New To Bmw And Want To Buy E34 !help Plz

[wcre34]

Hello folks,
I new to the beemer world. After been hanging with a friends that love bmw so much it sort of rub off on me. So, now im looking to get my own e34. Im hoping that the e34 gurus out there could point me in the right direction to look for where to check and minor to major problems that i should be aware of on the car before i buy it.

target car: "90 525i e34 automatic"
questions:
what should i look for before i take the car of the lot into my processio?
common problems that might happen afterward?
something that the dealer wont know or know and wont tell u on the e34?
if they have all the record to the car (most unlikely to have) should i get the timing belt and head gasket and head bolts right of way after i bought the car?


thanks a bunch mate.

[Torque]

Welcome.

First off, I have to warn you that the car will be in fact very slow... I have one, as do a couple of other members, and I know this for a fact.

Common problems ? Weak suspension bushings (not too expensive to replace), cooling system (make sure it doesnt go past the half way mark on the temp gauge... if it does, chances are it's overheating and it might lead to great problems).

Timing belt change is recommended every 50k (I'm assuming it's a m20 and not a m50 -- m50 is chain not belt so it doesnt need replacement) since its a high interference engine (valves open far into the cylinders).

Other than that, there really isn't many problems with it. It should run forever if maintained well.

[wcre34]

how slow is the e34 really atleast it could do 100km/h or 60-70mph right? Here in australia you cant really speed as much as the states. It a huge different from the US (i used to live in the US). So guessing by temp problem i have to make sure i look into that. i heard the m50 is a much better engine. i did some research a bit after i post but seem to only find comparison between different models of bmw engines but no specific on what to look for on buying a use one. Thnx u torque for the great info.. i feel a bit more confident in buying the car now..

[sp0rky]

Its not slow in terms of top speed, the bad boy can pull over 120mph, its just a matter of GETTING to that speed.

It is a VERY underpowered car and has poor poor poor acelleration. People in countries other than here in the US generally are OK with it's power. Here in the US, sadly enough, we don't care about fuel economy, etc as much as we do about raw power. used

[wcre34]

Yea i realize that after i left the US. the 05 nissan teanna = 05 nissan maximan only come with a 2.3 v6 instead of the 3.0 v6 like the state. Petrol or gasoliine here in australia aint too bad but still expensive to fill up to full tank.

[Scotty Dangles]

Get the 540, fun factor would be through the roof! :P

Good Luck in your search for the perfect E34, they are a great car regardless of the model!

Cheers

Scott

[d3ity]

Ok, When we define slow here, we are talking 0-60. As far as top end, I've pushed my e34 525i to 140mph. Thats with my broken governor and a pretty much stock engine.

But the car has style, and generally looks beautiful, if you want something quick off the line, go for the 535 or 540. Same styling, and a little more pickup.

[Torque]

0-60 is like 9.1 seconds. The thing that's causing that number to be so low is the lack of torque/hp in the lower rpm; so it's mostly 0-35 that sucks badly ... after that it accelerates very well. And yes it will do upwards of 130 mph.

What's surprising is that it seems to accelerate better from 95 up than it does from 0 - 35.

[sp0rky]

Originally posted by d3ity@Jul 4 2005, 11:31 AM
Ok, When we define slow here, we are talking 0-60. As far as top end, I've pushed my e34 525i to 140mph. Thats with my broken governor and a pretty much stock engine.

But the car has style, and generally looks beautiful, if you want something quick off the line, go for the 535 or 540. Same styling, and a little more pickup.

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You also had an m50 engine, though - right?
the 1990 MY had the m20.

[d3ity]

yeah i've got the m50TU

Still though, your engine will toss out a nice top end.

[sp0rky]

If I had a never-ending road to take it on.. of course it would!
Getting to a speed over 100mph on any US highway wouldn't be possible! (or so it feels) lol.

[///M Power]

Lately ive been easily bouncing off 110 mph before i realise im going that fast. ever since a few weeks ago when i hit 127mph in my e34 m20, 90 just doesnt seem fast enough....so far a clean driving record.

[wcre34]

well i got a good new and bad new.. but it uncertain.. the 90 525i i was going to get some one snatch it from me.. it been sold.. i have look all over to get all the listing of e34 for sales but it seem the one is resonable enough so far is 520i 1990 5spd.. how does that sound.. im not sure what engine it might have.. as far as speed concern im not worry about that right if it come down to it i could alway find some project rx3 here in australia.. anyway guys.. let here the good and the bad on the 520i plz.. all your helps are greatly appreciated..

[Teh Prof]

A two liter engine in a big car like the 5? Fuhgeddaboudit. Just pay some extra cash for the 535 or 540; that's what I wish I'd done. (Not that my E39 528 is so bad. The benefit of that 2.8 vs. 2.5 engine was more torque.)

[sp0rky]

Originally posted by 528iUOND@Jul 6 2005, 11:03 PM
A two liter engine in a big car like the 5? Fuhgeddaboudit. Just pay some extra cash for the 535 or 540; that's what I wish I'd done. (Not that my E39 528 is so bad. The benefit of that 2.8 vs. 2.5 engine was more torque.)

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the m20 is still a 2.5 liter, just a really underpowered one the e39 528 is much more powerful than the 2.5 liter engines. Torque REALLY got bumped for such a small displacement increase.

If I could just take the engine from my e39 and drop it into my e34.... I'd be the happiest man alive! (or buy an e34 540) but then I'd have no engine for that ol' e39! lol