the bolts exposed) will ensure things are quiet, and you'll have the piece of mind of knowing it is right. Can be done in 15mins on with jackstands and a 10mm socket on a ratchet with short extension. HTH.
- which is a doddle - oil filter (a replaceable paper-element type) drops in the top of the engine bay; undertray has a convenient door in bottom, you just need 7litres of oil... do it yourself to be sure.
That looks like a nice car, big bonus that the suspension has been done. Mine needs sorting as it's a little vague.
They're great cars, a lovely feel to them. Obviously they can't compete with the modern stuff but they don't feel ancient.
Have you tried holding the rear window switch with the door open and then shutting the door whilst still holding the switch? This tends to wake it up.
Are you sure that the seat is fully lowered? The long handle at the back of the seat adjusts the height and they can go pretty low.
They're great cars, a lovely feel to them. Obviously they can't compete with the modern stuff but they don't feel ancient.
Have you tried holding the rear window switch with the door open and then shutting the door whilst still holding the switch? This tends to wake it up.
Are you sure that the seat is fully lowered? The long handle at the back of the seat adjusts the height and they can go pretty low.
Brings back memories of my E34 540i Auto that I had a few years ago... thread here...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I remember how enjoyable it was to drive, but I think it had a steering box as opposed to the straight 6s which had better steering?
Have a great memory of coming off the M25 at St Albans and getting off the roundabout onto the A405 on Christmas Day..damp road about 50 mph the back end steps out and I manage to correct it...felt like a god!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I remember how enjoyable it was to drive, but I think it had a steering box as opposed to the straight 6s which had better steering?
Have a great memory of coming off the M25 at St Albans and getting off the roundabout onto the A405 on Christmas Day..damp road about 50 mph the back end steps out and I manage to correct it...felt like a god!
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