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View Full Version : Looking for a decent 5er for my Son



Jehu
08-30-2007, 07:27 PM
Anybody know this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1990-BMW-535i-FIVE-SPEED-BLACK-ON-BLACK-CALIFORNIA-CAR_W0QQitemZ160151893509QQihZ006QQcategoryZ6008QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) car?

Just figured i'd ask. I think something like this would be good. he's 22 and needs a car to get to work. He wants a Bimmer,I wonder why.. if anyone sees a Manual E34 in decent shape feel free to point it out.

DanDombrowski
08-30-2007, 07:48 PM
Where are you located? Mine might be ready to move on, its a 93 525i 5spd, and Im in Florida.

Sam-Son
08-30-2007, 07:49 PM
looks good

Jehu
08-30-2007, 08:03 PM
Where are you located? Mine might be ready to move on, its a 93 525i 5spd, and Im in Florida.

I'm in New Hampshire. What can you tell me about it? Tha car that is ,not New Hampshire...

DanDombrowski
08-30-2007, 08:31 PM
93 525i, 5 spd (soon to have ANOTHER rebuilt unit put in it).

Style 32 wheels with brand new tires, 3.73lsd, euro ellipsoid headlights, EAT chip, and a sony in dash CD player (for mods).

Most everything works, mostly used mobil 1 0w40 on it every 4 or 5,000 miles.

New clutch at around 125k (guibo, clutch master and slave also). Belts and a radiator around like 140k. New upper and lower control arms and tie rod links around 120k.

Around February I put in the LSD and replaced the RTABs (bitch of a job), dogbones, new bilstein shocks in the rear, shock mounts, new oil in the diff, new brake pads in the rear.

New mintex pads on zimmerman cross drilled rotors about 5k miles ago (end of last year).

I bought an E46, so I havent been driving the car that much.

Anything else?

Oh, its black with tan leather. Total miles now is like 169k.

Jehu
08-30-2007, 08:34 PM
that uses a timing belt rather than a chain? Any issues there?

DanDombrowski
08-30-2007, 08:41 PM
No the M50 has a timing chain.

Blitzkrieg Bob
08-30-2007, 08:42 PM
that uses a timing belt rather than a chain? Any issues there?

The only 5er that has timing belt the 90 or earlier M20 powered ones.

the rest are chain driven

Jehu
08-30-2007, 08:53 PM
Alrighty then, got it.. i'll let you know if it turns out we're interested. Its a colaborative between me and his mother who likes the idea of a "reliable" Honda... the poor kid..lol..

Sam-Son
08-30-2007, 08:59 PM
93 525i, 5 spd (soon to have ANOTHER rebuilt unit put in it).

Style 32 wheels with brand new tires, 3.73lsd, euro ellipsoid headlights, EAT chip, and a sony in dash CD player (for mods).

Most everything works, mostly used mobil 1 0w40 on it every 4 or 5,000 miles.

New clutch at around 125k (guibo, clutch master and slave also). Belts and a radiator around like 140k. New upper and lower control arms and tie rod links around 120k.

Around February I put in the LSD and replaced the RTABs (bitch of a job), dogbones, new bilstein shocks in the rear, shock mounts, new oil in the diff, new brake pads in the rear.

New mintex pads on zimmerman cross drilled rotors about 5k miles ago (end of last year).

I bought an E46, so I havent been driving the car that much.

Anything else?

Oh, its black with tan leather. Total miles now is like 169k.
How are the zimmerman rotors?

Jehu
08-30-2007, 09:33 PM
I have schlotted Zimmies on the rear of my 540.. Seems fine to me.. no issues in about 50,000 miles.Stops like a virgin in the back seat of a Buick.

Bin_jammin
08-30-2007, 10:37 PM
A decent 5er for your son? Sounds like a fair trade to me, as long as he's got a strong back and can work a 10 hour day.

Jehu
08-30-2007, 10:53 PM
He's been working with a Contractor installing in ground pools.He's about 6' 180 but he's worth more than a fiver..

Bin_jammin
08-31-2007, 12:20 AM
I don't know, I can REALLY use a pool :)

Sam-Son
08-31-2007, 12:38 AM
I have schlotted Zimmies on the rear of my 540.. Seems fine to me.. no issues in about 50,000 miles.Stops like a virgin in the back seat of a Buick.
funny but I'm wondering about Dan Dombrowski's because it seems he does a little track work with em and if theyre good on the track they should be ok for my type of driving

Jehu
08-31-2007, 01:04 AM
Trust me I drive like i'm on a track as much as i can every day,maybe harder. I drive for work and put around 2-300 miles a day on it much on the highways where i tear it up like every cop on Planet Earth was just abducted by Aliens and won't be back till Kingddom Come.

Macv
08-31-2007, 07:28 AM
Heh, me too. :D

DanDombrowski
08-31-2007, 08:12 AM
Theyre alright so far. I've had them HOT, as in hot enough to induce brake fade, but for obvious reasons, they don't get that hot on the track (but get near it more often).

I can't comment on increased pad wear, because I haven't actually measured or inspected the pad, but the pads are at least still there.

No cracks yet, and I swap my wheels every once in awhile when Im either tracking or driving to work, so I at least get to see them then.

If the drilling actually does anything I have no idea. I never really tracked too much before the cross drilled, so I don't know if they cool faster. They look awesome though!

Ross
08-31-2007, 08:25 AM
Looks decent but all the money in the world for it.
I hope you and the boy win the arguement.
I'll sell you my '89. It's a bit rough cosmetically outside and is pushing 300k but runs tip top and has documented service history. Perhaps not for you though as the wife will use anyminor trouble as amunition in the Honda debate. A womans mind is never on your side.

Mitch90535im
08-31-2007, 09:26 AM
I'm not familiar with the e34 on ebay, but I have a '90 m30 5-speed. Mine has been very reliable. I bought it right after 9/11 happened with 185K on the clock and it now has 225+k. The only things beyond normal maintenance that I have needed were both DIY (replace radiator and replace starter). With the know-how of guys on this board and a good Bentley manual I saved $100's in labor over both jobs and I consider the car to be the best most enjoyable to drive car I've ever owned (well except for maybe the '70 Cuda with the 440-6 and 4:11 Dana, but that's another story)

Oh, I was going to mention, the leather in the ebay car is showing its age, but there are several products available to make it look and feel like new again. I didn't notice any holes or tears.

repenttokyo
08-31-2007, 10:56 AM
70 cuda, beautiful car!

Mitch90535im
08-31-2007, 11:09 AM
70 cuda, beautiful car!

Here's a pic.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v368/mb90535im/70Cuda.jpg

repenttokyo
08-31-2007, 12:03 PM
Beautiful. My dad had a 69 GTX, 440. Mopar or No Car!

Mitch90535im
08-31-2007, 12:49 PM
Beautiful. My dad had a 69 GTX, 440. Mopar or No Car!


Thanks. That's my mom circa '72. She will be 77 this year. Dad bought that car when I was 13 and I drove it daily when I was 16. What in the World were they thinking? We traded it in '74 when the Arab oil embargo hit and gas went from .45 to .60 per gallon. It was about a 6mpg car.

repenttokyo
08-31-2007, 01:21 PM
Is that a Charger beside it?

brosher
08-31-2007, 01:30 PM
Try and find a m50 powered 525. 92 or 93 will be the best deals as the wide bodies tend to fetch a higher price.

Try this site:
crazedlist.org

Mitch90535im
08-31-2007, 01:37 PM
Is that a Charger beside it?

No, that was a '67 Pontiac Bonneville coupe.

Similar to this:

http://www.motoexotica.com/vehicles/252/t/1.jpg

Sam-Son
08-31-2007, 07:26 PM
Trust me I drive like i'm on a track as much as i can every day,maybe harder. I drive for work and put around 2-300 miles a day on it much on the highways where i tear it up like every cop on Planet Earth was just abducted by Aliens and won't be back till Kingddom Come.
Hmmm it sounds like we have alot in common:D and 2-300 miles a day?! And I was worried about trip up to New Hampshire and back.

Zeuk in Oz
08-31-2007, 08:07 PM
I applaud your choice. Buying a car for my oldest was how I came across the E34.
I would ensure that it has airbags, though, and if you can find one of the later models that had ASC in the States (not here in Oz :( ), then even better.
Enjoy the hunt !

John in CT
09-01-2007, 08:40 AM
I would check ut the white one and offer 3500 Good luck

1995 BMW 525I
4 door, 240K miles, loaded, 5 speed, new clutch, black w/gray leather, garaged, runs & looks new, $2500. (860) 349-4599 or (203) 537-9728 (4X). Durham, CT





1995 BMW 525I
white, tan int, traction control, 5 spd, Koni shocks, 188K mi, gd cond inside and out, orig owner, $4800 OBO. (860) 465-6316 Rick (2X). Willimantic, CT

John in CT
09-01-2007, 10:22 AM
http://burlington.craigslist.org/car/394714045.html

These cars are more money to run, 4 O2 sensors for example, plus all the brake stuff costs more not to mention the exhaust, but this one is priced market correct, IMHO. Owners say there's nothing like 'em, the 6 speed is rare. If it ain't beat up this could be the car.

Oppps, just saw your signature car.....so you know the territory then, are they money pits?

good luck,

John
1995 525i 5 speed Oxford green

RallyD
09-01-2007, 10:58 PM
hmmm VT?
it just sounds rusty

definitely go with the M50/5
I get ~26mpg(525) vs ~17mpg(530)

Jehu
09-02-2007, 07:22 PM
He went and saw and drove the '94 525 today and wants it. Has a banging or clunking at slow speeds on a front wheel the seller says is a bushing. who knows ? Said the car started right up and ran smooth ,no weird noises. I suggested taking it for a PPI but i think he's going to grab it. $2,200.00 170,xxx miles.. cracked windshield and coolant message yet full of coolant. Porbably the level sensor. 5 speed black on black with a good interior other than one row of stiching gone in the driver seat he says doesn't bother him...

Sam-Son
09-02-2007, 07:47 PM
He went and saw and drove the '94 525 today and wants it. Has a banging or clunking at slow speeds on a front wheel the seller says is a bushing. who knows ? Said the car started right up and ran smooth ,no weird noises. I suggested taking it for a PPI but i think he's going to grab it. $2,200.00 170,xxx miles.. cracked windshield and coolant message yet full of coolant. Porbably the level sensor. 5 speed black on black with a good interior other than one row of stiching gone in the driver seat he says doesn't bother him...
Is it the first one he's looked at? He should have PPI done and also check out other ones. I remember the fisrt one I looked at, oddly enough it was also a 94 black/black 525 5-spd and it had alot wrong with it but I was so eager to get an E34 I wanted it. luckily the dealership sold it before I could grab it and that moved me onto the car I have now which has none of the flaws that first one had. Always try and buy the best example of a car you can it will save you loads of money in the long run. Good luck with finding a car either way.

Jehu
09-02-2007, 07:51 PM
yea its the first one he;s loked at but thinks the price is a steal. The seller's son was called into active military service,so he says, thus the car which was bougth for him is for sale. If the PPI reveals just a wheel bearing or thrust arm bushing and everything else is tight i 'll get it for him becasue he needs wheels for work.