Is there an E34 forum?

Discuss Non-E30 BMW's in here - No selling!

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kingbreezer
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Sat Apr 15, 2006 9:29 pm

Hi guys, just need a little help finding one.
I've searched on Google for one, but I can only find bulletin boards - no actual forums.
I'm looking for an E34 525 (auto or manual - I'm 19 and like to drive, but I reckon auto will be better for my fuel usage and town driving.)
Either that, or could anyone with experience give me ideas on what to look out for, what goes wrong, what the biggest cost is etc.

Many thanks!
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Brianmoooore
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Sat Apr 15, 2006 9:38 pm

There probably is somewhere, but it'll be nothing like as good as this one.
Have you found John Burns site (Unix nerds domain or something similar)?
kingbreezer
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Sat Apr 15, 2006 9:43 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:There probably is somewhere, but it'll be nothing like as good as this one.
Have you found John Burns site (Unix nerds domain or something similar)?
I have now; thank you! There's a fair bit of info in those pages. :)
Andy335Touring
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Sat Apr 15, 2006 11:22 pm

Zayyan
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Sun Apr 16, 2006 2:20 am

kingbreezer wrote:I reckon auto will be better for my fuel usage and town driving
Do you mean you're trying to waste as much fuel as possible? Autos use a lot more than manuals.

Don't buy a 520i auto 8O 8O
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kingbreezer
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Sun Apr 16, 2006 9:47 am

Zayyan wrote:
kingbreezer wrote:I reckon auto will be better for my fuel usage and town driving
Do you mean you're trying to waste as much fuel as possible? Autos use a lot more than manuals.

Don't buy a 520i auto 8O 8O
They're that bad? :(

I'm buying a 525 anyway - manual is preferred, but autos seem to be cheaper and much more available.

Andy - You're a legend, thanks!
M5pilot
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Sun Apr 16, 2006 10:55 am

A 525i 24v Auto will drink less fuel than a 325i manual so dont worry.
kingbreezer
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Sun Apr 16, 2006 11:27 am

M5pilot wrote:A 525i 24v Auto will drink less fuel than a 325i manual so dont worry.
Did they change the map significantly or something, 'cause I thought it was the same engine? All useful info, thanks :)
Simon13
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Sun Apr 16, 2006 12:05 pm

no one is a later much newer design 24v 6 pot and the other a 70's designe 12v slugger and both go on and on and on and on and on and on
kingbreezer
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Sun Apr 16, 2006 12:44 pm

Fantastic. :D
I learned some great stuff from John Burns' sight: The 24v has a camchain and rarely goes wrong.

My plan is now this, having read that sight:

BMW 525i se (sport if at all possible) up to £1500 (there are amazingly some with FBMWSH at that price!).
When I get it, first thing I'll do is book it in for new front and rear bushes, and a new water pump if it hasn't been done (replacements have metal blades - plastic ones can shatter past 80k).
I'm very excited now! :D
bmpaul
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Sun Apr 16, 2006 2:32 pm

do it mate get a 525i. i love mine goes well rarely complains....
ed325i
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Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:42 pm

I would not get a 520 you will better off with a 525.

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kingbreezer
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Sun Apr 16, 2006 5:45 pm

Fear not - 520 hadn't even crossed my mind. ;)
It was always 525 or 535. Unfortunately, 535 seems uninsurable for me... :(
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MrBMW78
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Sun Apr 16, 2006 10:02 pm

I have just gone from a e30 to a e34 525i 24v sport, manual... :D Go for it.........Well worth it.
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kingbreezer
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Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:57 pm

Went on a test drive today, and the head gasket blew! The garage chap was most embarrassed, understandably. Oh well, here's hoping tomorrow goes better!
Got a nice 130k 525i auto N reg to go and see... :D
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skidlidsid
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Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:04 pm

Whats the best e34 525 auto year/model to get?
I was gonna get another e30 325 but since seeing 525 and how much more room you have i'm gonna get a e34.
1990 320i Auto Sterling Silver
kingbreezer
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Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:19 pm

skidlidsid wrote:Whats the best e34 525 auto year/model to get?
I was gonna get another e30 325 but since seeing 525 and how much more room you have i'm gonna get a e34.
In terms of engines, anythig post 1990 has the 24v Vanos engine - more economical and developing 192bhp as opposed to 170 (as in E30 325).

1995 onwards there was a facelift of the front grill - the kidneys got wider. You pay for the 1995/6 models though - as obviously they are the newest E34s available.

Other than those, I don't think there's much difference. Some sellers are claiming that in 1995, along with the slight facelift, there was a small power tweak - I've seen no evidence of this, however.
bimmaman
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Sat Apr 29, 2006 8:17 am

http://www.bimmer.info/forum

Thats all you need... :cool:
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Chaos
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Wed May 03, 2006 2:11 am

Andy335Touring wrote:http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/
thats the one u need, good bunch of guys on there.
Chaos
causing havoc and mayhem wherever i go

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