I'm still hunting for a nice used bimmer in the 10K-15K range. I like the 525 (92 through 95.....I think that's the E-34) but the European mechanic who works on my old volvo tells me that bmw's are built for performance but mechanically they are terrible. "If you have to get one, at least get a 4 cylinder. The 6 cylinders aren't very reliable past 130K (head problems)." I don't particularly like the 4 cylinders I have seen (the 318's) and I like the 525. So how many of you out there have or know people who have 525's with more than 150K? Thanks for your response, and any advice for a good used bimmer.........
Does the E-34 engine last?
- Thread starter pabloshep
- Start date
E34,is the chasis designation for the 1989-1995 5-series.The car came with several different engines.The automatic transmissions are prone to failure.The 3.0 & 4.0 litre V8 had an issue with nicasil engines.the 3.5 litre single cam inline 6 is one of the most bulletproof engines ever built.
Shucks,we could go on & on.A volvo mechanic dissing bimmers mechanical soundness?
Contact me for good E34 purchase advise.I have learned through trial & error.
Shucks,we could go on & on.A volvo mechanic dissing bimmers mechanical soundness?
Contact me for good E34 purchase advise.I have learned through trial & error.
There are hundreds, if not thousands of 525s and 325s with more than 150k. In a few months I will have one.
The 91-93 535i is also in your price range, along with higher mileage 530s/540s (make sure the car has a replacement alumasil block if you go for a V8).
The 92 525i has the non-vanos M50 2.5 inline-six also found in the 1992 325i. Your Volvo mechanic doesn't know what he is talking about. The M50 lasts a very long time. Make sure the plastic water pump impeller has been replaced with a metal one. I have 141k on my 1994 325i M50 vanos. It should run another 141k no problem. The timing chain needs to be replaced around 150k. Other than that, it shouldn't need a thing.
Not to say that BMWs don't have mechanical issues, but certainly on par with or less than a comparable Volvo. The auto transmissions don't last (thanks GM), the radiators also don't last, the HVAC systems have problems over time, and I am sure there are some problems unique to the E34 (such as a door locking system that over time destroys itself, unless you put in a plate to reinforce it.)
Bottom line, if you find a well-maintained one that checks out mechanically by a compentent BMW mechanic, (dealer or indy shop), you should be happy with your purchase.
The 91-93 535i is also in your price range, along with higher mileage 530s/540s (make sure the car has a replacement alumasil block if you go for a V8).
The 92 525i has the non-vanos M50 2.5 inline-six also found in the 1992 325i. Your Volvo mechanic doesn't know what he is talking about. The M50 lasts a very long time. Make sure the plastic water pump impeller has been replaced with a metal one. I have 141k on my 1994 325i M50 vanos. It should run another 141k no problem. The timing chain needs to be replaced around 150k. Other than that, it shouldn't need a thing.
Not to say that BMWs don't have mechanical issues, but certainly on par with or less than a comparable Volvo. The auto transmissions don't last (thanks GM), the radiators also don't last, the HVAC systems have problems over time, and I am sure there are some problems unique to the E34 (such as a door locking system that over time destroys itself, unless you put in a plate to reinforce it.)
Bottom line, if you find a well-maintained one that checks out mechanically by a compentent BMW mechanic, (dealer or indy shop), you should be happy with your purchase.
I thought that BMW had a really good reputation for reliability. That is one of the reasons i bought one... my 1989 535i had 220K on it when i sold it and it still felt and drove way more solid than any other car i have owned.. i now have a 1992 525i with 100K, and it drives better than most new cars.
teh 3.4L M30 in teh 535i and the 735i is the toughest engine u've ever
seen.
91 535i manual - 150k hard miles
90 535i auto - 75 light miles
the 530 and 540 v8's had some issues with the cylnders being
nickel coated...if u put poor gas into it u need a new engine
the problem isn't as common outside the usa...
bmw did agree to fix any motors that were affected though
so check with your dealer before u buy anything =]
seen.
91 535i manual - 150k hard miles
90 535i auto - 75 light miles
the 530 and 540 v8's had some issues with the cylnders being
nickel coated...if u put poor gas into it u need a new engine
the problem isn't as common outside the usa...
bmw did agree to fix any motors that were affected though
so check with your dealer before u buy anything =]
It is not "poor" gas, it's simply "different". Any fuel that's been oxygenated via MTBE or derivatives or has significant alcohol content will contain unique acids that attack BMW's Nikasil cylinder coating. All large metro areas use this gas exclusively as an emissions reduction measure. These fuels have been used in the USA since 1975 and other cars run just fine on them. BMW should have durability-tested their engines using USA domestic fuel that we've been pumping into our cars for 30 years. BMW screwed up. Alcohol-spiked fuels have been used by USA racers for far longer than 30 years.
What this basically means is many E34 cars will have bad Nikasil engines, unless they were replaced under the extended warranty program, which has effectively ended. BMW did not fix or replace all affected motors. If they passed a compression test, they were NOT updated & it's just a matter of time because few make it past 100K miles. Many low mile garage queens did not have had their engines replaced under the extended warranty program. Avoid those cars like the plague, unless you have a spare $8K motor laying around. Alusil appears to be OK.
What this basically means is many E34 cars will have bad Nikasil engines, unless they were replaced under the extended warranty program, which has effectively ended. BMW did not fix or replace all affected motors. If they passed a compression test, they were NOT updated & it's just a matter of time because few make it past 100K miles. Many low mile garage queens did not have had their engines replaced under the extended warranty program. Avoid those cars like the plague, unless you have a spare $8K motor laying around. Alusil appears to be OK.
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