Your E34, if you could do it over again would you?

[bubba966]

After looking at what some of us have spent on our cars in that financial snapshot thread it made me wonder if we could do it all over again would you do the same thing or something different?

I quite like my car. Spent 2 1/2 years looking for it and glad I held out and didn't buy a different E34 or an E38 Sport like I was beginning to think I'd have to settle for (still want a 740i Sport though...).

Only things I would do different is get Euro trim sooner than I did, not order anything from Pacific BMW, and figured out the best places to buy parts from sooner.

How 'bout you all? Buy a different E34, do different things to the same car, or stay as is?

[pushpins]

Yes. Im a student and the car has treated me well. I have spent some money on it, and it is still slow. But i have also been able to drive home to my hometown (600 km) often without any problems on HORRIBLE roads. It can be mistreated and still it runs. Very cheap insurance and decent gas mileage doesnt hurt either.

And, they look good ;)

[bfp9]

No. I'd for sure get a 4 door e30 5 speed if I could do it all again. But I am happy that I have my e34 and don't see myself selling it anytime soon at all.

[spyrot1]

The only thing differnet would be a 5 speed... otherwise totaly happy.

[jhughes]

I'd get one that had at least SOME maintenance up-to-date. Knowing that 3100.00 would so quickly turn into 6500.00 (mainly by the addiction of getting everything back to 1995-era shape) would have had me just buying a better maintained (and potentially newer) vehicle. I can't tell you how many MINT, 100% maintained E30's I passed up because they weren't 3500.00 or less. Little did I realize at the time that paying more up front would be so worth it. I thought the sellers asking 4-6K were crazy. They weren't. EVERY worn-out or soon-to-wear-out part adds up quickly unless you are happy with driving a beater. I didn't HAVE to buy and install so many parts- the car would still be getting about just fine- but I wanted no leaks, no squeaks, no clunks.

[bigsixe34]

there are little things i would do over with my car, but for the most part i'm happy with the time and money that has gone into it.
what i would do differently if i could start over is buy a 525 instead of a 535

[WhoNew]

YES I WOULD.

I found my 93 525i for 1300 bucks, (that would be an M50 Vanos) and found a running driving parts car for 500 bucks. My car has wood trim too, which is a nice touch. AND it still had the gas door attached !!

So far, I have had to put a fuel pump, water pump, CPS, front end rebuild and VC gasket on it. That's in 3 years.

[strad]

If I could have predicted the future and saw that a human egg would split in half (we conceived twins about 4 months after I got the E34), I would have bought a much bigger car, like a Suburban or Tahoe. I have been pretty happy with my 535i/5, but it's not really big enough for the road trips we take it on.

Other than that, most of its problems are the that p.o had a lot more car than he/she could afford to maintain, and couldn't afford covered parking and/or leather conditioner for the car. It's not terrible, but it could be better.

[Meeve]

No. If I was to get back before I bought my 535, I think I would buy a nippon.

But i am happy with what I have, it keeps me busy, and I have a crazy project going on because of my e34. so i guess its ok.

[nosignal]

Absolutely.

It has needed it's fair share of refurbishing, but 1 year and almost 27k miles later I have no signs of my usual Automotive A.D.D.

Going to own it for a long time to come! :)

[84318i]

there are little things i would do over with my car, but for the most part i'm happy with the time and money that has gone into it.
what i would do differently if i could start over is buy a 525 instead of a 535

Lol 535/5 is what I was trying to find but didn't have much luck so I ended up with a 525i/5 instead.

If I was going to do it all over again it would have to be a 535/5 or 540/6 and IF/only IF those two are not available I would get a 525/5 and do a s50/2 or b35 swap+boost.

[curbsideprophet]

e34 yes, bike probably not. the bike has taken away some much needed maintenance money from the e34. if i had the extra money my car would be in much better condition right now.

[Jon Mar]

No. I'd have started with an M5 instead of a 535i, and then do everything I've done so far :D

[nitrouso]

I would definitely do it again.

[WhoNew]

No. I'd have started with an M5 instead of a 535i, and then do everything I've done so far :D

But it would have been an e34 M5 correct ??


Sure, if I had the cash, I may have gone with a 540 ... or an M5.

[Jon Mar]

But it would have been an e34 M5 correct ??


Sure, if I had the cash, I may have gone with a 540 ... or an M5.

Of course it would have been an E34. I've never had the urge to get a e39 or any other 5 series body.

[somerandomdude]

Yes. Even thought it had it's fair share of problems, I will keep on driving it. I have no regrets. Iwishitwasa5speedinsteadoftheautotragic.

Anyone can buy a new car. It takes a true enthusiast to breathe life into an older one.

[5mall5nail5]

Yep

[T444E]

Nope.

[ShapeShifter]

I've been more than happy with my touring. It has done everything I expected and more.
Could not be happier with my choice. Although I am thinking of selling the touring or the 635 (probably the 6) for a 540/6 like everyone else recently.

[BuckNaked]

yes.
absolutley yes.
without a doubt, unquestionably, yes.
and I would so totally regret it.
what was the question?

[Stereoinstaller1]

I got my '89 E34 M20A for free.

I paid WAY too much for it.

200,000 miles, body is OK, needs a trunk lid to look acceptable. Interior is OK, gonna do the door panels, headliner, rear deck, etc, but OK overall.

I have spent about 100 hours or more and about a grand. I could have bought a MUCH nicer one for $3K and been money ahead.

[E34nication]

Nah... I should have kept it stock for dd purposes and used the money I've put into it to pick up a better track car platform.

[KyleCleveland]

Not at the price I originally paid. At this point if I were looking for a replacement I would be hunting an e39.

[gdaE34]

If I had to do it over, I would have waited for a 540i6 to pop up rather than caving on an M50. But, at the time, there was no passing it up (full records, 60,000 miles).
I am still in love with the car. In Oct, it will be the longest I have ever owned a car (3 years), surpassing the much loved first car, 01 Explorer.

[Sam Son]

Id do it all over again in a heart beat...altho I wouldve skipped all my suspension setups and just gone right for coils

[SinisterMoose]

I'm about to do it all over again. So Yes. The '89 535i is waiting in the wings for a 5-speed conversion, turbo install, paint, suspension, and all the annoying nickle & dime things that it will no doubt need.

[DUDMD]

I'm on my 5th E34 right now, everyone of them gets better and better, except for my 525iA, it's just a daily beater that I picked up for cheap to drive to work and school.
My 540i6, i would not change single bit about it. I would only sell it to buy an M5, and I would have to think about it.

[BSMACK]

Never a regret in over 10 years of ownership. I have owned many European sedans over the years and currently have an S class for the wife and C class kompressor (a fun little commuter car). I have been tempted many times to sell the e34 but have never been able to pull the trigger. At some point the son will get the car. It still is the most consistent and favorite ride in the garage. Plus you can still work on the thing.

[canisM3]

sure, it gets me from point a to point b in style while having fun :) 5 speed

and it sure can burn rubber and have fun in the hills on occasion ^_^

but im not putting more money into it than I have to, it has rust on the underbody and some on the panels and I really want an e36 m3 anyways. So yeah, its just a car to hold me off until then and I highly doubt I will lose much money if any at all when I go to resell it since its definitely running infinitely better than it was when I got it, since i've done some much needed maintainance on it and I got it with only 109k on it, only has about 112k on it now

[voltageE34]

i would do it all over again... but would not try drifting on public roads as fines and repairs if things go "wrong" could cost you more than your car did :shifty

[McGeezy]

I've only had mine for 3 months, but it's the first car that I've had that I actually wanted AND is living up to all expectations. I actually chose it over similar condition and priced E39s and Don't regret it for a minute.:buttrock

Looking forward to years of E34 bliss.

[TouringToad]

what i would do differently if i could start over is buy a 525 instead of a 535

Why is that? (I have a 525 & was thinking a 535 would have been nicer. No?

[HlyDvlz1989]

no i would have never bought an E34 because I absolutely despise this car
:shifty:devillook

[Sam Son]

Why is that? (I have a 525 & was thinking a 535 would have been nicer. No?

The M50 is a better motor and he prefers the way it makes power and its sound

[rotaryboots]

I'm used to the horrors of turbo rotary engine ownership, so to say I'm more than happy with the purchase and maintenance's of my E34 would be an understatement.

The fact that its a M50 NV with a 5 speed behind it and the lsd is nice too.

my E39...well that doesn't get any more money thrown into it for a while. May end up selling that thing. Some E39's are trouble free for years, and some surprise you every other trip. Guess which type I got. The M62 is fun, but I don't have to worry about something going wrong when I drive the E34. Just changed the oil in her and put the summer tires back on today, that will be all I'll have to do to her until another 3K miles, when I'll have to change the oil again. Taking care of what's taking care of me ya know.

Dunno, its always been there for me...story of my E34.

...just wish I could find a girl with the same qualities as my E34...then life would be almost perfect haha.

[garrettpier]

NO. I would have just bought the M5 or M3 I thought I couldn't afford. Then at least the car would still be worth something if i wanted to get out of it.

[cdnalpina]

Without a doubt yes. My first E34 was the Biturbo...

[clevertd]

Maybe. Right now, I'm wishing for a 525i/5 because my m30 is such a gas hog. Not that I have a problem paying for it, the power output just isn't justified.

[cornflakecwl]

At this point, no. I could have bought my e38 for the money I've invested in this car so far. If I EVER get everything done suspension wise and it drives the way it's supposed to, I'll change my tune then I am sure.

[WhoNew]

I'm kinda surprised that a few guys are talking about wanting an e36 M3. I have owned an e36, and they are WAY too small, and they feel "cheap" to me.

Now the e46 M3 .... I would love to own one of those soon. LSB .... drool.

I liked my e39, but I LOVE my e34. The e39 was, by all accounts, a nicer car, but man the e34 is such a classic beautiful car, and much more fun to drive.

[TouringToad]

The M50 is a better motor and he prefers the way it makes power and its sound

Interesting, thanks.

[bigsixe34]

Why is that? (I have a 525 & was thinking a 535 would have been nicer. No?
It's a matter of personal preference. I happen to much prefer the smaller motor for it's characteristics all across the board (fuel economy, sound, the way it moves the car, parts availability, etc..) - Other guys will campaign for the larger m30, but having owned the latter and driven the former plenty, the positives of the m30 (faster and torquier and...that's it...) just don't make it worthwhile. Attack Eagle said it best quite some time ago, with something to the tune of "the m30 is blatantly faster but the m50 feels more fun" - ..my thoughts exactly

[DXlTHeGAME]

I put my 540i on my credit card 2yrs ago. Got it from a dealer, that wasnt exactly straight forward. The first day, I drove it 'round 200mi.

The next morning when I started it up, its was tapping LOUD! I about crapped myself on the spot.. Then the battery went dry, and kept going dry. I figured out those issues, and only had a few since.

Ive had it towed about 4 times totaling around $400, and spent about $800 in the shop. Only one of those issues are things I couldnt have fixed myself had I had a garage and tools.

The answer is yes, I would do it all again. But it is also time to sell it because at this point, I cant afford to keep throwing money at it.

Keep in mind, there are only about 6 days in the last 2yrs that I havent drove this car every day (not including my current issues that will keep it sidelined for over a month due to financial issues). I loved every minute of it. It is by far the best car I have ever driven. I used to commute 60mi and fell in love with the car immediately.

So yes, I would do it all over again. When I can afford the upkeep, I will do it again. But at this point, Im getting it running and cutting it loose, but if there was a reasonable alternative, I wouldnt let this car go.

(shameless plug: If you live in the Seattle area, and are in the market, give me a yell, lol)

[ltflint]

Yep!

[malagato]

I would do it again in a heart beat. This is my first BMW and I bought it on complete impulse and since then can't imagine driving another car...and why it took so long to find this out. I am watching the "ads" wondering how I am going to replace this one when its "time". I love my 525i automatic. Its bone stock, looks great and everything works just like it's supposed to.
I drive it everyday a minimum of 100 miles and several times a month 400 + miles at a time and it has never even hiccuped.
E34s rule as far as I am concerned.

[Meeve]

intersting. It seems to be mostly 50-50

[whatt18yahoo]

yes but differently

[kahluastud412]

Would I buy my car again, no. Would I buy another e34 again, oh ya!

[quick93]

I'd do it again in a second. The only difference is I'd hold out for a 540/6 instead of the auto. I'd love to have an M5 but anything in my price range would stick me with a car that would need twice my purchase price in repairs I'm sure. I originally wanted an M3 but I'm glad I didn't find one now, just learning about these cars tells me to stay away from the 3's all together.

[camaroguy]

Hmm, it went...e23 -> e32 -> e34 -> e34 -> e34, so I guess the odds are good that I would totally do it again. All if mine have been 95's and all M60's. The current one is pretty awesome though, not sure there will be a good enough reason to get any OTHER e34.

[brettholomew21]

Knowing what I know now, I think that getting the E34 was an unsound decision. A used car is rarely a good investment, especially one that's not particularly rare, but I feel like I could have gotten a better deal on a Honda or something and maybe not have had so many problems, or at least not have had problems I felt obligated to care for out of love. A Honda would have been a more sound financial choice.

However, the love of BMWs is what would make me do it again if I did it over, in spite of my car's issues, haha. If I start making concessions to sound and prudent financial decisions when I'm young and reckless, how lame am I going to be when I get old?

[keith2]

Id totally do it again...and actually plan on doing it again as soon as I can get some cash put together to "replace" my current e34. I say "replace" because I will most likely be swapping over many parts in to the "new" one. I love the e34, considered an e30, but I just cant walk away from the e34, Ill get an e30 when I can have 2 cars.

[Binjammin]

yes but differently

Would you have picked up some smarts and gone m50?


I can wholeheartedly say that regarding the car, no, not a chance. I love my e34, but it's been a constant project and money pit. The flip side to it though is that I've made a ton of awesome friends since I got the car, and I wouldn't trade that off for anything, so it's a difficult thought exercise for me. I could have lived the rest of my life, looking back obviously, having never got my e34. I could have happily thrown a motor into my celica or pathfinder I had at the time and never looked back, but if I had, I would have never ended up here. hmmm...

[Sam Son]

Oh you know you couldnt have live without me...c'mon now :D

[Trasportador]

It being I'm on my 3rd E34, I doubt I'll ever be without one. If I had to do it differently, I wished I'd have been hunting a 540/6 harder than I've been doing it in times past, as I soil myself many times whilst driving the one I have now.....

[Mordan]

there is no point having regrets.

there is a point learning and walking the walk.

I spent 20 000 dollars in 3 years for 3 BMWs I still own. (E34,E30,E36)

I learned the hard way; no mechanics should touch my cars unless there is no other way. I learned doing it myself. I'm a better human being now than 3 years ago.

I'm a free human being, well at least more free than some others. Like a cowboy that is able to tend his horse.
My iron horses, I tend myself, know them and will see them die or die before them.

[hammy35]

E34 again? Sure. Same one? Probably not. Great car, dollars spent are very reasonable for a 540/6. Mine has been to hell and back so the cosmetics are getting tired. I'm not into restoring daily drivers...

Next time I'm just going to find or build a manual touring.

[whatt18yahoo]

Would you have picked up some smarts and gone m50?


I can wholeheartedly say that regarding the car, no, not a chance. I love my e34, but it's been a constant project and money pit. The flip side to it though is that I've made a ton of awesome friends since I got the car, and I wouldn't trade that off for anything, so it's a difficult thought exercise for me. I could have lived the rest of my life, looking back obviously, having never got my e34. I could have happily thrown a motor into my celica or pathfinder I had at the time and never looked back, but if I had, I would have never ended up here. hmmm...


an m50 will never be on my list of cars.

an rb26 maybe, an s54 maybe, a 2jz maybe, a 1.5jz maybe, something else - we'll see

i would never build an m50

[Meeve]

an m50 will never be on my list of cars.

an rb26 maybe, an s54 maybe, a 2jz maybe, a 1.5jz maybe, something else - we'll see

i would never build an m50

a 1.5jz.

What the heck are you yapping about.

[Analog]

I bought my first e34 540iA at age 16. Had that for a few years, went to an e30, then an e36 M3, then an E39 and a 240sx. Now back in a e34. A euro M5 this time.

So I have, and would do it again!

[whatt18yahoo]

a 1.5jz.

What the heck are you yapping about.


1 j head with a 2j bottom end

the purpose being that the 1 j head flows much better than a 2j head (though the 2j is still great)

it makes for a 3 liter fire breathing monster that will take nearly whatever you throw at it

[misswin]

yes. after 7 years and a ton of bruises/cuts/scars/learning/miles, i can honestly say i will never sell this car.

[brettholomew21]

Actually, after thinking about it a bit, I might have gone back to an E30 if I had a do-over. My first car was an E30 and I miss how nimble it was a lot. But then again, when I test drove my E34 for the first time I liked how substantial it was.

[top535i]

I must say i'm not sure. I'm curious how it would have been if i'd gotten the audi s4 2,2 turbo 6 speed that was the other car i checked out before buying this one. My e34 for sure have been a money pit so far..

[bubba966]

Interesting so far. Am surprised at how many of you would do it again with the same car. Was expecting more of you to say that you'd find a 540/6 or M5 instead of what you went with.

Me personally I knew what I wanted in an E34. I'd borrowed my buddies '93 M5 enough (used to borrow it went he went on vacations) to know exactly what I did & didn't like. Figured out that I wanted an M5 with more usable torque & preferably no clutch. Loved the sound of that S38, hated the power delivery. Enjoyed the manual frequently, but got tired of it in traffic.

Figured I'd have to get a 540iA & add the M5 stuff I liked to it (seats, '93 mirrors, wheels, brakes, bumpers, suspension). Then found out about M-Sports & spent the next 2 1/2 years looking for the one I wanted. Almost bought a '91 M5 & an E38 sport but glad I held out.

[Binjammin]

an m50 will never be on my list of cars.

an rb26 maybe, an s54 maybe, a 2jz maybe, a 1.5jz maybe, something else - we'll see

i would never build an m50

Jesus, do people tell you during the course of the day how you suffer from diminished capacity?


a 1.5jz.

What the heck are you yapping about.

Meeve, he's an idiot.


1 j head with a 2j bottom end

the purpose being that the 1 j head flows much better than a 2j head (though the 2j is still great)

it makes for a 3 liter fire breathing monster that will take nearly whatever you throw at it

Just go away. Back to your rock.

[KyleCleveland]

Jesus, do people tell you during the course of the day how you suffer from diminished capacity?



Meeve, he's an idiot.



Just go away. Back to your rock.

Not saying you're wrong, but personally I prefer to back up opinions with facts before calling names.

[Meeve]

an m50 will never be on my list of cars.

an rb26 maybe, an s54 maybe, a 2jz maybe, a 1.5jz maybe, something else - we'll see

i would never build an m50

Coming from someone who is """"BUILDING"""" (or should I say destroying) an m20, it sounds wacko that you wont build an m50.

[Sam Son]

Not saying you're wrong, but personally I prefer to back up opinions with facts before calling names.

Its been backed up so many times Im wondering how you mightve missed it:confused

The guy is a complete fool

[SSkoda]

I would do it again (talking exclusively about my first one - the only one I kept for more than 6 months)

I would have another black touring, probably the same sweet M50B25TU engine, probably a pre-FL, I would shadowline it faster, get leather for it quicker, lower it but with better stuff, and drive it as hard

BUT

I would NOT do it with the same one as I did, the one that needed EVERY suspension arm, exhaust part, sensor, catch, hinge, connector and pipe replacing.
Something like $6000 went into it before it was sent on its way, and I've since parted out better E34s bought for $600. I must have parted out 4 just keeping that one on the road.

So I would do all the same stuff, just find a better base.

[LouieD]

I am doing it again :D ...on my 4th e34. Wouldn't change a thing about my experience. I love the Touring and would build another in a heartbeat if I had the opportunity. Currently putting together a car for the wife and enjoying almost every minute of it. Some of the tedious work pisses me off, but in the end it's all worth it. I love the sense of satisfaction. Maybe the next sedan will be an e32 though... would love to do a manual v8 e32.

[attack eagle]

no. I 'd have paid off a CC instead of rolling the money from my DSM into the Touring.

[NikosX]

4 or 5 E34s no sure how to count them...

1st one was a 535im in brilliantrot on parchment. Heated seats, LSD, UUC evo3 SSK, pristine car. Got it at 90k. Loved the car until I drove an M5. I still miss that car. The guy I sold it to still has it. 138k last I checked.

2nd one was the M5 I drive currently. Bought it, loved it, sold it, cried over it, got it back.

3rd one was JCB's hellrot 540i6. Great car, but too needy for me and too far from perfect. Parted it out.

4th one was an Islandgrun 525iA I used for a snow beater for like a week till the leaky headgasket finally blew. Parted it out.

There is a blue non running maritiusblau E34 M5 in there somewhere that 4500RPM and I bought and parted out. Immaculate shell/body but just not worth fixing.

Throw in 3 E39s and the 2 S2000s... Yeah, Id do it again.