1990 535i advice needed

[E30 Wagen]

There is a 1990 535i for sale locally for $3000, firm. It has 164,000 miles on the m30. It has all new suspension, a new muffler, and virtually no rust, which is exceptional for an 18 year old Michigan car (stored winters), and new fan clutch. Also has new tires. The paint looks original and pretty good but would benefit from a full day of detailing. Also, the front bumper was cracked and pushed in slightly so i might need a new shock and th bumper replaced. Also, the passenger front headlights and blinker seem to be misaligned. There are a couple moulding pieces missing, too, and it needs a left taillight. I drove it down the dudes driveway and was able to shift up to 3rd gear at only like 10mph, letting out the clutch from a standstill was able to easily pull the car up a small incline. No hickups or sounds or anything from the engine or clutch. Full black leather interior, could be cleaner but not bad. The owner has kept pretty much all the records of things done to the car since he's owned it.

What do you think? I've only got about $1200 i can hand over right now and my dad would help me out but i hate being in debt. I just get sick of working on cars and want to just get in one and drive for once.

[gearheadE30]

Don't expect an e34 to be as reliable as an e30. They are the cars that pioneered insane electronics for BMW ;). Mechanically, the 535i is one of the best; the M30 is a great motor. Stickshifts are few and far between in good shape. I'd try to buy a car that you can afford without being in debt, even if that means saving for awhile longer. Then again, I am very conservative when it comes to spending. Post pics of the car and engine bay if you can.

[E30 Wagen]

anybody else have some knowledge or experience of these cars? i'm very interested in it but i want to be sure there isn't a major common problem at like 185,000 miles or something.

[SpecM]

anybody else have some knowledge or experience of these cars? i'm very interested in it but i want to be sure there isn't a major common problem at like 185,000 miles or something.

they are very sound and reliable, but lots of trim + electronices issues.

I say buy it IF you have a good plan to pay back your dad

[Jean]

Sounds like a good example, especially if like you said it comes with ALL the records from day 1...... i would say buy it if you can afford it + ins/gas on it. Since you mentioned issues with the front end, was it in an accident?

[Dave McLaren]

These guys have good points. I'll add that the car sounds like it's either a money pit or headed toward being one. You can throw a bunch of money at it, but I'm not seeing the point, unless you really have a thing for an E34 535i, have been lusting after one for a good long time, and you've been studying the needs of E34s via some forum where those owners hang out.
For the most part, the E34 mechanicals are robust, except for thrust arm bushings iirc. I had a '91 M5 for several years, and though I never had to pay for the motor to be opened, other basic E34 needs aren't cheap either. There's an aweful lot of wire in that car for all the electronics, and that was before the I-BUS system (debuted on the E38 iirc) which allowed wiring to be shared by several functions and consequently reduced the amount of wire and stuff that could go wrong with it. So all that wire in the E34 could be a headache if stuff starts going, well, haywire.

If you're looking for something bigger, you might consider an E28 535, particularly an iS. They have the same suspension bushing needs, but at least the trim is robust. You won't have door panels delaminate or the headliner fall. Overall, they're very durable. Plus, the E28 is getting cooler as it becomes more obviously classic. I'm spending some time on myE28.com getting familiar again (I had a 535iS until around '97) and watching the classifieds.

Dave

[bmwpower]

I drive one daily...288K with original auto tranny. No complaints. Typical problems, but nothing major.

[bmwpower]

These guys have good points. I'll add that the car sounds like it's either a money pit or headed toward being one. You can throw a bunch of money at it, but I'm not seeing the point, unless you really have a thing for an E34 535i, have been lusting after one for a good long time, and you've been studying the needs of E34s via some forum where those owners hang out.
For the most part, the E34 mechanicals are robust, except for thrust arm bushings iirc. I had a '91 M5 for several years, and though I never had to pay for the motor to be opened, other basic E34 needs aren't cheap either. There's an aweful lot of wire in that car for all the electronics, and that was before the I-BUS system (debuted on the E38 iirc) which allowed wiring to be shared by several functions and consequently reduced the amount of wire and stuff that could go wrong with it. So all that wire in the E34 could be a headache if stuff starts going, well, haywire.

If you're looking for something bigger, you might consider an E28 535, particularly an iS. They have the same suspension bushing needs, but at least the trim is robust. You won't have door panels delaminate or the headliner fall. Overall, they're very durable. Plus, the E28 is getting cooler as it becomes more obviously classic. I'm spending some time on myE28.com getting familiar again (I had a 535iS until around '97) and watching the classifieds.

Dave

I used to drive an E28 and my E34 is much quieter, more refined...if you're into that kind of thing.

[Dave McLaren]

I used to drive an E28 and my E34 is much quieter, more refined...if you're into that kind of thing.

Good point. The E28 was so long in the tooth that the E34 seems like it was two generations newer.

[JJe30]

I like my 90 535i. I got it with about 139k for $3500 though and no issues. Bought it from the original owner and it's super clean.

[ILoveMPower]

E34's have the same type of common BS problems E30's and E36's have, however they have very impressive build quality and are also quite sporty for their size.

Pretty much the only way you can blow up an M30 is overheating it, so she's got plenty of life left

A lot of these guys are speaking about electrical and maintenance problems but in reality there aren't too many... LKM, thrust arm bushings, guibo... the same ole same ole if you're into BMW's.

Had mine for 3+ years and love every second, definitely a better daily driver than the M5

[De //m3]

May bother you, may not, but I've seen a lot come throught with broken armrests...that either won't stay up, or just stick in certain position...just something to check out...

[E30 Wagen]

well, my parents really need a car so they have become interested in buying it for themselves and when the time comes, I may then buy it from them when i have saved up enough. However, I would love to get another e30, especially an early model.

I currently have an e28 535i with 226,000 on it but i haven't even got it on the road yet.
The front suspension doesn't look good on it, and there are some rust issues and a front end collision that needs to be straightened. The car might have been running when I bought it and the exterior is in respectable condition, but for $500, i think it was a mistake. I've already got $300+ into it, and there's no way i'm going to get that back by trying to sell it.

Anyway, enough about my car problem, thanks for all the advice.

anybody have a nice early model [shell] they want to sell? I have an engine and tranny to put in it, which might be a fun project...