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Thread: Performance

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
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    Default Performance

    I am condidering an e34 for my first car and have made up my mind except for one thing. Performance. The 8.4 second 0-62mph isnt that great but how do the cars really perorm when passing, on hills, etc.?

  2. #2
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    Oct 2004
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    Depends on what you get, buddy.

    My 535 kicks ass. Perfectly great engine and superb highway performance. A manual would be nice for around town performance, I guess. The only problem is not driving too fast - 90 feels like 50. But, that's why I've got a Valentine One

    M20 powered 525....eh, I dunno. Maybe with an EAT, but I've never driven one, so what do I know? The M50 525 that I looked at last summer was alright, though.

  3. #3
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    Oct 2004
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    Gainesville, FL
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    which engine? the 540 is extremely fast as i hear it, but you have to remmber these cars were made for crusing the highway, not racing off the line. at high rpms i know my car pulls pretty damn hard, but from a dead stop its a slug. you won't be disappointed an e34 if you drive it though. they may not be that fast, but they handle amazingly and are rock solid.

    everything in them feels well built, heavy, and expensive. thats what i love the most

    do a test drive, and check out the 3'ers too. i'm sure they're a bit more suited 0-60 times.

    Quote Originally Posted by Alexlind123
    I am condidering an e34 for my first car and have made up my mind except for one thing. Performance. The 8.4 second 0-62mph isnt that great but how do the cars really perorm when passing, on hills, etc.?

  4. #4
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    Jun 2004
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    Bay Area, CA
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    1,825

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    525iA= no performance. I think 540i's, 530i's and 535i's are the only way to go for e34 performance.

    www.KaRealtySF.com
    Build Date: 05-1995 /Engine: m50tu /Automatic Transmission /ABS /NO ASC /Open Differential /EAT Chip

  5. #5
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    Oct 2004
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    Gainesville, FL
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    Default

    i wish i could see what my car would be like with a manual... i have this feeling it would open up a whole new world*disney music* of power. the auto shifts at like 1500rpms sometimes, its nuts.



    Quote Originally Posted by liquidtiger720
    525iA= no performance. I think 540i's, 530i's and 535i's are the only way to go for e34 performance.

  6. #6
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    Default

    Sorry i was looking at the 535i (so prior to '94)

  7. #7
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Alexlind123
    Sorry i was looking at the 535i (so prior to '94)
    The 535i's are no slouches. The manuals will out perfom the autos as you can really work the engine within it's optimum rev range 3,500 to 6,000rpm. The auto does have a sports mode which will cause it to shift at highers revs than the normal economy mode which makes for brisker acceleration when flooring it. Not a lightweight car, so not stunning off the mark, but once you hit the sweet spot you will realise what strong smooth power delivery they have. Unlike many engines which become harsher as the revs increase, these things actually become 'creamy' smooth in the upper range. IMO BMW wrote the book on six cylinder engines!

    1990 E34 535iA, 215,000kms (130,000 miles).
    Dual Climate, Rear Headrests, Rollerblind, M-Tech Wheel,
    Memory Seats, EAT Chip, T-Stars.

  8. #8
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    Aug 2004
    Location
    Netherlands
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    These are not too slow at all(a good manual should do 0-60 in 7.3 sec ).If you're getting a manual, you might consider a flywheel exchange once you get it. Changing the dual mass flywheel by a solid one from a E28 model makes a very noticeble increase in the reving of the engine at low rpm's. Bare in mind that the transmission fluid has to be changed from ATF to regular transmission oil due to the strain on the gears in result of the non dual mass flywheel.

  9. #9
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    Feb 2005
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    The OC
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by infinity5
    i wish i could see what my car would be like with a manual... i have this feeling it would open up a whole new world*disney music* of power. the auto shifts at like 1500rpms sometimes, its nuts.
    Sport mode, it shifts from 4500 to 6000 rpm. Its harsh on the gas though.

    I love my 540, its pretty damn quick for a big heavy luxury sedan. The torque is blissful.

  10. #10
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    Mar 2004
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    My car being an auto isn't very quick off the mark but like everyone else has pointed out, once it's moving and in the high revs it performs very well. I've held off wrx imprezas, legacy turbos and an audi a8 3.8, all from about 50mph onwards though.(obviously the subarus would thrash me off the lights!) My 535i is my second car and I love it to bits. Just be aware of the not so great fuel economy.

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