E34 wins coveted award! |
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RedOctober
Really Senior Member I Joined: 19-April-2005 Location: Wirral Status: Offline Points: 279 |
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Posted: 27-August-2006 at 20:40 |
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Well, it's finally happened. The DIY car spannering magazine Car Mechanics has awarded the E34 5-series a coveted place in their Top Ten list of 'Cars to Keep Forever'. High praise indeed from a magazine devoted to reducing ownership & maintenance costs and which publishes countless articles on the merits of Vauxhall Astra/Ford Escort ownership They cited the E34's reliability, cheapness to buy on the used market now, variety of models and engine sizes, ease and simplicity of repair, and it's inherent overall mechanical strength. The 540i was classed as 'Shatteringly Rapid', and the best all-rounder was the faithful old post '93 Vanos-equipped 24v 525i variant, especially the Touring models. So there you have it-the E34 now has proper 'street cred' and owners aren't sneered at for being posh Beemer snobs. They can now look forward to a deferential nod of respect from the trade and can expect to be let out of side roads by drivers of white vans and old Fords & Vauxhalls |
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"I was just clearing out the cylinders, Officer"
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PaulS
Really Senior Member II East Anglia BMWCC Regional Chairman Joined: 03-July-2004 Location: Aylsham, Norfolk Status: Offline Points: 2516 |
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Now thats cool! Nice to see some recognition at last Paul |
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95 E34 530i V8 Auto Maldives Blue |
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Old shape!
Really Senior Member I Joined: 08-January-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 497 |
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We all knew this, and the award is long overdue. But, I usually find that articles or awards like this will actually put the price of them up. |
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Paul DH
1994 E38 "Proud owner of a "3/4 engined E37.9 that's almost a real car with real paint...WITH 6 WASHER JETS!" 1989 520i (E34) Gone 1988 320i Coupe (E30) Gone 1995 520 Estate (E34) (Wife) 1992 320i SE OBC (E36) (Wife) Gone 1988 320i Saloon (E30) (Wife) Gone |
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fingerman
Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-May-2005 Location: Stockport Status: Offline Points: 564 |
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Good to here - Well deserved
Don't think they'll go up in price? Maybe? Anyway, was there any mention of the E32? The E34's slightly bigger brother and built very similar and cheaper to pick up! (only saying this as I've just got a 90' 730 for 185 ) |
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Current: E34 1996 525tds 113-125k
Previous: 9xE34s, 5xE30s, 2xE39s, 1xE32, 1xE36.... phew! My Ebay bits: http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZseany69ukQQhtZ-1 |
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Rhys
Moderator Group Coffee addict... Joined: 02-February-2003 Location: from the Latin locātiō Status: Offline Points: 10053 |
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Just as Nigel gets rid of his.....
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V reg Rustbucket Merc C220 Cdi estate
J Reg Saab 900i 16v '63 Ford Anglia 105e deluxe R reg Honda PC50 moped.. No BMW as yet... |
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stephenperry
Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 20-April-2004 Location: Elgin Status: Offline Points: 7213 |
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steady now, don't let it go to your head |
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2007 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Titanium X Auto 1983 Ford Sierra XR4i 2000 Alpina B10 3.3 #118 1999 BMW 323Ci 1995 BMW 318i SE 1994 Vauxhall Omega 2.0 GLS 1995 Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX 1990 Honda Concerto 1.6 EX 1986 Ford Orion 1.6 GL 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Firefly |
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RedOctober
Really Senior Member I Joined: 19-April-2005 Location: Wirral Status: Offline Points: 279 |
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They didn't mention the E32, but as it's mostly a bigger version of the E34 then all the same factors apply, so it can justly lay claim to a portion of the award I think, especially as it's a bit cheaper to buy than the E34 and no less reliable I know that I'd rather put my hand in a bacon slicer than get rid of my 2 E34's-my '93 540i has just passed it's MOT once again without fail for the third consecutive year, and I can't imagine life without it now. My 525i Touring fills so many roles that it's indespensible so I don't want to ever let that one go either-truly cars to keep forever so a toast to the E34 is due, I feel, or is that just an excuse to swipe another cold Murphy's from the fridge |
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"I was just clearing out the cylinders, Officer"
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Old shape!
Really Senior Member I Joined: 08-January-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 497 |
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Surely, the E34 is a smaller version of the E32? Not vicky verky. Fingerman......good price! Is it a runner or does it need work?
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Paul DH
1994 E38 "Proud owner of a "3/4 engined E37.9 that's almost a real car with real paint...WITH 6 WASHER JETS!" 1989 520i (E34) Gone 1988 320i Coupe (E30) Gone 1995 520 Estate (E34) (Wife) 1992 320i SE OBC (E36) (Wife) Gone 1988 320i Saloon (E30) (Wife) Gone |
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fingerman
Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-May-2005 Location: Stockport Status: Offline Points: 564 |
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"Fingerman......good price! Is it a runner or does it need work?"
A little, bit of an oil leak - but could maybe be fixed due to a loose bolt? http://evansweb.info/articles/2003/02/19/quick-fix-for-m30-e ngine-oil-leak I've fitted new badges/centre caps and gave it a good scrub, and sticking it back on EBay! Apart from that it's in pretty good nick pretty good http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a302/fingerman/2006_082700 14.jpg sorry, can't seem to get hyperlinks working? |
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Current: E34 1996 525tds 113-125k
Previous: 9xE34s, 5xE30s, 2xE39s, 1xE32, 1xE36.... phew! My Ebay bits: http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZseany69ukQQhtZ-1 |
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RedOctober
Really Senior Member I Joined: 19-April-2005 Location: Wirral Status: Offline Points: 279 |
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Old Shape-you are technically correct in that the E34 is a shrunken E32, as the E32 came out before the E34 did. I guess that means the E32 is the moral winner of the award, and the E34 poached it by being younger and slimmer on the Car Mechanics magazine award podium. Devious people us 5-series owners are |
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"I was just clearing out the cylinders, Officer"
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chazzer
Bavarian-Board Contributor V8 Baby !!! Joined: 25-April-2005 Location: south bristol Status: Offline Points: 383 |
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Current : 1995 BMW E34 540I Auto 98K Fully Loaded, Leather, Sat Nav & Dvd. Previous: 1991 BMW E34 520I Manual(non-vanos) 185K with full leather. 1990 BMW E34 525I Auto 113k in sterling silver
& 1993 BMW E34 520I SE in dimond black |
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chazzer
Bavarian-Board Contributor V8 Baby !!! Joined: 25-April-2005 Location: south bristol Status: Offline Points: 383 |
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Current : 1995 BMW E34 540I Auto 98K Fully Loaded, Leather, Sat Nav & Dvd. Previous: 1991 BMW E34 520I Manual(non-vanos) 185K with full leather. 1990 BMW E34 525I Auto 113k in sterling silver
& 1993 BMW E34 520I SE in dimond black |
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grahame34m5
Really Senior Member II Joined: 05-August-2005 Status: Offline Points: 808 |
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You'll be dinning out on that quote for a while |
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08 e60 Alpina B5 S sold, please forgive me 03 e39 M5 sold 98 e38 728 Sport Individual dead 93 e34 M5 sold |
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Peter Fenwick
Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 27-August-2003 Location: Lost somewhere in time... Status: Offline Points: 6484 |
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I'd disagree on that point. The E32 is bigger, more complicated, more expensive to run and generally not as good a car.
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Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.
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RedOctober
Really Senior Member I Joined: 19-April-2005 Location: Wirral Status: Offline Points: 279 |
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Whilst I'm an E34 man myself, I don't think the differences between the E34 and E32 are that great in reality. The E32 is not greatly heavier than the E34, itself no lightweight, and many of the complex electrical & electronic systems on the E32 can be found on high-end versions of the E34. The only really questionable variant of the E32 is the V12 750i, with it's twin engine management systems and troublesome electronic throttles. I'd agree that they would all cause cause for concern if they gave trouble, but the 'cooking' 730i & 735i models aren't vastly different in drivetrain layout and electrical system complexity than the equivalent E34 models, whilst Nikasil problems on the V8-engined 7-series can also be levelled at the E34 V8's in equal measure. The E32 is a bit heavier than the E34 and so will put more strain on suspension & steering components, but the E34 is not exactly a lightweight itself and no more immune from problems than the E32. The E32's greater size and bulk will put some people off, as well as the fact that they usually came as fully-loaded high-end models and so even a basic E32 is likely to be much more complicated than a base 518i. If you buy a fully-loaded high-end E34 you're just as likely to suffer problems from the complex systems as you are with the E32, and the big-engined E34's don't use vastly less fuel than the equivalent E32 models. At the end of the day though it's horses for courses, and the fact is that the E34 appeals to a wider audience than the E32, because it's just that little bit more manageable for most people. The E32's great if you want a really big old car for peanuts, and don't care about the sheer size of the car, but for most people the E34 is a more realistically attainable dream for those who want to try a BMW but don't want huge running costs or repair bills etc. You could say that the E34 looks inherently 'right' in it's proportions, and,with such a huge choice of engine sizes available from the 518i to the M5 and all shades in between, won't frighten off someone wanting a big, comfy old car who just wants a sensible engine size. It appeals to so many people because it offers so much variety in engine/trim level/body style, that can realistically satisfy everyone's choice, from base 518i economy car to scaring the hell out of your pet pooch in the 540i Touring to full-on track day M5 racer. Straight-4, classic BMW straight-6, or hod-rod V8, there's an engine to suit everyone The smallest engine you could get on the E32 was the 3 litre, so the 7-series was already fighting with one hand tied behind it's back if it was trying to win over people upgrading from an old 1.6 litre family hatch etc who didn't want a big engine if they went for a BMW. They could probably justify a 518i, 520i or 525i, but not a 730i or 735i. Nonetheless it's good to see the faithful, old E34 finally 'arrive' in style amongst the spanner-wielding fraternity, so I feel another toast is due in finest cold Murphy's style |
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"I was just clearing out the cylinders, Officer"
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chazzer
Bavarian-Board Contributor V8 Baby !!! Joined: 25-April-2005 Location: south bristol Status: Offline Points: 383 |
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Current : 1995 BMW E34 540I Auto 98K Fully Loaded, Leather, Sat Nav & Dvd. Previous: 1991 BMW E34 520I Manual(non-vanos) 185K with full leather. 1990 BMW E34 525I Auto 113k in sterling silver
& 1993 BMW E34 520I SE in dimond black |
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Jack735
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I agree, wished I'd kept mine, great car my first BMW and that was only 3 years ago! Still being on the darkside in my E38 has its advantages |
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Oooh, The machine of a dream, such a clean machine With the pistons a pumpin', and the alloys all gleam, When I'm holding your wheel, All I hear is your gear, With my hand on your grease gun, Mmm it's like a disease son, I'm in love with my car, gotta feel for my automobile, Get a grip on my .......
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Andyboy
Banned User Joined: 04-June-2003 Status: Offline Points: 707 |
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My 730i passed 260'000 miles yesterday...............
It's a car to keep forever because it's not worth anything! Who would want it? Still does 130 mph and 28 mpg and looks mint from 5ft away - any closer and you see the stone chips! E34 540i automatic has got the potential to be a bottomless money pit however. |
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RedOctober
Really Senior Member I Joined: 19-April-2005 Location: Wirral Status: Offline Points: 279 |
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My E34 540i automatic has been a paragon of cheapness and reliability over the last 3 years and 36,000 miles. It's just passed it's third consecutive MOT without fail and does 25mpg to work and 30mpg on a long motorway run. I can't imagine life without it now as there's nothing else for the price that can match it's combination of raw speed, reliability, comfort, cheapness, and good economy of you don't rag it You do have to find a good one though, or it could indeed become a bottomless money pit as 5KXO says, especially a Nikasil-blighted example. A good E32 is still a great car though, and definately another one to keep forever, as I looked at a few E32's before finding my 540i, and you got a vast amount of car for very little cash with the E32. I don't think there's actually a bad BMW, E32 or E34, merely bad examples that have been poorly maintained. Get a good one and your laughing, E32 or E34 |
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"I was just clearing out the cylinders, Officer"
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fingerman
Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-May-2005 Location: Stockport Status: Offline Points: 564 |
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What did I do - I wish I'd never mention the E32 !!!
BTW - I agree with the above |
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Current: E34 1996 525tds 113-125k
Previous: 9xE34s, 5xE30s, 2xE39s, 1xE32, 1xE36.... phew! My Ebay bits: http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZseany69ukQQhtZ-1 |
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