My Credentials
Many people ask me how I became the technical advisor to the M535i Resistry. I tell them that I have worked on everything from E9s to E21s, from E30s to E34s, from an E32s to E28s to E24s.
My first experience with BMWs was that of my brother's 1980 320i. The car was a complete piece of trash. For example the right rear shock tower was being held in the car by the rear parcel shelf and if you slamed any of the doors, rust would fall out of the rocker panels. The car was about 8 shades of silver and to sell it we had to rebuild the trunk out of aluminum flashing, Bond-O, and silicone. So far not off to a good start.
The second BMW that came into the family is my father's 1984 Euro M635csi. This car has been in the family for 8 years now (since November 1992) and we are not planning on selling it. I have done everything on that car from brake jobs to suspension to stereo. This car is truely a keeper.
The Euro M635csi
The next BMW was a 1984 318i. This was the car that I learned most of the basics on. My brother, and I did everything on this car. We made it into an auto-x champ, and then when we got tired of the 1.8 we removed it an had Motor Works West drop in a 2.7 M20. This car was later converted back to stock and sold. Motor Works West
The fourth BMW we owned was my mother's E32 1989 735i. Not only was this car imaculate, but I also learned the value of having the right tool for the job on this car. This car had to be sold to acquire our fifth BMW.
Photo of the 735i in the Garage
The fifth BMW is my mother's 1991 E34 535i. This is still her daily driver and is one of the many cars in the collection. This car has been keep very close to stock, with the exception of the Dinan chip.
The sixth BMW is my brother's 1983 E30 318i. This car is no longer a daily driver, although it served as one for many years, even with a roll cage and coil overs. The car recieved many of the aftermarket parts such as Konis, swaybars, aluminum control arms, rear discs and the 2.7 M20 from the previous 318i. Unfortunately, the engine was destroyed by an exploding cam belt while serving street duty. The decision was then made to make the car non-streetable, and a 2.5 M20 was installed. A 284 cam was placed in the head and various other mods help the car pull at the high rpms. The roll cage was then upgraded to a custom multi-point and the rear subframe made adjustable, raised 1.5" into the car to correct roll centers after lowering and solid mounted as part of the cage. The car now weighs in at under 2300lbs with driver and fuel. At events, the car routinely embarasses E36 M3's, Corvette ZR-1's, Acura NSX's and various non turbo Porsches. Future plans include more horsepower and less weight through the use of fiberglass.
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| The car in its present form |
The sixth BMW is my father's daily driver. It is a 1990 E30 325i. Since its purchase we have upgraded to Boge Turbo Gases, H&R springs, aluminum control arms, Korman motor mounts, Dinan chip, 16" Alipnas, leather sports interior, Porterfield pads, and 'iS' deck lid spoiler. My father and I have done all of the work on this car and it is another car that is not going to leave the family.
325i Page
The seventh BMW was my first. This was an ill-fated 1988 E28 535i. This car was unfortunately 'lightly' hit in the rear before I purchased it. The car had the black leather interior that is in my current car and motor and tranny that are also in my current car. Many of the small upgrades that I have in my current car were in this car, but only one week after lowering the car with Racing Dynamics springs, the full effect of the car's history was known. The stress of the stiffer springs was made evident when the right rear trailing arm broke in the middle of a right hand corner, and hit a telephone pole. This was one of the scariest experiences of my life and unfortunately that was the end of the seventh BMW.
The eigth BMW is the Grey Ghost. This was orignially a 1986 E28 535i automatic. The reason behind the name Grey Ghost is that this car is an exact carbon copy of the seventh BMW, without the rust and body damage. The car now has many of the parts from the orginal 5 and the only parts that are actually left in the car from the factory are the headliner, dashboard, wiring harness, body panels(except trunk lid), tail lights, gas tank, and ABS pump and hard brake lines. Everything else is either new or is from another car. This car will not be for sale and will always be a part of the collection.
Technical Specifications
The ninth and final(for now) BMW is the 1970 E9 2800cs Automatic. This car was purchased in Alabama and has currently undergone a total body restoration and repaint. Now my father and I are updating it to E28 electrics and 3.5L motronics. This car also has a 5 speed tranny, Suspension Techniques lowering springs, Koni Reds, all new suspension rubber, limited slip differential, four wheel disks, with vented rotors all around and four piston calipers in front and two piston calipers in rear, and Top End Performance rear shock tower brace. The car will have 16" Alpina black center wheels, and have a full stereo system. This car is currently half assembled and hopefully this winter it will be possible to get the car back on the road.
3500csi Page
