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Looking to move on 2 cars for one. Looking at E34's but the prices are on the up so considering E32's, E38, E60 and maybe E39's.
I've never had a BMW, so have no idea about common issues, engine issues and with them being a large car, are the auto boxes strong and reliable? In fact, same for the manuals?
Any help, direction and inspiration appreciated.
Thanks,
Stu
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My e34 drove nice. The 518 and 520 are a bit underpowered. But the 520 is a 6 cylinder engine so sounds good,
Main issue is rust, the sills rot under the plastic covers.
The e32 rusts probably the same.
I’d go for an e34 or e32 over the others. There are a bit more retro and a good investment atm.
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Last Edit: Jun 6, 2019 15:12:05 GMT by pauly22
1994 BMW 525i touring
2004 BMW Z4 sorn and broken
1977 Ford Escort
1982 Ford Capri getting restored
1999 Mazda B2500 daily driver.
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,865
Club RR Member Number: 58
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I've had an E38 and an E34 (three E34's if you include a couple of donor cars) As pauly22 says, rust is the main issue on E34's, the later cars all had those sill covers and they trap a lot of mud, earlier cars didn't have the covers so that helps but they still rust. Of the E34's an M50 engined 525i Manual is probably the best all rounder in terms of performance and running costs, I had a 520i and did find it underpowered but ok if you're not in a hurry. The 525i Sport I had was much better, and the 525tds I had surprised me with how relatively smooth it was once warmed up. There is a bit of parts interchangeability with the E32, and you can do quite a bit of retrofitting on E34's as, certainly on the later cars, most of the wiring loom for extras is already there. I added cruise, was going to add AC, sunvisor lights, auto dim mirror etc.    The E38 I had was a 750i and also probably the luckiest car purchase I've ever made as it was ridiculously cheap for the spec. It had done 200k miles but didn't feel it, the V12 is an awesome engine. Though the 740i is nigh on as fast, and the 728i's seem to make good cruisers.  Something that affects nearly all the models you mention is steering shimmy at speed, usually caused by wear in bushes in the front suspension. Theres a lot of suspension arms there > lot of bushes > lot of potential wear points! Also the cooling system can be a bit fragile so needs to be kept in good condition. I know my 520i had already been through a head gasket before I bought it. Autoboxes on the E38/E39 were touted as "sealed for life", but I think its largely recommended that the oil does get changed in them to keep them happy. |
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I had a 1997 E39 523i, with manual gearbox. Good, reliable car overall, but as above, watch out for chronic sill rot under the plastic covers (the driver's side front on mine had really gone, as the washer bottle behind the offside front wing had been leaking).
The handbrakes are also notoriously poor, even with new linings fitted.
Also check for leaking radiator header tanks - they split very easily.
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tristanh
Part of things
Routinely bewildered
Posts: 990 
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E39 is a lovely car, still has a slightly retro feel but as easy live with as a modern, if you find one that's not rusty.
I love my M version. Aside from the steering. 6 cylinder cars though have lovely steering response.
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Whether you believe you can, or you cannot, you're probably right.
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Dr.AK
Part of things
Posts: 411
Club RR Member Number: 62
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I've had one E34, one E38 and two E39s.
They are all solid cars with largely the same issues.
Rust is a concern - rockers, lower door corners, sometimes even the trunk (especially around the licence plate mounting points) and trunk floor.
Apart from that they all like to eat front suspensions and they all suffer from the BMW typical cooling system problems. I haven't had a BMW (I've had 7) where the cooling system has not failed in one way or another.
The E38 and E39 steering system, I'm not sure how it translates into english, but when the bushes of the steering linkage are worn, the steering will feel like a 60ies american boat with lot of play before the car starts to turn.
Also, the brakes are notoriously undersized. You will often find examples with warped front rotors.
E38s (and some E39s) can be a bit of an electrical headache as they age. The E34 (and E32 for that matter) are in my opinion generally more 'robust'.
If you choose an E38, you will likely look at V8 cars - both V8s (M60 and M62) tend to have problems with oil leaking out the front case of the engine. The seal here is in two parts, one for the upper half, one for the lower. Upper half is relatively easy to replace, just takes some time. Lower half can be a nightmare as it's not easily reached, I'm not sure if it can be done without removing the engine.
In terms of power-to-mpg ratio, I'd avoid the 520i (apart from the E39 facelift 520i with the 2.2 170hp engine) and the E38 730i V8. Both take the same amounts of gas as their bigger brothers but are slowwwwwwww.
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Last Edit: Jun 7, 2019 9:05:30 GMT by Dr.AK
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I love a BMW, particularly the older ones and have owned several examples of all of those.
I'd probably discount the E60 as build quality took a bit of a dive and the electrical system became a little more complex. Still a fine car, but comparing it to the other, older models, I'd cast it aside.
The E39 many people consider to be the finest car, pound for pound, ever built, but the 6CYL models do suffer more than any of the other from cooling system failure and I'd always recommend a complete cooling system overhaul if there is no proof that it has been done recently, before running one. They also suffer from rust, in areas, more so than any other BMW.
The E32 and E34 are the most "mechanical" BMW's on that list and have a touch of the old-skool about them, which draws obvious positives and negatives.
I currently have (alongside an X5 4.6is and E46 330Ci) an E38 728i and that would be my pick out of all of them if I wanted a car to run and use regularly. The biggest things to look out for are the electrics, as they are still fully-loaded, the cooling system and larger BMW's are heavy on suspension. Great cars though, and so handsome. I've had 750i and iL models, but running one can be pretty ruinous and I prefer the straight six to the V8's.
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 Specialist Bodyshop & Fabrication Classic, Retro, Prestige & Custom Small Repairs to Concours Restorations Mechanical Work Vintage to Modern |
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I had many BMW's old 2, 3, and 5 series. The 5 series has always been my favorite. Big enough without being to big. Cheap to run, reliable and good looking. We have a 2000 model 528i. It just clicked over 200.000Km but has never let us down.
We are looking at replacing this BMW for a newer one but haven't been successful yet as the newer e60 doesn't do it for us. We might
keep this a little bit longer till we find a great F10 model.
My wife would like to keep this thing till it falls apart....she really really likes it.
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I've had them all at one point e32 e39 e38 e34 still have the e34 Given the choice I'd go for another E32 750li the 6 pot engines of that era were a little underwhelming but strong Again with the e38 I only had the v12 and it was great the v8 engines have some common problems so that only leaves the 2.8 or the v12 The e34s are a great car "a true BMW" M5 is the one to buy but hard to come by and very much on the up in price Again the early v8s aren't that good so the best options are M50 2.5 or M30 3.5 (ideally a sport) Again e39 is a great car the last real BMW made best engine option would be 3.0 petrol Don't bother with the e60 Basically BMW started making total curse word after 2000 (I can speak from experience) everything was made to a budget and quality and reliability dropped off big time Now the down sides All the above will have or have had rust issues so look very carefully E39s rust mainly on the sills and jacking points but it can be hidden under the under trays so can't be seen          |
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1992 240 Volvo T8
1955 Cadillac
1994 BMW E34 M5 (now sold )
1999 BMW E36 sport touring x2
1967 Hillman imp Californian "rally spec"
1971 VW bay window (work in progress)
1999 Mazda 323F
1987 Jaguar XJ12
All current
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Jun 13, 2019 13:40:41 GMT
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I did 135,000 miles in my 530d touring - epic car but I found the SE seats not particularly comfy. the interior never wore however and it looked good in whatever company it kept.
Rust, touring suspension (particularly the air ride), cooling, don't chip the 530d automatics (it's the g/box that can't handle it, not the engine) and on the 530d engine - make sure it's a vortex type oil seperator and not the old paper ones.
Great cars. Like them alot.
Alot of e39's also suffer from dead pixels in the dash (and on the stereo) - if you do end up buying one I've a spare pixel repair kit if that helps.
I think a a 523i (non touring) is the sweet spot of the range. creamy engine, just enough ooomph to make things interesting, nice sound, capable of 30mpg average (over a mix of roads and usage). My 530d average 43mpg over it's life - but that was alot of motorway driving (not at stupid speeds I hasten to add). Still miss it.
I'd like an M5 but knowing myself as I do - I'd probably buy a terrible one.
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Jun 13, 2019 17:08:30 GMT
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I can only help on a side issue. I have an E90 330i (N52) and a lot of people advise to go for the N52 engine over the later N53 which is used in also the E60 525i and 530i.
The common problems with these are the High Pressure Injectors and other bits related to the 'efficient dynamics' versions.
I realise you are looking for a larger car, but I have been very impressed with the comfort on my 330i 'SE' with the upgraded fully electric adjustible seats. The 3L Straight 6 is a peach, even with the auto box, I think its a good compromise.
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