92-95 5 series, what should I know before I buy one?

[richardkeith97]

I want a bigger car for my daily so I'm giving my eta to the gf and possibly getting one. They're in my price range 2500-3000. I have only seen a ciuple in nice shape but have never driven one. It def has to be a 5 speed. What problem areas should I look at when buying one and what are some known issues that they have. Thanks for the help.

[e30lov]

front suspension.

Test drive one and see if you can feel the 55mph shake. Thrust arms and control arm bushings are the cause

Cabin microfilter.

Replace this as soon as you get the car for good measure. Lately people have been having issues with fires starting caused by debris build up in the filter causing the motor to get hot and melt and burn stuff

Cooling system, check for leaks and overhaul the system if it has never been done
plastic radiators ftl


A good checklist

http://edgemotorworks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=55

and the e34 section of bfc is a good place to ask questions

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=201

[Jb325is]

Yep, biggest thing is definitely front suspension.. e34's are very sensitive to worn front end parts and front end rebuilds are twice as expensive as e30's. Other than that, cabin filters can be important also, many e34's have suffered interior fires from clogged filters. Cosmetically, check for rust at the bottom of the doors, where the trim attaches. Why only 92-95? Are you looking at strictly m50 cars, the m50 started in '91? I would also consider 89-92 535i if I were you. The differences between early and late e34's are negligible aside from door panels, early model door panels tend to come apart pretty badly.

[richardkeith97]

are the 535's harder to find?

[richardkeith97]

so the 525 came with an m50 and the 535 came with an m30?

[Jb325is]

89-90 525i came with the m20, '91-95 525i was m50 ('91 was non-vanos), all 535i's were m30

[BillBrasky]

so the 525 came with an m50 and the 535 came with an m30?

Pre-91 525i came with the m20. I would go with the m30 or m50. One other thing in regards to the m30, I would avoid the 92 535i as it was the first year that had the drive by wire system. My mom has a 92 with a 5 speed and my brother has a 90 with a 5 speed. The difference is night and day.

M30 + single throttle body + drive by wire = throttle response of a lawn mower.

[Jb325is]

Pre-91 525i came with the m20. I would go with the m30 or m50. One other thing in regards to the m30, I would avoid the 92 535i as it was the first year that had the drive by wire system. My mom has a 92 with a 5 speed and my brother has a 90 with a 5 speed. The difference is night and day.

M30 + single throttle body + drive by wire = throttle response of a lawn mower.

Actually it isn't all '92 535i's, I had a '92 that was not drive by wire but I have seen some '92s that were

[Holland]

Large kidney e34's are ugly IMO.

[Hodge]

I think pretty much all bases are covered here. The only "real" rust areas on these cars seem to be the bottoms of doors.

I'm in the middle of repainting mine and having taken the sunroof out, there was alot of rust on the bottom side of the sunroof due to a leaky sunroof seal that was neglected a change.


That being said, I love E34's. Amazingly great cars to drive.

[richardkeith97]

thanks for the help. i had no idea some came with an m30 until now. i want one even more then i did. so any 535 is good just try to stay away from the 92's?

[e30lov]

Large kidney e34's are ugly IMO.

oh and if you didnt spot it (puddle of coolant), this car needed an entire cooling system overhaul ftl

[Jb325is]

I had both, but narrow grill ftw..

[richardkeith97]

i didnt even notice they were different. what ones came with narrow? jb325is do u have more pics of your car?

[e30lov]

yeah man the kidneys and hood are different

i think pre 94 have narrow grills





:P (his car made me want to get an e34..)