E34 525TD/TDS

Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:02 pm

Hi, what do folks reckon to these big old barges?

I'm reckoning one should do more MPG than my 535i and possibly better than the 325i..

Any pitfalls I need to know about before I go to look at any?

Thanks!

Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:09 pm

They're OK old smokers but are only one failed diesel pump away from an uneconomical repair. If its cheap enough, go for it but I'd rather have a 525i.

Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:36 pm

Was thinking of getting one myself - conclusion was that a 518i would be pretty much as economical without the huge bills hanging over you. Worth it if you've got access to 'alternative' diesel though. In the end I went for neither, but hey!

Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:20 pm

tds is the only one that pulls an E34 around sensibly, but most have mega miles and are very close to the knacker yard anyhow. If you want to reduce fuel costs you should turn to gas, my 525i touring does over 200 miles on £16 worth

Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:20 pm

Ziggy wrote:Was thinking of getting one myself - conclusion was that a 518i would be pretty much as economical without the huge bills hanging over you. Worth it if you've got access to 'alternative' diesel though. In the end I went for neither, but hey!

I'd rather have the clap than a 518i

I'm thinkin it'd prove to be a decent middle ground between Sensible small diesel, and the 535i for commuting

Danthe- I have an LPG kit sitting in the garage- I really should fit it...

Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:57 pm

M50 engined 525i is the one to go for,cheaper than chips now.When we were running my doner,Jane was getting close to 30 mpg around the city,the 316i returns low 20's in the same use.Big comfy car,not as chuckable as E30,without throwing money at the suspension,but still a nice place to be.

Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:08 pm

If I could have found a 518i with decent spec, it would have done me - but I wouldn't rate your chances of coming across one. As it was, my 520 came up - new as poss ('96), FSH, manual touring, leather & air... & despite being 6-pot rightness, 30mpg isn't too bad. Wouldn't have chosen the 2.0, but it's a lot quicker than the common opinion of them & everything else was exactly what I wanted. A 2.5 on LPG like Dan has, must be brilliant.

I just couldn't bring myself to get another painfully slow cheapo diesel!

Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:11 pm

one of my pals has got one, not let him down yet. goes well too, and very comfortable. i'd definatly have one, but i'd sooner have a 525i.