1987 BMW 535is... Black Betty part deux

Great work on bringing back the car! The M30 is a great engine.

Can you take a few pictures of the AC compressor or maybe check the brand/part #? I might have a spare one that you can have.

We'll definitely look into that. May be bringing this car to Summit Point as a $2014 Challenge entry.

It's been a cold winter, so we haven't been outside to do much work on the car until recently. In an effort to get the car legal in time to drive to prom we ordered some new parts:

-Catalytic converter

-Gaskets

-Spark plug wires

-Timing chain and associated parts

We have removed the catalytic converter and plan to try and put the new one on this weekend. Spark plug wires will be installed after that. The timing chain is going to have to be put off for a little while, though not for long. As it is, once we install the catalytic converter, and possibly adjust the fog lights, we will take it over to our mechanic for a 4 wheel alignment and inspection.

@Slippery: I think the part number is "64521374558" I'm having trouble getting a picture up right now, I'll get one up soon.

GSmith wrote: Further progress. Our mechanic did an initial inspection when we got the car and reported that we need the center drag link for the steering linkage. Well... we replaced that, but still had play, so also replaced the tie rods (the old ones were rusty enough and the cost so close, that replacing only the tie rod ends would have been pretty foolish).

The play is probably from the steering box mount itself. Check this (goto e24 steering box fix) http://www.mwrench.com/

GSmith wrote: - AC Compressor belt (not that the AC is working anyway...)

This era of BMW compressors are completely bulletproof. When you put the belt on and it sounds like a the death of a 1000 squirrels, pour oil into the compressor; problem solved.

In reply to Timeormoney:

It was actually failing tie rods - not just the center link, but the actual tie rods as well. They had play that was pretty easy to feel with the car up on jack stands. Steering feels pretty solid now.

Will check into the steering box thing just to be sure, but I think that's already been done by a previous owner...

Roger that and definitely check it. On the M6 the entire steering box would lift and then pivot on bumps. Was a unique sensation at 70 on the highway having the wheel 15 degrees turned over and still going straight....then catching it as it fell.

It's time for an update.

The car has been running as my daily driver for about 6 months now, and is running well.

This weekend my blower motor seized up, just in time for winter, I pulled it out and have a new one on the way. (Very easy replacement.)

Today I will be putting snow tires on the wheels that were on the car when we bought it, my other tires will be going on the second set of wheels I got. (I work at a garage now, so access to tools is great!)

We did our own fix to the steering box, and have had no issues since.

I have a leak in the trunk when it rains, and will be ordering a new trunk seal soon.

It does still have a rough idle, and seems to be running rich, but it drives great!

Wheels that came with the car: (Will be winter wheels.)

New wheels: (For summer)

I have to bring a zombie thread back and I have to ask, is the car still yours and running? I've been so far removed from my car hobby the past year with a lot of work changes and now a big move to Seattle in 1.5 months. Looking forward to being somewhere where I can have a fun car to work on and play with away from the mean streets of NYC. Hope she served you well as your first car, I've been eyeing E28's out in Seattle for my arrival

It became my son Andrew's car this year (he now has the title and loves it!) Awsx1686 on the boards here.

Sorry I missed this earlier

Yes, still running and running great! Took it on a 2 hour (each way) to a concert this past Saturday, and it never skipped a beat. Tonight I installed some LED fog lights, doesn't quite fit the era, but I like to be able to see. That also reminds me that a few months ago I also did some headlight modifications and built my own wiring harness so that I have quad high/low headlights.

AWSX1686 wrote: It's been a cold winter, so we haven't been outside to do much work on the car until recently. In an effort to get the car legal in time to drive to prom we ordered some new parts: -Catalytic converter -Gaskets -Spark plug wires -Timing chain and associated parts We have removed the catalytic converter and plan to try and put the new one on this weekend. Spark plug wires will be installed after that. The timing chain is going to have to be put off for a little while, though not for long. As it is, once we install the catalytic converter, and possibly adjust the fog lights, we will take it over to our mechanic for a 4 wheel alignment and inspection.

Sweet 535is! I really miss my red '88.

If you're going to do the timing chain, go the whole hog and do the oil pump too. These engines are quite well known for their oil pressure lights coming on at cold starts due to worn out oil pumps. And on the subject of oil, make sure the banjo bolts on the cam oilers are in place and tight. Maybe loctite them. They like to work their way out.

I'd also suggest rebuilding the shifter. Mine felt 'good' when I got it, but replacing all of the bushings, clips, dowels, joints, and every other infuriating little part in there made a world of difference. Dropping the exhaust to do it was kind of lame, but... I also used Redline MTL in the gearbox, which made it much happier when shifting in cold weather.

As for running rich, mine had some issues with vacuum leaks, the 'cold start' fuel injector dribbling, and the entire air intake system as a whole being cracked and dry. Somewhere in the replacement of all that stuff, my '88 went from 'rough cold running and generally rich' to 'runs great!'