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Doive View Drop Down
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Points: 1212 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12-April-2006 at 04:02
Yeah, been looking around for a good e28 and there just aren't any. To be honest I'm an eta convert, everything else in the range seems to have certain failings. 518i and 520i are underpowered, 525i is rare, 528i and 535i are thirsty, and the M5 is far too expensive! The 525e seems to strike this bizarre balance of stump pulling torque and reasonable economy - and where I live there are loads of hills. The torque keeps the speed up.

As for the e34s, if they are better built than the e28 (and I think they are) then forget nuclear shelters - the only thing left when they drop the bomb will be a few million cockroaches and lots of e34s. The extra weight surely would make the 518i incapable of independent motion? May pop along and have a look at this 530i this evening, it's a 1990 car in metallic blue, SE spec, with an LPG conversion which can only be a good thing. Looks ok in photos. It's either that car or a 53k from new Citroen ZX 1.4 - which will work out cheaper?! Especially once Mr Brown has charged over 200 quid for the privilege of using his roads.
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Points: 632 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2006 at 16:57
Originally posted by Doive Doive wrote:

Why did they never offer the 2.7 eta
engine in the E34? Presumably if someone wanted
economy (theoretically) they would go for the tds?


Yup....well, almost. The Eta thing never really took off
(as good as it was) and BMW decided to go down
the diesel route. The E34 was available as a 524td
from 1988 although not in the UK but they
were available RHD in Ireland. I had one and they
were quite okay really.
The trouble with the E34 is that they're so much
heavier than the E28 although they are a better car
really. The 525i should really have been a 2.7 and
as the 530i never sold that well they could have not
made one at all. The E34 diesels are okay but they're
not that great of juice and the diesel pump is about
£1000 fitted!

The old M30 cars were the best really but are now a
bit too old. Unless you could find a clean 535i with
under 100k the 24v 525i is a better bet. But then
you're into catalysts, vanos............

But now the scrapyards have a few in, used parts are
sooooo cheap. E28's have all but vanished from
breakers now.
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Points: 2516 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2006 at 16:24

I totally agree with you whitey - the auto box feels lovely and I think doive will warm to it even though he prefers the shark nose shape of the previous model. I don't blame him though as I still miss my 528 and was thinking of getting another to go through the modding process again. Would upgrade the brakes this time though

Paul


95 E34 530i V8 Auto Maldives Blue
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fingerman View Drop Down
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Points: 564 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2006 at 16:23
I still think the 525 (vanos) is better than the 530 (big six) - it sounds better and is more economical although I don't know about comparing reliability ?

I agree the big six is smooth and a long runs it's economical - I got 430 miles out of the tank the other week - being very careful . And I've done 7k in it since january - without a hickup (well nothing major)

I think I just miss my 95' 525
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whitey View Drop Down
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Points: 450 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2006 at 16:16
Go for it Doive. the big 6's are a fantastic engine and as said, pretty much bullet proof. Whats the spec, year, colour etc.?
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Points: 2516 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2006 at 10:16

Doive,

The big six engines are pretty much bulletproof, mines been no trouble whatsoever. Fuel economy will cripple you if on short twisty roads when you're up and down the gears as I'm now finding out, but if reasonable length journeys on decent main roads pretty economical - big fuel tank though (80 ltrs and £70 to fill up if empty) but very comfy and beautiful to drive. Also suspension ball joints do go but are cheap enough to buy. Take it out for a test drive - you may just like it. The brakes will feel far superior to the e28. HTH

Paul


95 E34 530i V8 Auto Maldives Blue
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Doive View Drop Down
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Points: 1212 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2006 at 08:53
Anything to worry about with the 530i big six? Just spotted one that's very nice, would be good to know if anything is likely to go wrong or things to look out for.
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Points: 22 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2006 at 07:04

I have owned 2 E34's - a 520 and a 530 (V8)

I would say the 520 was smooth but sluggish - the 530 was a vast improvement.

As far as I am aware it was the original Nickasil engine block, but it never let me down

Didn't think that BMW could improve on the E34, but I think I was mistaken as my E39 540i is a much improved car

 

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Doive View Drop Down
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Points: 1212 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2006 at 06:52
These things happen. Also considering a Vauxhall Omega on account of the BMW tds engine, and the fact that the later ones aren't a bad old bus. Plus RWD is a definite selling point. Sadly can't afford one of the later 'd' BMWs.
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Points: 273 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2006 at 05:24
damn-thats bad-what a shame-same thing happened to my 96 se-shunted by a white van man & Was told I was lucky because he was an advanced driver.
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Points: 2516 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2006 at 05:16

Check this out Paul - and all will become clear with the demise of the 525e

http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=29067&a mp;PN=2

Paul


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Points: 273 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2006 at 04:11
What happened to your 528 ?

I think in general bmw diesels are superb but have never owned one-I think audi's are very good cars but a bit soul less if that makes sense
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Doive View Drop Down
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Points: 1212 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2006 at 04:03
Anybody anything good or otherwise to say about the 525tds? Anything in particular to watch out for? I'm seriously considering one, either that or an Audi A4 2.5 TDi, following the demise of the e28. Suggestions please.
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Points: 273 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2006 at 03:36
Originally posted by fingerman fingerman wrote:



Being as I've had a few of these (I'm no mechanic, just love the cars) I would have to say the best all rounder is the 525 - later one with the vanos 192bhp - very smooth, sounds great - when you boot it and not too bad on the old mpg

The best E34 would have to be the M5


I have to disagree-I had a 96 525 with vanos & Now have a 525 sport non vanos (92) & the difference is HUGE-although maybe its due to being a sport.

Totally agree abt the M5- I am getting one in the next week or so-cant wait
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Points: 599 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11-April-2006 at 03:24
525i 24 valve.
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Points: 564 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08-April-2006 at 15:16
Sorry to drag this thread up again - must have missed it at the time

Being as I've had a few of these (I'm no mechanic, just love the cars) I would have to say the best all rounder is the 525 - later one with the vanos 192bhp - very smooth, sounds great - when you boot it and not too bad on the old mpg

The best E34 would have to be the M5 - without a doubt - this is one of the only E34's I've never had (apart from 525td/s 525/535 sport, 530v8 540v8 - sorry if I've missed one) - and I would still love one

Although not exactly practical though as I'm doing 3k miles a month in these.

Anyway, just my 2 pennneth worth
Current: E34 1996 525tds 113-125k
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Points: 7213 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31-January-2006 at 18:10
Originally posted by Chas C Chas C wrote:

And I'm buying one on Thursday if it matches the description given over the phone 

  good choice!   if you do buy it can i get a spin in it at a meeting please?

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Points: 1620 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31-January-2006 at 18:02

I reckon the 3.6 M5 must be the best.  The reliability of the straight 6 engine puts it far above the 540 V8s as a used car proposition.  It also does without the EDC suspension of the 3.8, which is very expensive to repair/replace when it finally goes wrong.

And I'm buying one on Thursday if it matches the description given over the phone 
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Points: 6941 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31-January-2006 at 17:42

For me he best is the 540i tourer, rather than the M5.

A mate bought an E39 540i saloon, all the toys, last year, 120,000 miles...£5K

Incredable value second hand these bm's.
Best Wishes

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Points: 55 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31-January-2006 at 16:50

M5 surely has to claim the undisputed title of best E34 model (and possibly best BMW road car ever...). Outside of that, which one is best depends upon preference.

Buying s/h today for a 10yr old car with 100,000 miles (say) I'd recommend the 540i the most - will have depreciated the most (so represents the best value), will have been owned by wealthier people (so alledgedly will have been better maintained / maintained regardless of cost), will have been driven much more gently, more likely by older people (especially if the automatic) and will have been the least stressed (the 540 generally lopes around at not much more than tickover...). Only drawback to the 540i is the slightly vague steering compared to the six cylinder models (due to the steering box as opposed to rack and pinion). When I was looking for my E34 540i Touring there were a few about with 300,000 miles still looking good - hard to say that about the smaller engined models...
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