e28 528e vs e34 525i (Cost & Reliability)

[iamsam]

I have an E34, but it is a parts donor for my E28. I also had an E32 that was a parts donor for the same E28 as well.

[B83M533W]

My 86 528e has been a champ for the two years I've owned it. Trip to Washington for 5erWest, multiple trips to LA and San Diego, and I drive it from Sacramento to San Jose and back (141miles each way) every two weeks for the last year. All with nothing more then preventative maintenance and fluid changes. Timing belt and fuel pump where changed before the Washington trip for my ease of mind. I get an average of 24 to 26 mpg on the freeway going 85+. Besides the lines of the e28 are some of the sexiest BMW has ever produced, the car has tons of character. Just my

[1989325ii]

E28 all day. E34s are what ruined BMWs.

Crazzzzy.... E28s look like shitboxes compared to e34s. And as far as being reliable e34 all day.

[5Toes]

I love my e34... wish it was a 5 speed though!

[MattBimmer]

I would say E34. I just think its your best bet for the perfect intermediate year. The 'M20 E34 will give you a nice 5er with decent technology upgrades, but not too much computerized things. Roof line on the E34 gets me every time.

[iamsam]

An M20 E34 will make you want to rip your steering wheel off and beat the car to death with it. Probably the slowest production BMW ever made, along with the Isetta, the E28 518i, etc.

[5Toes]

m50 is not even that hard to work on! The e34 bay is so spacious.. everything is a breeze.

[StereoInstaller1]

E34 is cerrtinaly much nicer, more modern conveniences, split heater is wonderful, heated mirrirs and squirters are awesome. They are much easier to work on too.

E28s are miserable, shitty electricals, shitty seats and the stupid 1940 rain gutters are noisy as fuck.

If E28s were as fun to drive as an E30, I would consider it....except generally, they are ugly as hell.

E34 is a great choice, and I will take a 24V anything over a 12V anything. 525i/5 FTW.

[TimKninja]

An M20 E34 will make you want to rip your steering wheel off and beat the car to death with it. Probably the slowest production BMW ever made, along with the Isetta, the E28 518i, etc.

Clearly youve never seen a e34 518i



i think you can do the shifter bushings in the engine bay.


Im also in the same exact boat for a winter beater. I LOVE the way the E34 looks, but i need good gas mileage. But E28s can be found all day for less then $1000.

Anyone have any great MPG Claims from their 525i (M50)

[MeanM50]

The E34 (M50) will:

break less,
get better MPG's,
cost the same for parts,
just as easy...if not easier to work on than the 'e',
Looks better,
drives better,
more comfortable
faster and quicker
and better looking...

But if none of those things are important to you, by all means...buy a 528e

[iamsam]

Clearly youve never seen a e34 518i

holy balls, clearly I haven't.

[TimKninja]

The E34 (M50) will:

break less,
get better MPG's,
cost the same for parts,
just as easy...if not easier to work on than the 'e',
Looks better,
drives better,
more comfortable
faster and quicker
and better looking...

But if none of those things are important to you, by all means...buy a 528e

I'm really having a hard time believing the e34 m50 gets better gas mileage then a e28 528e.

But I do agree. It's a hell of a lot better looking. .but I like goofy old shit, and I would get an e28 for a winter beater.

[Jean]

get m50 e34, swap s52 in.

[hfabricius]

My E34 wagon with M52, M3 injectors and chip with an automatic trans gets about 22 mpg on the highway trips I have taken it on so far. I have a feeling it will do much better once I get a 5 speed in there.

[sdub]

show me an e34 that looks this cool... even if it was slower than a honda insight i'd drive it. well maybe not that slow