School Me On: E34 Touring

"for Michigan" (formichigan)
03/24/2019 at 19:18 • Filed to: BMW, E34, 525i, Touring, Wagon, oppopinions

A 92 525i Touring showed up for cheap in my area. I’m tempted to pick it up, sort it out, sell the 1-series, and go back to being car payment-less. The example in question is an auto with 254K miles. At this point in time, I’m sure it needs lots of bushings replaced and I’d be tempted to manual swap it. What do you think, Oppositelock?

DISCUSSION (8)

atfsgeoff > for Michigan
03/24/2019 at 19:21

As an only car? Nope

If you have a backup car, sure.

for Michigan > atfsgeoff
03/24/2019 at 19:33

Explain, please.

LongbowMkII > for Michigan
03/24/2019 at 19:35

25+ year old German car

MM54 > for Michigan
03/24/2019 at 20:04

I knew a guy with the sedan version, I assure you that an automatic e34 525i is the world’s slowest modern BMW. At that mileage it’ll also need the everything replaced, suspension and steering wise.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > for Michigan
03/24/2019 at 20:52

I had an e34 and it always started and got me where I needed to go but it was a little needy. The wagons are rare but I bet an auto wagon 525i is slow. My 535i auto sedan had a bit of torque but still I was letting wanting more speed at times.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > for Michigan
03/24/2019 at 21:03

E34s are great cars, but as others have said, not necessarily as an only car. They’re pretty solid, but things will break and they will be hard to find. I remember driving 35 miles to get the last fusible link available in the area, and hoping I didn’t need another anytime soon. Window regulators, sunroof parts, seat cables are also breaking, due mostly to age and lack of use, and wer e challenges to find. But the inline 6 (M20 in my case) and a manual transmission is a wonderful combination, even if it isn’ t all that fast; despite a bunch of Dinan parts, my minivan is still faster. And the M20 with an automatic? Absolutely pitiful, and made ‘80s diesels seem quick. That ’92 will have the better M50 engine, but it’s still not going to be all that quick, even with a manual. Don’t buy it for the speed and just enjoy the smoothness and refinement and quality, and don’t be surprised when stupid little things fail at random intervals.

I still like old German cars, but I’m keeping my Japanese minivan...

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > for Michigan
03/24/2019 at 21:16

At this mileage and age everything starts to become a consumable item, regardless of the car . The M20 inline six is a great engine - I have an e30 with 200k + on the clock, and it runs beautifully. But I had to replace things on it simply because of its age, and you probably will too, unless the previous owner has documented maintenance. Timing belt & other belts ?Water pump? Coolant ho ses? Wheel hubs? Etc. It’s not even a matter of “reliability” at that point.

I’m wary of auto transmissions of high mileage either: my e36 auto trans (which disturbingly was a GM part) started making some pretty awful noises at 180k - i wanted a manual at that point anyways, and sold the e36 for cheap without delving into the issue . No matter if you’re swapping a manual though. Or hey, why not go all-out and do a complete 850Ci swap like this fine gentleman/lady? https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/d/middle-haddam-bmw525i-wagon/6842995591.html

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > for Michigan
03/24/2019 at 21:25

An older Mercedes would be better because you can actually get classic parts for them. E34s are not bad, but it’s a project car not a daily.

If want something that old but still nice and potentially reliable, I'm thinking Lexus. If you just want a cheap runabout and to eliminate payments, well then the options are limitless...