GO FISHING, use SLABSAUCE Fishing Attractant
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 21

Thread: Looking to buy this E34...Any comments?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    533

    Default Looking to buy this E34...Any comments?

    No idea why I haven't registered until now, I've been on Bf.C, etc. for a long time.

    I'm looking to buy this local 1995 Alpine 525iA. Unfortunately, the car has to be automatic, as mandated by Dad (but he's buying the thing so I can't argue with that!). Out of all the cars I've had in the 5 years I've been driving, only one has been auto and it was an SUV. Oh well.

    Reliablility is to be the main emphasis here, and I prefer the M50 to the M60. The car will remain stock, at least for a while, since I'm a student with very limited funds.

    What are your thoughts? I know the price is sky-high, but I'm willing to pay a premium for such a mint example. I don't plan on paying any more than $7k anyways.

    http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...g=en&cardist=3

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    ~30 Miles North of Chicago, Illinois
    Posts
    591

    Default

    Looks very very good, but those maint records, or not so much the records, but the actual maint better be AMAZING for that price....
    [1994 530i/5-Speed]

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,027

    Default

    That is one great looking 5er! It's been meticullously detailed, from what i can see in the photos. Interior and exterior have been cleaned and waxed.. the engine bay has been cleaned and all black plastic has been treated... someone took a few hours to make this car look great.


    Take her straight to your mechanic and have EVERYTHING checked.

    look for leaks...
    worn suspension parts...
    evidence of bodywork...
    do a leakdown test...
    and take a close look at those records and CARFAX.

    Let us know how your test drive and inspection turn out...
    1994 540ia|Oxford Green Metallic|Lemforder|KYB in H&R|18" OE Staggered M-Parallel with Pirelli P-Zero

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    533

    Default

    Thanks guys. We're both hot on the car, as it's fairly difficult to find a mint E34. Plus it's a wide-kidney car, and only in 1995 did the 525is have it.

    I'm in Atlanta and have a trusted Euro-specialist.

    I'm most concerned with the suspension bushings. If he's got the balls to ask that much for his car (and it is absolutely mint-looking at the least) then I don't want to drop $1,500 in front-end work immediately.

    Dad is going to take it in a week to get it inspected (the owner is out of town this week).

    I take it back about the stock part. It will get Shadowlined immediately!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,027

    Default

    give me your opinion on M50 vs. M60
    1994 540ia|Oxford Green Metallic|Lemforder|KYB in H&R|18" OE Staggered M-Parallel with Pirelli P-Zero

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    533

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Evan
    give me your opinion on M50 vs. M60
    Me?

    I want a more troublefree, less maintenance intensive car. The M50 is a less maintenance-heavy engine, so that's where I stand.

    Not to mention there's not a single 530i or 540i that fits my price range and a private seller in Atlanta.

    I also like the M62 much more than the M60.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Adelaide, Australia
    Posts
    404

    Default

    Out of interest, why does your dad insist on an auto, the E34 manual boxes are far less trouble than the autos.
    11/88 535iA

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    533

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael999
    Out of interest, why does your dad insist on an auto, the E34 manual boxes are far less trouble than the autos.
    Not sure. I'd say that clutch replacement is an issue, but then again the auto tranny failing is 4x as expensive. He pays the maintenance too, so it's in his best interest to pay for a $100 fluid change instead of a $1,000 clutch job.

    I'd MUCH prefer a manual. Hell, I'd much prefer a 540i6 but they're too expensive.

    When the auto tranny fails, you better believe it will get a manual swap.

    I certainly don't agree with him, but I'm not in a place to argue.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    NH
    Posts
    2,062

    Default

    I got my '95 540i6 for $9,200.00 four months ago from a small used car lot. Add about $2,000 . in repairs/maintainance since. Is 4 grand really that much more for so, sooooo much more of a car? That looks nice and clean . Is the owner a nice old church lady?btw, NONE of my mainataince has been for the M60. It howls like a Berzerker on his way to Valhalla.

    Last edited by Jehu; 09-24-2006 at 11:59 PM.
    1995 540i Manual build 1/95

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    533

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jehu
    I got my '95 540i6 for $9,200.00 four months ago from a small used car lot. Add about $2,000 . in repairs/maintainance since. Is 4 grand really that much more for so, sooooo much more of a car? That looks nice and clean . Is the owner a nice old church lady?btw, NONE of my mainataince has been for the M60. It howls like a Berzerker on his way to Valhalla.
    I drove a 1995 540iA with 126k HARD miles and really didn't like it. It didn't feel as fast as I was expecting, and I could really feel the weight of the M60 sitting up front.

    Also, we're on a tight budget, as my tuition is $35k/year!

    I'm by no means an M60 hater, it's just at this point I prefer the 525i. Plus I'm not looking for a racer, just a comfortable DD.

    The owner is a CCA member who has had several Bimmers. He's had it since 1998 and loves it, but he's trading to (I think) an '03 E39. I'm out of town in college so I won't be able to see what I end up with until I fly in to drive it back to school.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. OT: Any comments on Saab 9-5
    By bigtisas in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 06-13-2007, 11:50 AM
  2. Any Comments?
    By johnnyturbo2002 in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 05-21-2007, 04:16 AM
  3. Comments on 633 CSi - 1982 ????
    By The Melmaan in forum 6 Series BMW
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 02-04-2007, 01:39 AM
  4. New Z4 Cobra ... any comments ?!
    By grave77 in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 04-23-2005, 04:25 AM
  5. 3.64 diff from 90 735 into 89 535 comments
    By mholbrook in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-05-2004, 01:42 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •