Purchasing an e34

[jhower08]

I just sold my e30 for alot more than it was worth. Now im looking into buying an e34, most likely an m50 powered one. I was just curious if anyone could tell me what type of things I should look for when checking one out. Like spots of rust, worn bushings to check for, or even some general maintence items on the m50 engine. Anyone know any pros and cons of the e34s? I just cant get over how nice that big of a car can be with such subtle upgraded as suspension and wheels. I think ive fallen inlove with these cars as much as I did the e30. Thanks in advance.

[Sean]

Rust is a major problem at the bottom of the doors underneath the little rubber gaskets things. My dad's 535i has a ton down there.

I can't think of any cons of an e34...they are great cars - handle in a lotta ways similar to an e30 (NOT THE SAME - but similar)

Forewarning - m50 powered e34's tend to not be too quick - but I'm sure you know that already.

My dad's car has Bilsteain HDs and Stock springs and it does really well. Sports would do wonders, I'm sure.

Someone on here had a beautiful 535i for a while? I don't remember who. Someone speak up.

[bmwpower]

E34 are great cars. I've had mine for several years now. All the typical problem stuff usually pertains to M50 powered cars. Check bushings, check tranny, check for readout on the cluster, heater core, coolant system, etc., etc.

As always:

http://www.bmwe34.net

[Jean]

Check the interior door panels, get a 95 model if you can find it, manual.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

check headliner to make sure its still sticking to the ceiling

[Jon325i]

Have a look at this site - good source for general E34 maintenance info. Its emphasis is on the M30 powered variant but the topics on suspension, braking & upkeep should be insightful.

http://www.bmwe34.net/

Jon

[Bimmerboy91]

^ +1

trust me and make sure you do a very good looking over. in my experience your gonna wanna check out the rear sub frame bushings. buy doing this you gotta put it in reverse give it gas start moving and let the clutch out and here for a big cluckin banging sound in the back seats.

other then that check for oil leaks and transmission shifts good. you just gotta take care of things before stuff starts getting expensive

other then that stuff you'll enjoy the extra room and power (535i or 540i)

[jhower08]

thanks for all of the heads up guys, im pretty pumped about getting one. i was aware that the m50 e34 is pretty slow and not real worried about it (i did just own an eta). i figure with chip, CAI, and maybe some injectors i can be close to as quick as the eta maybe, not that im looking for this thing to be fast or anything. i just want a good looking car that is nice to drive. so how "similar" do they handle to the e30? is it similar by how good they handle or just how they feel/react while cornering?

[Sean]

thanks for all of the heads up guys, im pretty pumped about getting one. i was aware that the m50 e34 is pretty slow and not real worried about it (i did just own an eta). i figure with chip, CAI, and maybe some injectors i can be close to as quick as the eta maybe, not that im looking for this thing to be fast or anything. i just want a good looking car that is nice to drive. so how "similar" do they handle to the e30? is it similar by how good they handle or just how they feel/react while cornering?

Similar, in that, the car likes to oversteer. I don't think I've ever been able to get our 535i to plow - unless I were to try hard enough. It's a dream in the snow! Absolute blast to drive, very well balanced!

An m50 powered e34 should be about as quick as an eta maybe a bit quicker. Sometimes, ya never know! :)

[e34john]

Check out www.bimmer.info for a good forum. Go for a 95, has nice cosmetic upgrades, though the wide kidneys might not be one of them.

[jhower08]

Similar, in that, the car likes to oversteer. I don't think I've ever been able to get our 535i to plow - unless I were to try hard enough. It's a dream in the snow! Absolute blast to drive, very well balanced!

An m50 powered e34 should be about as quick as an eta maybe a bit quicker. Sometimes, ya never know! :)

oh alright, those are all great things to hear!

and thanks for all of these good sites guys, they are a big help.

[Jean]

I test drove one e34 (it was an m30 powered 535i manual) and it felt very big compared to an e30, in how it corners and drives....

[Herb]

I love mine, have a 5spd trany in the garage waiting install, H&Rs on billys are WONDERFUL. Thrust arms are 90% of time causing 50-65mph shakes.

PS: an s52 is just about a straight bolt in.:D

[e34 530]

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. Bim mer.info is a good site, much valueable information to be found there.




e34>life

[jhower08]

damn, you guys are awesome. when i started this thread i wasnt really expecting a whole lot of info, but you guys came through and really helped alot.

to the above poster, your car is beautiful.

im going to test drive one now, ill let you guys know how it goes...