Looking at E34s

[GDA]

Besides an M5 the big 6 535 is IMO the E34 to have. Longevity, ease of maintenance and all around performance for the money.

FWIW - I have several friends with E34 540/6s and they have great performance but you really pay for it when maintenance time comes around. Most everything in the engine bay seems to take a good 30 to 40 percent longer to repair due to access issues.

[EndreM]

We had the 518 over here. M40B18 with 114hp.

Wide kidneys ftw. Good luck :)

[Jean]

I like both narrow and wide equally...but a cabin air filter would be lovely.

I want a factory black 3.0 V8 manual car. I want to add 2 tiny turbos just behind the differential. I bet with good tuning I could get 300+ HP, and still get decent fuel economy (28ish? maybe?) on a road trip.

Lol no dude. Just say no to b30. It's not any smaller than the b40, it does not have better mpg and you can just put m60/m62 in its place and be at 300hp w/o adding turbos :)

[Jean]

Avoid the ones with M20
Avoid the ones with Auto

99% of these cars WILL NEED door panels/seat work and suspension work. They are still easy to work on, but there are way more things in them if you are comparing to an E30. Rear end has like 10 bushings alone. Front end has 10 items as well.

M30 is a great engine, but its has piss poor efficiency and in the big E34 you'll be at 15mpg on a good day lol. Yes the 535/5i is desirable, but keep the MPG in mind if you care about that. They fetch a premium, but should not cost more than a similar condition late model 525i/540i cars.

M60 requires more maint. any any of the above but when they are in tip top order they are FUN with the 6speed!

the 93+ 525i make the most sense IMHO, good mpg, good power for a DD . I mean it's not 540i, but it's quick enough for a DD use and does not need timing belts or valve adjustments like m20/m30 cars or more maint. than the 530/540 cars. Avoid the 530i cars with the m60b30, its got the same problems AS the 540i but you also get crap hp/tq... These are only good to yank the b30 out and put a b40/b44 in :) They make good donors .

M5 = all of the same interior/suspension issues PLUS EBC shocks that cost $$$ and a money pit engine ...but so pretty!

Then you have the even more rare M-Sport, less made than the M5....these came with v8/6speed and different bumpers/sideskirts/interior. Numbered cars.

Find one with the M50.

+1

[mightywhitey]

As a newer mint 95 540i/6 owner I would sell it for no less then 6k with a mint sport interior no rust no dents and e39 m5 wheels. So his price for that car is nuts.

[Jean]

Thoughts on this badboy?

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1717199

Not sure on price, might be trading plus ~$2k on his end.

ugly wheels
shit NEX suspension
no price listed?

plus is m30+5speed+lsd.

[MR 325]

Jean mine did an average 18mpg to a tank.

[Dave McLaren]

narrow grills on E32, E34 are out of proportion to the width of the car, and in my eyes look too small.

I admit I prefer the wide grills on E32 and E34, but I didn't mind a narrow grill on my old M5 because left room for the badge ;- )