I'm just learning about BMW Forums and am interested in being informed of others as well. I may need them after this weekend, I'm going drive 2 hours to take a second look at a 1998 540i Sport...
I went out there last weekend to drive a 1997 E420 Sport (Sportline suspension & 17" AMG wheels) and the 540i was parked next to it, so I test drove them back to back and couldn't believe the difference.

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Thanks,
Dave

1998 BMW 540i Sport
1995 E320
1992 400E
1989 BMW M3
1979 Triumph TR7 (1st car)
1986 BMW 735i (Sold)
1980 BMW 320i (Sold)

The trouble is that some of their fora, such as the E30 group which I need to check now and then regarding repairs for my son's 210,000 mile beater, are dominated by adolescents who are either fantasizing about cars they don't own or bragging about the abnoxious stereo noise box that they just put in the car that their rich grandmother bought them for their 16th birthday. Not so true of the earlier model boards, though

Here are some useful links:


http://www.clube31.com/

http://www.bmwlinks.com/

http://www.bmwworld.com/

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e31/


Try these out and let me know if you need any more or anything else.

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Watch the engines on the 840i. These cars and engines were produced during an era when BMW was having problems with the compatability of the engine alloy vs. North American gasoline (with a high sulfur content). If I recall correctly, the sulfur was scoring the cylinder bores, with much mischief ensuing. BMW changed engine block alloys and replaced some engines as a result. This problem did not affect all of these engines, but more than a few. I don't believe the V12 850 models had this problem.

Make a point of hitting the archives of a few 7-series boards on this matter.

Frankly, I would also consider a good 928 s4 or an AMG'd 560SEC as good candidates for such an adventure. A late model Corvette has the power, the legs, and about 12,000 Chevy dealers across the country to back you up.

The V12 models were not affected by the sulfur problems.
That was a V8 issue only for the 1994-1995 model years (The 3.0 liter and 4.0 liter V8s found in the 5 series and the 4.0 liter in the 1994-1995 7 series).

In regards to the 8 series, the V12 engine was available in 3 sizes- this info pertains to US models-

5.0 liter (850 i) 1991-1992-1993-1994,
5.4 liter (850 Ci)1995-1996-1997,
5.6 liter (850 CSi)1994-1995-1996

The V8 engine was available with

4.0 (840 Ci) 1994-1995
4.4 (850 Ci) 1996-1997

Basically, avoid the 1994 and 1995 840 Ci models

(This info is based upon my memory)

Thanks for the pointers, I appreciate the assistance.

- Jim

No Problem Jim

Anytime

Another good reference.

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/~dalus/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

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Sean Roland

2004 Saab 9-5 AERO 138k (for sale)
2000 VW Jetta GLS TDI 215k (sold)
1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 - 132k (sold)
1999 Saab 9-3se -- 84k (sold)
1986 MB 190e 2.3 16v -- 221K (sold)
1985 MB 190e 2.3 16v euro -- 145k (junked)
1992 Saab 9000t 5sp. -- 142k (sold)
1994 Subaru Legacy -- 264K (sold)
1998 Audi A4 1.8TQ -- 102k (sold)
1983 MB 240D stick -- 160k (sold)
1988 Saab 900SPG -- 156K (sold)
1983 MB 300D -- 270K project or parts (sold)
1986 MB 280SE Euro stick -- 150K (sold)

Does anyone know of a forum similar to this for BMW's.

Bud
1991 300E

I have used this one http://www.roadfly.org/bmw/
and had good response (90 735 i, its for sale)

My buddy has an old BMW and does a lot of work on the car himself. Can anybody refer a BMW site he should know about that can help a struggling DIYer?

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K

if he has an e34 series bmw-then he should try www.bmwe34.net

http://www.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/


Hope that helps!

Does anyone know of a technical forum for BMW's similar to this one?

TIA,
Bud

Try
http://bimmer.roadfly.org

or

http://firstfives.org (if you have a 5 series this is a great site)

good luck, Lance.