Buying an e34

[Jean]

Mods - please move to off topic if this is a wrong section.

I've been looking for a clean e34 that I would use as a daily driver and found one that's not an automatic. I decided to skip the 530/540 versions and look only for m50 and m30 cars. It doesn't need to be FAST, just reliable good daily driver with cold A/C but also afraid of getting an automatic so looking for a 5spd only. Here is where this particular e34 comes in. It's a 90 535i 5speed, looks like it's in good condition inside and outside. I like this about e34s, it seems like most are in much better condition compared to e30s or e36s (considered getting one as a daily until I thought about e34s).

Anything specific I should look or check for on a 90 535i 5spd ? Price is about 4k.


















I am not an expert by any means on e34s, but I know some of you guys here know M30s inside out so....

[Teaguer]

Lose the chrome wheels and eBay tails and that car will be looing good .

Also check the door panel coverings to see if its shrinking/peeling .

[PaintPro21]

I love the e34. I just recently sold my 525ia and I daily drive a 540i/6 now. since it's a 90 I'm sure you can do better then $4k. even though there are few manuals, you don't need to let the seller use that as a reason to ask more. it looks lean over all, but I'm sure a 525 can be had for 3k and below. They are dime a dozen here on craig's list and auto trader. you didn't mention the mileage but its probably close to 200k

[Jean]

I love the e34. I just recently sold my 525ia and I daily drive a 540i/6 now. since it's a 90 I'm sure you can do better then $4k. even though there are few manuals, you don't need to let the seller use that as a reason to ask more. it looks lean over all, but I'm sure a 525 can be had for 3k and below. They are dime a dozen here on craig's list and auto trader. you didn't mention the mileage but its probably close to 200k

Guy purchased a MINI and is waiting for it's delivery due in september. It's got 18x miles on the car, from what I read that's not a lot for an m30? I will have to ask about the clutch, that would be too much for an original clutch though, no ?

I haven't been able to find a manual m50 525i on craigs / autorader and cars in my area (within 100 miles of 95821).

[Garageaholic]

That car is looking pretty good. Immaculate interior. Go for it. YOU know the M30 engine will outlast any part of that car anyway, and gas mileage isn't too bad either.

[rThor432]

Go for it. E34 535i's are awesome. At around 4k I'd be all over that.

[Jean]

I'll check it out today or tomorrow, if you guys find/see a clean 525 (m50) or 535 manual for sale in NorCal please let me know :)

[Tarn]

m30 swap.............

[Jean]

?

[AlpineIS]

I've always had a thing for the E34. I'd say jump on it because a 535i with a stick isn't easy to come by. I would also lose the wheels and go back to OE tails.

[e34 530]

For the m30's, make sure the car has not overheated for a particularly long time, they are prone to blown headgaskets. As paintpro said, 535 manuals were quite rare and the one you're looking at seems to be in pretty good condition. Other common e34 issues to alook for are: the notorious 50-65 mph shimmy caused by shitty thrust arms, the cooling system, and delaminating door panels. Ditch the volvo tailights and you'll have yourself a pretty decent looking car.




e34>life

[Lof8]

That car looks really clean for 4k imo.

[PaintPro21]

I thought he said the car pictured was a 525i. If its a 535 then pick it up for 4k for sure.

I was just saying the 525i's can be had all day long for cheap. a manual 535 or 540 are keepers for sure when their in good condition.

2 months ago I snagged a 540i/6 that was a european pickup, maintained at Dinan it's whole life, and had 4-5k in preventative maintance put into it over the past 2 years. and 130k on the clock, imaculate interior, out site has a few dings and just needs a polishing to look perfect. nabbed it for $6.5k

[Jean]

It's a 535i, sorry made a typo in the original post . I am going to check it out in an hour.

[///Mpressive]

I loved my e34 535i. I would have kept it forever had it not had a rust problem. Damn Jersey cars! You can do better than $4k though. They are not that hard to find for less if you are patient.

If I had to get an e34 all over again, I would hold out for a 540/6 though. The 535i is a bit of a pig.



Rust aside, I would buy this car back in a second though. :)