So I finally got my car back. It turned out great.

The clunk in the rear turned out to be CV axle not the diff. I also have to get new clips before I put the M-tech side skirts go back. No pix until she is back to her full glory at this point.

Can't tell you how great it is to have her back though

Congrats! I know how it is not to have your car for a long period of time.

Hope the wait was worth it for you :)

nice! looking fwd to the pics!

Can't wait to see the pictures. Awesome.

Congrats! I know how it is not to have your car for a long period of time.

Hope the wait was worth it for you :)

+1

In the last year, my E34 sat in the garage for almost 8 months. Glad to see it is back.

+1

In the last year, my E34 sat in the garage for almost 8 months. Glad to see it is back.

Same here. I've had to look at 2 non-running e34's every day since I sold my 535i.. which was a while back. Its frustrating to say the least. Post pics though, I want to see if it sits any differently with the koni's on it

The all black interior is sickness. I love the synthetic suede. It really darkens the interior and creates more intimacy. The rear parcel shelf made the most difference though. The old purple/grey just wasn't cutting it. Now the contrast b/t the alpine white and the darkness through the back window just pops

Its good to have your baby back. This is the first summer since 2001 that I've been able to drive my car regularly. That's only because I have another 535 that is sitting in pieces.
Get those photos going.

Looks awesome!

Congrats. Hope to see her in person...

alpine on black has always been 1 of my favorite combos for the reasons you mentioned above

Congrats! It's been a long time coming. Time for pixxx.

So who can I e-mail pix to post?

i'll do it.. jbras14 at yahoo.com

Sent

Nevermind, I got it

Damn.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/RVAE34/IMG_2300_2.jpg?t=1182474279

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/RVAE34/IMG_2301_2.jpg?t=1182474300

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/RVAE34/IMG_2303_2.jpg?t=1182474323

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/RVAE34/IMG_2305_2.jpg?t=1182474343

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/RVAE34/IMG_2310_2.jpg?t=1182474358

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/RVAE34/IMG_2317_2.jpg?t=1182474384

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/RVAE34/IMG_2323_2.jpg?t=1182474410

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/RVAE34/IMG_2333.jpg?t=1182474427

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/RVAE34/IMG_2334.jpg?t=1182474446

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/RVAE34/IMG_2335.jpg?t=1182474461

Wow they did a kick ass job.

All I can say is WOW!!. Unbelievable work.

They are amazing. You could never even tell. Other than the CV axle, it drives perfect too. And you don't even notice that if you drive easy. I am replacing that tomorrow. No vibrations or noises. Rattle free and drives straight and narrow down the road.

The all black interior is sweet. Especially at night. I just went for a drive and it really darkens the car to make it more of your own space. I love it!!!!! Now I just need to put an amp and my two 8"s in the back and I am good to go.

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet :redspot:redspot:redspot:redspot:redspot

Man that paint is like liquid metal. She looks great.

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet :redspot:redspot:redspot:redspot:redspot

+1111

Looks good man.

glad you have it back... now take your vanity lights back off, take em apart and use a little fusion gloss black on the grey frames. :)

beautiful, just beautiful...

Sweeeeet!!! Love the headliner and parcel shelf, what material is that?

Mine's all purple on the parcel shelf.:( That black headliner gives it that E39 M5 touch. Great job!:alright

I don't see what the big deal is. It's just another white E34 with bling, bling rims.









I jest. :-)

Congrats on getting your car back! I'm sure above and beyond how it looks, that is the thing you are most happy about.

Now drive the piss out of her!!!!!!

Cheers,

The headliner is synthetic suede. I got it off eBay for like $20!!!!! I couldn't get the material to stretch over the parcel shelf. I used carpet that was in my pops 71 240Z that he just bought. He also bought an immaculate 70 240Z that ships from AZ today.

I must have missed the post of why the car was down & who did the work, but it is GORGEOUS!
Fred/Houston

I must have missed the post of why the car was down & who did the work, but it is GORGEOUS!
Fred/Houston

If I remember correctly, RAV had an "encounter" between his driver's rear quarter panel and a stationary object that necessitated the trip to the metal surgeon.

Ha!!! right you are. It happened 9 months ago.

Looking very nice :)

Looks great!

Ha!!! right you are. It happened 9 months ago.

What happened exactly? :devillook

Wow they did a kick ass job.

+1

I slid into a post. Torrential downpour and no tread on the tires. Down to the belts. Bad news..

I just got back from my Indy. The axle is fixed, new cabin filter, oil change and trans change with Royal purple.

This thing is like new now!!!!!!! If anyone has not replaced their cabin micro filter, do it!!!!! All the difference in the world. It seems as if mine has never been changed.

looks good bro, did you redo the headliner yourself? I think I might have to do this, looks awesome!

I did. It is a bitch of a job and I don't wish it upon anyone. If I was to ever get one done again, I would just take it to someone.

haha, fair enough...but if you dont mind asking, what part made it the bitch? removing the old stuff or putting the new stuff on?

Old stuff came right off. It is so hard to lay down new material without getting wrinkles. The hardest parts are where the sun visors lay and where the pull down grab handles are. Very hard to make thos contours without using thin stretchy material. I used synthetic suede. It was a Pain in my ass!!!! It came out pretty good. 8/10

If anyone has not replaced their cabin micro filter, do it!!!!! All the difference in the world. It seems as if mine has never been changed.

+1

When I got my 525 that's one of the first things I changed as part of the tune up. I noticed the biggest difference in the A/C. Blew colder and stronger with a fresh, clean cabin filter.

That interior is absolutely sick. What was the total cost of the interior work?

Like $40 in material. I did it all myself

The headliner is synthetic suede. I got it off eBay for like $20!!!!! I couldn't get the material to stretch over the parcel shelf. I used carpet that was in my pops 71 240Z that he just bought. He also bought an immaculate 70 240Z that ships from AZ today.
Is your pops restoring the Z's or modding them? Just curious because I have a '73 sitting behind the house now waiting for an engine/transmission transplant. If he ever needs the parts, I have the entire L24 engine (w/dual '72 SU carbs), 4spd manual, and R180 diff that are taking up some needed space in the storage building. Just FYI.... By the way.... I love your car. That interior is sooooo sweet. And those wheels, are they ACS??? They are very distinguishing. I love 'em.

The all black interior is sickness. I love the synthetic suede. It really darkens the interior and creates more intimacy. The rear parcel shelf made the most difference though. The old purple/grey just wasn't cutting it. Now the contrast b/t the alpine white and the darkness through the back window just pops

When you described it before I saw the pictures, I didn't get why it was such a big deal. But, a picture is worth a few thousand words. I'm sure it would be even better first hand. With that awesome paintjob, you would be hard pressed to tell it from a brand new car. Good job, I hope you enjoy your (re-)new baby. (I'd add a cool smiley, but I'm not allowed yet. Still in training.)

I'm shocked at how good it looks with the grey handles and visors. I need to redo my parcel shelf and headliner too. Might as well do the pillars as well. Black it is!
(My interior is already black grey as seen below)

http://home.comcast.net/~asilver33/images/alan_525i02.jpg

I'm shocked at how good it looks with the grey handles and visors. I need to redo my parcel shelf and headliner too. Might as well do the pillars as well. Black it is!
(My interior is already black grey as seen below)

http://home.comcast.net/~asilver33/images/alan_525i02.jpg

Wtfz? Yours is like the first E34 with cloth interior I've seen. I've seen leatherette in one car, but no cloth except in pics of European models.

I'm shocked at how good it looks with the grey handles and visors. I need to redo my parcel shelf and headliner too. Might as well do the pillars as well. Black it is!
(My interior is already black grey as seen below)

http://home.comcast.net/~asilver33/images/alan_525i02.jpg

Nice. Where did you get those?

Anyway...

How long have you "actually" been home after you got your car back?? :)

We are restoring and modding the Z's. he has 5 Z's. 3 240's which are amazing and 2 300zx's. He has two extra motors and 3 extra trans. Not to mention a million other bits and pieces. Thanks for the offer though.

ATL, I have been driving the car since yesterday. I would have slept in it last night, but it's hot in my garage :)

We are restoring and modding the Z's. he has 5 Z's. 3 240's which are amazing and 2 300zx's. He has two extra motors and 3 extra trans. Not to mention a million other bits and pieces. Thanks for the offer though.

ATL, I have been driving the car since yesterday. I would have slept in it last night, but it's hot in my garage :)

I wish I had the space for that many cars, lol. I do at my shop but it is usually filled with boats.

I went to the Year One car show last weekend and came across this. It was the only one there also. I'm glad to see that it still had the original engine and not a Chevy 350 in it.

I hate it when people put 350's in those cars.

Here is the one he just got. Shipped today. It's unreal how nice it is.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=160126299567&rd=1,1

Link to the other Z's he has. The lime one is done. We are about 25% done with the butterscotch one which will be repainted in BMW platinum silver.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/sets/72157600346077563/

I don't think I am going with the 350 in my Z. Probably more like a RB25DETT. Most of you inline-6 guys would know. Not much out there like a Twin Turbo I-6... I like the original straight 6 but it really just isn't fast enough. Can't do to much with it either as far as power adding upgrades. If it were slightly more capable, I would certainly keep it. Hell, when I removed the factory engine, it would crank as soon as the key was turned. Like instantly. Manual choke was a little weird at first, everyone else just looked at the lever in amazment. Ooohhhhh, as soon as the 5er is back on the road, the Z project has got to begin again. The bimmer is definately a blast to drive, but not much out there handles like a 2,250 lb sports coupe.

Sorry, went off on a tangent there.......

Wtfz? Yours is like the first E34 with cloth interior I've seen. I've seen leatherette in one car, but no cloth except in pics of European models.

You could get it in the US in 525is up to 92 model year, I think, if you requested it. They shipped a few into the country in 89-90 with cloth without being ordered. My car is unusual in that it has the cold weather package (heated seats, LSD) with the cloth.

There were also multiple grades of cloth available in europe. Here, just the top cloth was available.

Nice. Where did you get those?

Anyway...

How long have you "actually" been home after you got your car back?? :)

TC535i brought them back from Thailand like 5 years ago. I've searched for the same design from other places, but they all seem to be ACS or Hamann or something like that. You could actually make them yourself REALLY easily. Just get some aluminum, cut to size. If you're anal, bend tabs at the top and bottom to meet the trim and the edge of the sill. Polish it and use frosted, clear vinyl (normally used for creating an etched glass look) to create your design. OR make a stencil and sand down the areas you don't want mirrored.

holy F*** thats hot. congrats

Did the sun visors and grab handles in black last night. Used the best vinyl paint I could get from Auto paint supply. $35 for a pint. I precleaned the parts then sprayed with plastic adhesion promotor then satin black vinyl paint. They came out terrific. I will try and add pix, but I am having trouble getting good pix inside the car.

holy F*** thats hot. congrats


+1

By the way e34life... where did you get those halo's????

Looking good bro... glad to see her back.

Congrats on getting it back. Looks great.

lookin good man

Congrats on getting it back.

Great to see her back! One of my favorite alpine E34s! That black interior is sick!

Quick question, are your windows tinted? From the outside pictures they look tinted, but not from the inside pics.

I'm looking to tint my windows and am curious how much to go.

They are tinted 35%

M-tech side skirts are back on!!!!!

Pix to come this weekend

nice

Nice! Keep up the good work. Hopefully I'll have pics of my "project". Kudos on the headliner. The pics helped me with my decision. Thanks!!

WooooooOW vury nice indeed!!

They are tinted 35%

Thanks, the tint looks nice. The car is awesome! :clap

E-mail request so someone can post pix for me. Flickr sux ass and hasn't responded to my e-mails for like 2-3 weeks now.

here, use this one

http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa58/rvae34/

user name and password pm'd to you

:) Grazi

Dyed visors and handles. And a couple of night shots.




http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa58/rvae34/IMG_2388.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa58/rvae34/IMG_2384.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa58/rvae34/IMG_2379.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa58/rvae34/IMG_2368.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa58/rvae34/IMG_2363.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa58/rvae34/IMG_2360.jpg

Tre bella...

holy hell i gotta go change my panties. ;)

uggg... spotting...

Outside...brightest liquid White. Inside...blackness. Kind of a yin/yang thing?

Thanks for the compliments. I hope I don't overload with pix, but it's been so long and I just got her back and I have new cameras. It's like she is new to me. This weekend is going to be ridiculous with photos.

I love the black headliner. Several of my close friends tried to convince me otherwise. They said it would make the interior too claustraphobic. I think it makes the interior more like your own personal space and more like a sportscar. It's awesome starting at dusk. Especially with the tinted windows. Super dark.

Black upper interior bits swap........Highly reccomended, but not easy. It helps to have the front or rear windshield out.

Could someone with the grey headliner and black leather take pics of the upper portions of the interior? I would love to have a comparison. I didn't take any before pix :(

The interior looks sweet. I like it. I'd do it if I could..

i cant stop looking at it