Is there a better feeling than the anticipation of picking up a new car?

"n54 & s38" (straight6)
10/03/2014 at 17:32 • Filed to: None

Especially when it's one that you really want? Couldn't sleep last night after seeing that E34 M5. Tuesday can't come soon enough. I have a feeling I'll be up all of Monday night.

Gratuitous M5 shots:

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! " target="_blank"> Kinja'd!!!

" !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! " target="_blank"> Kinja'd!!!

I have not gotten very much done at work today...

DISCUSSION (14)

jkm7680 > n54 & s38
10/03/2014 at 17:33

There is going to have to be a photo dump soon.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > n54 & s38
10/03/2014 at 17:34

I didn't even think I'd be able to drive my car home because I'd slept that little the night before anticipating it.

lone_liberal > n54 & s38
10/03/2014 at 17:37

Maybe the night before I got married, but getting a new car is a very close second and if there were sex involved it might be a toss up.

crowmolly > n54 & s38
10/03/2014 at 17:45

Hearing the first motor you built with your own hands fire up for the first time is pretty memorable.

505Turbeaux > n54 & s38
10/03/2014 at 17:45

usually one of the only things that will keep me up all night. But I keep doing it.

n54 & s38 > crowmolly
10/03/2014 at 17:46

Yup, that's gotta be a great feeling too.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > n54 & s38
10/03/2014 at 17:49

Turn on the radio to your favorite station just before you drive off. Chances are that years later this tune will bring back memories of the day you picked up the car. At least that's the way it worked for me - every time I hear John Waite's 'Missing You' it takes me back to 1984 when I drove off with my '84 Rabbit GTI.

n54 & s38 > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
10/03/2014 at 17:55

Haha. That reminds me. I haven't even turned on the stereo yet in two different test drives. I should probably make sure I do that at some point. Thanks for the advice.

B_dol > n54 & s38
10/03/2014 at 18:03

Congrats! I remember this feeling and even the planning of my next purchase (still a year or two away) keeps me up some nights.

Having upgrade parts on the floor and awaiting install is also like a kid waiting for Christmas!

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > n54 & s38
10/03/2014 at 18:14

If it does power up (and is the factory unit), chances are that the cassette deck won't work, as if that is really a concern these days. As an anti-theft measure, a special tool is necessary to remove the head unit, at least in my E34. The fastener uses a special 5-sided head, like an hex key minus one side. I just left mine in the ashtray, figuring that the cassette deck itself was enough of a theft deterrent.

Niquemarshall > n54 & s38
10/03/2014 at 18:14

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssss

n54 & s38 > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
10/03/2014 at 18:31

It actually has been refitted with an Alpine deck with a CD player, iPod hook up and satellite radio, added via an E90 "shark fin". Has Bluetooth as well. Everything works: I was just too busy listening to the engine on both test drives. What kind of E34 did you have?

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > n54 & s38
10/03/2014 at 19:08

Sounds like a nice upgraded setup. I left the stock head unit and added an RF modulator for iPod duty (this was pre-Bluetooth) and mostly used the 6-disc changer, keeping several magazines preconfigured by genre/theme. I had a Pioneer CD changer in the house that used the same magazines, simplifying transfer of music. All 10 speakers were replaced, but I kept the same grilles. Having lost enough stereos over the years I didn't want anyone to know what I had so I kept everything looking completely stock.

I had a somewhat rare '89 525i 5-speed with a bunch of mods. See http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/found-a-pic-of… for some pics. It has a Dinan chip, exhaust, stress bars, sway bars, springs, big brakes, E39 540i wheels with 235s and 265s, wood dash trim and a bunch of other things I can't remember. Everything I needed but power. The M20 worked fine in an E21 or E30, but in the E34 it was a bit taxed, even with the chip and premium fuel; I did drive a new E34 with the M20 and an automatic and it was glacial at best; at least with the 5MT you could rev the piss out of it and be rewarded with a bit of pep and a nice scream, all whilst remaining absolutely smooth to redline and beyond. Teenagers in their mom's Toyota Sienna could blow me away off the line, but I didn't care.

I really miss this car, but I sold it to a friend that has numerous BMWs, cars and bikes. He even has a later E34 with an M50, but he prefers to drive my old car. Some day, when finances are better, I shall track down an E34 M5 as a plaything and lavish upon it the same treatment I gave to my ol' 525i. Life does not get any better than a straight six, RWD and a manual transmission.

n54 & s38 > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
10/03/2014 at 19:25

Nice looking car. I didn't realize that the E39 wheels would fit these things. I like the look of those wheels. Kinda look like the Alpinas from that era. I love everything about these cars except the recirculating ball steering setup. Wish they had a rack like the E30s.