I want a black E34 - Can't decide between a sedan or wagon - Convince me with pics?

[Joey Link]

I'm so happy, I just sold my 4Runner, which means I'm officially in the market for a black on black E34 525i. I've had enough cars that 'need work' to know I want one that is well maintained and well sorted so I don't have to deal with anything major. Ideally I'd like to spend around $3.5-$4.5k but I can go up to $5k for the right car.

Anyways, my main dilema is trying to decide if I should get a sedan or wagon. I love them both, and I've been leaning toward the wagon, but it seems sometimes when I see them they don't look nearly as cool as the sedans. Other times I see them and they look amazing. I don't plan on doing anything outrageous right away, 18" M-Parallels or Style 5's, 20% tint, perhaps sport suspension. In the future I may lean toward a 5-speed swap and turbocharging the M50, but plans always seem to change.

So, what would you get and why? If possible, please include pics (they don't have to be yours). Remember, black cars only please.

[jel]

See ho mgnt's My 95 Touring post w/5 pics which you just described.

[mlambert831]

biggest thing that helps the look of the wagons is your suspension/wheel set up. Seems like those changes really make/break the car. If you can do that relatively quick you'll be set :P

that + shadowline + maybe some lighting changes, if those are your taste. Personally I love black/black tourings, shadowlined, dropped, blacked out kidneys, and clears. Looks great imo.

[e34armour]

Manual sedan, not unlike mine, but with working seats :shifty

Here's mine in its current state(minus the bike)
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n280/armour_2006/BMW/IMG_3853.jpg
Stock everything except for the crappy shadowline job :shifty But it just hit 200k and runs like a champ and there are plenty of guys on here with higher mileage M50's. I see ~21mpg average FWIW

[bman10]

you could google some pics

[sacbmwdriver]

i like tourings and sedan also, except i only have a sedan as of now, heres mine as of now ;D

http://i42.tinypic.com/b8l0ef.jpg

[mikemxbike4]

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo348/mikemxbike4/DSCN0429.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo348/mikemxbike4/DSCN0430.jpg

Old pic with style 19s on
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo348/mikemxbike4/bfest3.jpg





http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo348/mikemxbike4/DSCN0423.jpg
http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo348/mikemxbike4/DSCN0388.jpg

What i started with a year ago

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo348/mikemxbike4/DSCN0288.jpg

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo348/mikemxbike4/DSCN0287.jpg

[zubbie]

touring if you can actually find a decent one

or diamond Schwartz anything FTW :redspot

[nmp411]

Too bad you missed out on Attack Eagle's touring he sold.

Search for pics of that, you will be impressed.

[BigM62]

Black is back.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm12/jimmyz2/DSCN0159.jpg

[ross1]

Your budget will get you a very nice one.
Tourings are great but, no M30 or 5 speeds from the factory. The 525s are all wheezers so if you want a little power or enjoy rowing a gearbox a coupe will make you happier.

[LouieD]

Touring=sexy... and you can have sexy comfortably in the back :D.
I have both, but I'm a huge fan of wagons. They can look incredible and haul a ton of stuff when needed. True no m30 or 5speed (at least in the US) but those things are fixable or you can appreciate the Tourings for their other virtues.

check this one out http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1261791

There is a black on black here in so cal for sale, but it's a "needs TLC" car... then again I think he's only asking $1,800 for it.

Good luck in making the right decision (Touring) :rolleyes

[ShapeShifter]

I posted a CL link the other day for a 95 blk/blk touring with under 140k
miles. Looked to be in nice condition. Seller is asking $3.3k.

[xlr8tin]

Wow, I love your wheels!:buttrock


Black is back.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm12/jimmyz2/DSCN0159.jpg


Go for a sedan!:alright

[sfgearhead]

Here are a few touring shots.

My advice? If you don't need a touring, get a sedan.

As much as I love our touring, how she looks and drives, and the fact that we can haul just about anything in it, I'm actually considering swapping it for a sedan and a beater truck for hauling stuff. Why?

1. Tourings are rare. Finding a black on black touring will be tough, most seem to come with the tan (Parchment) interior. Only about 3000 made it to the states.

2. No manual in a touring, unless someone has swapped it already.

3. Tourings are 300 lbs heavier than the sedan. Combine that with the slushbox and it's a recipe for slow.

4. Most tourings have seen heavy hauling duties, whether it's stuff or kids. Both will result in more wear and tear than a sedan that was used by Joe Yuppie to commute for 10 years.

5. The touring has all the problems of the sedan (cooling system, auto tranny, electrical gremlins) plus the hatch wiring issues and potentially the Self Leveling Suspension (SLS) problems

6. Lowering the touring requires touring specific springs to do it right. They are avaialble, just harder to find cheap.

That being said, here are a few touring photos to make it harder. The first is mine, the rest is what I wish mine looked like....

[thesixerkid]

i love my sedan:

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd333/gjk494/e34/d.jpg

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/dd333/gjk494/e34/c.jpg

[Aindriu]

I think the E34 shape looks more timeless in the Touring model. The reason I don't have one is that there are barley any in WA and its hard to sell 5'ers over here.

However I have heard about that hatch wiring issue that GearHead being a real pain in the arse. I personally just love the shape and desire the extra space having a pram.

Though to be honest I'm one of those guys that don't like having 'enough' space, I want more than I need incase of some emergency that isn't going to happen. At least I'm not the guy alone in the 7 seater incase I get some friends.

[Steve547i]

my vote is touring, only if you can pick up a 5 speed.
Shrikes touring makes me aroused with its suspension and wheels setup
i love the ride height plus t stars

[ItwasntMe]

i just totaled my e30 with an m30 swap... i'm thinking of getting an e34, and spending about 4k for it...

so i'm diggin this thread... sixerkid... your car is beautiful. i'm very jealous

[Burn535i]

not the most current setup but here you go

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3588/3539366325_60d2ebc9aa_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2368/3540179478_5ae910f633_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3540188514_e47dc73139_b.jpg

[SocalCalypso]

THE best looking black E34 Ever!

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m137/sandimaslmb/serena.jpg

[dansgt]

i vote sedan, tourings look a bit more there age than the sedan.

[UberFunfer]

Here's my DiamantSchwarz-metallic/Schwarz 535i. Riding stock with M-system II's. Damn, this thing needs to be lowered soon..and tint would help.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k151/skylineguy_69/P4051161.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k151/skylineguy_69/P4051163.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k151/skylineguy_69/P4051174.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k151/skylineguy_69/P3191123.jpg

[LouieD]

Burn535i your car is beautiful and uberfunfer's parking pole is the s**t! Too bad it's not retractable like some of the other JDM cars, but still way cool.

[UberFunfer]

Yeah, a retractable one would have been sweet. The pole even has the BMW roundel at the top. Came with the car when I bought it.

[TGreene]

After seeing all of these shadowloines and euro trimed black sedans, I am pretty sure my next one will have to be black, or calypso =p

[Joey Link]

Well this sucks. I asked for help and all of you have made so many good points and posted such sexy pictures of each, I'm even more undecided now :D

On the upside, I scored a nice set of staggered M-Parallels today! Now to find something to put them on... :)

[cabezzzdb8]

Black is back.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm12/jimmyz2/DSCN0159.jpg



:eek: yes

[SSkoda]

ok so its filthy and will never be finished (black kidneys etc... and a wash!!) but tourings rock.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z285/surprising_skoda/teh%20stuffz%20i%20owns/Mafiabus%20525/100_3070.jpg

on another note, doesn't importation cost about £1200, which is like $1800? and I'm selling my 525 Manual 5 speed with a suspension conversion (no SLS now!) for £1850obo, which is like $2500 maybe, and thats still well under budget before you haggle ;)

[Burn535i]

Burn535i your car is beautiful and uberfunfer's parking pole is the s**t! Too bad it's not retractable like some of the other JDM cars, but still way cool.

thank you very much. i hope to take some pics soon to display the latest installment of 540 brake ducts as a lip spoiler.

[E34Kevin]

whats that parking pole for?

[Burn535i]

whats that parking pole for?

to help him park

[sfgearhead]

ok so its filthy and will never be finished (black kidneys etc... and a wash!!) but tourings rock.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z285/surprising_skoda/teh%20stuffz%20i%20owns/Mafiabus%20525/100_3070.jpg

on another note, doesn't importation cost about £1200, which is like $1800? and I'm selling my 525 Manual 5 speed with a suspension conversion (no SLS now!) for £1850obo, which is like $2500 maybe, and thats still well under budget before you haggle ;)

Looks great, even dirty! Something about lowered on stock wheels that I love.

Shipping would likely be about $1k, but I don't know how much federalizing will cost. It will need a new speedo, lights, and a couple other things. For an M5 touring it makes sense, but for a 525i converting to manual would likely make more sense.

[weksos]

mineeezzzzz. :)


http://www.weaksauceparts.com/pics/bmw/serena/5-16-09-001.jpg

http://www.weaksauceparts.com/pics/bmw/serena/5-16-09-004.jpg

http://www.weaksauceparts.com/pics/bmw/serena/5-16-09-008.jpg

http://www.weaksauceparts.com/pics/bmw/serena/5-16-09-013.jpg

http://www.weaksauceparts.com/pics/bmw/serena/5-16-09-014.jpg

http://www.weaksauceparts.com/pics/bmw/serena/5-16-09-023.jpg

http://www.weaksauceparts.com/pics/bmw/serena/5-16-09-024.jpg

http://www.weaksauceparts.com/pics/bmw/serena/5-16-09-025.jpg

http://www.weaksauceparts.com/pics/bmw/serena/5-16-09-028.jpg

http://www.weaksauceparts.com/pics/bmw/serena/5-16-09-038.jpg

http://www.weaksauceparts.com/pics/bmw/serena/5-16-09-045.jpg

http://www.weaksauceparts.com/pics/bmw/serena/5-16-09-055.jpg

http://www.weaksauceparts.com/pics/bmw/serena/5-16-09-057.jpg

[njg86]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/inutero11/style321.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/inutero11/style32.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/inutero11/newer.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/inutero11/newer.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/inutero11/aftershadow.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/inutero11/aftershadow2.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/inutero11/3-1.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/inutero11/bw9.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/inutero11/bw99.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/inutero11/bw8.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/inutero11/bw4.jpg

[Ace_of_Spades]

get both!

[BigM62]

More recent pic:

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm12/jimmyz2/540igreatpic.jpg

[02vortec]

THE best looking black E34 Ever!

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m137/sandimaslmb/serena.jpg


Is that the stock front bumper and what side mirrors are those?

[bam2002]

I would Love to find a All black e34 wagon. 5 speed of course. So my 1st choice would of been a wagon. But I was not able to find a 5 speed one the way I wanted so I ended up with a Sedan.

But I have to much time and $$ into my sedan. It not perfect, Dings and scratches. Ill be swapping out the front clip soon since I have a complete parts car. I am currenlty swapping the tan interior to a black one.

I use the car for Auto events. So it will never be perfect and shiney.
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/bam2002/autoX/525may09c-1.jpg

[hutch555]

I wish I owned a camera because my 95 black on black touring is looking good right now. I had a guy who was listed on this forum make custom thule racks that fit into my rails. I just had some bilstein hd's put in which mad the ride great. By the way, Burn535, your car is awesome. I love those wheels. Those wheels would look great on the touring. These are the reasons why I love the touring, especially in black on black.
1. You never see these cars. Only 3-4000 were imported to the states and black on black is impossible to find.
2. The stance of the wagon, from the square back to the four headlight grill to the wicked old school dash. IMO, incredible.
3. The space is incredible. I am a traveling salesmen and I put down the back seat for all my products. Last year put 30,000 miles on the car and the engine is running like a top. 175,000 miles now. By the way, I love Total/Elf 5w40 synthetic oil.
4. Yeah they are slow, but if want to convert them, you can. I bought this car not for speed but for it's timeless looks, practicality and durability,
5. Repeat first four..

[LouieD]

Weksos, another fine example of a black e34... now imagine it as a Touring :alright

[JesterMX6]

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/8595/1001315b.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/3990/1001323.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2750/1001298y.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7302/resizedzia.jpg

[UberFunfer]

is that the stock front bumper and what side mirrors are those?

acs.

[attack eagle]

I'm so happy, I just sold my 4Runner, which means I'm officially in the market for a black on black E34 525i. I've had enough cars that 'need work' to know I want one that is well maintained and well sorted so I don't have to deal with anything major. Ideally I'd like to spend around $3.5-$4.5k but I can go up to $5k for the right car.

Anyways, my main dilema is trying to decide if I should get a sedan or wagon. I love them both, and I've been leaning toward the wagon, but it seems sometimes when I see them they don't look nearly as cool as the sedans. Other times I see them and they look amazing. I don't plan on doing anything outrageous right away, 18" M-Parallels or Style 5's, 20% tint, perhaps sport suspension. In the future I may lean toward a 5-speed swap and turbocharging the M50, but plans always seem to change.

So, what would you get and why? If possible, please include pics (they don't have to be yours). Remember, black cars only please.


You are a month too late. :(



My advice? If you don't need a touring, get a sedan.

As much as I love our touring, how she looks and drives, and the fact that we can haul just about anything in it, I'm actually considering swapping it for a sedan and a beater truck for hauling stuff. Why? (you mean besides the lack of torsional rigidity in the touring?)

1. Tourings are rare. Finding a black on black touring will be tough, most seem to come with the tan (Parchment) interior. Only about 3000 made it to the states.

2. No manual in a touring, unless someone has swapped it already.

3. Tourings are 300 lbs heavier than the sedan. Combine that with the slushbox and it's a recipe for slow.

4. (disagree: 90% of 525 sedans I see are in worse condition than the tourings.)

5. The touring has all the problems of the sedan (cooling system, auto tranny, electrical gremlins) plus the hatch wiring issues and potentially the Self Leveling Suspension (SLS) problems
(true, but you can fix all of them for little or nothing, only 525iT 92-93 had sls, and the sedans eventually have trunk wiring issues too)

6. Lowering the touring requires touring specific springs to do it right. They are available, just harder to find cheap.
(unless you have working SLS, then you lower it in <3 minutes with an end wrench and one bolt :) )



http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/AttackEagle/bimmer/DSC_0008-4.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/AttackEagle/bimmer/DSC_0021-1.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/AttackEagle/bimmer/DSC_0007-1.jpg


BoB tourings are Very rare... I looked for Months and actually bought a car that wasn;t even on the market or advertised... the owner found ME on Bf.c

[02vortec]

ACS doesn't make that front bumper anymore do they?

[ArnZ]

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh89/arnzlozz/BMW_e34_15.jpg

oh woops you said black.........

[skylinergtr]

both sedans and wagons are sweet. Definitely black is amazing but you need to take care of it!!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/skylinergtr/DSC01724.jpg

[EAJ4]

I'll whore out a few pics, from last week....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v409/magicpenguin7/Cars/Eugene%20535i/DSC_0009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v409/magicpenguin7/Cars/Eugene%20535i/DSC_0044.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v409/magicpenguin7/Cars/Eugene%20535i/DSC_0050.jpg

[BMWheadSpence]

op, you really got to change the name of the thread and add "crappy isp users beware" or something, because mine is on the fritz and loading this thread is like watching paint dry.

[free740il]

I would Love to find a All black e34 wagon. 5 speed of course. So my 1st choice would of been a wagon. But I was not able to find a 5 speed one the way I wanted so I ended up with a Sedan.



You won't find a stock 5 speed touring in the US.

[pdx e34]

[/URL][URL="http://img16.imageshack.us/i/hote34540.jpg/"]http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4121/hote34540.jpg (http://img530.imageshack.us/i/img1251b.jpg/)

This is not my car but is my favorite pic of a black E34. This really shows you why black is such a beautiful color on these cars.

[BamBamE34]

mineeezzzzz. :)


http://www.weaksauceparts.com/pics/bmw/serena/5-16-09-001.jpg


/Thread.

^^^ Teh secks :wow

get a sedan now... I like wagons and wanted one... But now i like my sedan more.

[BMWheadSpence]

it really depends on what you need/want.
if you want something that is good looking and not particularly ugly to any group, get a sedan.
if you want teh hotness, get a wagon.

[Sam Son]

might i make a suggestion....
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq75/bin_jammin3/Mike%20and%20Ted/IMG_4267.jpg
http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq75/bin_jammin3/Mike%20and%20Ted/IMG_4275.jpg

[e36138vadered]

dude get the wagon i would kill for one

[DOC540I]

here ya go... i love my sedan, but would love to have a touring as well...
http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab58/robby3097/CAR019.jpghttp://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab58/robby3097/CAR027.jpghttp://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab58/robby3097/CAR020.jpg

[5senses]

check my fs thread.. (im not the seller just helpin out)