"Dunnik" (dunnik)
01/11/2014 at 17:08 • Filed to: BMW, E34
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"Dunnik" (dunnik)
01/11/2014 at 17:08 • Filed to: BMW, E34 | 1
| 15 |
Seeking the wisdom of Oppo regarding the BMW !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (1988-1996). I already have my own opinions and thoughts regarding this car, but have zero experience owning or operating one. Would be used as a DD and occasional GT.
Thanks in advance, fellow Opponauts!
911e46z06
> Dunnik
01/11/2014 at 17:13 |
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I love it man, but with e39 prices where they are now, there's no reason to buy an e34.
Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
> Dunnik
01/11/2014 at 17:15 |
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What I can tell you for sure is to get a post 1992 car when they introduced the VANOS, but of course a car with a good one.
A friend of mine own a 520i for over 5 years now and almost everything has been broken, except for the engine and transmission. There are tons of parts, which are not very expensive.
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Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
> 911e46z06
01/11/2014 at 17:18 |
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The E39 is much more expensive to maintain, also you can find MT, easy, on every engine.
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Dunnik
> 911e46z06
01/11/2014 at 17:19 |
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Yea...well, the E34 is far better looking - the last of the classically-styled BMW's along with the E36 and E38. But looks are subjective, and never should be the #1 reason for buying a car.
I have heard and read that the E34 is one of if not the most reliable BMW's ever made, and more reliable than its successor. I take this to mean, reliable... for a BMW .
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911e46z06
> Dunnik
01/11/2014 at 17:33 |
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Fair enough. I personally prefer the looks of the e39, but what the hell. What isn't subjective is how great that v8 in the e39 540 is. That thing scoots.
I've owned 4 e39s and never had reliability issues until I got up over 200,000 miles. I think the e39's reputation is based on a bunch of middle managers failing to properly maintain their cars.
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911e46z06
> Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
01/11/2014 at 17:34 |
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I've been browsing Craig's and seeing plenty of good manual e39 540s.
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Dunnik
> 911e46z06
01/11/2014 at 17:56 |
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Two of my co-workers have experience with the E39, one just bought one (for, like, $3000) and the other sold his a year ago.
The guy who sold his, an older dude who cut his teeth in the muscle car era, loved his 540. "It was a rocket!" he said, with an evil grin. He sold it because the PVC valve was toast, and it was smoking like a chimney. He got it fixed, at some cost (not a wrencher), then it still smoked a bit. His mech told him it would settle down, but he "didn't trust the car" at this point and sold it on. The guy who bought it reported that, yep, it did settle down. "But mostly," he said, "I sold it because it was hard to get in and out of." He now drives the last of the Cadillac de Ville's (and loves it).
The current owner is a young guy, in his early twenties. He has the 535i, and likes the car, but thinks he has...head gasket issues. But he probably didn't do his due diligence, or didn't do enough of it.
EL_ULY
> Dunnik
01/11/2014 at 19:06 |
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I had a 90 525i with the M20. The slowest car on earth, best car on earth! She died with 412k on the ticker.
gmctavish needs more space
> Dunnik
01/11/2014 at 19:37 |
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E34s are the sex, and if you can find one in manual, even better. There are endless parts available since they made so damn many of them, and they're one of the last proper BMWs. That is to say, not an SUV, the naming makes sense, no silly drive by wire or electric steering, it's modern enough but everything is still physically connected. I love the E39 but not even it could say the same. The I6s are more reliable than the V8s, but almost all of the Nikasil issues that you'd find in the V8s have already happened. Just watch that the VANOS is all good if you're looking past 1992 M50-engined models, or go for the 535i to stick with the good old M30. For maximum badassery, try to find a 540i/6 Touring……Oh and the E34 M5 was the last hand built ///M car, FYI if an M5 is an option…..
RWD-by-the-Sea
> Dunnik
01/11/2014 at 20:57 |
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I had a buddy in law school who had a 525i that broke down frequently. He eventually sold it and bought an e36, though it wasn't a paragon of reliability either, and eventually bought an e46, which he seems satisfied with.
badrafts
> EL_ULY
01/21/2014 at 18:22 |
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Had the exact same in Arctic Blue. It served as the first car for my older sister, myself, and now my younger brother. I believe it just turned over 230k and it's still kickin' pretty hard.
WhatDaFunk
> Dunnik
01/21/2014 at 23:09 |
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I've owned an E34 ('89 535i 5-speed) for 3 years now and I think it's a great car. As mentioned in some other responses styling is a subjective thing, but I think the E34 is the best looking generation of 5 series, and definitely up there as one of the best looking BMWs.
In terms of reliability it's been pretty good, I've spent about $2,500 in maintenance over the past 3 years. Not inconsequential, but nothing outrageous, E34s are after all 25-30 years old now, there's gonna be maintenance costs. It's never failed to start and it's never left me stranded anywhere (except for the times I left the headlights on overnight). During that time it's been my daily driver and commuter so I've put a fair number of miles on it.
I haven't had experience with the V8 models, but from everything I hear the maintenance is higher but nothing unreasonable.
It's a great cruising car, super smooth at low and high speeds. The 535 has good power, not enough to shove you into the back of your seat, but it's fun to open it up on freeway on ramps, and plenty of power to make passes.
The suspension has a nice balance between comfort and sportiness, though it leans more towards comfort. It's fun to chuck around on some back roads way too fast. It definitely feels planted in the corners, but there is some body roll. I imagine you could fix that pretty easily with some suspension upgrades though.
As far as value goes I think it's one of the best deals out there. They're super cheap, and since they're not nearly as popular as the 3 series it's much easier to find examples that have not been abused.
The E34 is a great all rounder: you can actually fit adults in the back seat, trunk's a decent size and they're enjoyable to drive and in my experience pretty reliable.
The negative points: The gas mileage is atrocious, I average between 12-14 MPG. If you live in a place where parking is tight, it is a bit long (I live in San Francisco and often wish I had a shorter car so I could actually fit into some of the parking spots). And this may or may not be a negative for you; it's a very understated car, and as such it will garner you no attention. Most people will really not even notice the car or think anything of it.
That's my take on E34 ownership, feel free to ask me any questions you might have. If you want more detail about maintenance I can go into my records and tell you exactly what I've had to replace.
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Dunnik
> WhatDaFunk
01/24/2014 at 16:05 |
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Thanks for the detailed reply, WhatDaFunk, was just what I was hoping for.
nazi 540i
> Dunnik
05/12/2016 at 06:12 |
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Can any1 give me some good info and advice on this car im about to buy an e34 540i auto and everything checks out however im abit worried about the engine going on the car it has 269000kms on the clock but is healthy so far, im concerned about getting parts as well as the fuel consumption. Any1 can share some light on the engine and car on its own im from South Africa.
Bmwlover
> WhatDaFunk
10/06/2018 at 19:29 |
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In dilemma... Have a choice of an E 34 M5 o r a E 36 M3 sedan.. both on reasonably good condition and relatively low miles... Around 95k... Looking for a car not exactly a DD but 3 times a week... Any thoughts? Realistic