Article
by the backyard hack mechanic Sean750
Document history:
13 October 2013 M.Oswald: The site had many broken links to documents. Downloading them for permanent reference on this site.
29 October 2012 M.Oswald: Doing lots of updating and getting ready to
add a lot more sections.
27 June 2012 M.Oswald: Added a ZF4HP22 rebuild and diagnosis page.
27 June 2012 M.Oswald: Installed Varnish Cache in order to speed
response time of the server. Install successful, life is good.
10 Jan 2009 Johan: removed and updated dead links.
09 Sept 2004 updated links & pictures and rewrote some parts,
added sites of Max Fretter (again ;) and Erich Voelkel (aka
Shogun)
04 Apr 2003 Unfortunately, Max Fretter deceided to close his
site, so I removed his section. Hope it will be back online some
day.
20 Feb 2003 added the long expected Odd-Jarle site
26 Jan 2003 modified Jon Evans section, removed Odd-Jarle section
03 Jan 2003 added the 7seriesRegistry (not the already mentioned
UKregister)
27 Dec 2002 added the 7er.com site with thanks to Erich Voelkel
23 Dec 2002 initial version
To assure you: we are not alone on this planet facing our E32 problems. Around the globe, people connected by the Internet are interchanging valuable technical information about this car. And it's very important that this information is saved somewhere on the internet, so other people may benefit from it. Also, this particular repair information could save you your hard-earned cash, by preventing large garagebills.
There are friendly people on the Internet with a mission. They are technically enough skilled to perform their own repairs, and handling a digital camera as well. Not an easy task with greasy fingers. Also, they are spending their own time to write an article and publishing the pictures (which can be time consuming...and I know). This is a good time and place to say 'thank you' to all of you who are spending their valuable time to put this information on the internet so we can learn from it. Remember that they don't get any money for it.
Unfortunately, E32 technical repair information isn't available at just one single website. There isn't a E32.com, containing all repair information about this car. The information is scattered around the Internet, on various and sometimes obscure websites around the world. This makes it hard to find any particular repair information, especially when you need some information NOW. Throughout the years, I collected an impressive amount of E32 links with information (not only technical repair information). In this chapter I'd like to share with you an overview of available websites with technical repair information for the E32, in random order.
The comments/ratings are a personal opinion on the content of the mentioned websites, from a technical point of view. In other words, how is the procedure explained, quality and amount of pictures and total amount of procedures. To the content owner: please don't take it personal and keep up the good work.
Gale's Repair Page
BMWE34.NET
750i.de
The Unix Nerd's Domain
7er.com
Odd-Jarle E32 tech tips
Max's BMW E32 page
Tips, Tricks and assistance for the 7 (Shogun)
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Gale's
Repair Page
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Don Gale owns an '92 735i. His site is very popular among E32 enthusiasts, because of the detailed descriptions of his repairs and the high quality of the photo's. The website can be divided into 2 parts, the older section and the new section. The older section contains stories which that are basically text, and you must click on a link to see the corresponding photo (for instance, the 'Auxiliary Fan/Ballast Resistor ' procedure). That is somewhat inconvenient. The newer section is better, a logical text & photo story (like the 'Springs & Struts' procedure). The amount of listed repairs is impressive and probably the largest of the E32 websites I am aware of (besides our website).
Don't expect a fancy website here, with animations, colors and other stuff. Just a good basic source of valuable repair information. I suggest you add this site to your favorites. Now.
Available repair procedures: (just to much, just mentioned a few)
Any important additional information besides repairs:
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Bill
Rickard's page
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Just 2 repair procedures available.....why would I mention it? Because some important information is ~again~ available here.
We all know the risks of working with SRS (airbag equipped) vehicles, especially when working on the instrument cluster. This site tells an excellent procedure about removing an airbag steering wheel. And in addition, changing the instrument cluster bulbs. Originally it was written for a E34, but the E32 procedure is the same.
Available repair procedures:
Any important additional information besides repairs: -
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BMWE34.NET by Bruno Lafosse
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Why an E34 website when we are discussing E32 websites? Two main reasons:
First of all, the E34 shares many components with the E32. Drivelines, suspensions, engines, you name it. And when a component isn't the same, the disassembling and assembling of the part is is usually the same as its smaller brother. For instance, the wheelbearing replacement procedure is identical for a e34/e32, and so on. This site can be very helpful for the E32 owner (telling you this, you might get the idea that you are driving a larger 5 series with a 7 badge.....that isn't the case.... I own a 5 and 7, and the 7 is way much better when it comes to comfort, handling and driving)
Second, the site has an excellent layout and structure. This is how a professional website should look like. Only point of criticism: sometimes its not obvious where the procedure is located, the difference between maintenance and repair section are not that clear. Most of the times, you should check both sections.
Other features of this site includes: forum, chat, registry, racing section and so on.
Available repair procedures: (just to much, only reported a few important ones)
Any important additional information besides repairs:
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750i.de
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The owner of this site owned a '88 750i. Now he is apparently driving a E38.
This site, despite the name, won't help you very much. Only pictures of bright shining 750's. Some minor information about the DK motors is available, but the links to the most valuable information (original Bosch specs about the DK's) don't function. The only -more or less- usable is the connector layout of the ABS module.
Available repair procedures: -
Any important additional information besides repairs:
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The Unix
Nerd's Domain
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The owner of this site is John G. Burns, who owns a E24 (6 series).
This is a very large website with lots of information about virtually any BMW model. Don't expect to see repair information about the E32.. I am referring to this site because its very comprehense overall, and gives good pre-buy advises (what to look for when purchasing a E32).
memorable quote: 'Many E32s had self leveling rear suspension but this is often deleted if it fails due to high repair costs. I'd prefer a car without it.'
Available repair procedures: -
Any important additional information besides repairs:
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7er.com
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As said, this is an original German website translated by altavista. It could cause some strange grammar, and some links may not work. If the links in the menu at left don't work, use the links mentioned in the text.
This is an interesting site. Lots of miscellenous information, and a very -again very- nice story about the development of the V12 (M70) engine, along with beautiful pictures. The repair section is excellent, with alot of photo's. Interesting thing about this site is that some specific M60/M62 repair information is available.
Available repair procedures:
Any important additional information besides repairs:
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E32 Tech
Tips
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The owner of this site is Odd-Jarle Kristoffersen who owned previously a 1991 750iL.
This site wasn't available for quite a long time, due to the fact that Odd-Jarle was moving from Norwegian to the States. I am glad he brought it back online, it contains some valuable and interesting information.
It's one of the rare sites on the internet specifically about an 750. An informative site with some real good technical info, like the pin-diagram of the tranny computer and the MAF testing. Some repair procedures are referring to other sites or forum posts which are unfortunately sometimes unavailable.
Available repair procedures:
Any important additional information besides repairs:
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Max's BMW E32 page
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The owner of this site is Max Fretter who owns an 735i.
Although the amount of repairs isn't overwhelming, there are some rare repairs which makes it a site you should check out. For instance the excellent story about rebuilding the hydraulic brake booster and the sunroof alignment.
Available repair procedures:
Any important additional information besides repairs: -
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Tips,
Tricks and assistance for the 7-series
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The owner of this site is Shogun aka Erich Voelkel who owns an '88 750iLi.
This site contains an impressive collection of various links to repairs and additional information about the E32. It is certainly worthwhile to pay a visit and check out some links. A remark must be made: some information is in german language.
Some examples of links on this site:
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