Buying an E34 5 Series

You could in a big car with lots of power.

Mileage isn't really the problem if it's been well serviced, it's purely a case of whether or not it's been affected, and if it's had a replacement engine under warranty or not.

All you need is on here:

JB

I'm sure you would. Especially in traffic. Speak to anyone who has driven both for any length of time, and most will say they prefer them, and IMO the BM 5 speed auto box is particularly good, with lock up in top gear. I get about 34mpg on the m/way at 70 plus mph, at 2000-2500 rpm.

I've also been advised to avoid the V8s

They're mechanically quite basic. Nothing quirky, like some of the french stuff. Not difficult to service yourself, if you're that way inclined.

It all depends on the level of trim, extras etc. It has cloth seats which detract from it's s/h value. I actually prefer cloth, but most people seem to go for leather. Has it got a/c or climate control, a computer, cruise, electric seats? If it just has the basic spec, I think the price may be a little high. There's actually quite a few extras, apart from those mentioned above, that can enhance a BM's value. CD changer. Heated mirrors, and heated w/screen washers. Lot's of little things like that.

Not at all. Only too pleased to help if I can. Mike.

I've owned BMW's in the past, E30 320 and 325's but not now - too many chavs drive the things and they're getting a bit crusty.... The 5 series on the other hand is a better propostion - likely to be in much better nick and a nice understated image. Don't be put off by Autos either, in city traffic you'll wonder how you ever coped!

I'd still personally go for a Saab 9000 though - or even a classic 900 turbo. Can do a million miles and still look good and go like stink.

Saabs might offer more versatile load spaces, but a 5er is going to be better to drive. Don't consider the gutless 518 (or the 520 really...) and unless fuel consumption and insurance are an issue get the biggest motor you can[1][2].

There have apparently been some quality issues with 3ers but I'd rate the quality of the E38 and E39 I've owned equal or better than the Mercs I had before.

The adaptive autos are fairly wondrous - not sure how far back into E34 they go, E38 7ers had them from '94 - they have an almost prescient ability to be in the right gear.

The " Nikasil Issue" only affects M60 V8s (and M52(?) sixes) run on high sulphur petrol which is no longer in the food chain. Any smooth running, steady idling M60 has either never suffered or been fixed - its health can be confirmed with a compression check if you're worried.

I ran an E38 740i with its original M60 from 110-140k and it never missed a beat - it's a fabulous motor.

Dead pixels in the dot matrix dashboard bitties can be a problem but most things are fairly bulletproof if maintained.

Not outrageous but this:

looks better value...

...not mine :)

A [1] Disclaimer: I drive a 4.6l E39 ALPINA B10 V8 because I can't have an automatic 5.0l ///M5 [2] The V8 530i will outdrag an I6 535i, allegedly...

Alistair J Murray wrote in news:ik9rr2-r5e.ln1 @florin.fluffy:

That was the plan, but the bigger ones seem to be rarer and a bit pricey. I also have to consider that on weekend trips, the fuel cost would really hit me in the wallet, as would the insurance cost (at 26, I'm a young man to be buying a 5 series - but that's the kind of car I want (maybe I'm a bit strange)). Hence the main contender at the moment is the happy medium - a

525 24v.

I haven't ruled them out altogether - I just prefer a manual because of the superior control and efficiency, and it's what I'm used. Driving an auto just doesn't feel right. I remember when I first ever drove one - each time I approached a junction, I'd panic, frantically stabbing in the dark with my left foot, trying to find the non-existant clutch pedal :-)

The type of example in my price range would already have done that kind of mileage. Good to hear something positive about it, though :-) If one comes up within reasonable distance (before I find a 525), I'll be sure to take a look. High maintenance though - a lot more components to fail in a V8 and a lot more plugs to buy at service time etc

Don't worry, I'll be taking a close look at the clocks ;-)

Well the touring shape isn't really to my liking. Also I don't intend buying from a dealer as you don't get to see the previous owner and you're paying for the dealers profit as well as the car. That particular one is a bloody long way from Barnsley!

Everyone's been fantastic! Many thanks to you all - I've learnt a lot from you.

The 5-speed learning auto came in with the 24 valve engines - about '91? But the V-8s carried on with a four speed for a couple of years longer.

Early 24 valve autos were a bit sluggish until you got the revs up then flew. Later ones had VANOS and should be better.

Too young for a 5-series? Pah, no way. Plenty of the guys on here had owned similar sized cars or bigger, much younger than that. Just because the average person your age might have a Focus or something, doesn't mean you have to. Fuel costs - well yes, on weekend trips away it would hit you in the pocket a bit, but remember that bigger engines are much more economical on a long run, compared to around town, and take a step back and look at exactly how many miles you'll be doing per year, and how much extra it'll cost you. Not a great deal, compared to the comfort/power/driveability you get from a nice V8, I'll bet. And phone around for insurance quotes. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised. If you're not, then phone around some more. If you've got a full NCB you shouldn't be paying too much.

Heh, you get used to that!

A lot more components to fail? Well yes, more valves and stuff, but failure of any major engine internals all happens at once anyway, and whatever engine it is, you're going to be lumbered with a big bill to pay. If you're picking something that's known to be very reliable, then as long as it's been well maintained, and you carry out the usual regular checks (oil, coolant etc.), then major failure is pretty unlikely. Ok, more plugs etc, come service time, true. Basically running costs are higher all around, but not *that* much higher if you're not doing all that many miles. And it's a V8. And they do rock :-D

I didn't know that. So my '94 525 5 sp auto should have a 'learning box'. I thaught 'learning' ECU's were only used for engines. Any particular website that explains in more detail? I've never noticed anything about them in the usual BM sites. Mike.

"AstraVanMan" wrote in news:riIGe.17125$ snipped-for-privacy@newsfe1-gui.ntli.net:

Cheers mate - I know you like your big cars, too :-) Insurance shouldn't be much different as the Primera is in group 14. Elephant have quoted me just under £500 for an E34 525 24v Auto with protected NCB. That's about the same as last year's premium for the primera. The IAM membership and having SWMBO (who is a little oler that me) on the policy seems to help the price.

This is true. Just a case of finding one at the right price, right condition and not too far to travel to look at it. They seem to be relatively rare compared to the lesser models.

Just to throw another option at you - (now, a lot of people are going to grimace at this), ever considered a Vauxhall Omega Elite - nice big car, very refined ride, the V6's have plenty and plenty of power, aimed at the same class as the beamer, but without the reputation, can be found feature packed at the same sort of priced you've intimated, and servicing costs should be somewhat lower (although my recent experience might cause some to refute this).

Sorry, I know this is going OT - you asked about BMW, but I'm still in the honeymoon period with my Elite and would enthusiastically point others in the same direction.

(Petrol-guzzling aside, that is)

Mike

One aspect of an auto that's seldom if ever mentioned, is that unlike a manual, you can't really abuse the gearbox, or the engine come to that. Frinstance you can't overrev the engine, crash the box, abuse the clutch, synchros, gears or drive train. IOW, in theory an auto could be a better s/h buy than a manual. Mike.

Think so - my '92 525 certainly seemed to learn your driving style in sports mode, at least to some extent. But later boxes did more - the one on my E39 seems to measure incline and change down to give engine braking as well as upping the shift points if you press on for a while.

No idea, I'm afraid.

The Omegas are a nice drive, and the Elites do have a lovely spec, but the interior in places does feel cheap (I've been in more than one Omega where the inside door handle plastics at the front have kept falling out, and in my Elite I had the cover to the centre console storage type bit easily fell off). But the V6s aren't *that* powerful compared to the competition, and there isn't an option for a V8 like with the BMWs. And it's recommended to change the cambelt and tensioners once a year, as Vauxhall won't warrant the parts for more than that. With the BMW straight 6 engines there's a timing chain - I'm guessing the V8s have one too.

Which is why they're cheap.

I don't know if this link will work or not:

I'm referring to the red one at the bottom of the page. This sounded perfect until I rang the guy and found out that the A/C doesn't work and it has no cruise control (not essential to me but would ne nice).

Sounded quite a well-to-do chap (very polite), he explained that the BMW dealer where he has it serviced (sounds like he's always gone back to the same dealer) would not re-gas it as the gas is now illegal (so I guess it's R32) and conversion would cost him £1500. Can anyone tell me when R134 (or whatever it is now) came out on these and if it didn't can you convert one for a realistic price?

It's a real shame, because in all other respects it sounds like a really well cared for example (i.e. dealer servicing, and look at the photos - this guy doesn't live in a council estate!) Had the A/C been working I was about ready to forsake cruise control and set off on the 160 mile journey to go and see it!

Nothing else worth looking at so far - the N reg manual for £2850 had no A/C, cruise etc and the guy admitted it had "a few scratches." There was a much cheaper M reg at £1500, just one service missing from it's history, but no A/C (despite having cruise). I even phoned for a look at a 525tds because it was only 13 miles away and would have gotten me acquainted with the E34, but it's already been sold :-(

A bit disappointing, I was hoping to at least find one worth looking at, but patience, as they say, is a virtue.

Yup. BMW soon learnt the follies of a cam belt.

Mike Dodd wrote in news:42eb5f41$0$13699$ snipped-for-privacy@news-text.dial.pipex.com:

Good suggestion mike. I drove my ex-boss's 2.5 Omega a few times. Beautifully smooth and quiet. However as Peter has pointed out, they do have a few maintenance issues and don't quite carry the same reputation for high quality and longetivity as the Beemer.

Might be just a tad too heavy and guzzly (100kg more than the 530 V8 and less mpg - according to Dervy datasheet ;-) than I can cope with. But a good alternative if I don't take to the five series (when I find one that suits my requirements).

That's rubbish. Had my much older car re-gassed recently.

It's also likely the dealer doesn't work on AC but gets a specialist in.

Sounds like an excuse for the AC being faulty and needing fixing at high cost, rather than just topping up.

Stu wrote in news:Xns96A384EAB228Bnobodyhomecom@216.196.109.144:

Sorry, I meant so say R12. What I really know is: would I be able to get one with R134 gas if I bought newer (that one was a 94 L)?