E34 530i, yes or no?

[Alpina]

if you want reliability plus 29mpg on the freeway hold out for a later 525i 5spd. M60 grunt and exhaust note are much better than the m50 but m60 maintenance + shitty fuel economy is going to cost you.

Not to say it wouldn't be a sweet car.

word........

[Holland]

525 is the way to go IMO. S52 is bolt in.

[xxx-Lost-Soul-xxx]

Troof.

I can drive twice the distance in my M50 powered E30 then I can with my E34 540/6 for the same amount. Fuel will kill you. I hardly drive the car because of that. Such a sexy car, though.

I have the same issue. Ive been rocking my moms M60 on the E34 and E38,and my god. The fuel is killing me.

[e30austin]

If you want reliability plus 29mpg on the freeway hold out for a later 525i 5spd. M60 grunt and exhaust note are much better than the m50 but m60 maintenance + shitty fuel economy is going to cost you.

Not to say it wouldn't be a sweet car.

Troof.

I can drive twice the distance in my M50 powered E30 then I can with my E34 540/6 for the same amount. Fuel will kill you. I hardly drive the car because of that. Such a sexy car, though.

[Ryann]

If you want reliability plus 29mpg on the freeway hold out for a later 525i 5spd. M60 grunt and exhaust note are much better than the m50 but m60 maintenance + shitty fuel economy is going to cost you.

Not to say it wouldn't be a sweet car.

[RacingTowardsRed]

This would be a DD, so I'm not super interested in modifying it. More interested in reliability and all that boring crap.

[GDA]

True but in my case if you're after a touring.... Try finding a really nice e34 540iT in the states. (and I know the difference ... I already have the 540i sedan)

I'd probably go the 530 route on a touring as you can easily swap in either a 5 speed or a B40 and a 5 speed down the road.

[Mapearso]

True but in my case if you're after a touring.... Try finding a really nice e34 540iT in the states. (and I know the difference ... I already have the 540i sedan)

[GDA]

Meh, the E34 530 really limits your abilities to upgrade as you own it. Not much other than a chip for the engine and it is not much faster than a 525 but has relatively poor mileage.

With the prices 540/6s bring nowadays, just hold out for one of those bad boys. All else, then get a 535 5 speed. The old big 6 will easily do 300 to 400k miles and the chassis will also as long as you take care of the suspension and stay on top of the aging electrical components.

[Mapearso]

All other things being equal, sure a 535 or a 540. But I just picked up a minty 530 touring with a whopping 80K miles and full dealer-only service history. PO even had an uninstalled Dinan chip with the car -- should wake it up a little bit. Makes a nice daily driver and I'm enjoying it

[Alpina]

I have nothing against them to be honest, decently peppy, nice torque, great daily driver.

M60B40 is better no question, but the 3L V8 is not exactly a piece of shit either, especially as its a last year E34 AND a 5 speed.

My

I agree.. but an auto M60B30 ,, vs auto M60B40 .. is a huge different in sprinting ,,

[James Crivellone]

I have nothing against them to be honest, decently peppy, nice torque, great daily driver.

M60B40 is better no question, but the 3L V8 is not exactly a piece of shit either, especially as its a last year E34 AND a 5 speed.

My

[e30s50dan]

3.0L V8 period NO!

[Onizukachan]

it's a manual. any non m20 powered e34 manual is worth a test drive.

[5Toes]

I hear with the 4 liter intake manifold they are not bad.