Buying a BMW E34

There is very little to choose between the 518i and the 525i as far as fuel consumption is concerned. In fact, the overall consumption of the 525i, at 75mph, according to BMW's figures, is 35.8mpg for the 518i. 34.5mpg for the 525i. PersonallyI would say the E34 is underpowered with a 1.8 engine. It is quite a heavy car.

Wandering at speed seems to be a common complaint with E34's caused by wear in the suspension linkages etc. Not enough to fail an MOT but enough to make the steering less positive than one would like.

I would guess that £1500 should buy a late very good condition one. One without rust, upholstery damage, or mechanical problems.

I suggest you revise your choice and go for a 525i. with the M50TU single VANOS engine A smoother quieter 6 cyl engine, more torque, so better acceleration, with only a very small penalty as far as fuel consumption is concerned.

Buy on condition rather than mileage. The 6cyl engine is capable of mileages well in excess of 200k without any mechanical problems.

I have an E34 with 174k miles. Doesn't burn any oil, or have any oil leaks, just a slight rattle from the VANOS unit when starting from cold. No rattles and apart from a new battery and a lamda replaced at it's last MOT, has been troublefree for over the 3 years I've owned it.

You may find John G. Burns site helpful in making a choice:-

DONT!!!!!! slow and way underpowerd...get a 525. had 1 520 and 2 525's last a touring auto, huge differance in power and apart from around town i got good MPG ( i often drove around Germany and Poland 3 times a year from Sheffield, just for fun!!!!)

I did get almost 50 mpg over a 1000 mile trip (cos i had a big sq roofbox which was a nightmware, so sat in trucks slipstream...yeah slow but economical!) all the way to the German seaside at Ruegen...most of the time i did a constant 110-115 where i could and it still got 30

a touring is ok (my last was), got plenty of stuff in, and did almost 140(so it said, so maybe a bit less) along the autobahn where allowed, crammed with beer and vodka coming home...never missed a beat

ONE MAJOR problem is they were fitted with plastic water pumps (not sure cut off year, so my 91 and 92 both failed and replaced with a metal one for about 30 quid...overheating was a problem due to that

my touring had computer problems, just saying a bulb had blown and it handnt (common problem) and the autobox was sweet, i HATED autos until i had that and would have owt else now (ok i do now, a VW camper manual that i swopped for the 525) oh yeah, just before i swopped it the computer started speaking german, saying the transmission had failed...it hadnt, it was a gremlin in the computer, they didnt translate to english, cos it never came with that tranny..

my last had almost 300,000 MILES, a lot put on by me in a year, NEVER BURNT OIL OR SMOKED...it would have done another 200, 000 easy

I guess its how its treated. i paid 400 for my last...like people say, a little thirsty around town (in flat Germany not bad, here in hilly sheff not good)

Theres a part of Germany where it climbs a mountain and goes to about 8 lanes...i just booted it each time and did 100, thats FULLY laden

I would get another (infact looking for one) You can get decent ones (mine had fsh) for about 500.

Take a look at last 16 month or so here, loads of fotos of mine...all over europe, couple of niggles, like all cars..but i would just jump in and do a

your right, pay a little more and get something decent, fantastic to drive (best looking) and a 525 can pull a house

Only reason i sold mine, is it was worth 400 quid, and i get a german totally solid T3 VW camper, which i wanted for the trips now...im too old for camp sites and tents!!! need some luxory..

If its done 150k dont worry, just find out about the plastic water pump and if it has fsh...take a look, all mine had well over 100,00

for others here..

(i do have a project black auto 525) for sale, needs the water pump changing (which i have), brakes sorting...but comes with racing susp, and exhaust, filters upgraded, with 5 spoke 17 inch.

I only want what i paid for it...370, and its in Sheffield

open to offers...ideal as a summer project!

look at mine all over Europe, and let me know what you think, the red touring, i hated the colour, but others liked it

yeah i forgot to mention VANOS..

The Germans love these cars, over there they fetch still a v v high price (i speak to e34.de german club and know them)

Get a good one, engine wise and like Mike says steady great cars, i miss mine :-(

You're having a laugh surely?

The later 525i single vanos engine is the most economical in the real world, closely followed by the 24v 2 litre- but low gearing hurts it- needed due to the lack of torque.

Tim..

Is the correct and only answer.

JB