confession chair

[Fahad]

mistakes i made when purchasing my 93 525i:

-i didn't take enough time to look for a rust free e34, although it is very difficult to find a rust free old bimmer here in Bahrain (Bahrain is an island and the weather is very humid mostly).repairng rust and a repaint will cost me around 2k and still rust might came back.
cheaper solution: drive the car as a beater till it falls apart and look for another one by that time :D

-i didn't look carefully to suspension parts before purchasing the car which lead to some costly repairs to correct front end vibration.(strangly there was no vibration when i test drove the car! after few days of buying it all sort of vibrations kicked in.. all sorted out now exept for the 130 kmh and above vibration which is more to do with the drive shaft i think)

-i should not buy a car with non original wheels.

-i could wait a little more and get an e34 with leather seats.

-my car is dolphen grey and it's a practical color (needs less washing) but i like black bimmers more.. again i should wait and look around a bit more.


rather than that i am happy with my bmw and it has been very reliable (after changing all fluids, filter, fuel pump etc the moment i bought it).

any one want to share this confession chair?

[Paul in NZ]

i bought the third one i saw but knew exactly what i wanted before i looked,thanks to
1) some luck with my first look
2)The help of this Forum albeit another time and place.
So i ended up with a black on black leather,but like you the car was fitted with the wrong wheels,caused me some frustration at times.If you want another E34 you now know what to look for!

[ILoveMPower]

Yeah I wanted black/black or alpine/black but I ended up with island green :P

I had been looking for 5-spd 535i for months to no avail when this gem randomly popped up with 160k. A couple grand later and she runs/feels like a champ... other than the thermostat I need to get to changing

[Jehu]

I took my 540 to a professional BMW repair shop for a pre-purchase inspection where they told me not to buy it.They said it required aproximately $5,000.00 in repairs to be 100%.I bought it anyway.It has taken about that much over the last 9 months but other than a few days in a rental car during repairs and a few thousand more dollars on a Credit Card balance it has been great fun owning.The car was colse enough to my home when i found it for sale that i was able to at least do the Inspection so i knew ahead of time its true condition. Another 540 6 speed has not appeared anywhere within my reach in the time i've owned this. I didn't want to go for a smaller engine once I tasted the power in thr 540 and the same with the manual shift so if i wanted an E34 this was it. I felt it was in great shape other than needing these normal wear items. I just decided too many Summer driving seasons passed me by while i looked for the perfect car. If its been a love/hate relationship there's alot more love than hate.
If you feel the car is a burden could you not sell it and wait for a better one to appear?

[pingu]

Only a couple of weeks after buying my 540 did I notice that it was just starting to rust around the windscreen (the windscreen was not the original BMW one so some monkey-brained cheapo glass place must have replaced a cracked windscreen and scratched things while doing so). Getting that fixed cost me £800.

[Hal]

I bought my 1994 530iT with 37k miles and had no idea that there was any engine issue. It was from Florida, where it likely saw some high sulfur gas. I didn't know there was a potential problem until after the engine replacement program was over.

Well. it now has 163,000 mi and idles fine and doesn't burn any oil. I never bothered to have a leak down test done, and I don't worry about it any more.

Hal

1994 530iT 163,000 mi Nikasil powered
1999 528 iT 93,000 mi non-Nikasil powered

[Jehu]

Only a couple of weeks after buying my 540 did I notice that it was just starting to rust around the windscreen (the windscreen was not the original BMW one so some monkey-brained cheapo glass place must have replaced a cracked windscreen and scratched things while doing so). Getting that fixed cost me £800.

oh, thanks for reminding me. I did have some rust around the sunroof repaired and rot around the drain plug under the rocker panel.I have sence seen a bibble on the sunroof where it was repianted so i'll have to get them to redo it and now i see about a two inch long area of bubbling paint along the roof at the windshield too. Tha other job included a small patch of rust at the corner of the rear wheel cutout and totaled $500.00

Ad by way of an update my shop just called and quoted me about $1,700.00 for Bilstien HD's $50.00 less fro the Factory ( Sachs) all around with all hardware parts and labor. he tells me Bilstiens will give me a firmer ride for sporty cornering and overall "much better" grip. Sounds like a lot but again i have not place to do the job or tools so though perhaps if i bought the parts myself like from BMA or another online place and had him install them i may save a bit but i believe he does add around $10.00/hr when you supply your own parts ,at least this is what the owners Son stated to me.

Furthur updates include a $200.00 quote to fix the windshield rust and a new apx $1,000.00 quote to install the shocks from a different shop. I am being sent a coupon for a free oil change at an Independant BMW shop for the promise i will consider them for furthur service so i'll get their quote as well.. On a positive note today was way up into the low 60's and the car felt so relaxed and confident driving that i honestly couldn't really feel that i actually need new shocks and struts and hesitate to imagine how much more precise and controlled a ride it might proved when they're in..

[swenpro]

I bought a slush-box... doh! Now that I've had that replaced, it's running pretty well. Especially with this warmer weather... my e34 simply does not like the cold.

Nice surprise: My nikasil engine was replaced with alusil per the engine block casting number, even though seller didn't know, and i actually like kashmir-beige metallic

Texas advantage: no rust went it came to me
Illinois disadvantage: I noticed many new places of developing rust from a mere 2 winters

Things I'm glad the PO did: replaced front suspension, installed cross-drilled rotors with brembo brakes

Things I didn't realize going in: It DOES take a few thousand $$ to maintain these vehicles like an enthusiast... but how classy they are now... and how classic they will be even 10 years from now!

[Renman]

It would seem to me that living in Bahrain would really limit the number of decent e34s for sale. We are spoiled in USA where you can still find a well kept inventory, although in the last 2-3 years they are becoming more rare I think.

[CharlesAFerg]

mistakes i made when purchasing my 93 525i:

-i didn't take enough time to look for a rust free e34, although it is very difficult to find a rust free old bimmer here in Bahrain (Bahrain is an island and the weather is very humid mostly).repairng rust and a repaint will cost me around 2k and still rust might came back.
cheaper solution: drive the car as a beater till it falls apart and look for another one by that time :D

-i didn't look carefully to suspension parts before purchasing the car which lead to some costly repairs to correct front end vibration.(strangly there was no vibration when i test drove the car! after few days of buying it all sort of vibrations kicked in.. all sorted out now exept for the 130 kmh and above vibration which is more to do with the drive shaft i think)

-i should not buy a car with non original wheels.

-i could wait a little more and get an e34 with leather seats.

-my car is dolphen grey and it's a practical color (needs less washing) but i like black bimmers more.. again i should wait and look around a bit more.


rather than that i am happy with my bmw and it has been very reliable (after changing all fluids, filter, fuel pump etc the moment i bought it).

any one want to share this confession chair?

Well, I do have an M20...
I was looking at M30s or M60s at the time, and I still am becuase the ones I ran across either had bad trannys or were just hopeless - but this is a great college car so far, so I've got no complaints! I've fixed it up nice, so I'm quite happy with myself, and the car of course.

[Fahad]

great stories guys :)
alot to learn when looking for another bmw




It would seem to me that living in Bahrain would really limit the number of decent e34s for sale. We are spoiled in USA where you can still find a well kept inventory, although in the last 2-3 years they are becoming more rare I think.

yes the weahter here dont help keeping bimmers body and interior healthy for 10+ years.
but Bahrainis love BMWs anyway
you see lots of new and old bmws in our streets.. its like rich ppl buy e90s and e60s and the poors go for e36s and e34s

[632 Regal]

heh, I bought mine because I could afford it with the intention of selling it to make a couple quick K. After a trip to the michigans UP with my kid the car was a keeper. Didnt have maintenance records, no clue what nikasil was, no clue about the bad shimmy in the front end and no clue that these cars are easier to work on than american steel. Besides the crappy front end bushings I havent had ANY significent problems with the thing in the 60k miles I have had it. There are some minor deals that I will get to but the worst part is the road rash damage on the hood and stuff.

Nikasil ROCKS! :D

[txp135]

I bought my 540i6 back in July. The car rode nice, smooth and powerful. PO said Nikasil issue was fixed by Original owner via warranty. It was far away from me and I could not take a day off work to go get it checked out.

Well, after I took my 2 yr old for a spiritted ride the one night. Noises started to appear, screeching noises that with the help of the forums, decided that it was front wheel hubs. Replaced that, and noises are still there, but appear from rear now. Car started to shimmy at highway speed, sometimes braking. Car bottoms out and rides rough now. Trunk lock would not operate via front doors, glove box/hood shocks dead. Wipers hit each other. A/C might not work this summer. Haven't check for rust, so keeping my fingers crossed. Rear defrost is not working properly. Door hatch trims are loose. Clutch clanks a little bit when trying for gears now. Slight vibration when turning the wheel and easing the clutch into first. This is not even a comprehensive list.

Someone offered me what I paid for it 2 months ago (after I knew all these things about the car). I was thinking about selling it because it would be easier on our family financially, and I was going to look for another one which is better sorted out. Wife said, you love the car, you should keep it. I don't think she understood why I was thinking about selling. But this thing is family now. My wife suggested that we should christen it when we have time! Anyway if I'm mad at my wife now I'll just think about that and it helps me get over it. Going to give this car everything she needs to get her to like new condition. Hopefully a lot of the stuff just needs little money and some labor of love.

Buying EAT chip for it, got 17" style 19 wheels. Need help with suspension guys, I'm begging you to help me (already posted another thread).

[Gunslinger]

I've had the car for 65K over 3 years now.

I bought the car despite the cloth interior, auto, and color (calypso) because I liked it, because it was a 1 owner car, and because it had a full complement of records.

I sometimes wonder if I should have held out for an Alpine 1995.

[yaofeng]

I bid on this 95 540ia with 144k miles on Ebay knowing it has the Nikasil problem. The owner said so and he didn't want to handle it anymore. It is close enough for me in eastern Pennsylvania, about 190 miles so I made a run for it and got it for $2,750. Flat bed it home. That was almost a year ago.

So I knew the engine is crap when I bought it. Bought a M60 engine for $800, again on Ebay and another Nikasil. It is from a 1993 e32, 66k miles. It was a California car wrecked in 98 and came to the east coast. The engine has been sitting on the shelf for 3 to 4 years. So I rolled the dice a second time. But I tested compression with the engine on the stand. They were good.

One thing led to another I bought a 6 speed conversion package from Austin, Texas and undertook the conversion project because I never like to drive an automatic. It cost me $2,000 plus shipping.

I was so busy with work and other family commitments almost a year later the 540 is still sitting in my driveway. The only time it saw the raod was a week after I bought it to take it out for a spin to fill up the gas tank. It died on my way back but I was able to restart it later and bring it home.

I am going out of town again for two more weeks. Hopefully when I come back in April I can finish the project. So with my free labor and more than 6 grand plunked down for this toy, I'd like to say it is not the outcome that counts, it is the experience. But I know I am only fooling myself.

[HIe34]

I felt somewhat prepared when I bought my 89 525. I hadn't owned a BMW before this, but got hooked when I found some discarded Roundel Magazines in my building and the first issue I read was covering the 5er Fest. I was looking for an e28 when I came across my current car. It was a "just gotta have" moment I guess.

PO was eager to sell, had tons of maintenance records, so I got a good deal and after I drove it, I bought it.

I found a good deal of rust on the passenger side door under the moulding, which thankfully due to another 525 owner parting out his car, I was able to score a new door which I have just replaced. Also, I didn't bother to look at the muffler (because it sounded cool), but it was rusted out as well. Again, though, I was able to get an OEM muffler from the same guy and have since replaced that.

Despite other things that I have yet to replace/fix, I have learned so much working on this car with Blitzkrieg Bob and reading this forum, that it has all been well worth it.

[etcetera]

I bought mine because it was a 5 speed in good mechanical condition. I wish I could have waited, because better cars came up, but I needed a car quick. Cosmetically mine is pretty bad, but at least rust free. Still, I enjoy working on them and fixing them up so it's all good in the end.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I've been driving one of my $200 cars for years, I was considering buying a project VW type 181 thing, when a car dealer friend offered me a deal on a 90 525 because he couldn't stand to see me driving a wreck.

I was scared to buy a BMW, heard many horror stories of astronomical repairs, but a search of the net produced happy e34 owners, so I bought it.

cleaned, fixed, tuned and have enjoyed it ever since...plus it's much cooler to be seen in a E34 than VW thing.

Then I had to buy a Touring to replace our evil dodge caravan.

now I want a 850 too

and, well maybe an M5 or old 6 series

oh yeah, maybe a e30 would be cool for the boys

quick someone stop me...I need intervention or something!

[RallyD]

bought the 530 for my wife who always said that all she ever wanted was a bmw. she absolutely loves the car and raves about it at least once a week. it was a great buy at $3800. so far all it needed was a thermostat, intake pipe repair and a heated seat switch.

drove hers a few times and realized i needed one. promptly sold my van and picked up a beater 525. Now i only looked at this one at night and threw out a $1500 offer. 2 weeks later, the car was mine. Interior was cooked (Florida) purple peeling tint, filthy seats, 2 windows didnt work, leaking coolant. I love my car and now i'm bringing it back to life.

its funny, my neighbor did the same thing. bought his wife an e60, two months later, the explorer is replaced by an X3 3.0 sport.

addicting, sometimes expensive, but a totally rewarding experience.

[Fahad]

great stories again

i don't feel bad for buying my e34 with few issues now :D

many problems were fixed as soon as i bought the car.. but still have a "to do" list which will need another good amount of $$$ to get done.

honestly sometimes i wonder why do i want this car to be PERFECT? it starts and takes me to work and back, why don't i drive it to the ground and leave things as they are till they are totaly broke? (i really might adoupt this strategey any day soon when my wallet gets empty :D )

but again i hate to drive this car with worn suspension or vibration issues..heck i bought her to enjoy the handling and smoothness.

happy E34ing all :)

[fujioko]

I bought my highly coveted black/black 5 speed after 10 min of inspection. Price $2200. Two weeks later I replaced the M50, cause the minor misfire was actually major catastrophic engine damage.

Still, I think it was worth it. It was and still is hard to find a black 5 speed in Michigan.

Contrary to a post I read earlier, this web site is has been a valuable asset during my ownership of the E34. I really don’t think a “Dealer” could answer my questions as efficiently. THANKS AGAIN EVERYBODY!!!!

[indierthanthou]

really, all mine has is rust, but then again its a car in michigan, so unless you only drive during the 3 days during the summer where its not raining and the roads are salt free, youre gonna get rust.

issues are:
rust; various hvac issues; fog light; seat rock; hood shocks; rust; sloppy shifter; sometimes the power steering makes an odd whine; check control, coolant level, and oil level messages; rust; sometimes the passenger side seatbelt wont come out unless you do the hokey pokey with the seat controls; sometimes the brakes makes an odd noise; rust; rock chip and delaminating windshield; front seat bolsters starting to wear; rust.