//M Newbie

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   But a BMW oldie 
I've recently added an E34 3.6 ('89, 100k miles) to my expanding collection which is normally biased towards Alpinas.  I've waited too long for a good B10 manual so this is the result.

There's a few niggles I'm already familiar with due to owning an E32, with which it shares many of the electrics.  However, some things are new to me.
The engine isn't as smooth as I expected !  Am I being unrealistic here or should the idle be as high as 900rpm+?  It's mildly lumpy reminiscent of a tuned MkII escort but not as much as to make me think it's misfiring.  Is this normal too?
There is a prominent whine coming from the bulkhead area in both first and second gear.  My BMW independent agrees that it sounds like gearbox whine but it appears to be coming from the engine bay.  However it is definitely more apparent in first and second gear and reminds me of straight cut gears so it's nothing to do with alternators or belts.  This box is supposed to be bullit proof so we're a bit stumped.
The car has cruise control fitted but it lacks the smoothness of other BMs I've had.  The throttle control seems a bit vicious so that even when feathering at constant speed, it is very apparent if you are on or off the throttle.  Again is this normal?
Thanks

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Chas C Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Nothing new under the sun Joined: 15-December-2004 Location: Aberdeenshire Status: Offline Points: 1620	Topic: //M Newbie Posted: 15-February-2006 at 05:06
	But a BMW oldie I've recently added an E34 3.6 ('89, 100k miles) to my expanding collection which is normally biased towards Alpinas. I've waited too long for a good B10 manual so this is the result. There's a few niggles I'm already familiar with due to owning an E32, with which it shares many of the electrics. However, some things are new to me. The engine isn't as smooth as I expected ! Am I being unrealistic here or should the idle be as high as 900rpm+? It's mildly lumpy reminiscent of a tuned MkII escort but not as much as to make me think it's misfiring. Is this normal too? There is a prominent whine coming from the bulkhead area in both first and second gear. My BMW independent agrees that it sounds like gearbox whine but it appears to be coming from the engine bay. However it is definitely more apparent in first and second gear and reminds me of straight cut gears so it's nothing to do with alternators or belts. This box is supposed to be bullit proof so we're a bit stumped. The car has cruise control fitted but it lacks the smoothness of other BMs I've had. The throttle control seems a bit vicious so that even when feathering at constant speed, it is very apparent if you are on or off the throttle. Again is this normal? Thanks


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brybusa Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 02-December-2004 Status: Offline Points: 676	Posted: 15-February-2006 at 06:56
	Sorry i cant help/advise you with the problems Chas but thats a nice looking car...and a nice collection of vehicles you have!

mmm-five Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member I Joined: 16-January-2003 Status: Offline Points: 343	Posted: 15-February-2006 at 07:12
	Idle is lumpy (due to the semi-race cam), feels like the car is rocking from side to side sometimes, and at around the 850rpm mark - about 950rpm with the air-con on. The gearbox can be a bit whiny and 1st & 2nd can be tough to engage when the 'box oil is cold. Take it on a good run to warm it up and then double-check. If it's still there, then it could be synchro's worn a little. The 5-speed boxes are regarded as more sturdy than the later 6-speed ones, but rebuilds on either don't tend to last very long and a new or low mileage used one is a better bet. The throttle is quite sharp for the first 1/2 inch or so due to the cable having to control six throttle bodies at once - it can also be exacerbated with a slightly stretched throttle cable - a new one is cheap and easy to replace. Have a look at http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/index.php for a wealth of info.