100000 problems??????

Hi all...I am new to this site, I have a E30 at present and am looking to go for a 5 series e34 (only) ....simply because the family is getting bigger...lol

I have owned 3 E30s and all have taken a turn for the worst at 100k + miles....specially my current one.the car drove like new until it touched 100k then i had to change afew parts and now it is back to normal....

Their is a possibility this is a myth, i want to be sure as i have experienced it personally....I am looking at a 535i on the higher side of 90k miles...not far from 100k.. So im hoping i wont have a major repair/change bill just after i buy it..lol

Is their any truth in this. What needs doing at 100k + miles on a E34 5series....? can any one help!!

Regards

 

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/trouble/what_will_break.htm

Front suspension components wear out periodically.  Mileage dependent on use.  Search for shimmy, shake and similar for more information.  Also rear subframe bushes. 

Water pumps with plastic impellers WILL break unless replaced with fully-metal items. 

Radiator top hose fittings are prone to shearing off. 

Just my 2ps worth.  Also, I would buy totally on condition and maintenance history, not mileage. 

The other consideration to take into account is the fact components weaken over time, not just mileage and these cars, like your E30, are old vehicles now.

My 535 has covered just 65K but ive had a couple of small problems more related to age than wear n tear.

Having said that, i think the E34 is a much better built car than the E30, it certainly doesnt suffer no where near as badly on rust related problems for instance.

I sold my e30 to buy my E34, a much better car in all respects IMHO..You wont be disappointed after making the change

 

 

 

E34....I can only speak from my experiance;

My 94 E34 520 was purchased with 112,000 up but with lots of main dealer bills and good history (same owner from new who was now a retired gent) The car was imaculate and had all the MOT's etc which proved that most of the mileage was on the car in it's early life as the gent was still working. the back seats had hardy been sat on and the spare wheel was never on the car.....when I sold this car late last year it had 218,000 up and all i had done outside of the routine service stuff was a new rad after a stone hole (even though I still drove it after a pal had plugged the hole with Araldite as an emergency save) The rad i fitted was a pattern and took about 1/2 a day. When I sold the car it had no tax or NCT (In Ireland now) and the front shocks were in need of a ghange as it was getting a bit bouncy.....I was 100% straight with the guy who bought it, and as far as i know, he is still driving it......in short they are a bullet proof, comfortable, and IMO still a really good looking car that is unrivalled....I often scan the for sales on the off chance i may pick up a bargain to tinker with and use occasionally....They do what it says on the tin and you will not be dissapointed.

keefyboy

AndyS_Kent wrote: Radiator top hose fittings are prone to shearing off.

As I found out last week when changing the coolant.... fortunately the motor factor had one in stock (it was Sunday afternoon), however the car is now convinced it is low on coolant and reminds me of this every time I start the engine!

Other problems I have found include dodgy warning messages "washer fluid" seems to be a favourite, and dirty lamps where the muck is inside, take the lamp carefully apart and you can see at night again.

Giles

The M30 engine in the E34 535 and E32 735 is the best engine BMW ever made for longevity.  Mine has just about reached 200k and will do another 100k easily.

I've just purchased an E34 and the most important issue for me was the bodywork and interior.  The engine and gearbox don't concern me so much because they should outlast the rest of the car.

Make sure the coolant is flushed out and replaced with BM coolant. At 100K these straight 6's fur up if not maintained to schedule. Cyl No.6 (furthest from the rad) gets too hot and h/g goes with possible damage to the head. Regretably, at this mileage, muppets buy these cars on price and do not maintain them.

None of this should be a problem if maintained to BM schedule with BM coolant. These engines are good for 250K+.