Maybe adding a new e34 soon

[clhorton]

I've been researching getting another E34 and am not sure what I should get. I want a manual and wide grill.What do you guys think is probably the most reliable E34 out of the ones I'm checking into. I've always had the hots for a black 540 six speed, but.....

[Bimmerman]

This isnt a REAL poll, it's missing the whos winfred option! :)

[Alexlind123]

I've been researching getting another E34 and am not sure what I should get. I want a manual and wide grill.What do you guys think is probably the most reliable E34 out of the ones I'm checking into. I've always had the hots for a black 540 six speed, but.....

For reliability and ease of maintainence, the 535i would be your best choice. The 6 cylinder engines are much easier to work on, and they seem to be more reliable. It all depends on what aspects of the cars are important to you. Based on just reliability and maintainence, the 535i would be the best, but the M5 would be more fun.

[winfred]

my opinion for best e34s 93 and up 525, 91 and up 535 (better sound system and interior trim then 89-90, i like the later tranny programming too) are the easiest to find and plentiful, 540s are cool but i've only really only gotten my hands on 2 over the years and never touched a m5 so i can't comment more then i want one, 530 v8s are a waste of time, odd parts high cost of mantaince and disappointing performance make these potential fodder for engine swaps if you want a project :D how bout a 4.6 alpina motor or massaged v12

[Russell]

I like my 95 525i, but I suspect 5-speeds are a bit rare on the later models.

Even so, I think I want to consider one of the following 2003 e39 models:
525i sport, 530i sport or a 540i sport. All must be AUTOMATIC's with preminum package and possibly cold weather package. I do love my heated seats!

[Denton]

I like my 95 525i, but I suspect 5-speeds are a bit rare on the later models.

Even so, I think I want to consider one of the following 2003 e39 models:
525i sport, 530i sport or a 540i sport. All must be AUTOMATIC's with preminum package and possibly cold weather package. I do love my heated seats!

The 5-speeds are quite rare on the later models. I had to settle for an auto until it goes.

My brother was looking for late E39s; if you're fine with an auto then you'll be set.

Remember that the M62 is higher-maintenance with the little things. Sport packages are somewhat harder to find but not quite rare.

The M54 in the 530i has a nice stock exhaust note, much better than the M52 in the 525i.

[Gayle]

I would think a "black 540 6 speed" would be really hard to find. Last night at our San Diego meet, we were talking about how Tim has been looking for a 6 speed for years and every time he saw one for sale, it was always auto. I think every 540 I see is green. Black and 6 speed may be looking for a needle in a haystack.

As for your poll, the answer really depends on what your priority is. M5--special status, handcrafted work of art, awesome to drive, expensive to maintain. Easy DIY and reasonable power--go the 535. 540--somewhere between the other two choices if you could find it with your specs.

Since you have the hots for the 540 and it may be so hard to find, maybe you would want to get a 535 and continue looking for the perfect 540, then sell the 535 when you find it.

[BMWCCA1]

I've been researching getting another E34 and am not sure what I should get. I want a manual and wide grill.What do you guys think is probably the most reliable E34 out of the ones I'm checking into. I've always had the hots for a black 540 six speed, but.....Your poll choices don't fit your criteria. The only wide-grill manuals are either the V8s or a '95 525i. Once you add "reliable", you're talking '95 525i 5sp. Not that hard to find. I just bought mine with 112k with all recent updates, 17" wheels (old 15" BBS included), new tires, CD changer, new brakes, lights, etc. for $5500, direct from the meticulous owner off Craig's List. I was originally looking for a '99 or 2000 E38 528i 5sp but took this route for less than half the cost. YMMV

[Gayle]

Your poll choices don't fit your criteria. The only wide-grill manuals are either the V8s or a '95 525i. Once you add "reliable", you're talking '95 525i 5sp. Not that hard to find. I just bought mine with 112k with all recent updates, 17" wheels (old 15" BBS included), new tires, CD changer, new brakes, lights, etc. for $5500, direct from the meticulous owner off Craig's List. I was originally looking for a '99 or 2000 E38 528i 5sp but took this route for less than half the cost. YMMV

You mean there are no wide grilled 535s? I didn't know that.

[BMWCCA1]

You mean there are no wide grilled 535s? I didn't know that.Not without body-work and a new hood. All V-8 E34s have the "V8" wide grille, and only the '95 MY U.S. 6-cylinder cars have it. Of course they also came with the body-colored rockers and lowers front and rear, too. Not even the M5s in the U.S. had the "V8" grille. You must have known that? ;)

[Gayle]

You must have known that? ;)

No, I didn't know--I usually have "spokesperson for the totally clueless" as part of my sig. (I am a chick so I am entitled to be clueless--right?). I have to dump that tag line when I have a sig pic and just didn't put it back after dumping the last pic.

[winfred]

they were not on production long enough for the "update" 93 was the last one, i would of loved to have seen one more evolution of the m30, motronic 3.0 or 3.3 with knock sensors and sequential injection would of just about perfected the m30


You mean there are no wide grilled 535s? I didn't know that.

[BMWCCA1]

(I am a chick so I am entitled to be clueless--right?)I have three daughters and we don't allow that kind of talk around our house! :D

[Gayle]

I have three daughters and we don't allow that kind of talk around our house! :D

Well, I am not clueless about everything. I have a PhD and an MBA. And I am not clueless about cars compared to other chicks. I am just out of my league here and don't mind admitting it.

[winfred]

not always, at 52 my mom is a licensed general contractor/designer, she builds and remodels houses/businesses and up to a few years ago did most of the mantaince on her car if i couldn't get to it immediately


(I am a chick so I am entitled to be clueless--right?).

[clhorton]

I'd like to say I wish I had time for a project, but I'm in school full time living in an apartment and want one already ready to go. Ah but a 550 would be awesome as hell



my opinion for best e34s 93 and up 525, 91 and up 535 (better sound system and interior trim then 89-90, i like the later tranny programming too) are the easiest to find and plentiful, 540s are cool but i've only really only gotten my hands on 2 over the years and never touched a m5 so i can't comment more then i want one, 530 v8s are a waste of time, odd parts high cost of mantaince and disappointing performance make these potential fodder for engine swaps if you want a project :D how bout a 4.6 alpina motor or massaged v12

[BMWCCA1]

Well, I am not clueless about everything. I have a PhD and an MBA. And I am not clueless about cars compared to other chicks. I am just out of my league here and don't mind admitting it.Good for you!! Everybody has a specialty and everyone has something to share. Me? My degree's in Architecture but I went on to twenty-five years selling BMWs. I have one daughter in her third year of college, one applying to schools right now as a high-school senior, and another in seventh grade. They've all found their niche and I just hope they enjoy fulfilling lives as empowered (M-powered?) women more than most women were able to two generations ago.

[Paul in NZ]

well it depends on your definition of "reliable"In day to day running I dont think there would be much to choose between the 540 and the 535.In normal maintenance,eigth spark plugs,slightlymore oil...no valves to adjust.I think the fuel economy would be very very similar.If you want a 540 six speed in black you wait for it.I wanted a black on black manal 535 sports.......and thats what i got.
I wont comment on the difference if things do need "proper fixing"The eights are harder to work on cos there is less room.
If i found a 540 six speed in the condition i feel was worthy of such a special car(there are prolly only ten in the whole country) i wouldnt hesitate,BUT it would have be the right combinations of colours and i wouldnt even look at an auto.

[BillionPa]

drive up to canada and pick up one of those M540s.

[BillionPa]

oh, then find an E39 M5 and put the S62 in the M540 :D

[clhorton]

Man I might as well just find me a "cheap" 850CSI haha