E34 5 series

[mattyb240]

Basically what are they like?
Good to drive?
Fuel economy (518i or 525 manual!)
Things to look out for?

Advice welcome thanks

[Speedtouch]

Quite like a big, heavy (1.5 tonne) but solidly built E30 really! I owned an '88 535iSE manual for a few months and found it to be reliable and at least as quick as a 325i but a bit thirsty (OK on motorway runs though).

Steering is via a box and linkage setup which tends to get a bit sloppy after a while, though the steering box is adjustable and the rest is just the usual bushes, etc.

The thunk of the doors is lovely - like a bank vault!

I wouldn't recommend a 518i - it must barely be able to drag itself down the road!

[320Touring]

a sorted e34 is a nice tool. kinda drives like an e30, but rides like an e32 (7 series)

Front suspension arms (upper and lower) can wear.

Fuel leaks at the rear, just as the pipes go over the tank, are common.

For fuel economy, I'd advise a 525i with the m50 lump- 192bhp and decent mpg.

518i is slooow, 520i is worse!

[BMJG]

I drive a e34 525 ise (m20 lump) one as my every day car, it's a good car like above just like the e30's big brother. love it to bits on a long drive getting out with no bad back, like driving in your fav arm chair .mine is lowered on 18" e39 M5 rims, helps the look alittle .

if i could would sell on this forum as time to move on though as this is just a BIG E30

[DanThe]

Not a big E30 at all IMO, well, maybe an old tired out 320i

Fuel economy is atrocious if your used to your E30, IMO

These are good solid barges though, not much goes wrong that cant be sorted easily, suspension overhauls can be expensive, worn steering/suspension joints and bushes can cause some 'very' strange driving sensations.

I have a late 525i touring, one of the last off the production line on a P plate
Great for long journeys, feels like the car has been carved out of solid billet!

Just dont plan on pulling up in a hurry once its wound up

[Speedtouch]

Why? The brakes were once the best on any production car http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E34

Mine never gave me any real cause for complaint, other than a difficult to adjust handbrake.

[Alpina99]

I drive a 1991 M50 engined 525i & agree with the positive comments made,

They're a well built, reliable comfortable car that can give good service,

I've never regretted buying mine & still get complimentary comments which is pretty good for a 17 year old motor.

[B7]

I Had 2 e34 525's. First was an M20 the second an M50TU. I rate these as one of the best cars ever made and certainly the best car BMW has ever made. The e30 is great but the 34 moved things on a lot but without ANY loss of build quality.

If you get one go for a late 24v 525. You will not be disappointed.

[DanThe]

Why? The brakes were once the best on any production car http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E34

Mine never gave me any real cause for complaint, other than a difficult to adjust handbrake.

Hmm, must be my comparison of the heavyweight 525 touring brakes to my E30's then

Ive never driven a saloon for a long enough period of time to make a decision.
They always end up in bits!

[darkchild]

One of BMW's best ever cars. Well built, nice to drive and a timeless class. They haven't aged at all.

A decent late 525i is the pick of the bunch and a much better bet that an early E39. A M43 engined 518i isn't a bad car. Quick? No, but a nicer drive than a 520i IMO. It has far better low down torque.

A mint 525i Sport in Avus Blue? Yes please.

[Simon13]

na it's got to be a manual 540i or M5! the m5 was hand built, but as said the 525i 24v is the pic of the real world cars

520's are a road block, i've driven a 24v auto once it was horrific. 518i are much better bet and the engines have good low end torque for the cc

[mattyb240]

Awesome, How much would I be looking at for an M50 525?

Thanks for all of the info guys

[darkchild]

I looked at a lovely 1994 M Plate 525i last week that was £1250. I would've probably have had it if it had air-con. £2K should buy a minter. Most £500 examples are moneypit turds.