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Nov 14, 2006 22:03:40 GMT
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Right, my other half has got all excited about an E34 she's seen for sale....wants to get rid of the the skoda and get one pronto... what do I look out for re. problems, rot/grot, best engine and box combinations.... I assume the 518 is not worth bothering with ( 16v or 8v ?? ) and the 520 is much the same... what they like for home spannering/parts availability and prices...?? and NO, i can't stretch to an M5......my uncle had an E34 M5 when they were new and its still one of the quickest cars point to point i've ever been in...  exactly like this one in fact....  |
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Nov 14, 2006 22:10:05 GMT
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Lots of shagged and knackered examples out there but good ones are cheap these days. Watch out for wobbly propshafts (vibration around 50-60mph) and service history is a must really. Most will drink fuel readily (certainly compared to a Skoda) but the 540 REALLY drinks the juice. They will last a goodly while so put condition ahead of mileage.
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1986 Citroen 2CV Dolly Other things. Check out my Blog for the latest! www.hubnut.org |
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Nov 14, 2006 22:12:12 GMT
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Wait for bodieanddoyle to give the full gen. But from my experience I really liked them and would happily have another. Mine was an early 525 with the 12V engine. Prone for head gaskets and cracked heads (which mine had  Often caused by the viscous fan failing. Other than the head problems I think they are generally reliable. 170bhp so it wasnt too slow. 24V have 192 bhp (I think) I have seen quite a few for sale with head gasket problems wether it is or not I don't know though. I have been told 535`s are not really much better than a 525 use quite a bit more fuel for not much more go. TD an TDS are not too bad for diesels and relatively nippy (closer to a 520 than a 525) Injection pump failure is a problem I have heard of. 540`s are very nice as well ;D |
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Tell me about E34 BMW'sBenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Nov 14, 2006 22:39:05 GMT
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I had a very early (E-reg) 525iSE, which I bought for £150 whilst on holiday. Plenty quick, luxury motoring. Packed with toys and computers. It had lived most of its life by the sea, but the body had held up amazingly - a bit of rust on the rear arches but nothing crumbly. I'd have another! |
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Nov 14, 2006 22:41:19 GMT
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E34's Hmmmmm! It's a BMW for people who really want an E32 but are convinced that
A: they are too big,
B: to complicated
C: to expensive to run.
My E32 735i is better on fuel than my friends E34 525i, parts cost the same and there's not a huge differance in size.
Oh yeah and mines back for sale again ;D
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Nov 14, 2006 22:50:43 GMT
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I don't think even i can talk her into a 7 series........
are 540's V8's ??
has anyone got any power/mpg figures handy...
whats routine servicing at home like.....cam belts ( ugh ) how much/hard etc...
basically, i want to able to try and do most of it at home.
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Nov 14, 2006 22:52:55 GMT
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E34 touring 530 or 540 V8
theres a 530 touring 540 touring 1600 ish but also an e28 M535 for 1995
E39s are now in the sub 3k but will be leggy
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2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
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Nov 14, 2006 22:55:56 GMT
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Avoid the 518 (obviously) and the early pre-VANOS 520 - that was a bit of a dog of an engine at the best of times. Nearly 20 years on, it's likely to be knackered.
Probably the last of the properly built BMWs (along with the E32).
Don't bother with a V8 unless you have documents proving that BMW replaced the block under warranty due to nikasil issues.
Pick of the range is probably the 535 - not much worse on fuel than the 525 but a fair old wedge of extra grunt.
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Prius T-Spirit, Alfa 156 Sportwagon, Alfa 75 TSpark Veloce, Mazda MX-5 1.8iS
Honda VFR750FT, Ducati 750SS, BMW R100RT, Hongdou GY200
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Nov 14, 2006 22:56:44 GMT
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easy to service reset tools cheap to get
check they don't smoke and that the gearboxes both types shift ok
grot (minimal) and repaired ones and leccy toys only to watch for
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2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
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Si
Part of things
(OO [][] OO)
Posts: 203
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E34's? They rock My opinion is the same as twinspark - probably the last decent Beemer they made! This site is pretty helpful: bmwe34.net/ particularly this pageWe have lots of them over here in Jersey - and the salty air (never more than 4 miles from the sea) doesn't seem to make them rot unless they've been smashed & badly fixed (usual story). Generally rust doesnt seem to appear on them, although with salted roads it might be a different story.. Infact, I don't think I've seen one with rust on it, and my white one is definately the rattiest looking one here! Personally - go for a 535i, reasonable fuel consumption & plenty of go from the old big 6 motor.. Try & find an SE for full leather luxo-barge effect - they're pretty cheap these days, and, over here at least, plenty still left on the roads so much choice to be had Steering vibration around 60mph? They all get that, it'l be worn front t.c.a's - Lemforder are apparently the best, when coupled with 750i bushings.. Watch for gearboxes - the 535i at least, uses a GM 4HP-22 box, that really doesnt like being revved above 2k rpm in park or neutral - over-pressurises a seal & blows the a-clutch pack, leaving you with reverse only usually.. (Lots of them died in the US, due to emissions testing apparently) Easy to work on, and thanks to the likes of GSF & Eurocar parts, bits are pretty reasonable too. Definately take overall condition more seriously than mileage - 3-400,000 miles is apparently the lifespan of the major components of one of these, if it's looked after properly.. Here's my daily beast - looking fairly respectable in this shot, it's looking much dirtier & more used/abused now - hell, if a BMW can live with me without breaking, they gotta be good cars!  Paid £500 for that one, although it looked decidedly more rough before I got it & attacked it with the white primer! |
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Last Edit: Nov 15, 2006 1:56:06 GMT by Si
Unseen Jersey---------------- Delica Super Exceed 2.8 Delica Super Exceed 3.0v6 "Project Bully" e36 M3 e36 318iT e36 328iT Always looking for the next project, and somewhere to put it!
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late 518i's aren't that bad, bit like an early 520i. 12v 520/25 are cheap as you like, later 6's are better built except for the interiors. 24v's crack heads like 12v 2.5s. 525i 24v is the best of the bunch, if you buy a vanos one, listen out for rattling vanos units. 540i manuals aren't as bad on fuel as people think, we (the garage) have a 540i manual 6 speed, drastically overgeared. its turning 3k in forth at 65 with 2 more gears to go! watch out for rot under the rear bumper, ie. boot floor and lower quarters. 520i 12v manual 'boxes are a bit weak. if you consider a diesel, they are a rapid motor for a derv burner, but they vary wildly from car to car performance wise. 530i (6 cylinder) is a nice smooth car, can crack blocks. 535i 6 shooter is quicker but not as smooth, cracks blocks. watch out for sloppy steering boxes, currently £1500 from bmw's  and oh course, axle mounting bushes are favourites on these. any e34 2.5 and over has the LKM controled lighting, make sure that works before you drive home in the dark! now I'm off to work on them..... |
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Tell me about E34 BMW'sRobinxr4i
@robinxr4i
Club Retro Rides Member 143
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Don't the E34 535 have the older style straight 6 12v lump from the old 635csi? If so quality bit of old skool engineering and 218 bhp nice.
Anyway always fancied a E34 they look the plums lowered on a decent set of rims! the white one above is perfect ;D
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Sierra - here we go again! He has an illness, it's not his fault.
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it looked decidedly more rough before I got it & attacked it with the white primer! Genius!!!!!!! ;D  ;D Looks superb against the black trim & wheels ;D B&D - the gearing of the 540 6 speed sounds great for motorway cruising Always liked these, esp the Tourings*  *but then I do have a thing for estates......   |
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Nov 15, 2006 10:25:24 GMT
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£1500 for a steering box !! thats the kind of terror that was springing to mind, as has put me off getting a big fat german barge for so long, it literally would mean the end of ownership for me..... soooo....what is the best all rounder ?? I saw a tds touring yesterday...that would be fantastico.... |
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Si
Part of things
(OO [][] OO)
Posts: 203
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Nov 15, 2006 11:59:12 GMT
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it looked decidedly more rough before I got it & attacked it with the white primer! Genius!!!!!!! ;D ;D Looks superb against the black trim & wheels ;D B&D - the gearing of the 540 6 speed sounds great for motorway cruising Always liked these, esp the Tourings* *but then I do have a thing for estates...... Cheers! Will bung a thread up in Readers Rides in a bit. Steering boxes are indeed expensive - although they can be adjusted for play pretty easilyEurocarparts list a steering box for £525 for example, so if worst happens the stealer can be cut out of the loop easily Indeed - the 535i is the M30 big 6 lump - 212bhp in e34 trim, although depending on where you get the info from it varies  Mine's chucking out at least 149bhp at the wheels after 18 years - sadly it peed it's coolant half way thru the run so we gave up before it actually broke something! (mine also hasn't been lowered - it's on the list of things to be done!) Gearing-wise - even the 535i auto has motorway gearing - 65mph = 2000rpm in top, and still plenty of grunt off the line to scare the chavs! |
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Unseen Jersey---------------- Delica Super Exceed 2.8 Delica Super Exceed 3.0v6 "Project Bully" e36 M3 e36 318iT e36 328iT Always looking for the next project, and somewhere to put it!
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Nov 15, 2006 12:03:32 GMT
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Never been to sure (apart from the M5) if I like the E34 or not, bit of a barge. Something like this ...   ... would do very nicely however, thank you please. ;D But there really only is one real M5 ...   |
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Last Edit: Nov 15, 2006 12:06:03 GMT by superden
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Si
Part of things
(OO [][] OO)
Posts: 203
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Nov 15, 2006 12:23:21 GMT
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Much as they look like they'd be a barge to drive - I find mine really isnt.. Infact it feels far too similar to me old E30 325iS, just with more grunt and a bit more body roll! (the E30 was beaten lots with the stick, this E34 hasn't had the treatment - yet!)
The only problem with a tuned ///M5?: Lack of grip!
(mind you - perhaps he's got keen on the power, with 1129bhp!)
Would chop a bollock off for a decent E28 ///M5- sadly E28's are that much older & rustier it's hard to find a good'un (here at least)..
(having said that - there's been one for sale in the local paper now for over a month - E28 M5, Lachs Silver, £5000 firm... If I had £5k spare I might be tempted!
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Last Edit: Nov 15, 2006 12:25:08 GMT by Si
Unseen Jersey---------------- Delica Super Exceed 2.8 Delica Super Exceed 3.0v6 "Project Bully" e36 M3 e36 318iT e36 328iT Always looking for the next project, and somewhere to put it!
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Nov 15, 2006 12:29:06 GMT
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Were early e34 M5's six's and the later ones V8's ??
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Nov 15, 2006 12:47:53 GMT
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Right, just been to have a look at the actual vehicle thats caused all the inital excitement.
Its a 520iSE on a G plate, no idea on mileage, cloth interior etc.....up for £875 or near offers...
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Si
Part of things
(OO [][] OO)
Posts: 203
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Nov 15, 2006 13:12:17 GMT
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All E34 M5's were straight 6 - early ones had the S30B36 motor - 3.6 litre, later ones had the S30B38 motor - essentially same motor but increased to 3.8 Personally I'd hang out for a bigger motor than a 520i - performance won't be up to a lot with jsut a 2 litre, and probably no better on fuel than a 525 at least - you find you'll work a smaller motor harder to conpensate for lack of go, thus drinking more juice.. I paid £500 for my white one (granted, not mint to look at, but mechanically sound) - and £100 for my blue 'spares' car - only reverses, gearbox is bust, but it came with a replacement 'box ready to drop in, and has leather, a/c, cd changer etc And to be honest, it's too good to strip for parts! Not bad for a ton! |
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Unseen Jersey---------------- Delica Super Exceed 2.8 Delica Super Exceed 3.0v6 "Project Bully" e36 M3 e36 318iT e36 328iT Always looking for the next project, and somewhere to put it!
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Often caused by the viscous fan failing. Other than the head problems I think they are generally reliable. 170bhp so it wasnt too slow.
;D Looks superb against the black trim & wheels ;D
