Do I buy an E34 touring?!

[Nick_S]

Man this site has given me all sorts of horrible ideas, ha. Been wanting a daily driver again for a while so I can dig into the E30 a bit more. Came across an E34 wagon locally. Went and looked at it today. Has a mountain of receipts, a well documented engine replacement by a reputable shop, had tons of maintenance items replaced recently. Body is clean minus some rust on the lower part of the door. Top was recently resprayed because it was sun faded, front end done aswell. Interior is in nice shape, everything works. Has an extra set of wheels with snow tires on them. Tires on it have very good tread left. Tons of spare replacement parts. The owner is an instructor at Mid Ohio and had an E30 race car in the garage and an E28 that his father bought new. Was extremely honest and a really nice guy. Didn't set an exact price but said he's at $3500 but would wiggle abit on price. Pretty sure I'm gonna snatch this car up for a daily driver, I just know very little about these and have seen a number of other members with them.




(E30 racecar in the garage, another E30 under the cover)

The main downfall of it.




Full photobucket link

http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss43/racingwoody/BMW%201993%20E34%20525it/?start=all

[TimKninja]

E34s are soooooo nice to ride in. Very very safe, my friend has wrecked two (very bad wrecks) and is still alive.

Probably will pick one up for a DD as well.

They all do that on the doors.

[blocke]

I'm looking at those as well. Interior is cavernous.

[chadthestampede]

Rust on the bottom of the doors is very common. The stupid trim pieces there get clogged with dirt and shit which scratches off the paint and plugs the already inadequate drain holes, thus resulting in rust.

On the bright side, if only the front doors are bad, then you can snatch some off a e34 sedan. Rear doors are different of course. Looks like it's either Oxford or Islandgrun, which are the most common colors with the permagrant or parchment interior.

Downsides include all tourings being automatics, the sls in the rear, and that they're slow as balls. Great dailies though. I daily one very similar except in worse shape, and I average about 21mpg overall. It's very comfortable and roomy. My only complaint is the overly complicated front suspension, but if it's well sorted you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

EDIT: forgot to mention take a look at the third brake light. Those stupid bulbs have a tendency to go out (they aren't leds) and they are a PITA to replace.

Hatch wiring tends to go on these as well due to poor design, but you can find DIYs over on bf.c

[Nick_S]

Thanks for the reply guys. The current owner has gone over this car meticulously, all bulbs replaced aswell as the hatch wiring. Made a point to show me.

And a big bonus. My roommate has an E39 528i and said he'd trade me his style 5's for whats on there. Awwww yeaaa! Going to call the guy in the morning and tell him I want it.

[TobyB]

I would. The one big q for me would be transmission- autoboxes start to get
disposable about that vintage...

t

[Van Westervelt]

E34 = great daily. Just dont let the e30 maint bug go too far into one like that. It will take 3-4 times the effort and money and not be as fun. Just keep it safe and operable with small simple things if you must.

I cant wait to get my e34 back on the road. I miss it.

And FYI, 4 door > 2 door, but 5 door > 4 door :)

[Nick_S]

E34 = great daily. Just dont let the e30 maint bug go too far into one like that. It will take 3-4 times the effort and money and not be as fun. Just keep it safe and operable with small simple things if you must.

I cant wait to get my e34 back on the road. I miss it.

And FYI, 4 door > 2 door, but 5 door > 4 door :)

Good to know. The current owner has a binder of receipts for tons of recent maintenance. And for what still needs done, he has printed off diagrams showing exactly what needs replaced, part numbers and cost so I know what needs done still, thankfully it's nothing major.

[poopin04]

I've seen this car online somewhere, not sure. The dude from the thread if I remember correctly was into doing it right instead of the halfass methods.

[e34m50]

awesome car! I DD mine with no complains at all. Just check the tranny for problems. Check to see if he has done cooling system overhaul (pump, thermo, belts, hose, rad, etc..). Other than that, these cars are built to last a lifetime!

[Nick_S]

I've seen this car online somewhere, not sure. The dude from the thread if I remember correctly was into doing it right instead of the halfass methods.

Wouldn't be surprised, like I said, he had an E30 racecar and a garage full of E30 and E34 stuff. Seemed to only use OE parts and did a ton of little items often over looked in maintenance.

awesome car! I DD mine with no complains at all. Just check the tranny for problems. Check to see if he has done cooling system overhaul (pump, thermo, belts, hose, rad, etc..). Other than that, these cars are built to last a lifetime!

Yep all been done. Full trans fluid and filter service recently and cooling system overhaul.

Going to pick it up tonight!

[redsubdivisions]

I had an E34 touring, then sold it to bimmershark. He loves the thing and it wasn't in the best shape when I bought it and when I sold it to him. I do agree with everyone, they are safe and roomy. I would love to get another one, but I just recently took on payments on an E46 instead. Good luck with your search!

[Nick_S]

With my search!? I'm picking this car up in about 2 hours.

[MrSlacker]

I could swear I saw it on r3v, but I cant find it. He painted the roof and hood from what I remember. Also did 2 engine swaps.

Nice car!

[mottati]

It's listed in the e34 for sale sub-section on bimmerforums right now. I love my touring, but man, being in california, i've never seen an e34 with rust, so that sucks for the rest of the country. If you don't mind traveling you can easily find a rust free car in california for $3k plus or minus a bit.