Questions about e34.

[Whateveralator]

Hi, guys. Since I can't yet afford an e39 I decided to take a look at e34s. Even after researching I still have some questions that I hope you could answer me. I think it should be a facelifted (93+) 525tds touring (maybe) with dark leather seats, dark interior, climate control, DSC, all power windows, cruise control. So here are the questions:
Is there a lot more noise in the touring version? People say it comes from the rear axle.
I know I can upgrade the car stereo, but can I upgrade the other components? Is there a factory subwoofer and can I swap it/add one?
Are the rear brakes disc or drum?
Is it easy to swap the steering wheel for a one that e39 had (looks like this (http://www.jaroslavklima.com/temp2/bmw/volant.jpg))?
Can I find one with DSC? I have cold winters here and I'm worried about safety.
I noticed that some tourings have headrests for the rear seats and some don't, why? Are there particular models that have them?
Did they come with rear heated seats?
I've heard that the aircon is very unreliablie, is that true? How about climate control? Can it be swapped from another car, cause I rarely see cars that have it.
Is the shadowline trim hard/expensive to buy?
What is this sport package and what did it contain?
Is the automatic transmission expensive to maintain? Never had a car with one. Would you recommend I get one with an automatic?
Thanks in advance for your input.

[Binjammin]

Hi, guys. Since I can't yet afford an e39 I decided to take a look at e34s. Even after researching I still have some questions that I hope you could answer me. I think it should be a facelifted (93+) 525tds touring (maybe) with dark leather seats, dark interior, climate control, DSC, all power windows, cruise control. So here are the questions:

Sounds like an excellent choice!



Is there a lot more noise in the touring version? People say it comes from the rear axle.

Not that I've been able to hear, but I'm going deaf so I suppose it's all relative. I will say that I wouldn't call a touring NOISY compared to a sedan. Like any big wagon you'll have less sound absorbing going on.


I know I can upgrade the car stereo, but can I upgrade the other components? Is there a factory subwoofer and can I swap it/add one?

No factory sub, but any DECENT audio installer ought to be able to handle your needs for some money. Find Attack Eagle's posts on upgrading audio in a touring.



Are the rear brakes disc or drum?

Both. The rear hydraulic brakes are discs, the parking brake is inside the rotor in the hat part, and it has shoes. When you press the brake pedal you're actuating hydraulic disc brakes all around.



Is it easy to swap the steering wheel for a one that e39 had (looks like this (http://www.jaroslavklima.com/temp2/bmw/volant.jpg))?

Pretty sure you can grab the 1995 Steering wheel which looks like that, but you're never going to have button controls on your steering wheel.



Can I find one with DSC? I have cold winters here and I'm worried about safety.

I don't know... can you find one? They exist, but I'd MUCH rather have an LSD for winter and safety than DSC.



I noticed that some tourings have headrests for the rear seats and some don't, why? Are there particular models that have them?

Some were optioned that way, the US never got them. You should be able to find them in Europe far easier. They're an easy retrofit if you find a car without them.


Did they come with rear heated seats?

No.



I've heard that the aircon is very unreliablie, is that true? How about climate control? Can it be swapped from another car, cause I rarely see cars that have it.

Not true. There's no reason to fear the aircon in these cars, they're just as stable as any other older used car. I don't know what you'd swap it from, but it would be a nightmare to make work on an e34.



Is the shadowline trim hard/expensive to buy?

Extremely expensive. The upper arch comes shipped as one piece that's something like 11 feet long, and it sucks to install. It will look the best by far though.



What is this sport package and what did it contain?

Touring sport package? Someone else might be able to pitch in on that, I've never heard of it.



Is the automatic transmission expensive to maintain? Never had a car with one. Would you recommend I get one with an automatic?

Not expensive to maintain, considering they're supposedly lifetime fill boxes. At this point in life it's a gamble changing the fluid anyway. Most people will tell you that changing the fluid killed the tranny, but most of the time it's got 200k+mi on it and is ready for the night train to the big adios anyway. It's not expensive to maintain, it's pricey to replace.


Thanks in advance for your input.

Welcome to the board!

[David325e]

Sounds like you have a good car in mind.

Guys in the Northern U.S. and Canada have some severe winter weather, and I've heard nothing but good things about how the E34 travels in the snow. Theres also some members from northern Europe.

The shadowlined trim is expensive to buy, but the trim that is on the car now can be painted black.

[E34freak]

One good thing about the dsc is you can dis-able it. Using a stick shift with dsc can be funky driving in snow. The dsc will brake the wheels when it senses wheel spin. Doing that taking off can cause the car to stall out. Dsc will keep the car very straight compared to just LSD when accelerating.

[AquilaBMW]

Welcome to the board from another newbie.

I believe the Sports Package option was only available on the E39 Chassis / Model.

[jac1d]

Take your time, look at a lot of different options. Given the age of E34s and the variety of models offered over the years there are lots of different cars and options, years and mileages to look at and compare. And prices of course.

And do a proper inspection so you don't get a bunch of surprises on well known maintenance items.

-Jeff

[XR000mb]

did the US ever get TD e34's?

[David325e]

did the US ever get TD e34's?

I posted one for sale in my home town last summer. I think they are here, but were imported. Maybe (?) a dealer special option?

[skylinergtr]

I posted one for sale in my home town last summer. I think they are here, but were imported. Maybe (?) a dealer special option?

my guess it would be imported.

[Binjammin]

No.

They were either grey market or federalized.

[Whateveralator]

Not that I've been able to hear, but I'm going deaf so I suppose it's all relative. I will say that I wouldn't call a touring NOISY compared to a sedan. Like any big wagon you'll have less sound absorbing going on.You mean there will be more noise, right?


Pretty sure you can grab the 1995 Steering wheel which looks like that, but you're never going to have button controls on your steering wheel.What about the airbag? Will it work?


I don't know... can you find one? They exist, but I'd MUCH rather have an LSD for winter and safety than DSC.I know that LSD is a pretty nice thing, but are there many tourings with them?


I don't know what you'd swap it from, but it would be a nightmare to make work on an e34.I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say aircon, I meant to ask if it was possible to put the climate control system in a car without it?


Extremely expensive. The upper arch comes shipped as one piece that's something like 11 feet long, and it sucks to install. It will look the best by far though.Maybe I should look at junkyards or just ask people to swap with me if I get one without shadowline? Does painted trim look as nice as the original shadowline?


Touring sport package? Someone else might be able to pitch in on that, I've never heard of it.I'm always hearing about this sport package and I'm wondering what it contains, maybe it'll tempt me to choose a different model.

And thanks for the warm welcomes. :) Cheers.

[Binjammin]

You mean there will be more noise, right?

Well, in the end I guess you can break it down to that, but it's not like the sedan is sitting underwater with pillows over your ears vs the touring being at a rock concert with your head in a speaker.

Basically, yes, you'll have slightly more noise from the back of the touring, but you won't be complaining about the noise.


What about the airbag? Will it work?

Yep.


I know that LSD is a pretty nice thing, but are there many tourings with them?

Nope. But for a few bucks you'll be able to score an LSD at a junkyard or ebay or somewhere, and swap it in. It's an easy swap and worth every penny.


I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say aircon, I meant to ask if it was possible to put the climate control system in a car without it?

Yeah, that's what I figured you meant. Fitting aircon in an e34 involves both the mechanical systems and the control systems. If you think you'd even remotely enjoy installing the hvac system, you're more of a glutton for punishment than anyone I've ever met.


Maybe I should look at junkyards or just ask people to swap with me if I get one without shadowline? Does painted trim look as nice as the original shadowline?

Finding a touring with shadowline in the junkyard is akin to finding an M5 unmolested and running in the junkyard. If it happens you should immediately go to the casino and win a million dollars, as you're already the luckiest person alive.

Painted trim will look fine if you use the right color and finish.


I'm always hearing about this sport package and I'm wondering what it contains, maybe it'll tempt me to choose a different model.

Maybe an Mtech suspension is what you're thinking? We didn't get that here on anything but the 540s, so I don't know what you'd find it on in europe, but I actually have it installed on my car and highly recommend it.


And thanks for the warm welcomes. :) Cheers.

It's what we all make of it, pass it on!

[camaroguy]

You mean there will be more noise, right?
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say aircon, I meant to ask if it was possible to put the climate control system in a car without it?


This really would not even be worth the trouble. The only thing you actually gain is the ability to have the vents and fan automatically controlled. There is soo much more to go wrong though. I had an e32 with this system and don't recall it ever working well. The temp in an e34 is already automatically controlled.

[kalevera]

No such thing as DSC in E34 cars. ASC+T was optional in the US in later production, but I'd much rather have a limited slip rear end than it when it comes to snow...

A lot of these options (limited slip, shadowline) are fairly typical in the european market and should be easy to find in salvage yards.... No US spec E34 except or a few late M5s had shadowline from the factory, so it is rare to find the factory bits in a salvage yard here...

[Whateveralator]

This really would not even be worth the trouble. The only thing you actually gain is the ability to have the vents and fan automatically controlled. There is soo much more to go wrong though. I had an e32 with this system and don't recall it ever working well. The temp in an e34 is already automatically controlled.I thought that if those horizontal dials are not there (like in this picture (http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/attachments/fabrication/21891d1132238225-mounting-tips-bmw-e34-540i-sport-interior-1.jpg)), you just have the ability to set it "colder" or "warmer" and not a temperature that you want maintained. Was I wrong? I haven't had a car with an aircon, but people who do say those things without climate control are pretty nasty and are just waiting to give you a cold cause you can't control the temperature.

[Binjammin]

No, basically you set the dial position, and it will maintain that relative amount of heat. So if you go to say... 2/3 into the red, it'll put out whatever preset 2/3 of red is in temp. The HVAC head unit constantly monitors interior temp in cars with AC.

I don't understand what a lack of temperature control has to do with getting sick... maybe you can help me out on that one?

[zubbie]

I thought that if those horizontal dials are not there (like in this picture (http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/attachments/fabrication/21891d1132238225-mounting-tips-bmw-e34-540i-sport-interior-1.jpg)), you just have the ability to set it "colder" or "warmer" and not a temperature that you want maintained. Was I wrong? I haven't had a car with an aircon, but people who do say those things without climate control are pretty nasty and are just waiting to give you a cold cause you can't control the temperature.


Stay away from automatic climate control. 10 stepper motors, broken mounts and no net advantage in the heat department. believe me I know

[Whateveralator]

I don't understand what a lack of temperature control has to do with getting sick... maybe you can help me out on that one?When it's hot outside you usually want to get cool as fast as possible so you turn on the aircon on max and you forget to turn it down when it gets cooler. That's why climate control is a good thing in my opinion.

By the way, is there more room in front/back in the touring?