Fixup or sell - 525i

[ashley]

Hi all

With the petrol price going the way it is, driving the 540i (1994) is going to be only on the weekends from now. So the 525i (1993) has been pushed back into service earlier than planned.

But she has some issues, costal cancer in the posts and nearly 400000km on the clock
And the internal blower works on off and full only. And the air-con is gas less

So here is the question(s)
1. Have her cancer removed and repainted - do I keep the same colour or change it to what it I want and go mad. Cost I think should be between 8K and 12K
2. Find a donor body and transplant…what does a E34 shell cost
3. We cannot get the old gas any more – do we convert it to a new system (4K to 5K) – anyone done on conversion?
4. Or plan 44 – trade her in for pennies on something newer – like an E39 - touring, E46 – touring or something. Plan 45 is to turn her into a track car as a family fun project – mechanically still very good.

I do enjoy driving her but I just don’t want waste to much cash on her, like Dad’s car (635CSI) 45K and 2 years later – it is still not right – two engine rebuilds and now its electrics

E34’s are bargains to buy, and the staying goes buy a bargain, you sell a bargain..

 

[herr bmw]

its up too you and what you are prepared to spend,if its gonna cost more to rebuild then rather spend that money on a newer car,but if it isnt then fix it up

 

[Sith]

Hey Ashley, my advice as follows: Unless the car is a total shed, and it does not look it from your pic, keep and repair it. The e34 is now as cheap as chips, but they are still strong, brilliant cars. On top of that, spares are plentiful, and repairs need not be too pricey. Depending on your financial situation, and times are tough in general, I would not invest cash or finance another car when you could, in all likelihood, have a great car for much less dosh. Good luck with whatever decision you make

 

[zaleonardz]

While I agree with everything that Sith said, and it would mimic my own views of how amazing the 540i is. You cannot ignore how cheap E39's have gotten....

CLean E34 shells can be had for about 5 to 15k, usually in the form of a 520 or something with a popped motor or autobox, its fairly rare, but not imposibble to find.

Where is the cancer exactly, how many places...

Alternatively, what you could do, is find an E30 body, and shoehorn the M60 with all the bits into that, not only is that a nice family project, the results could be mind blowing, and its about as much work as retrofitting into an E34.

By the way though, you cant just drop the motor and tranny into another E34 unless its a 540 or M5, the steering and suspension is vastly differant, so if your going to find more then likely a 525, you would have to do virtually everything.

You could always sell your M60 for like 15k, the auto box for like 5k, part out the interior and other bits, and eventually dump the body, if you have the patience....

 

[ashley]

Hi
Thanks for the feedback; it’s the 525i that has the costal cancer, in her front and back posts, roof – so we are in for a total re-spary
Has anyway had the air-con conversion to use the newer gas?

I’m planning to fix her up and her big sister.
But we are still looking for a nice E39 Touring or E39 540i

 

[rick540]

You can pick up an entire late model 525 (Vanos motor) for like under 20K these days

 

[Budleigh]

Fix the rust, and find a decent air-con place to do the conversion. It doesn't cost the earth, and if it does then you're being ripped off.

 

[ashley]

update :
Dad has decided to use my 525I - while his car the E24 is in for some TLC

So I have use the 540 during the week - life is sooo tough!

 

[Sankekur]

Damn I can't believe you are stuck with the 540 for a WHOLE week.....

 

[Twinz]

I am with Sith on this one.:thumbsup:

 

[ashley]

Update - 525I sold, new owner very happy and enjoying the ride.

I think I was a fool, but time to move on.

 

[Raybimmer]

What about that e34 touring sitting in Gauteng ?
There is a e34 540i individual sitting doing nothing in EL , pity the sunroof is stuffed.....you have to ride around with it open . Funny how the Gumtree ads for e34's getting stripped dont answer when you ask is the sunroof ok !!!!!:roflol::roflol:

 

[maximus]

Keep it White :thumbsup:

 

[Yuvan]

track car!!!!!!!!!!!! Or get and E30 or E36 shell and plant that 540i motor into it!!!!