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Cmar-ireland View Drop Down
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    Posted: 18-October-2007 at 13:41

Just added a few mods to my E34 525tds. They are minor enough but I think they are nice.

1st is an Oil dampered glovebox. No more crashing open there. Just got one out of a 7series in the scrappy and fitted it in place of the strap on one side

2nd is a km speedo guage. Sourced from Germany. Easy fit. Just have kms on the speedo now. The odometer still shows miles but thats not a problem.

I can post pics if anyone wants.

 

Also waiting on my staggered throwing stars to be finished. Sent them away for a refurbish job. Can't wait to see them.

 

Cheers

Ciaran

 

Edit: To remove the reference to a Gas strut



Edited by Cmar-ireland
1995 525Tds Se Touring A - Sold
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote The blue bullet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-October-2007 at 14:10
Pics please Ciaran! Was the gas dampered glove box an easy fit?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeemaBoy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-October-2007 at 14:43

Yes please...I want to see the pics ...

Keen to know how the glove box mod works? Dont gas struts hold things open, meaning that the glove box would open even faster??? or am I being blonde ...

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote The blue bullet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-October-2007 at 14:52
Originally posted by BeemaBoy BeemaBoy wrote:

Keen to know how the glove box mod works? Dont gas struts hold things open, meaning that the glove box would open even faster???

Anyone attempting to open your glove box gets broken legs!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote thepits Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-October-2007 at 14:53

Originally posted by BeemaBoy BeemaBoy wrote:

am I being blonde ...BB

Yep, just step back and think about it for a mo............

 

 

got it yet?

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But don't care.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cmar-ireland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-October-2007 at 14:53

No problem, I'll post pics as soon as I get home. I may have mislead you when I said gas strut, It is a small oil strut. It opens with quite a bit of resistance, but has no resistance when closing. I'll try to get a video of it in operation.

 

It was very easy to fit the damper. I removed the glove box and the plastic cover above it. There is a metal supporting bracket above this. The right hand side standard strap is attached to this. I just removed that and bolted on the damper. It is secured on the glovebox end with the standard spring clips. I

It really works well. Perfect length, and a nice slow smooth action.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote aubergine Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-October-2007 at 14:57
Sounds really good, have you got a contact for the KMh speedos?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cmar-ireland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-October-2007 at 15:14

Originally posted by aubergine aubergine wrote:

Sounds really good, have you got a contact for the KMh speedos?

Germany eBay. Cost 30euro delivered for a perfect condition speedo. The whole unit is replaced, it's not just a km face.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeemaBoy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-October-2007 at 15:17
Originally posted by thepits thepits wrote:

Originally posted by BeemaBoy BeemaBoy wrote:

am I being blonde ...BB

Yep, just step back and think about it for a mo............

 

 

got it yet?

Well...now that the author said it is an oil strut, I think so ...

Is it just basically the oposite of a bonnet or boot strut then?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cmar-ireland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-October-2007 at 16:56

Other mods that I've done to it...

Fitted an illuminated gear position strip for the auto box. This replaces the standard silver raised PDNR4321 lettering.

Fitted a bmw business cd player (CD43) and connected this to an E39 6 disc cd changer. Bought the changer from a scrappy for 20euro untested. But when I wired it up, it worked perfectly. Used the E39 changer wiring loom for hook up. Changer + loom = 30e CD43 = 200e. Not a bad result for 230e

 

Next on the list is the 540i brake duct mod. I don't want to add too much to the cars bodywork. So the 540i ducts are subtle and easy to do and they smarten up the front end nicely.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cmar-ireland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-October-2007 at 18:10

Glovebox operation

 

http://www.youtube.com/v/dAFDq2uBNqo



Edited by Cmar-ireland
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cmar-ireland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-October-2007 at 18:14

KM Speedo

 

Shifter Lights

 

CD43

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote larzyh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19-October-2007 at 07:42

Very nice, worthwhile subtle mods.

My Dad drives an E34 and has the original tape/radio unit; I must say I am impressed with the CD43 unit you put in yours; where did you buy it? I am sure it's more than 200 euro from the dealer (I paid more than 750 euro for the Minidisc/radio, for E46,  from dealer)!



Edited by larzyh
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Previously or currently, in the family: '77 E21 320, '78 E21 320, '79 E21 320, '87 E28 520i, '88 E30 325iC, '95 E34 525i, '98 E39 528i, '98 Z3 2.5, '98 E38 740iL, '95 E36 Compact, '99 E36 318iT, '02 E46 318iT, '96 E34 525tdsT, '98 E38 740iL...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cmar-ireland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19-October-2007 at 07:55

Thanks!

I got the CD43 on german ebay for just over 200euro delivered. It' was brand new in the box. I probably could hav gotten a fancy bells & whistles headunit for the same price (or less) but I really wanted to keep the dash looking stock.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote larzyh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19-October-2007 at 08:58

Thanks for the info, Cmar-ireland. You're a "modder" after my own heart; stock-as-much-as-possible. My dad is reluctant to change the original radio for the same reason, so the CD43 is spot-on (it was actually factory-fitted in E34's as well as in E30's). 200 euro is a super price for brand new original.

Good luck.

Larzyh.
Previously or currently, in the family: '77 E21 320, '78 E21 320, '79 E21 320, '87 E28 520i, '88 E30 325iC, '95 E34 525i, '98 E39 528i, '98 Z3 2.5, '98 E38 740iL, '95 E36 Compact, '99 E36 318iT, '02 E46 318iT, '96 E34 525tdsT, '98 E38 740iL...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeemaBoy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19-October-2007 at 09:12

Does anyone know if the CD43 head unit would work ok with a Grundig 6 Disc CD changer on a 95 E34???

Does Grundig make the CD43?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cmar-ireland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19-October-2007 at 09:26
AFAIK the CD43 is made by Blaupunkt. There are several adapter available to convert the signals from various changers. Can't confirm for Grundig though.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stephen520i Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25-October-2007 at 22:17
Cmar-ireland:

1. Just to clarify, you got an auto dash unit from Germany that has a km speedo yet has a mile odometer? Does fuel type matter?

2. Did you fit 2 oil struts to the glove box. This sounds like a great improvement and I'm also wondering if the fit is better that the straps. Did you know of this mod or just stumble across this?

3. Where did you source the illuminated PRND123 indicator. Another excellent mod.

Will try some ebay searches to follow up and does these mod's myself

I have fitted a rear 12v scoket behind the arm-rests which is something that you could also add to your "to do list". Not sure if you have the complete wiring, but you could look and fit a full OBC to complete the dash.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cmar-ireland Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25-October-2007 at 23:29

Hi Stephen,

For the km speedo, I just bought the speedo unit only. I opened up the instarument cluster and replaced the standard speedo with the german one. Easy job. (just remember to disconnect the battery, or else SRS light!!!)

Only one strut fitted to the glovebox. The 7 series and the newer 5's have these, so thats where the idea came form.

The Illuminated strip is a standard bmw part from some of the US spec e34's. I fitted some amber leds in the space below the strip. Part number for it is 51168147469.

I thought about the 12v socket, if I find one cheap enough I may do it.

I have the full OBC and proper OBC holder but haven't had the time to fit it yet......it will be done soon though!

Good Luck with your mods. Don't forget the pics when your done.

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