E34’s in decline!
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 5 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 5 Series (E12, E28, E34, E39, E60 & E61)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=25805
Printed Date: 30-May-2024 at 08:07
Topic: E34’s in decline!
Posted By: e34-520iSE
Subject: E34’s in decline!
Date Posted: 09-January-2006 at 17:35
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Hi all! I've just been on ebay and saw quite a few E34's being broken
up for parts, plus there are a fair few in the local scrap yards. How
long do you think it will be before they become scarce? For example
Opel Mantas, Mitsubishi Celestes, XR3s etc were everywhere once, now
you only see them at shows. Should we all start stockpiling parts??? Cheers, Shaun ------------- Self confessed madman 1990 Brilliantrot 2 ltr M20. Air force definition of explosives: A loud noise followed by the sudden going away of what was once there a second ago. |
Replies:
Posted By: GraemeH
Date Posted: 09-January-2006 at 18:06
Personally, I think it'll be a while. Shame for those who have invested heavily in E34s because the market is currently so very very bouyant that paying alot for one is a bad idea. But a good one, with unique spec., in 5 years time . . .Well, who knows. 
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Posted By: UKDaveJ
Date Posted: 09-January-2006 at 18:18
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Excellent news, need some bits! They are still great value cars.  ------------- My 635's.  
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Posted By: NOISUFNOC
Date Posted: 09-January-2006 at 18:20
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Im currently looking at viability of starting an E34 only breakers. As well as just having got the 5 Series Register off the ground. Best car bmw ever made ------------- 528 for now |
Posted By: whitey
Date Posted: 09-January-2006 at 18:23
I'll second that. I've never gelled with my e39 as much as I did with my 34's!! I was down the breakers only last week for parts for my e30 and there were at least 3 e34's in there. Bridges in Peace Pottage just off the m23 in Sussex. ------------- 2000 e39 523i with full factory sport kit. 1989 e30 325i Convertible 1999 Golf GTI 1.8T |
NOISUFNOC wrote:Posted By: GraemeH
Date Posted: 09-January-2006 at 18:27
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You can add me thirds on that one. I bought an E38 rather than buy an E39. And then kept my old E34! Sorry E39s. . . ------------- 
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Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 09-January-2006 at 19:35
and i fourth  that big time long live the 5
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Posted By: grahame34m5
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 04:36
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You never know the prices might start going up a bit for the 'looked after ones' - have you seen the prices of old e30s on BMW for sale pages I couldn't belive it. ------------- 
08 e60 Alpina B5 S sold, please forgive me 03 e39 M5 sold 98 e38 728 Sport Individual dead 93 e34 M5 sold |
Posted By: Chas C
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 04:40
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I think you'll find it's the third best car BMW have made (in terms of quality). The E31 and E32 were the best but the E34 is still one of the all time greats. ------------- 
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Posted By: whitey
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 04:54
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The exact reason I bought my Cabriolet when I did. They cannot stay this cheap for ever. ALL the classic mags are saying buy a good original e30 now while they are cheap. I looked at Stags as I've owned Triumphs for years but they were all overpriced tarted up rubbish. I then looked at XJS cabriolets and they were not much better. Drive a Stag then a an e30 convertible........the e30 drives better, is 100% more reliable, are quicker, they don't rot anywhere near as badly.........but at the same time they actually feel very similar, especially in Auto form. I think it will be a few years before the e34 is a "classic" and starts to hold it's value before rising. It will happen and will be well deserved but there are just too many around at present. The stranger thing is that (aside from the M5) the e28 still hasn't really picked up yet.
------------- 2000 e39 523i with full factory sport kit. 1989 e30 325i Convertible 1999 Golf GTI 1.8T |
Posted By: Old shape!
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 06:19
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Does anybody want my 1989 E34 520SE? I am looking for an E34 518 (J reg onwards) and intended to take the good bits (tyres, bulbs and anything that'll fit in my garden shed) off the 520 before paying the scrappy to take the remains of it away. But if somebody wants it, to restore (Rings on three pots need doing) or as a donor......then go on, no reasonable offer refused. Located near Abergavenny. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 06:51
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The E34 will never be a 'classic' as such, just an old
BMW that's not worth much. Look at the E28 which has now just about vanished. The E34 is now going through it's 'worthless banger' phase and it will never have the appeal of the E30 because they're different cars, but nice ones with the right bits will always have an appeal - white 520i Automatics with grey cloth will just be foundry fodder. The only E34 bits worth having are decent leather interiors but even they aren't worth a lot (Recaro stuff excepted) and panels are valueless because E34's just don't seem to rot. Don't expect to become rich on E34 parts! I was at my local scrapyard yesterday when a Lapis blue (very dark non metallic) 520i came in. It was an E plate with an Oxfordshire 'BUD' number plate and the North Oxford garage numberplates. She was wearing Metric alloys and blue leather and I remember seeing such a car at the E34 launch in June 1988 when we got an invite - I wonder if it's the same car? Back in those days it was still Thatcher's Britain, lots of money and optimism and the E34 was just the car for those times. I can still recall the 'buzz' following the unveiling of the E34 that evening nearly 18 years ago - even a base 520i on plastic wheeltrims looked good. Now they're in scrapyards and Ebay for £50. Sad really!
Personally I think the M535i E28 was a much more fun car to drive and a lot faster - the E34 535i felt like a slightly shrunken E32 which is really what it was. |
Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 12:02
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i smell sh.t
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Posted By: Chas C
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 12:06
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I don't think they get Chewin the Fat down south -------------
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Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 12:07
fair one then stop talking rubbish !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted By: Chas C
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 12:21
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I don't disagree with what you say but there's nothing wrong with a slightly shrunken E32, especially if it's a manual -------------
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Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 12:27
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E34 535is - best car I have owned to date.
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Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 13:21
long live the e34"s a true classic and still going strong 
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Posted By: fingerman
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 14:10
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Just thought I'd add my little bit! I've just come back to an E34 after owning an E32 for a few months and I have to say I've missed it! Picked it up off EBay over the weekend - a 530 auto H reg 91. It's a fairly old one, but it still works - front window air vents look a bit warped, steering a bit dodgy but apart from that - not bad . Just needs a bit of TLC to get it back to tip top condition then I'll sell it and get another!Long live the E34 ------------- Current: E34 1996 525tds 113-125k Previous: 9xE34s, 5xE30s, 2xE39s, 1xE32, 1xE36.... phew! My Ebay bits: http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZseany69ukQQhtZ-1 |
Posted By: jamie (e39)528i
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 14:50
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I believe the e34 is probably one of the last over engineered cars BMW made,the others being the e30 and e32.I have owned two of the cars mentioned and enjoyed every minute with them,in a way i wish i hadn't sold the e34 and bought the e39 but thats life! I dont think the E34 will achieve classis status but to those in the know i think it will remain a good usable classic as the e32 is. Just my opinion....... ------------- |
Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 16:08
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E34 MAY NOT BE A CLASSIC YET but she will be around for a long
time best car bmw ever made i have had 5 sure i have had my
faults but still rate it very high much better than my 7 and my 3 who cares if it will be a classic soon we will all be walking when petrol goes over a pound ,just proud to own one still get that happy feeling every time i hear her start vooooooooom  -------------
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Posted By: e34-520iSE
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 16:43
Here here! ------------- Self confessed madman 1990 Brilliantrot 2 ltr M20. Air force definition of explosives: A loud noise followed by the sudden going away of what was once there a second ago. |
Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 17:10
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I think you mean 'hear hear' :-)
When petrol does go over a pound (gallon/litre??) I'll still be charging 40p a mile and laughing at you walking to work.........
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Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 17:17
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he hahehehehehe lol thats if u need to work lol but i do b£$%^&* -------------
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Posted By: e34-520iSE
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 18:18
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Daily update:- There's even more dead E34's on ebay. Couple of 535's too. Must be some useful bits there! Cheers, Shaun ------------- Self confessed madman 1990 Brilliantrot 2 ltr M20. Air force definition of explosives: A loud noise followed by the sudden going away of what was once there a second ago. |
Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 18:33
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shaun get ur tourch yet dazz -------------
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Posted By: e34-520iSE
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 18:41
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Hi Dazz, Not yet mate - It'll probably be in tomorrow's post. Though I think sometimes the postie round here drives a horse & cart cos I can go days without any post and then WHAM! 30 letters all arrive at once! Cheers, Shaun ------------- Self confessed madman 1990 Brilliantrot 2 ltr M20. Air force definition of explosives: A loud noise followed by the sudden going away of what was once there a second ago. |
Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 18:45
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no pro registerd any way will pm u tracker number just see were the bint (wife) put it dazz -------------
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Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 20:36
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From the tone of the comments posted I get the impression the E34 is move loved than the E39. I keep toying with the idea of getting another E34 but common sense says the E39 would be more sensible. Then again, E32's are cheap as chips - but prices of E38's are really coming down too! What is a man to do??? ------------- AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be. http://www.photostick.co.uk/view-933_BaurSig1.jpg" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 10-January-2006 at 21:00
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just buy them all son
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Posted By: Chas C
Date Posted: 11-January-2006 at 04:15
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Prices of E38s are coming down fast because they're a lot more expensive to run than an E32 and not as reliable. E32s and E34s can be maintained at home a lot more easily than the E38/E39. It all depends on what you want from your wheels and how much you're willing to plough into them each year to keep them on the road. A good E32/34 can be had for less than a grand and can be kept on the road for a few hundred pounds a year. That's very cheap motoring and huge value when you look at what you're getting, especially with the 7. A lot of new cars don't have the kit that a 15 year old 7 has. -------------
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Posted By: paulfinucane
Date Posted: 11-January-2006 at 04:39
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I love E34's & am now on my 3rd & I hope to always own one. I agree with James that it was the last of the line of "real" BMW's,sure the later models are higher specced & perform better (sometimes but they are nowhere near as well built. I didnt really buy mine as an investment so I am not really worried about its resale value & I have spent money on getting it how I like it,probably more than I could sell it for but I love it & would not part with it willingly-it sticks to the road like nothing else & goes pretty well too.
I believe good e34's may well increase in value at some stage but who cares ! As long as its reliable & fun I will keep it.
------------- 1990 e34 M5,Macau Blau Metallic,Extended Champagne Leather,Auto Climate,Hella clear corners,Rondell 058,SS exhaust, 
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Posted By: whitey
Date Posted: 11-January-2006 at 05:29
It has to be said that the electrical problems on e34's are virtually always limited to the same things.......fractured fuse link (windows roof and wipers failing), central locking (always a door relay) and number plate lights (usually the loom where it enters the boot). My e39 has had numerous electrical gremlins, not all of the cheap to fix. The dash pixels really is too common for BMW to walk away from. Thats just blatent poor quality that should not be on a car of this supposed quality. PDC sensors failing, Wheel speed sensors failing, airbag warning lights staying on (and it can stay on cos I'm sick of it), Bulb failure warnings when all the bulbs are okay etc. etc. etc. I may as well bought an Alfa. At least it would have had character. My e39 was approx. £37k when new and it's not like it's one of the expected "first of the new" models which always have a few teething problems. Andy S, Stick with one of the last E34's and get one well specced with leather and air. You will not be disappointed. Theres a thread on the BMWCAR forum presently you may be interested in called "530i-Charisma bypass?" which does not just focus on the quality issues of the e39 but the total lack of character. Believe me this one hit the nail on the head for me. Trevor ------------- 2000 e39 523i with full factory sport kit. 1989 e30 325i Convertible 1999 Golf GTI 1.8T |
Posted By: UKDaveJ
Date Posted: 11-January-2006 at 06:53
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Couldn't agree more Paul! We used to run an E46 03 330d, great car, but not as well built as the E34 IMHO, had it from new - the last new car I expect to buy as well. Also used to give the same kind of mpg in mixed driving as our M50 engined 95 E34 2.0i......... E34's give great vfm. ------------- My 635's.
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Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 11-January-2006 at 17:27
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I used to have a '92 E34 520 which was my first BMW & it gave me a
taste for more. It could have done with another half litre capacity but
was fine most of the time. It's only real fault was the dreaded BMW
clutch judder. I sold it to a guy at work 4 years ago & he's only just sold it. I replaced it with a '98 Audi A6 2.4 auto which had all the toys. It looked very impressive & had great build quality but it didn't ride or handle as well & lacked character after the E34. I sold it to get the Six. I have a '93 E30 316 Touring (one of the last) as a daily driver. It's got character & reliability has been bulletproof but I just fancy a bit more refinement. I'm looking for a new job so travelling distance will dictate engine size though the Touring is heavier on fuel than you'd expect for it's size. A 530 or 730 V8 might fit the bill. ------------- AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be. http://www.photostick.co.uk/view-933_BaurSig1.jpg" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 11-January-2006 at 17:48
Can't be much fun on the Dole up there!!
E34's are probably better everyday cars than the E39 - cheap bits everywhere, most of it is simple DIY. E39's have a lot of issues - alloy blocks (scrap if the car overheats), pricey bits new or used and they can be a real sod to work on - you wouldn't believe how difficult changing the rear shocks is. Plus the electrics aren't that clever. If a speedo packs up, it's a complete new cluster which has to be coded to the car - no DIY scrapyard swaps here. E38? Fantastic car but but would never own one as really they're a load of crap - especially the M62 V8's which are a disaster area. Everything is expensive, the electrics are a nightmare (all parts coded just like the E39) and like the E39, suspension bits are alloy and ££££££££££. I'd rather have a late nineties Jaguar (6 Cyl) to be honest, much better car. |
Posted By: gilescooperuk
Date Posted: 11-January-2006 at 18:43
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Well I bought my E34 from my brother who was about to scrap it (on the advise of the rac) due to the fusible link. Once that has been replaced I paid him £400 - however it needed a new exhaust and manifold downpipe and a new set of tyres. So a total price of £1000 since then (2 months) it has had fuel, an oil change and I will change the brake/clutch/gearbox and rear axle oils once it is warm enough! almost forget I have just bought a new set of mudflaps off ebay £34 delivered for front and back. It was bought to replace a Porsche 924S which wasn't enough of a sportscar compared to my other car and is so far a lot more reliable. It helps that I did a lot of the work on the BM when my brother owned it so I know the maintainance history. p.s. look at my website to find see my other car. Giles ------------- Giles Cooper http://www.gilescooper.co.uk" rel="nofollow - http://www.gilescooper.co.uk Tiger Cat E1 (fun car) 1989 BMW 525i (commuting car) |
Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 11-January-2006 at 18:46
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lol drew lol son better than being down there !!!!!!!!!!!! what u call a afgan on the dole;;? bin laid off thankyou -------------
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Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 11-January-2006 at 19:01
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nice car gile"s my boss has one of these cant belive how fast it was and the handiling was amazing me being 6.5 it was i bit tight -------------
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Posted By: brybusa
Date Posted: 12-January-2006 at 09:01
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Tell me about it...I sold my E30 325 to buy my E34 535 sport because the e34 is so much a better car in every area...how much would a e30 325 Sport in the condition like my 535 sport is (2 owners 64K, FSH and mint) be worth? Thousands more i bet Doesnt seem logical to me at all.
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Posted By: 540 V8
Date Posted: 12-January-2006 at 09:06
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I am on my second e34 '95 which is a fully loaded 540 touring with M suspension and sports kit. It's the best car I've ever driven and I've done a few working in the motor trade. It goes well, been 100% reliable (as have all 3 beemers through the years) and I've never spent any amounts of money on either of them. My future thoughts did lie with an e39 (maybe another 540 or M5) but owing to some comments on here and the fact I love my e34 so much, perhaps not. I don't have a problem throwing money at my baby. It does owe me now though because of some !"£$%^& mailto:*@?hole - *@?hole hitting it and driving away from the scene and being untraceable because he gave a false name and address when he bought his car but thats enough about that, I'll only get worked up! Insurance company gave me some stupid amount for it because to repair at BMW was quoted at £4500! which put is 'beyond economical repair' so I bought it back and repaired it for £1800. Still makes my blood boil! I'm a big e34 fan and i'll keep mine until it dies and buries itself, that day will be a very emotional one. ------------- 
Current:E34 540i Touring 6 speed manual(Mpower bodykit & suspension)& Chrysler Voyager 3.3 V6 auto Previous:E34 530iSE AC Schnitzer suspension. E28 525e auto-Standard |
. That aside, I can't fault any e34 experience I've had. Bits are easy to come by and fairly cheap and they aren't too technical to work on compared to the e39.Posted By: Bill-
Date Posted: 12-January-2006 at 12:14
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Me Too 15,000 miles since june all its cost me is fuel 1 oli change and 2 front tyres ------------- Hayabusa |
Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 12-January-2006 at 17:13
Is it? Glasgow is the only place I've ever seen a Woman spit in the street, although there are some good curry houses up there (Bombay Blues). Maybe I should sell up here and buy ten houses up there with the proceeds? 
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Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 13-January-2006 at 00:11
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hi i"am drew and i hate scotland grow up talking about the e34 as for spitting in the street u need to get out more ,would rather talk about the e34 than this sh,t 
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Posted By: Chas C
Date Posted: 13-January-2006 at 05:00
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Easy tiger! I'm sure Drew wasn't trying to be offensive, he hates everything, not just Scotland Glasgow's a wonderful place with more culture than most parts of the uk. The people there are amongst the finest in the UK so no need to go on the defensive about it. Now play nice -------------
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Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 13-January-2006 at 05:06
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ok ok dummy back in peace and good will to all  -------------
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Posted By: Bill-
Date Posted: 13-January-2006 at 05:15
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BMW crazy
I have had a woman, a perfect stranger, walk up to me in the street in the west end of London and spit in my face..beat that.. ------------- Hayabusa |
Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 13-January-2006 at 05:17
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you win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 13-January-2006 at 05:43
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The E34 Five: the modern-day Ford Cortina. Just a bit better built..... -------------   
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Posted By: paulfinucane
Date Posted: 13-January-2006 at 06:04
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yep glasgows great-I had a strange experience in sauciehall street a few yrs back. Afterwards I went back to my room & my pipe & slippers.
------------- 1990 e34 M5,Macau Blau Metallic,Extended Champagne Leather,Auto Climate,Hella clear corners,Rondell 058,SS exhaust,
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Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 13-January-2006 at 06:52
Really? I don't. I was in Edinburgh last year for Hogmanay and saw Blondie playing live. Great place, and I like most of Scotland and it's folks. One of my fave places is Inverness, and the drive from Glasgow up to Fort William is fantastic. BTW, has your keyboard got a caps key? 
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Posted By: Chas C
Date Posted: 13-January-2006 at 07:09
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I've just made the connection with a similar character who owns an E32. Is that you Andyboy? Incidentally, if living in Steeple Aston, I imagine driving almost anywhere in Scotland would be fantastic -------------
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Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 13-January-2006 at 13:39
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by the way YES IT DOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted By: e34-520iSE
Date Posted: 13-January-2006 at 14:03
Ford Cortina? Eh? How? So instead of being the Dagenham dustbin, it becomes the Dingolfing dustbin??? Hope not, I'd hate to drive down the street if that's what people thought  Cheers, Shaun ------------- Self confessed madman 1990 Brilliantrot 2 ltr M20. Air force definition of explosives: A loud noise followed by the sudden going away of what was once there a second ago. |
Posted By: gilescooperuk
Date Posted: 13-January-2006 at 14:57
Dingolfing surely that should be Dungolfing 
------------- Giles Cooper http://www.gilescooper.co.uk" rel="nofollow - http://www.gilescooper.co.uk Tiger Cat E1 (fun car) 1989 BMW 525i (commuting car) |
Posted By: AndyS
Date Posted: 15-January-2006 at 12:25
I suppose that makes our Sixes modern day Capris? Can always rely on Horsetan to try & stir up trouble! ------------- AndyS Live each day as if it's your last - one day it will be. http://www.photostick.co.uk/view-933_BaurSig1.jpg" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Aidan316i
Date Posted: 15-January-2006 at 13:16
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1st BMW my dad bought was an E34 525i, ah I remember that, she was gold
with an Auto box, was regularly in the garage getting fixed (we found
out she was a ringer) but when it worked, what a car she was, i'll
never forget that as it had me smitten by the BMW Bug!
Unfortuantly one day my dad told me it was in teh garage but it wans't
getting fixed, as far as I know she was scrapped or crushed! Now wheres the autotrader? ------------- www.ni-bmw.co.uk E46 316i Saloon E36 323i Touring 
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Posted By: jamstar
Date Posted: 15-January-2006 at 15:57
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Just picked up my first E34(1989 m20), much better than my x E30 but just as cheep. (Won them both in card games). Needs some work on electrics, most of the relys missing and the engine has very iratic idle, also pops and farts under load. Anyone with any help, advice or wiring diagrams, I would be very greatful. please help me to stop another E34 making that jorney to the scrap yard |
Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 16-January-2006 at 04:53
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Lots of people own E32's Chas Old Boy!
Steeple Aston is a small village full of proper people (no benefit seekers), very Cotswold, Horsey and 'country' (yawn!), very 'Retired Colonel' and 'outraged of Oxfordshire'. I doubt the border patrol would let anyone with a Scots accent in...........
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Posted By: e34-520iSE
Date Posted: 16-January-2006 at 05:07
Hi Jamstar, I think we need a bit more info here. Are the missing relays from the front fuse box, or under the rear seat? Erratic idle could be anything. What year/engine is your car? Cheers, Shaun ------------- Self confessed madman 1990 Brilliantrot 2 ltr M20. Air force definition of explosives: A loud noise followed by the sudden going away of what was once there a second ago. |
Posted By: Tony Magik
Date Posted: 16-January-2006 at 17:21
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Having just bought a K reg 525i touring on ebay for £750 I reckon its the
steal of the year. New starter motor £60 and £10 to fit. Oil service with plugs and filters etc £110. Had full diagnostic and no faults found. That's the good news. Failed heater quote £550 due to aftermarket aircon and screw fittings only allowing dashboard access rather than via engine bay. Getting that done next Tuesday. Cheap apparently as winter is the best time to get your aircon sorted - the market being slow. (Mind you know anyone who can do it cheaper?). Plus its a well know fact that whilst the body and engine are tank tough the electrics on these old cars are something else. So next project is to get to a reputable car electrician to sort the tailgate wires. These are affecting the twin sunroof which works intermittently. My £1500 budget just about right but never thought I'd spend a good part of it on a heater! (Oh and some bugger keyed three panels up the west end so I've got to bringforward the respray). I'll post my picture then! Some golden rules I picked up from the site and confirmed by my indy BM mech. Regular annual oil service with a quality oil no cheap stuff - Castrol over 75k special! And make sure the coolant reserve looks clean. Watch the thermo needle. As soon as it twitches into the red zone get thermo checked / preferably changed. Forget classic - function rules. I love my BM for that - best car I've owned and driven. Looking forward to takin it 100k miles to 250k. 
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Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 16-January-2006 at 17:45
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Oh no, DeAvia air conditioning. Failed heater fan
comes as standard, Italian crap. I had an H plate 525i with DeAvia and the fan failed on that too. Sorted it by destroying the heater fan in situ and removing it in bits, replacing with a standard BMW fan. The chances of 13 year old DeAvia actually working are fairly remote, the bits are not easily available and you could easily spend a grand making it work again. Unless you KNOW that the air con does work, just fit another heater fan. Cost? About ten quid and 2 hours work. Spending 550 quid on a K reg Touring heater fan is madness. Steal of the year? Nope - I bought a 1992 J 520i manual Touring off Ebay in September for £150. Went straight through an MOT, used it for 2 months and sold it for £550........
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Posted By: jamstar
Date Posted: 16-January-2006 at 18:58
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[/QUOTE] Thanks for the reply Shaun, sorry about the lack of info. My E34 is a 1989 525i se (m20). The relays are missing from the front fuse box, i have no service lights on dash and the fuel and tempreture gauge's don't work. As for the erratic idle, i have checked the fuel pressure and air intake but could do with some hints on what it is most likely to be. Im no expert but i can get around most problems with the right help. Any info would be great, Cheers, Jamie |
Posted By: whitey
Date Posted: 17-January-2006 at 01:44
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I would say that the dash problems are the service indicator board batteries gone down. Replacement board required. Idle could be anyting. Start by srtripping the entire intake out to the throttle body and clean everything with carb cleaner including the throttle body. Pay particular attention to the Idle Control Valve. Put it back together and see what it runs like. If still bad it could be an air leak. Check all pipework (especially the large black bellows from the air flow meter to the throttle body) for perishing, cracking, lost clamps etc. On my m20 e30 325 (same engine), situated on the underside of the throttle body, directly under the left hand lower flange to manifold nut, is a take off pipe not connected to anything. This is blanked by a rubber cap which on mine was badly perished. Check that (if it exists on yours) as well. Good luck
------------- 2000 e39 523i with full factory sport kit. 1989 e30 325i Convertible 1999 Golf GTI 1.8T |
Posted By: jamstar
Date Posted: 17-January-2006 at 13:06
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Thanks Whitey i will try the things sujested and let you know how i get on.
Cheers Jamie. |
Posted By: paulfinucane
Date Posted: 17-January-2006 at 13:29
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If you check www.bmwowner.co.uk (maybe com) they have some great diy guides on the homepage inc one for cleaning idle valve
------------- 1990 e34 M5,Macau Blau Metallic,Extended Champagne Leather,Auto Climate,Hella clear corners,Rondell 058,SS exhaust,
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Posted By: Bill-
Date Posted: 17-January-2006 at 14:16
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Hi drew in future you can address ma as m'lud ------------- Hayabusa |
Posted By: Tony Magik
Date Posted: 17-January-2006 at 17:13
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Cheers Drew
You've made an old man very happy. Last said that to the blind woman who said I was handsome.
The aircon does work and I've confirmed that power is getting to the fan just that the brushes are worn. I will not use the aircon as I want to make the most of the sunroof electrics permitting. So your option makes me less of a hamlet (i.e mad) Question/s - The fan comes in a plastic casing with screws rather than clips of the standard system and only what I can describe as an outer shell. The shell covers roughly 2/3rds of the casing the exposed third to the engine bay. If I destroy the casing will the replacement standard system fit its base? A rough drawing by PDF, etc much appreciated. Booked in for Tuesday but if i can solve it on the weekend I can cry off. I had purchased a nearly new standard fan in anticipation of fitting but will need to source the appropriate casing I guess? All new break discs and pads, Nov MOT and Hanami Alloys Still think it was a steal but yours does take some beating.
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Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 17-January-2006 at 17:15
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"The car you always promised yourself"
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Posted By: Horsetan
Date Posted: 17-January-2006 at 17:18
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Because there are so many about!
Come into London - you'll see quite a few in dustbin condition already.... -------------
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Posted By: Drew540i
Date Posted: 17-January-2006 at 17:37
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Not sure about which DeAvia fan you have - on the
one I had, I had to break the plastic outer casing off, but the fan was held in by a weird clip which when unclipped, let the fan unit be pulled out. We're going back to 1998 now though........... |