What's a guy gotta do?

[integrale]

...to find a nice E34? I found a 535i 5-spd, but it sold before I could go look at it.

I've been looking on craigslist, autotrader.com, cars.com, autoextra.com, the local papers and classified ads, roundel, and ebay...am I missing a good source? I'm in New England.

I'd had my heart set on the 535, and now I don't think I can go back to a 525, and 540's are too rare, expensive, and Nikasil-lined. Maybe a 530...anyone have a looker for sale? :p

<rant>There are too many automatics (why get an auto when BMW uses one of the best gearboxes in the world?) and too many modded cars (I want a car, not some kid's project/problem.) </rant>

[Rigmaster]

HAHAHA! (Sorry)...but this is the same problem folks are having searching for a nice clean E30. They are out there, but they are declining in numbers every day.

Basically, these cars (E30's and E34's) are old enough that many of them have had 3 or 4 owners, and, for the most part, each owner takes a little less care of the car, until it reaches the point of no return. Many of these cars need so much in the way of maintenance and repairs that it's just not worth doing, even if you get the car for FREE! Seems to me that most of the really nice cars that do change hands never get advertised to the general public, they are sold by word of mouth, to friends, or friends of friends.

The auto trans question is a reasonable one to an enthusiast, but the reason there are so many slushboxes out there is that BMW sold WAYYYYYY more of them when these cars were new (duh). These cars (E34's especially) were pretty high-end luxury cars when sold new, and most americans want to drive autos. Even my old '87 325is had a sticker price of ~$30k !! And that was almost 20 years ago.........

Ask around, talk to people who have cars that you like, and tell them to get in touch with you if they ever decide to sell (you never know......).


Bret.

[Mendozart]

...to find a nice E34? I found a 535i 5-spd, but it sold before I could go look at it.

I've been looking on craigslist, autotrader.com, cars.com, autoextra.com, the local papers and classified ads, roundel, and ebay...am I missing a good source? I'm in New England.

I'd had my heart set on the 535, and now I don't think I can go back to a 525, and 540's are too rare, expensive, and Nikasil-lined. Maybe a 530...anyone have a looker for sale? :p

<rant>There are too many automatics (why get an auto when BMW uses one of the best gearboxes in the world?) and too many modded cars (I want a car, not some kid's project/problem.) </rant>
Depending on how quick you want a car, take your time. I looked at at least 20 e34s before I bought mine. Make sure you don't settle, but get exactly what you want. I got the exact color,rims,etc. that I was looking for. If you want the 535, then get it, even though it may take some time.

[integrale]

Thanks for the encouragement/support. They are getting very hard to find, but the truth is I'm not all that particular; I just want a good, solid E34 that's been treated well that. I really would get a 525, and I could go for a black, green, blue, or burgundy. What's most important to me is quality - if I enjoy owning it, I won't mind that it has 189 HP instead of 212 HP or whatever.

I may have found a couple already - just looked *somewhere* (I don't want them stolen away!)

[Kalevera]

They come in waves. There were tons of them available in the spring, so much so that the price came down a lot. I considered picking one up for $2,500 (southern car -- no rust, '95 interior, 160k). Members had them for sale (modded and otherwise, although almost everything on the board is sold with some modification).

If it isn't already someone's project, you should probably expect to make it yours. These are old cars, dude. They require TLC.


best, whit

[integrale]

No, I am looking for a project, just not someone else's. My goal isn't something with tinted windows, clear corners, spinners, subs, quad square exhaust, CAI, and all the rest. I want a quiet, classy car that's fun to drive and looks good.

These cars have started to be consumed by that crowd, though not quite as thoroughly as the E36 cars. Once the modding starts, the car's as good as wrecked.

Sorry, still sore about having the 535 snatched from under my nose. It was a perfect fit!

[Kalevera]

No, I am looking for a project, just not someone else's. My goal isn't something with tinted windows, clear corners, spinners, subs, quad square exhaust, CAI, and all the rest. I want a quiet, classy car that's fun to drive and looks good.

These cars have started to be consumed by that crowd, though not quite as thoroughly as the E36 cars. Once the modding starts, the car's as good as wrecked.

Sorry, still sore about having the 535 snatched from under my nose. It was a perfect fit!
If you decide you want a 540, we've got one for sale at the shop. It's pretty much loaded, seats and interior are excellent. I replaced and resealed the engine (had a nikasil block, now has an alusil) and did a ton of other work to it: trans flush, diff resealed, oodles of new parts. It's alpinwiess/white on pergament and has a few parking lot dings. The A/C needs a condensor, needs a front fog light (cracked and I pitched it) and I can't seem to find three of the four tweeters for it. The latter two elements may be repaired for the new owner, Brett hasn't mentioned anything to me either way. I'm trying to remember the mileage -- I think it's something like 117k or 130k, somewhere 100k+, but seeing as I basically rebuilt the thing (including all of the annoying V8 issues, such as replacement of bad power steering lines), there should be many miles before any maintenance is needed. I spent a lot of time on this car, so I really want an enthusiast to own and love it.

We can even convert it to a 6 speed, should you wish.

best, whit

[632 Regal]

Lowell was that engine really a Nikasil reject or just a questionable engine with lots og gasketing needed? If it WAS a Nikasil problem I would like to see pictures of the failing top part of the cylinders...if possible of course.

[infinity5]

i'll sell you my '94 530i. 120kmiles. i just have to find a car to drive instead of it. got a civic laying around? i'd seriously sell it to you if i had anyhting else to drive. in fact i'd drive it up to you and fly back, to show off its durability :)

[Kalevera]

Absolutely dead no-starter with compression results to prove it, now sitting in a crate somewhere on our racking. I didn't swap the heads -- the replacement block had a different set than what was on the car to begin with -- so I don't/won't know what the bores look like until someone (me?) pulls it apart, which could be a very long time with the phone doing what it does, the ~ 8 cars that are in the queue to be stripped before the snow hits us, and the ~ 5 concurrent projects (including an engine swap) going on with Fritz at the moment.

best, whit

[integrale]

Thanks for the offer, lowell, but it's probably out of my price range, especially if you'd have to convert it to a 6-speed. I'm really only looking for a manual. Sounds like once you're done, that'll be a great car - white ones in good shape look gorgeous.

And Infinity - I've got a 1993 Mercury Sable station wagon that needs brakes, tires, and front struts (<$1500 total). How about an even trade? ;)

[infinity5]

Sorry integrale, its an automatic :( It's a blast in S3/4 if you haven't ever driven this transmission, but it'll never be as fun or fast or cool as a stick.

hehe, even trade my ass!! :)

I'm trying to get like 5,000ish for it. the interior is nearly immaculate, the exterinor is great except for small door dings in the rear passanger side door, not dented in, but the paint is chiped where it got "dinged". I've replaced the radiator about a month ago, all the hoses, tons of other stuff junk. suspension. etc. But i'm sure in 2 or 3 years the transmission is finally going give up life, i'm trying to pawn it off before then, as bad as that sounds. It works fine now, but from the community i've gotten the general range of failure at 120k-160k.

Out of curiousity, how much were you looking to spend? Why an e34? :) i've been thinking hard about a new car lately, so i was just wondering what other buyers were thinking.

[integrale]

I'm looking to spend ~$5500, so I'll have money left over to fix it up, and some contingency funds in case I get a semi-lemon.

I may have already explained how I ended up at E34, but here's the short answer. I'll only buy a stick, and I want a sedan. That basically leaves: A4, 3er, 5er, Maxima, Accord (and Altima, Escort, Focus, Jetta...but they're no good, and Vigor/Legend, but they're even tougher to find than the E34). I drove some A4s and wasn't impressed, and since the repair costs are the same as a BMW, there's no point. I've found exactly 1 6-cylinder, 5-speed, 4-door 3 series, and that one had had its mileage turned back. I drove a Maxima and was so turned off by the transmission I don't think they're worth the time.

So it's E34 and Accord (and Vigor/Legend). And since the E34 is the sexiest...that makes the top of the list. :)

If I had a few thousand more, I'd be looking at E39, but alas, I'll have to wait a while to get that 2001 M5.