Is the e34 the best ever BMW?

[GJPinAU]

My thoughts are that the E34 is the last of the good BMWs. They are "user friendly", meaning we can do a lot of work on them ourselves (thanks to this board). For the more experienced, you can do everything on them.

The newer versions have too many electronic components to go wrong and to try and find a problem you need a diagnostic do-hickey at a cost of thousands of dollars or own a dealership. I would love an E39 M5, but by the time I could afford one it would need a lot of work and the cost of replacing somethings would be prohibitive. The new cars are made virtually for one owners and then recycle.

The E30 is probably the best to play with, then the E34 IMHO.

[632 Regal]

saw a brand new 530 today on the freeway, looked like a bucket of crap. My s1ut (Mil) asked what the _uck was it and I told her, she said theres no way id let you trade it for this.

Female point of view and I couldnt agree more.

[genphreak]

saw a brand new 530 today on the freeway, looked like a bucket of crap. My s1ut (Mil) asked what the _uck was it and I told her, she said theres no way id let you trade it for this. Female point of view and I couldnt agree more.

Yes, my gf acts the same way Jeff, she just wishes mine wasn't (so often in pieces) in her mum's driveway... from that pov, a new one would be nicer for her

The new designs have grown on my taste buds a bit. The new ones have a certain design alure which is of a boldly German nature (ie 'we don't care if its ugly, we like it like this (besides its so brilliantly functional you can get stuffed if you don't like it)'). This is refreshing from a cultural point of view as Germany so often has its tail between its legs despite leading the world in s many ways. But the new cars lost the grace in the bodyform dept, something the Italians always get right. Of course, the interiors make the car unlivable, with all that plastic gizmododry and fake chrome jewelery- its simply way OTT, I don't think I could get use to it- they are looking so plain- ie just like Mazda, GM and Ford interiors with more bells and whistles. Regardless of what it does or how well it does it (ie M5), it still looks that way and I would despise it.

I love wingman's suggestion that BMW build an enthusiast range, like most manufacturers (many of which are going back to their roots design wise in a desperate attempt to give their (otherwise) plastic monstrosities some style), which is of course a complete waste of time. That would be great! It really would be time to lease a car again if you could get an M10 powered e34 with side airbagsadn modern electronics... Nick

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

E34 is nice but it's a bit too small. My fave for looks is a late E38 740i Sport with M-Parallels. Of course with slushbox only there's no chance I'd actually want to own one...

[tncbass]

Let's not forget that the new BMW's were designed by an American.

[ryan roopnarine]

no.

this is the best bmw ever.


seen here rocketing past an e46, at between 540 and 600 MPH.

i tried hotlinking, it wouldn't let me. click on the link

damnit, i tried linking to the page, it still wouldn't let me.

click on this page, its the pic, second from the right, at the very top of the page

http://www.swisscarsightings.com/arc...bmwothers.html

its weird that somebody would get a juxtaposed action pic like that, other than at a bmw picnic or such.

[genphreak]

no. this is the best bmw ever. seen here rocketing past an e46, at between 540 and 600 MPH. http://www.swisscarsightings.com/arc...bmwothers.html

Ahhh yes the great Isetta. Such a fine automobile, nothing on 3 wheels can surpass it. We had one at a recent BMW meet in Sydney, the guy went home with 2 girls in it (from a show and shine day!!!) Nick

[rob101]

yeah, I don't know about being the best BMW ever, I hate to be diplomatic but not everyone wants a large sedan sized car these days. another thing that hasn't been mentioned is the front end suspension bushes problems that is a PITA. that said I hate e36's i think they are a poseur car for the most part (i see too many "fast" 318is's).... I might get an e39 one day not sure because alot of people on this board bagged them and also i want an M30 because i think they are one of the best engines ever made. so a manual 535i is on the cards in my future me thinks....... but not for a while
oh yeah i like my e28 better than my e34 but that is to do with other stuff (ie trip computer leather interior, not having to remove soo much plastic etc. to get to engine parts.) that said alot of people (even people who hate cars over 5 years old) have said they like the look of my e34.