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Old shape! 
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 08-January-2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 497
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 Posted: 04-January-2006 at 08:49 |
The ultimate would be back to my 520. It's sat on my drive, SORN, I throw petrol in it every now n then and let it tick-over for about an hour a week. She starts before the first engine rev. every time. The MoT failed due to emmisions, almost raw fuel in the exhaust! All it needs is a Head off, sump off, pistons out, replace rings (Pot 6 is no compression, pot 4 is 50% and pot 2 is 20%) so may as well replace all six ring sets. Rebuild with a new gasket set and torque bolts etc. Or, drop in another M20 lump from a donor car. Down here is Sth Wales, there is no specific BMW scrapyard (As I had up in Preston) so spares are a bit of a nightmare. I reckon the above work is near a £1,000 so it would be folly to do. Unless there is a volunteer on here?  Pretty please?
I have tried the temp. repair of "Piston seal" but it hasn't worked (Mind you, it's not been driven, only ticked over). By removing appropriate leads, she runs, albeit rough, on the 3 good pots but won't even tick over on the 3 bad pots. I've checked all the electric/fuel/air possibilities because I still find it odd that 3 pots have gone, yet the other three are perfect - the spark plugs are spot on. The three plugs from the bad pots are oily black and oily wet. Such was the torque of the M20 engine, this fault did not show itself when driving (I knew it was there 'cos I wire-brushed the plugs every Friday) and replaced them every two months.
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Paul DH
1994 E38 "Proud owner of a "3/4 engined E37.9 that's almost a real car with real paint...WITH 6 WASHER JETS!"
1989 520i (E34) Gone
1988 320i Coupe (E30) Gone
1995 520 Estate (E34) (Wife)
1992 320i SE OBC (E36) (Wife) Gone
1988 320i Saloon (E30) (Wife) Gone
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Old shape!
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 08-January-2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 497
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Posted: 04-January-2006 at 08:57 |
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Also, I keep a fuel log. With a GRAPH! Shows tank by tank and 3 tank average! WOW! Geekdom!
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Paul DH
1994 E38 "Proud owner of a "3/4 engined E37.9 that's almost a real car with real paint...WITH 6 WASHER JETS!"
1989 520i (E34) Gone
1988 320i Coupe (E30) Gone
1995 520 Estate (E34) (Wife)
1992 320i SE OBC (E36) (Wife) Gone
1988 320i Saloon (E30) (Wife) Gone
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sleeper
Really Senior Member II
Original and STILL best
Joined: 26-March-2004
Location: East Sussex/Kent border
Status: Offline
Points: 2098
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Posted: 04-January-2006 at 08:59 |
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for gods sake you guys, go and play OUTSIDE!!!
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paulfinucane
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 19-July-2005
Location: essex
Status: Offline
Points: 273
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Posted: 04-January-2006 at 09:05 |
bloody hell-if I kept a log (or any other tree part) of my fuel consumption I would never drive my car.
if I get 20 around town (shown on the obc) with the way I drive I am happy.
I guess I really should take some responsibility for global warming !
Paul
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1990 e34 M5,Macau Blau Metallic,Extended Champagne Leather,Auto Climate,Hella clear corners,Rondell 058,SS exhaust,
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Old shape!
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 08-January-2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 497
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Posted: 04-January-2006 at 11:50 |
Global warming?
I just do it as a signifyer that something may be wrong. I found a tiny tiny, and I mean as tiny as a tiny thing, fuel leak on the 520 thanks to that. It didn't leak when the fuel system wasn't pressured by the pump, so no fuel on drive or parking spot. Engine running - a fine spray could be seen from the metal pipe that crosses the front of the fuel tank, behind the protective shield. I couldn't see it, but smelt it, when I removed the shield there it was. Tiny.
And of course, I am skint and need to watch my MPG!
Since I've been driving like Mother Teresa (I wasn't exactly fast before) my mpg has increased about 15% on average and up to 30% on some short runs.
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Paul DH
1994 E38 "Proud owner of a "3/4 engined E37.9 that's almost a real car with real paint...WITH 6 WASHER JETS!"
1989 520i (E34) Gone
1988 320i Coupe (E30) Gone
1995 520 Estate (E34) (Wife)
1992 320i SE OBC (E36) (Wife) Gone
1988 320i Saloon (E30) (Wife) Gone
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T.J.
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 22-September-2003
Location: Cork, Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 2332
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Posted: 04-January-2006 at 12:06 |
 nope I ain't an accountant. Mechanical engineer. I just track it so I can compare cars on a cost per mile basis.. I actually had a full log for the 518i but deleted 10k by accident which bugged me a bit. I've the full log for the 525 & 328 aswell 
Also, as mentioned above, it can flag small things. The idle control valve was a bit sticky on the 525i - didn't realise till I sorted it that it was knocking 1.5mpg off my average! Ditto new tyres on the 328 - alot stickier & a bit wider than the previous Avons.. but also 1mpg+ off my fuel consumption since I fitted them.
Edited by T.J.
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Mazda 6 MPS
S1 Elise 135 Sport
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
Formerly E39 TDS, E36 M3, E36 328i, E34 525i, E34 518i
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Drew540i
Really Senior Member II
Available from all good newsagents!
Joined: 15-August-2005
Location: The Mansfield Massive
Status: Offline
Points: 632
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Posted: 04-January-2006 at 20:06 |
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I'm not a fan of the 520i at all. In the old E28 it wasn't
bad because they were so much lighter. The E34
12v 520i Automatic is probably the slowest car BMW
ever built, absolute dogs and a mobile road block.
Just pulling out of a busy junction is taking your life in
your hands.
The 24v cars aren't a lot better - they need revving to
shift along and boy do they drink the juice. 24v Auto
520i is very heavy on juice.
The 518i isn't a bad car and much nicer to drive than
the 2 litre, but get a 1993 L reg onwards car with the
later M43 engine (roller rockers and chain driven
cam). They're worth nothing on Ebay now (£5-600).
Your 520i needs to be put out of its misery - don't
spend a single bean on it, it's finished. Strip the
useful bits off and weigh it in!
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Chas C
Really Senior Member II
Nothing new under the sun
Joined: 15-December-2004
Location: Aberdeenshire
Status: Offline
Points: 1620
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Posted: 05-January-2006 at 03:53 |
I used to keep a fuel log in my old 320 but now I let the BM computer do the work and just check it occasionally with the trip meter for accuracy.
Have to agree with sleeper, I get much better fuel economy from my 2.8 than I ever could out of my 2.0.
I recently bought an E34 518 for my wife's friend and was pleasantly surprised at how sprightly it was. It doesn't have serious grunt of course, but I would be happy to use one as a daily runner and the economy is impressive.
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Old shape!
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 08-January-2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 497
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Posted: 05-January-2006 at 05:57 |
Drew, that's exactly what I'm going to do. Knowing me, stripping the "Good bits" will probably mean I have a complete garden shed full! "I'll keep that as a spare just in case it breaks". I am now in the market for a 518 1993+, as much spec. as possible. Not from Ebay though, I wouldn't commit to an old car without a 30 minute test drive and a good look around it.
cheers all.
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Paul DH
1994 E38 "Proud owner of a "3/4 engined E37.9 that's almost a real car with real paint...WITH 6 WASHER JETS!"
1989 520i (E34) Gone
1988 320i Coupe (E30) Gone
1995 520 Estate (E34) (Wife)
1992 320i SE OBC (E36) (Wife) Gone
1988 320i Saloon (E30) (Wife) Gone
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paulfinucane
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 19-July-2005
Location: essex
Status: Offline
Points: 273
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Posted: 05-January-2006 at 07:52 |
I like the idea of "babysitting" a 635csi chas - how does that work then- I wouldnt mind looking after someones M5.
Paul
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1990 e34 M5,Macau Blau Metallic,Extended Champagne Leather,Auto Climate,Hella clear corners,Rondell 058,SS exhaust,
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brybusa
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 02-December-2004
Status: Offline
Points: 676
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Posted: 05-January-2006 at 08:33 |
 Old shape! wrote:
The three plugs from the bad pots are oily black and oily wet. Such was the torque of the M20 engine, this fault did not show itself when driving (I knew it was there 'cos I wire-brushed the plugs every Friday) and replaced them every two months.
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Cleaned the plugs every Friday?!
You total madman!
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Old shape!
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 08-January-2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 497
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Posted: 05-January-2006 at 09:57 |
It was during the period when I was investigating all the possible faults that could make 3 pots fail but 3 pots perfect (Electrical/fuel/air etc.). I was doing 10 trips of 18 miles (Work) and two trips of 220 minimum per week, so the plugs were getting pretty fouled. It was a 5 minute job to remove/brush/replace the three plugs. The car had passed it's MoT only a few months earlier, and I didn't want to believe it was Piston rings (Although suspicion was there) because after all, all 6 pots have done the same work so why should three fail. As the pots 2/4/6 are the bad ones, I thought it was weak spark (The leads are on the same side of the dizzy cap for example). I replace cap and arm and leads. I cleaned and checked all the fuel lines to the Cylinders and a lot more.
It was only at the last MoT that the emissions were so bad the MoTman couldn't pass it. He did a compression test, which revealed the truth.
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Paul DH
1994 E38 "Proud owner of a "3/4 engined E37.9 that's almost a real car with real paint...WITH 6 WASHER JETS!"
1989 520i (E34) Gone
1988 320i Coupe (E30) Gone
1995 520 Estate (E34) (Wife)
1992 320i SE OBC (E36) (Wife) Gone
1988 320i Saloon (E30) (Wife) Gone
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Chas C
Really Senior Member II
Nothing new under the sun
Joined: 15-December-2004
Location: Aberdeenshire
Status: Offline
Points: 1620
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Posted: 05-January-2006 at 11:29 |
paulfinucane wrote:
I like the idea of "babysitting" a 635csi chas - how does that work then- I wouldnt mind looking after someones M5.
Paul |
A bit off thread but...
It's not as glamourous as it sounds. Another club member has a habit of buying old sheds with the intention of restoring them but just runs out of space and asks other people to store them for him. Mrs Chas says it's going by Easter
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sleeper
Really Senior Member II
Original and STILL best
Joined: 26-March-2004
Location: East Sussex/Kent border
Status: Offline
Points: 2098
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Posted: 05-January-2006 at 12:07 |
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love those 'abandoned' wipers!
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eta.
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 21-October-2002
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 599
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Posted: 05-January-2006 at 12:20 |
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The 518i e34 when first launched had the M40 cambelt engine (don't know about the later M43). However, I worked at a BM dealership at the time and the (sceptical) technicians were very surprised at how well the little 4 pot performed. It was torquey and very quiet. By contrast they called the 520 (m20) a 'slug' and it was a much older design engine and nothing like the larger bore 525 version.
I think the M40 was 16v and and i would be happy to recommend one with known history. I guess if the M43 is available as a 1.8 and has comparable performence to the M40 coupled with the security of a timing chain, then that would be the model to get.
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sleeper
Really Senior Member II
Original and STILL best
Joined: 26-March-2004
Location: East Sussex/Kent border
Status: Offline
Points: 2098
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Posted: 05-January-2006 at 12:28 |
@eta - M43 is chain drive 8v - M40 is an 8v too. M42 is early 16v 1.8, M44 later and 1.9. not sure of time of changeover...
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bmwcrazy
Really Senior Member II
1995 M5,1995 318ISE,1997 325
Joined: 24-October-2005
Location: (glasgow the wee apple) big dazz
Status: Offline
Points: 661
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Posted: 08-January-2006 at 14:08 |
i have a 520i se also a 318 and 740i and i think the 520i pulls ok much
better than the 318 and 740i i get 27miles to the gallon around town
i"am always sitting at 100 120 on motorway and have plenty power in
reserve most people that comment on the 520i have never owned one
everybody to there own taste any bmw is good to me
most folk that slag the 5 cant afford one that"s why they drive 3
lol 
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paulfinucane
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 19-July-2005
Location: essex
Status: Offline
Points: 273
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Posted: 09-January-2006 at 04:52 |
Well come easter I am sure I could find garage space for a 635 like that !
Chas C wrote:
paulfinucane wrote:
I like the idea of "babysitting" a 635csi chas - how does that work then- I wouldnt mind looking after someones M5.
Paul |
A bit off thread but...
It's not as glamourous as it sounds. Another club member has a habit of buying old sheds with the intention of restoring them but just runs out of space and asks other people to store them for him. Mrs Chas says it's going by Easter
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1990 e34 M5,Macau Blau Metallic,Extended Champagne Leather,Auto Climate,Hella clear corners,Rondell 058,SS exhaust,
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PaulS
Really Senior Member II
East Anglia BMWCC Regional Chairman
Joined: 03-July-2004
Location: Aylsham, Norfolk
Status: Offline
Points: 2516
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Posted: 09-January-2006 at 05:12 |
I know what you mean Paul - I could very easily, but would risk the wrath of the trouble and strife!!
Paul
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 95 E34 530i V8 Auto Maldives Blue
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Old shape!
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 08-January-2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 497
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Posted: 09-January-2006 at 07:05 |
bmwcrazy wrote:
i have a 520i se also a 318 and 740i and i think the 520i pulls ok much better than the 318 and 740i i get 27miles to the gallon around town
i"am always sitting at 100 120 on motorway and have plenty power in reserve most people that comment on the 520i have never owned one
everybody to there own taste any bmw is good to me
most folk that slag the 5 cant afford one that"s why they drive 3
lol
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I gotta admit, I didn't notice anything wrong with my 520, performance wise. Not until compression went in three pots! Even thn, it was quite happy apart from the 5.5 mile at 10% hill coming out of Abergavenny on the "Heads of Valleys" road. I had to knock her down to 4th for that! Before the problems, she was never sluggish and I never felt I needed more power. OK, there were times I wish I had a supercar to get round a tractor/caravan etc - but it would have been dangerous to do so anyway. I'd sooner be late than never.
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Paul DH
1994 E38 "Proud owner of a "3/4 engined E37.9 that's almost a real car with real paint...WITH 6 WASHER JETS!"
1989 520i (E34) Gone
1988 320i Coupe (E30) Gone
1995 520 Estate (E34) (Wife)
1992 320i SE OBC (E36) (Wife) Gone
1988 320i Saloon (E30) (Wife) Gone
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E34 518, opinions?
