On the look out for an E34 540i

[Roundal]

What should I be looking for to find a decent one? How much should I be paying and how expensive are they to keep on the go?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[freerider]

Uber Soldat will be able to answer your questions more thoroughly than I, but I can tell you that town driving a full 90lt petrol tank will last you 500km if you are lucky.

 

[Roundal]

I was thinking about that! I really like the shape of the E34. What is the pick of the bunch? 525i? This will be my first BMW because I have always owned Mercedes!

 

[Tigger]

The 530i and 540i will be the V8's, nice but very fuel hungry. I personally like the 535i, not a lot of them around, but its got the Inline 6 3.5L engine, 155KW 305NM out of factory and little lighter on fuel. I would love one. Nice loads of torque...:thumbsup:

For the rest of them, I think underpowered will be the word to use, you may like it if your not a speed person, and likes to cruise everywhere... not for me tho

Hope it helped...

 

[Uber Soldat]

Freerider is right on the money. The 540 is a little heavy on fuel around town but if you drive without a lead foot its actually not that bad.

Whatever you do don't buy a 520i, engine is way too small for the car and you have to really rev the guts out of it to get it going.

If you want a decent amount of power and good fuel economy, go for the 525i. The later M50 engined car has 192HP (1991 to 1995) while the ealier M20 engined car has 170HP (1988 - 1990).

I agree with Tigger though...a 5 speed 535i would be an extremely good buy. Right amount of power a torque plus a bullet proof engine, if it has been serviced properly. Bimmerman would agree here too.

About the 530i V8 E34...to quote somone off a international forum, the 3.0L engine has all the complexity of a V8 but none of the power...you would be better off with the 540i in this case.

Regarding the maintenance, the 540i isn't that exspensive in my opinion. Make sure you get it inspected before you buy incase it has any compression issues.
Read -> http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/engines/nikasil.htm
Most people say if it hasn't died by now, it shouldn't.

Also make sure that the auto box goes into gear without any jerking and/or huge delays...this could indicate the valve body has to be repaired or worse a clutchpack is on its way out.

If you have any more questions, shoot me a PM.

 

[Roundal]

Thanks for the help. Now the hard work starts to find a clean one. I am leaning towards a post '94 525i pref in manual. Pity the 535i was discontinued in '93.

 

[Danie]

I know of 2 a 530 I think the guy want R30k and a 535 for R26k in Potch don't keep me to my word just now I made a mistake if u are intrested I can have a look tomorrow

 

[clutchplate]

hmm, I had a '92 E34 535i manual, and it was heavier on juice than the E34 540i I have now... just so you know
haha.