E34 in good condition worth 5K?

[cohny]

I don't really know anything about e34 pricing. Is a really clean later year E34 525i with less than 150k miles and a few mods worth 5K?

[T444E]

Meh.

[Leonator134]

Meh.

Agreed..

For reference, that's closed to what I payed for my clean '95 540/6.

But also, it's worth what it's worth to you.

[Psykick5]

I payed that much for my 134k mile (at the time) 540/6 with pretty good history dating back to 1996. 525s I'd value at much less. If it's an auto I wouldn't give it more than $2k on principle.

[cohny]

Agreed..

For reference, that's closed to what I payed for my clean '95 540/6.

But also, it's worth what it's worth to you.

This is the issue.

I don't want a 540 as I'm trying to commute in the car and not totally waste gas, so a 525i is for me. However, there aren't nearly as many 525s in as good a condition as there are 540s or M5s. I want a clean one with vanos, like real clean and its proving difficult. Compounding the issue is anything green, with a tan interior, or an auto is a total deal breaker for me as well.

I found a guy who has what I want. His asking price is crazy high though, so I offered 3.5 and then 4. He won't budge below 5 and I'm conflicted. On one hand 5k is a lot, but on the other I'm asking for a lot and I've been looking for months.

[Leonator134]

Lets see some pics of the 5k car. If you wait long enough you'll find what you want.

That said, a 6-speed 540 is capable of 30mpg on the highway. Many will disagree, but it's absolutely true.

Leo

[cohny]

Here's the link: http://roanoke.craigslist.org/cto/4315400046.html

I've seen a lot more pictures etc. and everything is as you'd want it to be. The only issue is some slight wear on the steering wheel and a warped airbag cover. Everything else is mint. I know it's lacking the premium package, but that's not really worth much to me. Its also a 95 and its lived in VA where its not to arid and it doesn't snow too often.

[Layne]

Ewwwww vinyl seats for 5 grand? No thanks.

Also listen to Leo, there's hardly any difference in the gas mileage. M5 gets even better.

[cohny]

I'd really like to turbo the car eventually, and my commute is is going to be half city and half highway. I really can't imagine that the M60 is going to be equally as frugal.

I guess what I'm really asking here is am I getting totally hung out to dry or am I paying a little too much?

[atl530i]

Clean car, but I would more than likely offer around $3k for it. There was a 92 525i5 for sale locally that was lowered, nice 17" wheels (BBS style), clean, and had some records for $3.3k.

[ndbag]

The car does look rather nice. If it actually is as clean as it looks, I can see why you like it. And if it is in very good condition a little bit of a "price premium" might be worth paying for a car that will run solidly and not let you down and force you to do any unscheduled tinkering. That kind of peace of mind goes a long way. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the after market "improvements", but that is a question of taste. Having said all of this, I think 5k does seem a little steep, but not completely unrealistic (the price quoted in the ad is completely crazy).

At least the ad doesn't have the tell-tale "mechanically sound rare collector's car" pitch in it.

If I was in your place and I really wanted the car, I 'd stick to the 4K offer you made as my "pain threshold" and sit tight. If the owner is right about the worth of the car and he can sell it for 5K upwards, it will be gone and there will be other nice e34's you can buy at some point in the probably not too distant future for a probably fair and reasonable price. If everyone who commented is right, it won't sell any time soon for that asking price, and perhaps your 4K offer will sound very attractive to the owner then? I think with any kind of used car deal, you have to be able to walk away and wait for a better opportunity, if this one doesn't work out. ^_~

Also, from personal experience I can say that the 525 can be extremely economical on the highway, but a lot of stop-go and uphill-driving will bring the mpg's down pretty quickly (i.e. less torque than the larger engines, so you need to step down harder to make it go). So the above statements about fuel economy seem very reasonable to me (from the opposite point of view, driving a 525 rather than a larger engined car). ^__^

[T444E]

If you're looking for a commuter car, a 20 year old mid-size luxury sedan probably isn't the right target. Get a Civic.

Sent from my bell end using Tapatalk

[ross1]

Here's the link: http://roanoke.craigslist.org/cto/4315400046.html

I've seen a lot more pictures etc. and everything is as you'd want it to be. The only issue is some slight wear on the steering wheel and a warped airbag cover. Everything else is mint. I know it's lacking the premium package, but that's not really worth much to me. Its also a 95 and its lived in VA where its not to arid and it doesn't snow too often.
Not that one.

[cohny]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm going to walk away for now and see what happens.




If you're looking for a commuter car, a 20 year old mid-size luxury sedan probably isn't the right target. Get a Civic.

Sent from my bell end using Tapatalk

I see what you're saying here but I don't think about it like that. If I'm going to spend an hour and a half of my life in something everyday, it's going to be something a little more personal than a civic.

[Htay9500]

No.

[SwissCheeseHead]

like what ndbag said, always be prepared to walk away. A "desperate" car buying is a salesman's dream. I wouldn't pay 5K for that car, you can get something nicer for that kind of money. Also, you have to remember that it's a 20 yr old car. Unless he has done recent major maintenance on it, expect that to come out of your pocket if you buy.

Also, you want to turbo but are worried about MPG??? If you want to make any power with the turbo, forget about it. You'd be better off getting a 540.

[E38740iMD]

I honestly like the thar grey car. Yea it has vinyl seats but it appears to e in good condition. I was wondering why it has a volvo lip. And running vogtland springs and its not hard pressed on the floor. Then he has 19" wheels. Still looks nice and the rear could use a bit more low.but back on topic. Thats a 3k car to me

[cohny]

like what ndbag said, always be prepared to walk away. A "desperate" car buying is a salesman's dream. I wouldn't pay 5K for that car, you can get something nicer for that kind of money. Also, you have to remember that it's a 20 yr old car. Unless he has done recent major maintenance on it, expect that to come out of your pocket if you buy.

Also, you want to turbo but are worried about MPG??? If you want to make any power with the turbo, forget about it. You'd be better off getting a 540.


I'd like to turbo it eventually, as in maybe 3 or 4 years from now. I also have an e36 m3 with only 90k on it. I've owned that car for 4 years now and it is literally in perfect condition. Every year it seems the s54 swap gets easier, so eventually I'd swap one of those in that and have a minty fresh s52 to throw in the e34. Having an m50 based e34 would make that much easier than starting with a 540.

[Leonator134]

I dig that 525.

[Cheche]

I like the car, hate those wheels on it and I would walk away from it for that price.

[Psykick5]

Lets see some pics of the 5k car. If you wait long enough you'll find what you want. That said, a 6-speed 540 is capable of 30mpg on the highway. Many will disagree, but it's absolutely true. Leo

This is absolutely true. I get 28 on mine.

[psychrunner]

Quite honestly. If I were you I probably wouldn't bother asking on the forum about what to pay. People tend to get quickly negative, and quite frankly, it's getting more more difficult to find good condition Bmw's like the one I see pictured here. What in the world can you buy for $5000 now?I say go forward if that's what you want since I doubt if you will find one for a lower price in that condition.

[camaroguy]

This is absolutely true. I get 28 on mine.

28 <> 30. To get 30 mpg in a 540i/6 would basically require the absolute optimum of conditions, though it could happen.

Anyway, I am not calling anyone here a liar, but I would say that saying "capable of 30mpg", while possibly true, is definitely setting the wrong expectation for a prospective buyer.

With a tune, high octane gas, and conservative driving style, 25-27 isn't hard to achieve on most highways. I will say these cars are surprisingly fuel efficient "for what they are" on the highways though.

[Leonator134]

I got 31mpg on a long highway trip with DUDMD tune, 93 octane has, 70mph in 6th the whole time.

Confirmed at the pump. (No I wasn't going by the OBC)

[Layne]

I usually get 24 hwy, but sometimes more. Definitely very very good for the vehicle size and power.

Pushing an E34 through the air at a steady speed takes the same amount of HP regardless of engine choice. If the efficiency of the engine is exactly the same, then the gas mileage is exactly the same. Doesn't matter if it's a 1.0l or 10.0l engine.

[camaroguy]

I got 31mpg on a long highway trip with DUDMD tune, 93 octane has, 70mph in 6th the whole time.

Confirmed at the pump. (No I wasn't going by the OBC)

Cool. I say again... Exception not Rule. Hence its not something anyone could just Expect to get, and definitely on the high end, not the norm.


I usually get 24 hwy, but sometimes more. Definitely very very good for the vehicle size and power.

Pushing an E34 through the air at a steady speed takes the same amount of HP regardless of engine choice. If the efficiency of the engine is exactly the same, then the gas mileage is exactly the same. Doesn't matter if it's a 1.0l or 10.0l engine.

True, but realistically there are a lot more variables than this. For instance most roads are not exactly flat, and most 540's are a bit heavier than 525's. Most of the time people don't stay at exactly the same throttle position and speed for a whole trip.


Again, for the record. If you are getting 30+ great, that's awesome. I just wouldn't sell a 540i/6 as a 30+mpg car because there are a few cases where it does.

[Cheche]

^ camaroguy is right
Is like manufactures do, they put the car with professional drivers on perfect conditions and then they claim certain MPG, but in the real world there are way too many variants and those numbers are extremely hard to achieve.

[imae30driver]

My 1900$ 540/6 gets 28mpg....


these days with the higher models being nearly equal in price buying a lesser model is pointless..
the minimal difference in MPG is not worth settling for 2nd or 3rd best..


be a man,get a v8. After 3 m50b25tu's and 3 m60b40's ive found there also FAR more reliable as they don't require a new HG after roughly 150k.... That alone should cost 2-3x the yearly gas savings... And headache...

[NikosX]

My 1900$ 540/6 gets 28mpg....

these days with the higher models being nearly equal in price buying a lesser model is pointless..
the minimal difference in MPG is not worth settling for 2nd or 3rd best..

be a man,get a v8. After 3 m50b25tu's and 3 m60b40's ive found there also FAR more reliable as they don't require a new HG after roughly 150k.... That alone should cost 2-3x the yearly gas savings... And headache...

So in your opinion, can you rank e34s from best to worst?

[e24mpwr]

OP - Those wheels are going to suck a lot more mileage than the V8 would. Tell him $3.8K and he keeps the wheels. Grab yourself some nice 17" wheels.


So in your opinion, can you rank e34s from best to worst?

We're not going to start that debate.

[ross1]

OP - Those wheels are going to suck a lot more mileage than the V8 would. Tell him $3.8K and he keeps the wheels. Grab yourself some nice 17" wheels.



We're not going to start that debate.

Bottom to top
M20/automatic...///M5... Nik's///M5

[imae30driver]

So in your opinion, can you rank e34s from best to worst?


Sure? BMW kinda did it for us....

1) M5 - obviously
2) 540/6 (if you hate maintanance/costs may be best for you if your not badge conscious)
3)525i/5 (m50b25tu- higher specific out put an the successor to m30)
4) 530/5 (m60b30 (great for swaps but gets worse mpg and has less HP than b40... So why make it?)
5)535/5 (solid motor but outdated technology)
6)525i/5(m20b25 is rare now under powered though!)
Same order for auto's IMO

[longwayhome23]

Ross, I was gonna list them in reverse order: Best E34 = mine. Worst E34 = everybody elses's! LOL But to keep myself out of trouble, I'd be willing to concede that the Mods' E34s can all tie for second place. Now let's change the subject before anyone else takes the question seriously. :devillook

[Leonator134]

Ross, I was gonna list them in reverse order: Best E34 = mine. Worst E34 = everybody elses's! LOL But to keep myself out of trouble, I'd be willing to concede that the Mods' E34s can all tie for second place. Now let's change the subject before anyone else takes the question seriously. :devillook


:rofl Classic!

[ross1]

Ross, I was gonna list them in reverse order: Best E34 = mine. Worst E34 = everybody elses's! LOL But to keep myself out of trouble, I'd be willing to concede that the Mods' E34s can all tie for second place. Now let's change the subject before anyone else takes the question seriously. :devillook
:dunno

[E38740iMD]

If your gonna say outdated technology, might as well say the same thing for the M5 :shifty

- - - Updated - - -


Sure? BMW kinda did it for us....

1) M5 - obviously
2) 540/6 (if you hate maintanance/costs may be best for you if your not badge conscious)
3)525i/5 (m50b25tu- higher specific out put an the successor to m30)
4) 530/5 (m60b30 (great for swaps but gets worse mpg and has less HP than b40... So why make it?)
5)535/5 (solid motor but outdated technology)
6)525i/5(m20b25 is rare now under powered though!)
Same order for auto's IMO
.

[Jungerishere]

I got 31mpg on a long highway trip with DUDMD tune, 93 octane has, 70mph in 6th the whole time.

Confirmed at the pump. (No I wasn't going by the OBC)

Sorry, no offense but hard time believing your numbers...

- - - Updated - - -


Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm going to walk away for now and see what happens.


If the car is in mint condition and mechanically excellent, it might be worth the premium price. But the price seems high for this one. Maybe if it had nicer/different wheels and M-Tech bumpers and leather interior...

[Leonator134]

Sorry, no offense but hard time believing your numbers...



Lol doesn't bother me any dude. They're real and many other members have achieved the same.

[jfs356]

I always doubt 30 MPG figures for 25 year old, 3500 lb, V8 cars. Primitive electronics, the weight and other intangibles would seem to work against it.
I have never gotten 30 MPG from my 530i 5 speed even nursing it on highway. Why else would our cars be listed in the Cash for Clunkers program a few years back? Even my Volvo 240 Turbo made the list at 23 MPG highway.


1994 BMW 540i (http://fueleconomydb.com/specs/1994/BMW/540i)


City
14 mpg (16.8 litres/100km)


Hwy
21 mpg (11.2 litres/100km)


Combined
16 mpg (14.7 litres/100km)


Yearly Fuel Cost
$1126


Figures adjusted for EPA's new 2008 estimation method. (http://fueleconomydb.com/specs/1994/BMW/540i)


Class
COMPACT CARS


Engine
8 cyl. 243 cubic inches (4 litres)


Transmission
Lock-Up/Automatic/5-Speed


Fuel
Premium Gasoline


(http://fueleconomydb.com/specs/1994/BMW/540i)


1995 BMW 540i (http://fueleconomydb.com/specs/1995/BMW/540i)


City
14 mpg (16.8 litres/100km)


Hwy
23 mpg (10.2 litres/100km)


Combined
17 mpg (13.8 litres/100km)


Yearly Fuel Cost
$1012


Figures adjusted for EPA's new 2008 estimation method. (http://fueleconomydb.com/specs/1995/BMW/540i)


Class
COMPACT CARS


Engine
8 cyl. 243 cubic inches (4 litres)


Transmission
Lock-Up/Automatic/5-Speed


Fuel
Premium Gasoline


(http://fueleconomydb.com/specs/1995/BMW/540i)


1995 BMW 540i (http://fueleconomydb.com/specs/1995/BMW/540i)


City
12 mpg (19.6 litres/100km)


Hwy
21 mpg (11.2 litres/100km)


Combined
15 mpg (15.7 litres/100km)


Yearly Fuel Cost
$1191


Figures adjusted for EPA's new 2008 estimation method. (http://fueleconomydb.com/specs/1995/BMW/540i)


Class
COMPACT CARS


Engine
8 cyl. 243 cubic inches (4 litres)


Transmission
Manual Six Speed


Fuel
Premium Gasoline


(http://fueleconomydb.com/specs/1995/BMW/540i)

[Leonator134]

Doubt them all you want. Nurse your 530i all you want, I'll be getting 31 highway all the while in my 540/6.

[PorscheH6]

http://s1.postimg.org/jl7mgdunj/IMG_5910_zps3ec39071.jpg

[Leonator134]

:rofl you win Andrew.

[jfs356]

Ok, yes, better than a 1995 Honda Accord 2.2 litre, 5 speed, right :)

[Leonator134]

Also the 5 speed transmission in the 530 doesn't have overdrive and the 6 speed in the 540 does.

[HE53]

Not now... if you time capsule it for a few year I'll bet an E34 die hard will pop for that kind of money for a clean unmolested solid car.

Also... I love the V8 e34's, but the best DD in the field is a 93-95 525 with a manual trans. 95 is the best as its quieter and has a little better build quality.

[jfs356]

I know, wish I had that extra gear. Will be looking for 540-6 in this area for right price, but all are automatics.

- - - Updated - - -

Back to OP, 5k seems reasonable for a clean, no issue E34. I see ratty ones everyday on CL for 3k-4k, so a bit more for a nice car is probably worth it.
Plus the 525i manual should be very efficient and easy to maintain - the car in the pics looks very nice. I would like to have a 525-5 for a DD.

[raceyBMW]

For me to spend 5k on a "regular" E34, it would have to be near perfect, not needing any work other than an oil change within say two years. Also, I would want a thorough look over the car for that amount, spending probably an hour with the car to know what is really going on with it. 5k will get you a decent E39 these days (though whether they are "better" is obviously debatable).

[Cheche]

Sure? BMW kinda did it for us....

1) M5 - obviously
2) 540/6 (if you hate maintanance/costs may be best for you if your not badge conscious)
3)525i/5 (m50b25tu- higher specific out put an the successor to m30)
4) 530/5 (m60b30 (great for swaps but gets worse mpg and has less HP than b40... So why make it?)
5)535/5 (solid motor but outdated technology)
6)525i/5(m20b25 is rare now under powered though!)
Same order for auto's IMO

you guys are leaving the the rest of the world out :P.... the worst of the worst is the 518 with M40... then 518 with M43... JUNK

[imae30driver]

If your gonna say outdated technology, might as well say the same thing for the M5 :shifty

- - - Updated - - -


.


310-315+ BHP from the 3.6L DOHC 24v i6 w/ ITB's & DP-SFI....

Its getting old but the specific output is still respectable today...
vs 180-210bhp from 3.5L.... LOL the m30 was already really old in the 80's...

Its has a AFM doesn't it? Says it all!

[ross1]

Lol doesn't bother me any dude. They're real and many other members have achieved the same.
Is this an OBC indicated figure or calculated?
I ONCE managed 27mpg(indicated)in mine, driving slow, trying to draft trucks, etc. Had tire pressure up more than it should have been too.
This was with the lousy E10 fuel which is ubiquitous here. Better fuel would get better but unavailable here. I never calculated actual but have found the OBCs to be close.
Your numbers aren't that much higher so not completely unbelievable but I have to think you must drive quite slowly on level terrain and that your car is very good condition.

[thatonedood]

Any advantageous difference in MPG of one e34 over the next will easily be diminished by the fact that the chassis as a whole is an inherent money pit. So really the argument is about how to lose a little less money on the car? :dunno In other words, if you're actually concerned about MPG, don't get an e34.

Incidentally, I just noticed my AVG MPG button on my OBC several months ago. It said 16.3 for a long time, then a couple weeks ago; 16.5. Yesterday it said 16.7. Weird.

[Leonator134]

Is this an OBC indicated figure or calculated? I ONCE managed 27mpg(indicated)in mine, driving slow, trying to draft trucks, etc. Had tire pressure up more than it should have been too. This was with the lousy E10 fuel which is ubiquitous here. Better fuel would get better but unavailable here. I never calculated actual but have found the OBCs to be close. Your numbers aren't that much higher so not completely unbelievable but I have to think you must drive quite slowly on level terrain and that your car is very good condition.

See my original mileage post. It was confirmed at the fuel pump.

[Layne]

You have the 2.81 differential Leo?

[imae30driver]

I've gotten ~28mpg average from my 540/6 and 21mpg from a prius....



Why? Becuase its more how you drive than what you drive...(to an extent)
anyone see the e92 m3 vs prius mpg battle on top gear?

[me78569]

Both my 540 and 530 touring got high 20's.

The 540 would do 30 pretty easy on the highway.

I think Greg and I got the touring to 32 mpg on a highway trip, been a number of years though. that was with 3 people and about as much stuff as the touring would hold.

I wouldn't touch that 525 for 5k though. Never never buy something for too much because you feel like you won't find a better car or better "deal"

5k was 540 /6 money 3 years ago. I think I bought mine for 5.5k 4 or 5 years ago.

[upallnight]

If you're looking for a commuter car, a 20 year old mid-size luxury sedan probably isn't the right target. Get a Civic.

Sent from my bell end using Tapatalk

I agreed

[Leonator134]

You have the 2.81 differential Leo?

That was recorded with stock O2.93. I have the S3.15 in it now.

[cohny]

If you're looking for a commuter car, a 20 year old mid-size luxury sedan probably isn't the right target. Get a Civic.

Sent from my bell end using Tapatalk


I agreed


I can definitely appreciate this point of view and the inherent practicality that goes with it. However, I personally think about it differently. I'm young, debt free, and single. Im not concerned with the extra costs associated with driving an e34 over, say, a civic or an equivalent. I already work in a cubicle, I don't need the Honda too. If I'm going to spend an hour and a half in something everyday, I'll be damned if its not going to provide the kind of satisfaction only a hobby can give you.



Also thanks for the continued perspective guys I didn't expect 3 pages from this thread

[Layne]

I didn't expect 3 pages from this thread

We're nothing if not opinionated.

[e24mpwr]

We're nothing if not opinionated.

:ROFL

(and a big +1)

[thatonedood]

We're nothing if not opinionated.

/subforum

[E38740iMD]

310-315+ BHP from the 3.6L DOHC 24v i6 w/ ITB's & DP-SFI....

Its getting old but the specific output is still respectable today...
vs 180-210bhp from 3.5L.... LOL the m30 was already really old in the 80's...

Its has a AFM doesn't it? Says it all!

i know. i was just venting my car was in the low of the list :( lol

- - - Updated - - -


We're nothing if not opinionated.


and thats what makes this forum fun

[imae30driver]

i know. i was just venting my car was in the low of the list :( lol

- - - Updated - - -




and thats what makes this forum fun

Sorry, was just going by how BMW designated them...

Based on the nomenclatures/specs/successors as BMW sold them. Not based on my opinion..
Not looking to open that Can-O-Worms...

[E38740iMD]

:laugh

Sometimes those can-o-worms lead to a great yet funny read

[ZS860 e34]

I like it im selling my e34 5 speed though need to buy something faster for the track

[imae30driver]

I like it im selling my e34 5 speed though need to buy something faster for the track
Staying in an e34 still though?


i love putting an e34 on the track, it exceeds most people's expectations easily and gets attention..
i like having something kinda different.

[ZS860 e34]

I said the same thing and was geeting ready to put it on the track but then some financial issues came up so now im selling don't worry ima be doing a e34 track car and ima make sure im flipping off all the e36s and e30s while I pass them

[imae30driver]

And Ima support that! And ima do the same thing lol...


sadly how ever, there is no door to door racing available... Or id be doing it...
I kinda built a full interior touring car for a series that does not exist..

[Binjammin]

I like it im selling my e34 5 speed though need to buy something faster for the track

Lime Rock is a two hour drive for you, Waterford, Stafford, and Thompson are ovals (thompson's road course is open this season?) Watkins Glen, NHMS, Epping... all pretty far...

Where do you track your e34?