Opinions - stick with bmw 320d or change to E34 5series
Discussion
Just an option i'm considering. I've got an E46 320d at the moment, but looking at the prices at petrol stations these days plus the rate of depreciation i'm thinking about changing.
I'm considering going for a much cheaper car, as tbh i'm stretching myself having my current car. So i'm considering E34's. I'm looking at the whole range above a 2.0l inc. diesels.
Firstly, any negatives to getting an E34? Pretty reliable? Anything I should know?
If I was to buy a petrol version i'd get it converted to LPG. Any potential problems/downsides? Would it be worthwhile? As i've read that bigger sized engines are more beneficial using LPG (plus any excuse for a big engine
), any ideas of the fuel consumption i'd be looking at? (I do 40miles a day to/from work, mostly dual carriageways.)
Basically I want a car that I won't lose a few thousand on over the years but one that is economical and comfortable (got used to bmw comfort now) oh and a big petrol engine is a welcome bonus! Thoughts?
Thanks
I'm considering going for a much cheaper car, as tbh i'm stretching myself having my current car. So i'm considering E34's. I'm looking at the whole range above a 2.0l inc. diesels.
Firstly, any negatives to getting an E34? Pretty reliable? Anything I should know?
If I was to buy a petrol version i'd get it converted to LPG. Any potential problems/downsides? Would it be worthwhile? As i've read that bigger sized engines are more beneficial using LPG (plus any excuse for a big engine
), any ideas of the fuel consumption i'd be looking at? (I do 40miles a day to/from work, mostly dual carriageways.) Basically I want a car that I won't lose a few thousand on over the years but one that is economical and comfortable (got used to bmw comfort now
) oh and a big petrol engine is a welcome bonus! Thoughts? Thanks
bombproof!
ive had my 1989 535i (E34) for 6 years and its let me down once. mines got sports suspension so it handles really nicely, i love driving it. ive fancied a change for about 2 years but i cant find anything i like as much to replace it.
it came with, and still has a full service history, which i would think is a must.
i recommend them. great cars.
ive had my 1989 535i (E34) for 6 years and its let me down once. mines got sports suspension so it handles really nicely, i love driving it. ive fancied a change for about 2 years but i cant find anything i like as much to replace it.
it came with, and still has a full service history, which i would think is a must.
i recommend them. great cars.
i bought the car when it had 82k on the clock, its now nearing 125k and i have never replaced the springs or shocks, maybe a rubber bit here and there mind. (im not a tinkerer, i let someone else do the work!)
i try not to look at the fuel gauge around town, and to be honest i dont use the car everyday now. but on a nice long trip i think i return somewhere in the high 20s (the needle somtimes hits 30ish but i imagine its not 100% accurate).
i mentioned the one let down. according to the AA man that came out to me when the car was overheating on holiday, the head gasket went because of my 'infrequent use' of the car, followed by a long fast journey (7 hours at 'some' speed
, and then an hour in a very slow traffic jam. it was expensive to fix and the garage didnt do a very good job of it as it had to be done again about 2 months later. its been fine since and that was 2 years ago. the guy that had it before me had the gearbox rebuilt at about 75k which was a concern at the time, but its been fine so far.
even with 125k on the clock it still feels tight and very responsive. its all very well put together. you might be able to see a small pic of it in my profile, it still looks pretty good for its age. this is the only 5 series ive owned so i dont have any experience of other engines, the 3.5 is so good, loads of power. and the noise it makes on accelaration is very nice indeed.
cheers nerf
i try not to look at the fuel gauge around town, and to be honest i dont use the car everyday now. but on a nice long trip i think i return somewhere in the high 20s (the needle somtimes hits 30ish but i imagine its not 100% accurate).
i mentioned the one let down. according to the AA man that came out to me when the car was overheating on holiday, the head gasket went because of my 'infrequent use' of the car, followed by a long fast journey (7 hours at 'some' speed
, and then an hour in a very slow traffic jam. it was expensive to fix and the garage didnt do a very good job of it as it had to be done again about 2 months later. its been fine since and that was 2 years ago. the guy that had it before me had the gearbox rebuilt at about 75k which was a concern at the time, but its been fine so far. even with 125k on the clock it still feels tight and very responsive. its all very well put together. you might be able to see a small pic of it in my profile, it still looks pretty good for its age. this is the only 5 series ive owned so i dont have any experience of other engines, the 3.5 is so good, loads of power. and the noise it makes on accelaration is very nice indeed.
cheers nerf
Another vote for the E34 series as a whole. I'm back running a '91 2.5 24v (non-vanos) with manual 'box. I manage about 27mpg pottering about and have had up to 34mpg on motorway runs (according to the comprehensive OBCs). Nothing wrong with mine 116k miles up except that the reversing lights don't work (probably the switch needs replacing).
It's great fun to drive, doesn't squeak or rattle and is pretty nimble through the twisties.
5s are fab cars.
Cheers,
Steve
It's great fun to drive, doesn't squeak or rattle and is pretty nimble through the twisties.
5s are fab cars.
Cheers,
Steve
All very positive comments for the E34 then I think i'll be looking for the V8 530i if possible, although it sounds like the straight 6 still sounds good?
Next question, has anyone converted them to LPG? Is it worth it? I do around 15k miles/yr.
On the other hand, my bmw 320d has 75k on the clock now, so by next year it'll have 90k miles and only 4yrs old. If I keep this, anyone care to estimate what it'll be worth in 2 or 3 yrs?
I think i'll be looking for the V8 530i if possible, although it sounds like the straight 6 still sounds good? Next question, has anyone converted them to LPG? Is it worth it? I do around 15k miles/yr.
On the other hand, my bmw 320d has 75k on the clock now, so by next year it'll have 90k miles and only 4yrs old. If I keep this, anyone care to estimate what it'll be worth in 2 or 3 yrs?
'mustard' is your man here on ph, he's a good egg when it comes to values...
I wouldn't go for the 530i, it's not as frugal as the 525i, and no quicker. If I were after another, I would either go for the 24v 525i or the 540i. The 540 is an under rated car, and although not as quick as the E39 540i, it can certainly go like stink when reqired - but drinks a bit, guess it's a trade off either way.
I wouldn't go for the 530i, it's not as frugal as the 525i, and no quicker. If I were after another, I would either go for the 24v 525i or the 540i. The 540 is an under rated car, and although not as quick as the E39 540i, it can certainly go like stink when reqired - but drinks a bit, guess it's a trade off either way.
this is supposed to be my daily driver! I need economical! In fact, why am I not looking at the diesel!?
diesel, 
DIESEL...... 
oh yes, I drive an astra diesel as a daily snotter. 
Just can't help myself. 
I bought a 530i Touring but tried a few 525is (late VANOS ones) - it's definitely quicker, but it does need revving to do it. Sounds good though, and I get 28-29mpg on a run. Bought in preference to a 540i because I wasn't sure sub-20mpg appealed.
One thing with the V8s is of course the Nikasil issue - my car wasn't registered until 1997 (it is still an E34) and has never had the engine replaced, nor does it have any problem.
From my search I would point out:
1. none of the numerous E34s I looked at had air-con which worked (one didn't have it at all - my mistake for not reading the advert). The car I bought had had all the expensive bits of the air-con system replaced by a BMW dealer a couple of years ago, so if any can be successfully re-gassed, this will be.
2. 525is seemed to have a pretty bare spec, generally. I wasn't fussed about leather because it seems to get grubby and the armrests get worn on high-milers, plus it doesn't feel nice. The car I found has individual extended nappa leather which makes an enormous difference.
3. Ignore the mileage and go purely on condition.
One thing with the V8s is of course the Nikasil issue - my car wasn't registered until 1997 (it is still an E34) and has never had the engine replaced, nor does it have any problem.
From my search I would point out:
1. none of the numerous E34s I looked at had air-con which worked (one didn't have it at all - my mistake for not reading the advert). The car I bought had had all the expensive bits of the air-con system replaced by a BMW dealer a couple of years ago, so if any can be successfully re-gassed, this will be.
2. 525is seemed to have a pretty bare spec, generally. I wasn't fussed about leather because it seems to get grubby and the armrests get worn on high-milers, plus it doesn't feel nice. The car I found has individual extended nappa leather which makes an enormous difference.
3. Ignore the mileage and go purely on condition.
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