e34 vs e28

[Toomas]

About the engine differences you have to keep in mind that euro e28 535 is 218hp, while US version is only like 180 or so while e34 535* are both 211hp.
And the euro e28 engine is much much more crisper and responsive than the e34* unit.
My e28 had much longer gearing than the e34 yet it still accelerated much better, i think its 4th gear was about as long as the e34's 5th.

*i dont know about the non-cat version because they are rather rare

[NY535iManual]

Toomas makes a very good point, but I think that accleration also depends on which diff. is in the car. I would be surprised if the e28 is really geared taller than the e34, particularly if we're talking about US models. Anybody have a late model e28 535i owners manual handy?

I've never figured out why, really, the dual mass fly was used in the e34. It was supposedly intended to smooth out a "rough idle" condition in the M30, but I never had that problem and I'm not sure how many people did.

I've driven e34s which have had the dual mass fly wheel replaced with a normal fly wheel out of an e28, and they really do rev a lot more freely.

[Toomas]

My e28 was euro and so is my e34, and i am dead serious that the e28 was geared taller. Just checked from realoem and it only lists 3,07 LSD for '85 M535i and '92 e34 535 has 3,64 diff.
Also the e28 engine is high compression and lacks those imfamous flat spots in stock form, it goes ok up to 3500rpm and then rockets to redline and by rocket i mean it feels like another engine.

About the idle, i guess they are pretty much the same, atleast i couldnt say that the e34's idle has improved significantly.

[Nick.Hay]

[QUOTE=m4ff3w]...which is more of a drivers car?
[QUOTE]

Hands DOWN, the E28 is the driver's car. More tail-happy, more 'feeling'. The E34 was such a huge step into the realm of the 'executive' market, and was always too 'refined' (in a luxury sense) to be a serious sportscar, or an inspiring drive... Less you buy 3.8 M5!!

You want something good fun to drive, but still of that calibre, get a late build E28 535i, manual with an LSD... and let the games begin!!

[Paul in NZ]

E34 for me....to me the e28 feels sounds looks and drives like a car that is 10 or 15 years older than an e34,which not surprisingly it is.....I like the e34 in that when you want it is a refined quiet powerful cruiser,and when you want it to be a little sportier...it is.

[Mendozart]

I've been driving both now on a weekly basis and they are both fun cars. The e28 is really starting to grow on me. But like Paul says the e34 is more refined, quieter and still can be sporty (sport mode). The e28 though is a manual and it's been fun driving a stick again. Not only that, my drums fit in the e28, including the 24" bass drum in the back seat. It's now my gigmobile.