Whats the best e34 overall, for engine, transmission, mpg, torque, everyday car, etc

[ryan roopnarine]

absolute simplicity combined with 208 hp, bad city gas, decent highway=35

simplicity (and werk space) with 189 hp, 17-20 city gas, 23+ highway
(mine with eat chip will bag 28 at 75 mph) =525i after 1990

power with complexity (215 or 275hp), lack of werkspace, 535i city gas mileage, about the same highway gas mileage as 525i, several notable engine POI -540 or 530.

just like overall considering everithing, price between 5k-15k

[JohnC]

i would get a 535 or a 95 525im. the 535s are great, but getting rare and older. you cant get a 535 newer than a 93 so the 95 525 should be fine too esp. with the stick; should have decent power and the manual will help out some too. 540s are cool but i have a thing for bmws with the inline 6s.

[DueyT]

An S62 dropped into an ///M540i would be pretty interesting. Heck, I'd even drop one in my 540i6...300-310hp is getting old! David (Chen), do you ever get the urge to go looking for an S62?

Cheers,
Duey

[Derek A.]

Gotta vote for the 535i - 5 speed. The pinacle of the big six motor, durable, fast and fun to drive.

[malcolmX]

Somehow E34 body+ M62 makes a nice combo.. Problem - front end is too heavy because of V8 4.0, brakes and front suspension wears out fast.. Uses gas as hell.. other than that - buletproof ride

[e34]

So it looks like the 95 525iM or a 90-93 535iM

[Mr Project]

I'm biased of course, but I'd recommend a 535i 5-speed as well. I love mine, and personally feel that the gas mileage of the 2.5 is nice, but a car this size needs the extra torque of the 3.5 to move around acceptably. Plus there are no nikasil issues to worry about, they can be had quite cheaply, and do seem to last forever if you don't mind the occasional HG.

[zmuff]

Chalk up one more very biased vote for the 535i 5-speed. Each model has it's pros and cons, but owning and driving mine has been a pure pleasure, not too bad to work on either.