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

[e34]

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

[Sheqel]

Two weeks after buying my 535iM, I went into Borders and picked up UK BMW mag. In the back where they had their buyers guide. I was pleasantly surprized to see an article on the E34.

They said out of all of them, including the M5, the 535iM was the pick of the lot. It was powerful, fuel efficient (within reason), handled beautifully, and all brought it together into a usable daily driver.

So that put a smile on my face... correction, a bigger smile.

[e34]

does the M in the 535iM stand for Manual or is it the ///M535i

[Unregistered]

I have an M50 engine and I enjoy it very much mine is a 92. It has some guts and great fuel economy

[malcolmX]

I`ve got 540i and never enjoyed anything more !!! Can`t argue with V8

[TheGeak]

the M should stand for the "m-technic" package. Dressed a 535i up like an M5 i believe....unless they do things differently than I thought....

[Sheqel]

No, the M in 535iM that I'm refering to is the manual version (eg, 535iA)

A 535i with M-Tech badges is fake. The only E34's that I'm aware of that have M-Tech bages (excluding the M5), is the 535iS -- basically a factory M5 look-a-like with an LSD -- it actually came out before the M5 did. So you could say the M5 is the copy cat... :D

[bofh]

No, the M in 535iM that I'm refering to is the manual version (eg, 535iA)

A 535i with M-Tech badges is fake. The only E34's that I'm aware of that have M-Tech bages (excluding the M5), is the 535iS -- basically a factory M5 look-a-like with an LSD -- it actually came out before the M5 did. So you could say the M5 is the copy cat... :D

Quite possible the canadian ///M540i e34 and the US 540i M-Sport e34, have a good amount of m-tech badging.

Shaun Nelson
1995 540i M-Sport

[BigD]

Having owned both an E34 535 and now an M5, I have to vote for the 535 as well. It has almost all the power you want, but it is bulletproof and the engine is amazingly durable. While I wouldn't give up the M5 for the world, it is a pain in the ass in the heaviest traffic because the 6 throttle bodies make the first millimeter of throttle an on/off switch. Compared to the other E34's, the 535 is still a BMW so some repairs are not cheap but the engine is not as fancy as the others (or if comparing to the M20, doesn't have a timing belt) so there is a lot less that can turn into problems.

[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! :D 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

[John 535is (Sydney)]

The 535is in Aust and NZ was the M-tech prior to the release of the M5.
basically it has the LSD, sport leather seats, auto dim mirror, Getrag 5 speed, sport suspension and body kit.
The mechanics, ie motor & gearbox was not enhanced.
Sold for about $10k - $15k over a standard.
New it probably wasn't worth it, but is a bit of a rareity now.

John 535is 1989

[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.