E30 owners view of the E34

[mrLEE30]

was just wondering what the opinion is in uk (and other places) of the E34.... I have started a new job and need to buy a company car, did consider an E30 tin top again but not much about, then today saw an E34 535 foe sale with Alpina rims and the standard sport kit, its the big kidney model in black with half leather interior... lot of car for not a lot of money IMO

opinions??

mrlee

[djk]

I like em, nearly bought a 520 touring as a daily a few months back. I understand they are pretty rot resistant (shouldn't matter in bahrain though I guess!) and that the main problem is front suspension components struggling with the abuse they get holding up such a big heavy car - bushes and control arms IIRC. I understand they are stronger and more diy-able than an e39.

Quite good looking IMO, especially the tourings, though I do like big motors in general.

[Nay]

I like them. Nice cars. Will definately consider buying one in the future.

[mrLEE30]

that would be part of my next question... what to look for specifically or is it just the usual bits and pieces

[winx]

I am driving one at the moment, albeit an iX version. I really like it, big and solid,the 525 isnt even all that slow!
I'd agree with the suspension struggling comment above (mine just failed its mot on bottom ball joints!)
A great car for cruising in, not very rewarding but not terrible to hussle around in, mine feels a good bit more modern than the e30 and is a little more comfortable as well.

[zaust]

Same same just bigger. Had a few over the year's but on the look out for another e39 for Sal as they are cheap now. I threw the last one away when the head gasket went.

[Ziggy]

Great cars by all accounts - I'd certainly have one (& probably will sometime). Supposed to be pretty much the best built BMW there is.

[Fushion_Julz]

I've just bought a 525iX touring and previously had a 530i saloon with the M30 motor...

Very, very strong cars with few persistant issues...
50mph shimmy is the front control arm bushes.

Tailgate/boot wiring always becomes an issue as the wires run through the hinges and are prone to being cut.

Tourings have self-levelling rear suspension...expensive to repair if it is faulty, but it can be changed to regular springs/dampers.

Avoid M20b20 cars as they are seriously underpowered...
early V8 cars affected by Nikasil issue (in UK and USA)...

but other than those, most other things will be minor...

[fingerman]

Had quite a few - see my sig and actually thinking of going back to one - could just do with a bit more room and comfort

Manual 525, newest and best specced I can find will do

[whipsey]

on my second one now 525ix well built its like th e30's big brother

[fuzzy]

ive always had a fancy for a 540 or m5 touring . a lot of car for not a lot of cash but the m5 touring only came in left hand drive i believe which is off puting.

[Alpina99]

I can heartily recommend them,
I've had mine for 3 years now & found it to be a great motor, (525i M50 24v).
The only reason mine will be going shortly is because I've bought an E30 Cab to "play with"

[DanThe]

Ive got a 525i touring auto, one of the youngest, built in the last month of production, the extra load space is great, the self levelling suspension is also great, I was planning on changing it to a manual but after driving both auto and manual 525i tourings the auto is a much nicer drive.
Check/replace the rear mounting bushes before you blame anything on the front arms

LPG is a must

[M5pilot]

Had E34's for a few years now.

Really good machines which are very well built.

The are incredibly well balanced and handle so well for a big car with some minor suspension upgrades.

[Felix79]

I nearly bought a E34 M5 as you can get a good one with history for about £4000 to £5000 easily, but I was told I was too young to get classic car insurance. i was suprized because I am nearly 29 now lol.

My dad had the 540i wit the V8 in it and it was a truley awsome car to drive. Was in Oxford Green with a dark cream leather inside. The acceleration in the thing was amazing too. Also a 535i sport held the record fro the highest speed cought by the police which was just over 153 mph.

Also the E34 was really well built , advoid the 518i and 520 as they struggel to do anything when your right foot is plnted.

[daimlerman]

Bought a '95 525i manual as an engine donor for my new E30 touring project.Paid £350,131,000 miles.Body is sound but it needs a suspension overhaul,fuel tank leaks,but lovely big front armchairs with armrests,very quiet at speed and economical as well.I was very suprised when the wife took to it,but she refused to put it on the drive!!

[mrLEE30]

good to hear positive comments, figured there would not be too much difference ebtween the E30 and E34 as really of the same BMW era, had an E39 528 but too many niggly electrical problems and poor quality trim inside plus E34 deffo looks better, may see what he wants for it.

It looks just like Alpina99's car but in black (and coincidentally enough i have a cab to play with!!)

will keep you posted...

mrlee

[78dude]

So far I have had an E30, E32 and now E34 530i Touring from 95 and I would say that the best Beemer I have had so far is the E34. Its more modern to drive than the E30 but frankly speaking they do have an small issue with rust and front suspension.

[georob]

Wouldnt say you need to LPG an e34, unless you run a 540

I love my e34 Sport, so much so that my e30 has been parked up doing nowt for nearly 2 years.

78dude, issue with rust? way less of an issue than with the e30's and certainly better engineered as you've said.

Would recommend a Sport though.

[78dude]

The E34 have rust issues... Mine to an example have started to rust around the filler cap and also on the bottom of the doors. A lot of E34 have issue with rust on the boot as saloon version, and it looks like BMW cant handle their rust issue like Audi to an example.
But indeed its much better protected for rust than E30 to an example, but in the end, the E34 is a very very good motor!

[Speedtouch]

Agreed, briefly owned a 535iSE prior to returning to the E30 fold, and it was an enjoyable and relaxed old bruiser, with an impressive 147mph indicated top (on a private runway) and a great basso exhaust note. Look for worn steering boxes and suspension bushes. Mine could return 30mpg on a motorway run, but normally was low 20s mpg, not that this will matter in Bahrain.

[ucpsale]

Only size and weight the M20 engine is still just as good in both.

[fingerman]

Only size and weight the M20 engine is still just as good in both.

Correct - had 2 G reg 520's and both were very good - engine note was very nice and wasn't no slouch - just economy wasn't to great

[ucpsale]

Only size and weight the M20 engine is still just as good in both.

Correct - had 2 G reg 520's and both were very good - engine note was very nice and wasn't no slouch - just economy wasn't to great

[Farbbm]

My first BMW was an E34 518i at the age of 22. It was a bit unpowered but when your young you've got to get what you can afford. It was a great car for the 2 years I owned it, my parents had a 24v 520 which had a bit more poke and a sport body kit. Definately recommend the E34 they're great cars.

[Blitz]

E34 was the best built BMW ever made.

[leeparkes]

M5 & sports are nice,but poverty speced E34s are not imo.

[fingerman]

E34 was the best built BMW ever made.

I always thought this when I owned one, but the local Indy thinks the E30 is better built and I'm tending to think that now the longer I've owned one

[AlexBaur325]

the local Indy thinks the E30 is better built

I know we all love our E30s but from what i have seen they are certainly not exemplars of BMWs finest quality workmanship. My olds mans E32 way a waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better car, as are all the E34s ive ever been in...maybe it has something to do with the fact a hell of a lot of E30s were turned out..

Im not saying they are rubbish or even below average compared to their contemporaries, however when compared to what else BMW was making at the time, they are not the best. Still love 'um though.

[Rosc0PColtrane]

My next chariot will be an e34. Hopefully an M5.

[robbo86]

Since getting to like the e30 I have been more taken by the e34, i would like to have one of each, but I cant afford it.

[Speedtouch]

The only negative thing about their design IMHO is the antiquated steering box which always has some slop and vagueness about the centre position, although it is adjustable for wear up to a point.

[fingerman]

They're all very good and would have a 525 (again), a 540 or 740 but the E30 is easier to work on and maintain, cheaper to run, more fun and more desireable

[Fushion_Julz]

The only negative thing about their design IMHO is the antiquated steering box which always has some slop and vagueness about the centre position, although it is adjustable for wear up to a point.

525iX, then...

They have a rack...

[bmwsport]

I had a 95 525i Sport in daytona violet with millpoint sports interior and black ash trim

It was a great car