Looking to buy this E34...Any comments?

[Denton]

No idea why I haven't registered until now, I've been on Bf.C, etc. for a long time. :)

I'm looking to buy this local 1995 Alpine 525iA. Unfortunately, the car has to be automatic, as mandated by Dad (but he's buying the thing so I can't argue with that!). Out of all the cars I've had in the 5 years I've been driving, only one has been auto and it was an SUV. Oh well.

Reliablility is to be the main emphasis here, and I prefer the M50 to the M60. The car will remain stock, at least for a while, since I'm a student with very limited funds. ;)

What are your thoughts? I know the price is sky-high, but I'm willing to pay a premium for such a mint example. I don't plan on paying any more than $7k anyways.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?rdpage=thumb&car_id=208182383&dealer_id=58328855&car_year=1995&mod_bookmark_id=null&search_type=both&num_records=25&make=BMW&distance=25&model=525I&address=30327&certified=&advanced=&max_price=8000&bkms=1159155644971&min_price=1&end_year=1995&start_year=1995&lang=en&cardist=3

[Fetch]

Looks very very good, but those maint records, or not so much the records, but the actual maint better be AMAZING for that price....

[Evan]

That is one great looking 5er! It's been meticullously detailed, from what i can see in the photos. Interior and exterior have been cleaned and waxed.. the engine bay has been cleaned and all black plastic has been treated... someone took a few hours to make this car look great.


Take her straight to your mechanic and have EVERYTHING checked.

look for leaks...
worn suspension parts...
evidence of bodywork...
do a leakdown test...
and take a close look at those records and CARFAX.

Let us know how your test drive and inspection turn out...

[Denton]

Thanks guys. We're both hot on the car, as it's fairly difficult to find a mint E34. Plus it's a wide-kidney car, and only in 1995 did the 525is have it.

I'm in Atlanta and have a trusted Euro-specialist.

I'm most concerned with the suspension bushings. If he's got the balls to ask that much for his car (and it is absolutely mint-looking at the least) then I don't want to drop $1,500 in front-end work immediately.

Dad is going to take it in a week to get it inspected (the owner is out of town this week).

I take it back about the stock part. It will get Shadowlined immediately! :D

[Evan]

give me your opinion on M50 vs. M60

[Denton]

give me your opinion on M50 vs. M60

Me?

I want a more troublefree, less maintenance intensive car. The M50 is a less maintenance-heavy engine, so that's where I stand.

Not to mention there's not a single 530i or 540i that fits my price range and a private seller in Atlanta.

I also like the M62 much more than the M60.

[Michael999]

Out of interest, why does your dad insist on an auto, the E34 manual boxes are far less trouble than the autos.

[Denton]

Out of interest, why does your dad insist on an auto, the E34 manual boxes are far less trouble than the autos.

Not sure. I'd say that clutch replacement is an issue, but then again the auto tranny failing is 4x as expensive. He pays the maintenance too, so it's in his best interest to pay for a $100 fluid change instead of a $1,000 clutch job.

I'd MUCH prefer a manual. Hell, I'd much prefer a 540i6 but they're too expensive.

When the auto tranny fails, you better believe it will get a manual swap. :)

I certainly don't agree with him, but I'm not in a place to argue.

[Jehu]

I got my '95 540i6 for $9,200.00 four months ago from a small used car lot. Add about $2,000 . in repairs/maintainance since. Is 4 grand really that much more for so, sooooo much more of a car? That looks nice and clean . Is the owner a nice old church lady?btw, NONE of my mainataince has been for the M60. It howls like a Berzerker on his way to Valhalla.

http://universmarvel.com/ftp/boss/052006/frazetta_snow_giants_5.jpg

[Denton]

I got my '95 540i6 for $9,200.00 four months ago from a small used car lot. Add about $2,000 . in repairs/maintainance since. Is 4 grand really that much more for so, sooooo much more of a car? That looks nice and clean . Is the owner a nice old church lady?btw, NONE of my mainataince has been for the M60. It howls like a Berzerker on his way to Valhalla.

I drove a 1995 540iA with 126k HARD miles and really didn't like it. It didn't feel as fast as I was expecting, and I could really feel the weight of the M60 sitting up front.

Also, we're on a tight budget, as my tuition is $35k/year! :)

I'm by no means an M60 hater, it's just at this point I prefer the 525i. Plus I'm not looking for a racer, just a comfortable DD.

The owner is a CCA member who has had several Bimmers. He's had it since 1998 and loves it, but he's trading to (I think) an '03 E39. I'm out of town in college so I won't be able to see what I end up with until I fly in to drive it back to school.

[Jehu]

yea the manual transmission makes it a completely different animal as you probably guess. The first BMW i ever d rove was a 1991 525 5 sp. i knew i'd have to own some kind of BMW eventually.Enjoy and post how you shadowline the trim . I want to get 'er done too.

[Denton]

yea the manual transmission makes it a completely different animal as you probably guess. The first BMW i ever d rove was a 1991 525 5 sp. i knew i'd have to own some kind of BMW eventually.Enjoy and post how you shadowline the trim . I want to get 'er done too.

Thanks.

I'm so not mechanically inclined, it's ridiculous.

I was thinking about using the Shadowline trim tape, sold on eBay (which makes me nervous). I'd have to look into removing the trim and repainting it, but that sounds like a lot more work.

I'll search for ways to shadowline. I personally think it's a must, especially on an Alpine Bimmer.

Anybody have any comments about shadowlining?

[ILoveMPower]

You really can't compare driving a 540iA to a 6-spd, completely different experience.

Just make sure you look thouroughly through the maintenence records on that 525, look for the E34 usual suspects (search on here if you're not sure what to look for), and of course ESPECIALLY the water pump on that M50.

From what I've heard tape for the shadowline looks good to everyone else, but you'll still see the lines because you put it on. I'm planning on just painting mine eventually.

[Denton]

You really can't compare driving a 540iA to a 6-spd, completely different experience.

Just make sure you look thouroughly through the maintenence records on that 525, look for the E34 usual suspects (search on here if you're not sure what to look for), and of course ESPECIALLY the water pump on that M50.

From what I've heard tape for the shadowline looks good to everyone else, but you'll still see the lines because you put it on. I'm planning on just painting mine eventually.

I did read that they used the crap waterpump on the '95s. I'd assume it's been replaced by now but I'll definitely check.

I searched all over about Shadowlining. I can't afford the M5 parts and I can't paint it right now. I'm on the fence as to what I'll do but it's not a big deal, I just want to get an E34 first! :D

[brosher]

Make sure it doesn't need a heater core. One pain in the ass thing I forgot to check when I bought mine.

$7k seems a little high for a 525 automagic. I'd be thinking more in the 5500-6500 if it is perfect.

[Denton]

Make sure it doesn't need a heater core. One pain in the ass thing I forgot to check when I bought mine.

$7k seems a little high for a 525 automagic. I'd be thinking more in the 5500-6500 if it is perfect.

Good call on the heater core, I'll have the mechanic check that. That's something I can't DIY.

I'll aim for $6.5k but won't pay more than $7k. I'm just glad it's a nice, low mileage, Southern no-rust car. I don't have a problem with paying a little more for a nice car. In the big picture it's completely worth it and then some.

That is, if it checks out okay. :D

[Russell]

Have trany checked. Should have been serviced every 30,000 miles. I have been told, they can cost up to $3,500 to replace with a factory bebuilt unit. Expect $1-2,000 a year for upkeep depending on how you want to take care of it and how handy you are with tools.

Also put an E.A.T. chip in the ECU. Makes the car much more "encouraging" to drive. Gas mileage is not hurt if you drive carefully.

[granit_silber]

Have trany checked. Should have been serviced every 30,000 miles. I have been told, they can cost up to $3,500 to replace with a factory bebuilt unit. Expect $1-2,000 a year for upkeep depeniding on how you want to take care of it and how handy you are with tools.

Also put an E.A.T. chip in the ECU. Makes the car much more "encouraging" to drive. Gas mileage is not hurt if you drive carefully.

The tranny might not have been serviced, especially if the owner let the dealer do all the service work. The 95's still have the "Lifetime Fill" fluid, which we all know is a joke, but I wouldn't expect to see regular fluid changes as part of standard maintaince. On the other hand, if you do find evidence of periodic fluid changes, pony up and buy the car.

-ashley

[Denton]

I had no idea any of the E34s had the "lifetime fluid"! I had thought BMW started that joke a little later. I'll check for receipts of all maintenance.

With only 103k miles I wouldn't think the tranny would go out tomorrow but it sure is a worthwhile concern. When the tranny goes years later I'll take the price of a rebuilt auto and do a manual conversion. :)

I'm not at all handy with tools either. I can do a basic tune-up, and that's about it. I've never even changed brake pads! The car will be more or less exclusively serviced by a Euro mechanic. I'm expecting $2,500/year in maintenance/repairs.

This is a car that I want to keep mint. I'm not looking to drive it into the ground like a Kia. ;)

[Russell]

My 95 did not have a lifetime fluid sticker. It uses regular dexron III. I currently have Mobil 1 synthetic Dexron III atf. That said, i believe some later model 95s MAY have had lifetime fluid.

[Denton]

What I don't like about the "lifetime fluid" is that it's hard as hell to change the fluid. That's fine if they feel like slapping an idiotic sticker on the case, but don't get rid of the fill hole, etc. That's ridiculous.

I'll know in a week what the build date is and whether the fluid has been changed or not. With the way the owner says it's been maintained I'd be surprised if it was the original fluid.