Bronzed in Brisbane

[mrbenno]

I have been lurking for ages with the intent on starting a build thread at some point, but due to a 'stanced' accident yesterday, I will start with an introduction instead.

A few months ago I purchased this bronzitbeige E28 535i and have been doing the usual TLC that a car of such age requires. The odometer didn't work, the speedo doesn't work, aircon doesn't work, engine idle is rough, it stalls out when returning to idle, misc electrical gremlins and the doors didn't like closing without serious force and it needed a massive detail.





I started with the engine, new oil, oil filter, air filter, plugs, adjusted the idle up a bit, did an upper cylinder clean and it now runs much better.

I have tracked the odometer and speedometer issue down to the stepper motors on the cluster so I am trying to track down a working cluster so I can fix mine. Some of the electrical gremlins have been resolved now and the doors now close like a new car.

So...I was just about to get started on a full shampoo of the interior carpets and roof lining when a girlfriend decided to hit a parking bollard in my car doing this damage:







Now I am in two minds as to whether I fix the sump and hope that no metal has gone through the engine with the added concern that the engine was running without oil pressure.

Or do i just replace the engine with a newer BMW engine or even a LSx, 1UZFE, 1J, 2J or RB.... the agony of choice.

I welcome opinions on what to do with the engine so don't be shy.

Cheers,
Ben.

[Bronzit]

The car looks great! Bummer about your pan, though.

[mrbenno]

thanks for the comment, yeah i wasn't overly pleased about the sump but then again, it is an opportune time for an engine upgrade and maybe a manual conversion.

[AccordEuro]

UQ! I go to uni there, and live soso close, also, those parking bollards are the death of me. Though, when my car wasn't low, I always kept a shifting spanner or two in the car, and when there were no parks and I was desperate I got really cheeky and would just undo one that was stuck up and park there.

But yeah, that is a huge shame about the sump, and as for filings, you wouldn't know until you opened it up......

I vote for 2J swap.

[DeleriousZ]

hahaha jesus. Never let the woman drive your cars!!

Car looks great tho, I also think it's time for a funky engine swap.

[scweet14]

Nice car man, sorry about the oil pan, I say keep it and get it fixed

[hondarida5]

Nice Beemer but ill keep it. Welcome

[mrbenno]

Hey AccordEuro, well spotted. Indeed that was at UQ. As you can see in the pics I undid the bolts on the bollard with the intention of throwing it through the window of the UQ admin building but the girlfriend wouldn't allow it.

Thanks for the commiserations guys.

I am definitely keeping the car, i love this thing and if i were ever to get rid of it, then it would only be to make way for a E28 M5. I have my eye on one at the moment but they are a little pricy for me.

I have just purchased another sump off ebay so i will attempt to fix this engine for now. does anyone know if it is possible to change sump without pulling the engine?

[Bronzit]

I have just purchased another sump off ebay so i will attempt to fix this engine for now. does anyone know if it is possible to change sump without pulling the engine?

Yeah, I did it with my M30 when I broke my pan. I undid motor mounts and lifted it as high as it could go. It's not a fun job but doable.

[mrbenno]

awesome! thanks for letting me know Bronzit!

[jasonklee]

Sweet. Bummer about the oil pan..:/

Welcome to StanceWorks

[Brian.]

Horray, another bronzit! Sorry to hear about that oilpan. I'm waiting for mine to go bye bye. I scrape it all the damn time!

[FREExSPIRIT]

Love it ! Welcome to S/W

[Pb_bong]

Mrbenno, I am also in Brisbane and just took the oil pan, oil pump and most of the upper sump off my e30 on a cattle grate coming down from Maleny. Did you get yours fixed or pull the engine?

If so did you do it yourself or is there someone good who can do the swap in Brissie?

I thought maybe a m52 engine?

[mrbenno]

Mrbenno, I am also in Brisbane and just took the oil pan, oil pump and most of the upper sump off my e30 on a cattle grate coming down from Maleny. Did you get yours fixed or pull the engine?

If so did you do it yourself or is there someone good who can do the swap in Brissie?

I thought maybe a m52 engine?

Hey buddy,

I am so sorry to hear. It is a disheartening event. I also contemplated an engine swap when this happened, possibly a LS1 conversion.

Removal and replacement of the sump can all be done while the car is either on a hoist or up on stands. If on stands, it will need to be as high as the stands allow just to give you some room to move your arms.

In your case, I am not sure as to your best course of action with the pump being destroyed. Do you have any pictures you can show me? Alternatively, I would be happy to pop over and assess the damage in person if your keen.


Cheers,
Ben.