V12 6spd Convert: 1995 BMW E34 550i
The E34 generation BMW 5-series (1988-1996) sits in the happy depreciated valley that all luxury sedans hit after the narcotizing new car smell is gone and the bills start to pile up. However, this simply means that ownership transfers to a dedicated group of enthusiasts that consists of die-hard model fanboys, older folks who remember a time when stuff lasted for years, and speed junkies who modify anything that moves…this was owned by the latter. Find this 1995 BMW E34 550i V12 6-Speed offered for $7,999 in Burlington, KY via craigslist. Tip from Mrkwong.
This is no ordinary E34 5er –it started life as a 530i with V8 power (probably a slushbox) and some lunatics at Korman Autoworks in North Carolina decided it needed a 500 horsepower V12 monster; read more about the build here. That 500 horsepower 6.0 liter V12 was removed (for another project) and a stock M70 V12 was installed a few years ago.
Under the hood is a 5.0 liter M70 V12 good for 300 horsepower and 330 ft-lbs of torque, first available in the 1988 model year for the BMW 750i/iL E32 and later in the 850i/Ci E31 where it was available mated to a Getrag 560G 6-speed as found in this sedan.
This is more than just an engine swap – the suspension has been upgraded with a Dinan package that includes adjustable Koni shock absorbers, front/rear sport springs, front/rear adjustable sway bars, and a “stage 3” brake conversion. The seller describes the ride as firm, but not harsh.
See a better example of the previous guy’s time & money? tips@dailyturismo.com
I would buy this. Not a lot of money for a very cool unique build. I bet with the right exhaust this would sound insane.
Two of America's best conversion specialists, Ray Korman, and Brett at Koala have worked on this. There should be no question about the quality of the labor should be above reproach, and DT's right….this involved a LOT of someone else's time and money.
The big question mark at this point is the condition of the swapped V12. At 200k miles, it's leaking oil and there could be many more needs below the surface. Worst case condition I suppose, the 200k motor is hot garbage and you could perform an LS swap, resulting in a Dinan-suspensioned, sport seat-equipped ass-hauler for less than an e34 M5.
Somewhere in that first paragraph, there's proper grammar, just dying to come out.
I will buy this if someone else will pay to maintain it.
Oh, if you think you're gonna find THAT, I'd suggest holding out for one of the E32 750i Dinan twin-turbos out there. There's a few around.
They combine the joyous wrenching experience of a C5 Audi RS6 with the specialty parts availability of a replacement heart valve.
Two separate Motronic systems for twice the reliability!
Oh wait.
If this were a wagon, and it weren't black, I'd probably clear something out of the driveway to make room for it.
There is a white E34 525i wagon in the builder-cars lot at the local pick-n-pull. There are few cars better suited to an LS-motor swap – comfy, roomy, pre-OBDII…
Don't know if I've put those words together before, but six speed, V12 wagon. Mmmm.
Speaking of making room, does anyone use those wheel dollies or car skates to fit more cars in their garage? I need to get a 4th car into my 3 car. It's deep enough that I can get the GTV in sideways at the back of the middle bay.
Yes. The cheap stamped steel ones I've used have had terrible casters, and make the car almost harder to move around than if using a floor jack under the diff, for example.
Harbor freight has a few decent ones though. The self-clamping style is where it's at – grabs the wheel and lifts that corner of the car up, no need for a jack. They are expensive.
I saw those – I have a problem with the words HF and expensive :-), I will have to stop by and take a look at them. The reviews on HF and Amazon are amusing, flat spotted wheels, ball bearings falling out, failed hydraulics on the self jacking ones, insane people writing reviews…
My HF rule is "never buy something from there that, if it failed, could kill me."
So jacks, jackstands, engine hoists, etc……
This would be a bit of a gray area….at worst is seems you might lose a couple toes.
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