Thinking about getting a E34 535i..........

[Robinxr4i]

Always had a bit of a soft spot for the old 5 series, and since my current Sierra has let me down again I've been looking at them seriously, a manual one obviously. I've been out in my mates 535i several times and love it!

Anyone owned one long term? What goes wrong? What should I look for?

Anyway have some pics................

[rtlkyuubi]

That hass sooooo much god damn win right there!!

But if you cant find one for a reasonable price, my friend has the next best thing for sale ;D a manual 335 e30

[ThePollitt]

Rear suspension bushes go, and they're not too cheap/easy to change. The tca's can go too.

Don't worry about mileage, they can cope with big numbers.

I'm drunk though, so my advice ends there. I'll add more in the morning.

Chris

[rob0r]

Worn front bushes are a problem, tired suspension and worn brakes, perhaps rear subframe bushes. Take it for an extended test drive at all speeds, i got bitten hard by an e34 cos i didn't. Ive had more experience with e32 735s which are almost the same cars, one auto and one manual, awesome cars! Engines are bombproof and cheap, they boost well too. Parts are cheap, especially 2nd hand.

My manual 735 with lsd drifts effortlessly

[Robinxr4i]

Chris I value your opinion, drunk or sober ;D

Aug 23, 2010 20:43:36 GMT ThePollitt said:

Don't worry about mileage, they can cope with big numbers.

Yeah my mates one has done 320,000 miles and made 218bhp (7bhp more than the factory figure) the car pulls hard, burns no oil and regularly get skidded hard! M30 engines FTMFW!

[Mark]

My advice extends as far as DO IT. e34s are awesome.

[griffo20022]

E34 535's f*cking rock! I heart M30 engines! They sound lush and drop smoke bombs like nobodies business Cooling systems can sometimes be a pain in the bottom and as others have said, being pretty hefty, suspension components and brakes have a run for their money. Tbf though theres nothing MAJOR to really worry about on these cars, go for it! I know I would! Well i'd actually go for an E32 myself

[Lewis]

It's maybe worth considering the later 24 valve M50 engine though if you want something you can use daily, the later engine is considerably more efficient (although less outright powerful and torquey) but it really does rev and take the abuse.......

[60six]

My old e34 was a lovely old motor - Gorgeous leather interior, 5 speed auto (same box in some bentley's apparently) and although it was only a 6pot 2 litre, performance wasn't great but it was one of the best built cars I had ever owned. Seriously cheap these days - Real bargains to be had. e30/e32/e34 represent BMW at their best imo.

[useless inc]

I had one. They most common problem is the 55mph wobble they have. Sometimes it's impossible to feel any play in the bushes and you need to replace the arms to fix it, it's not that expensive for new arms though as it's a common fault. The engine's tough but they do get noisy top ends and you can get timing chain rattle on higher mileage ones (like mine).

They're really still pretty rapid but make the effort to get a manual sport over an SE. Not just for the LSD either the sports interior and body kit make it a much nicer car.
Also the auto is good for what it is but you'll always be wishing you had the manual box in a car like that.

As Lewis said the 24v m50 525i makes 190bhp and is easier on the juice. Nice e34 m50 525i's seem to be the most sought after,

[useless inc]

Not retro but a 5 series with a v8 and it's cheap.
forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=85&t=60613

[Robinxr4i]

The 525i is nice, but the 535i has so much more grunt. TBH I'm not massively fussed on economy as I'm within walking distance of work. From what I've read and experienced the M30 is the engine I want! So much low down torque ;D

Thanks guys great info so far!

[skinnylew]

that first one rocks. Do it!

[useless inc]

I got 22-23mpg out both my e34 535i and e28 m535i so it's not terrible, it's just not great.
The engine in me e34 was shagged and I didn't realise how much grunt they had until I got my m535. Now if only I could have taken the good engine out the rusty m535i and put it in the super tidy e34 with the knackered engine.

[bstardchild]

found this looking for summut else

Cheap as chips

OK so it's got a fault (unknown) but it's down your way isn't it?

[useless inc]

Aug 23, 2010 23:04:39 GMT bstardchild said:

found this looking for summut else

Cheap as chips

OK so it's got a fault (unknown) but it's down your way isn't it?

I bet that's a knackered mototronic ecu. If they stop stone dead that can often be the cause especially if they get any water in them. You can get the ecu from ebay for around £100 or off fritzbitz for £130ish + vat.

[Robinxr4i]

Tempted but TBH I'm not totally convinced I want to take on a non-runner. The last three cars I've brought have all needed major work to make them road worthy, this time I just want to get a nice running car in good condition. Lower it, fit some wheels, chop the lock stops off and fit my seat and steering wheel.

[Skip_Rat]

My mrs has an E34 525i Auto LPG converted with the later 24v M50 engine and I really don't like it. I know the auto box doesn't help but it feels REALLY slow so I'd say stay away from the smaller engines. They are very heavy cars after all.

Brakes are awful as an upgrade from terrible after replacing all parts.

It's nice and quiet on the motorway, but that's it, I wish we'd kept the 190e, I don't find it fun to drive at all. Oh yeah and the seats are hard as granite.

[Halfers]

I had a facelifted '94 530i with the V8. The car was manual with black leather but no A/C.

owned the thing for 2 years and it was a great car. I'd only had one 5er before that, an e28 M535i Auto. The E34 was a much nicer car to drive, great seats, decent performance, handling a little wallowy on std springs/shocks, economy in the mid 20's but thirsty about town. Rock solid build quality but as already mentioned, suspension and brakes can wear out.
If you are prepared to keep it for a while and do the work, parts aren't too bad (with the exception of the exhaust for the v8 because there are few aftermarket options) for example, I paid less than 50 quid for a new radiator when mine blew.
I'd have another one in a shot but its a big car so would be looking at a 530i as a minimum. The old 6 pot 535's are getting rare in good condition now and aren't as cheap as they once were either. V8's are great cars but a bit pricier for parts generally.

[surprisingskoda]

Aug 24, 2010 15:20:31 GMT Skip_Rat said:

My mrs has an E34 525i Auto LPG converted with the later 24v M50 engine and I really don't like it. I know the auto box doesn't help but it feels REALLY slow so I'd say stay away from the smaller engines. They are very heavy cars after all.

Brakes are awful as an upgrade from terrible after replacing all parts.

It's nice and quiet on the motorway, but that's it, I wish we'd kept the 190e, I don't find it fun to drive at all. Oh yeah and the seats are hard as granite.

Something wrong with the car then, I'd just about guarantee that. I've lost count now and I've never had one that felt very slow, apart from a 518 touring. I had a 520 M50 Auto a few months back and it had over 200k and still pulled like a train. I am driving my black m50 525 Touring Manual daily now and it has 167k and desperately needs a service, but still feels like a rocketship when the foot is down.
Brakes on all of them have been reasonable too.

Cooling is the major thing Robin, and rust at the rear end of the sills, and history on the engine or else FULL service the day after you buy it. Apart from that nothing much is an issue, and parts are cheap.
Front end feeling squirmy is bushings (replace bottom control arms at £49 each with bushings pre-installed) or worn out shocks (heavy engine, so common). Non-standard wheels can result in 55mph shake if not fitted with hubcentric rings.