Recommended E34 for student.

[m4ff3w]

Is the cost to maintain a 525i or 535i much more than a e30? I wouldn't think it would be that much more. My e30 has been damned cheap to maintian.

[ThoreauHD]

I don't know if a E30 is cheaper. I don't own one. All I know is that big stuff needs replacing at the 90-120K mile mark. Guibo, engine mounts, gaskets, pretty much everything rubber.

I paid 7K for my car and am nearing that amount in repairs as of 5 months later. It's not the cost of the parts persay, it's more the labor needed is typically professional and BMW specific. I don't have a lift to work on the car, and I don't have the skill to do it right for big jobs. if it were just maintenance, I would say go for it. But it's not that. At 12 years, the rubber and fluids(tranny) begin to degrade. It's a bit of work, but the engineering on the car is top notch.

I don't know how the older models were put together, like the E30. Maybe they didn't have as many critical rubber components on the transmission/engine as the E34. Just a guess. I'm a computer guy by trade, so I'm not sure.

[Old F4 Pilot]

I've had an early production (12/88), 1989 525i with the M20 engine and automatic trans (the ZF) and I now have 318,000 miles on the "original engine and transmission" and it regularly sees 6,200 RPM & 125 mph! Just keep regular maintenance done on it and it'll last forever. The local BMW dealer in Knoxville, TN does all of my work and I think that they're pretty reasonable. When I drive like I have some sense (75~80 MPH) I get 27 mpg WITH THE A/C ON!! All in all, a great car. The only upgrades that I've done in the last 6 years is to rebuild the front end using 7 series thrust rods & bushings, M5 Touring sway bars and Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks (they're brutal even after 100,000 miles on them). For fun, I have a 1990, 535i with a 5-speed which I'm in the process of "Tweaking" a bit!

[Old F4 Pilot]

Just don't go for 535i Because it'll grow on you and, like I, will get a bike for commuting coz 100 bucks a week for fuel will get too much but you just won't have the heart to sell her!

AMEN!!

I finally found one and I'm having wwwaaaayyyyy too much fun with it.

[t.wak]

Some great points mentioned... It's been a day and this thread is allready on page 2!! Thanks a lot for all your input guys.

I noticed there are a few Aussie members here as well! As soon as I get a nice Euro car I'm hoping to join the ECCA for some cruises, noticed the logo in a sig!

Nooooooow, with maintenance, I've looked on the e34bmw site, and see some of the issues. Are E30s cheaper to maintain? I really like the 325iS, but I think it's difficult to find one in good condition.

Again, thank you for the input.

Cheers,

Aden

[GJPinAU]

Issues are going to be the same for either.

Ask yourself whether you want a car to drive or a car to cruise in.

Get an E30 if you want a car that's easy to drive/park etc. Finding a "good one" is going to be hard as most have been "blinged" by now (unless it's owned by an enthusiast and you'll pay heaps for one of these).

Check with the BMW Car Club in your state to see if any members have cars to buy.

Best with it

Greg

[genphreak]

Yea the e30 is a stunner of a little car- practical, economical, nice to drive (very) and well made. There are some real bargains nowadays as people think they are a bit old- get one that's been well-serviced and never modded by a guy that drives it too hard. Maybe talk to a dealer- (only after a club member tho) they see a lot of good ones but don't want to trade them- you could be helping them out and get a good deal. nick

[wingman]

You've probably already done some research but the 325iS is still pulling big money and as you say they are fairly rare. The very nature of them also means that they have probably been driven 'spiritedly' over their lifetime. One of the attractions of the E34 for me (my list is infinite!!!) was that the 5 is what I call a 'grandpa's car' and was usually bought by mature people who don't usually flog them and have had the money to throw at them when they needed it. Mine is a classic example of what I'm talking about.

[Uber Soldat]

Personally i would get a 525i if you can. When i first got my 520i, it was seriously lacking in the power department. Since then i've added stage 2 cams, chipped it and added fuel management.

In my opinion you would most likely get a slighty better fuel consumption with the 525i. As someone stated earlier the 520i has to carry around all that weight around and i found myself putting my foot down a little more to get it to move.

[genphreak]

You've probably already done some research but the 325iS is still pulling big money and as you say they are fairly rare. The very nature of them also means that they have probably been driven 'spiritedly' over their lifetime. One of the attractions of the E34 for me (my list is infinite!!!) was that the 5 is what I call a 'grandpa's car' and was usually bought by mature people who don't usually flog them and have had the money to throw at them when they needed it. Mine is a classic example of what I'm talking about.

Yea too right Tony. From that point of view, as astudent I'd be happy with an old 325E in the knowledge that it had been nursed by some old fart and well cared for. I'd be happy with the prosepct of economy, a manual gearbox and torquey engine, beautful dynamics and prcaticality. A freshen up and she'd be better than any other, and when I leave uni she'd be about ready for a turbo... (very easy to do on the 325E). The chrome bumpers have a better, more classic style too. Nick