Sell '95 530i then Buy '95 525i?!?!

[eem2x]

Here is one for everyone. Instead of the age old question "should I sell my 530i and upgrade to the 540i / 6 sp", I'm wondering if I should sell my 530i and buy a nice 525i!

Here is my reasoning:

I love the e34's body style. I think it is a timeless classic and I can't imagine driving anything else.

Here is the problem, I'm trying my best to be a good DIY'er:learn more about working on cars/save money...

BUT (queue horror soundtrack) the amount of space the M60 takes in the engine compartment is discouraging me from doing some of the maintenance I'd like to do myself.

For instance, my power steering hoses are leaking, and I've read every post there is on replacing an M60 power steering hose and how horrible it is.

Also, there are far more posts working on the M50 then the M60. The bentley barely mentions the M60, so I had to buy the E38 bentley as well, and often times the engine compartment different enough to make the e38 bentley manual not a subsitute.


So my question is there an appreciable difference b/w working on the m50 (I think that's what it is) vs the M60? Is it easier, less expensive??

eem2x

[John in CT]

When i was looking for an E34 I rejected the call of the V-8's because of how full the engine bay seemed and other issues I had read about, plus I like a strait six. So, I ended up with a 1995 525i M50 5 speed. That was a four years back and i have learned that while no 13 year old car is problem free but i have only had a few unpleasant surprises, like the ingnition lock transfer bar failure (600 USD) and the front end bushings (another 600) which I thought might have a few good years left. The rest of the stuff has been normal maintenance and these are exceedingly well built automobiles and IMHO I agree are a pleasure to drive. That said, what kind of 525i M50's do you really think are left out there, the maintenance deffered cars have the potential to bury you $$$$-wise, I would stick with your 530 which you know and unless the perfect 525i presents itself try to learn as much as you can about preventive maintenance and go with the flow,

my 0.02 USD,

BR,

John
1995 525i 5 speed 106,000 miles and hopfully many more

[Incantation]

curious.. how come no 535 option?

[eem2x]

Ah yes, that was definitely an oversite on my part. I believe the last year they made the 535 was 93, and I think that the M30 is legendary in it's reliability; I would definitely consider one as well.

Ideally, I would find someone on this board who was an enthusiast that took fantastic care of their car and was interested in selling.

[yaofeng]

Having two e34's, one 525 and another 540, and having removed the drivetrain for both, I'd say go ahead. The m50 has much more elbow room than the M60.

I guess you are going to leave the PS issue on your 530 to the next owner? How often do you buy Pentosin?

[RallyD]

i love the 6s
smooth and free revving

the 525 is mine and I love to zip around town in it.
wifey drives the 530 and that is a nice highway cruiser

[eem2x]

I never thought of two! Actually, while I was backing out of the garage this morning my wife said "This is a lot more fluid than normal on the floor, isn't it?". When I got out and saw, it looked like my cars water broke like a pregnant woman! PS fluid everywhere! I took it to my Indy and and they are doing all 4 PS lines....