1990 BMW 535i

[91bimmerboy]

ok, so im getting a pretty good feeling about buying this e34.

its got 299xxx miles but the trans and engine where rebuilt around 220xxxmiles. havent seen any pics but ive asked the seller to send me some.
said the seats in the front were cracked and had tears and everything electronic works except the drivers side window and lock. selling pretty cheap too.

what do you guys think? i used to own a 1991 BMW 325i cabrio. and that wasnt in the best condition either. whats the avg MPG for these cars?

[atl530i]

That is a lot of miles. Have him send you some service records also showing the work has been done. I think the avg MPG is like 20/24 or something like that.

[syntax]

is it an auto or manual trans? i agree with atl530i, make sure it has been regularly serviced. Also, what do you consider "cheap"? Cheap enough that if it turns out to be terminal and it only lasts a week you can still recover financially?

[91bimmerboy]

ive asked hime if he has the reciept of the rebuild. its selling as a fixer up sort of. ive been thinking of a 5er ever since i sold my e30. i wanted an e28, but the prices of them seem to be the same as a e34. this is what the ad said:

Hello,

I have a Black on Grey 535i for sale. This car has a manual transmission which is really hard to find on these cars! This car needs some TLC so get up and going, but its the perfect project for those that want something to tinker with.

The car has 299,xxx miles, however the engine and transmission were rebuilt around 220,000 miles. The car runs and drives pretty well, but it does need a few things. The alternator went out about a week ago, and I don't have the time to replace it. The power steering has a leak where the hose meets the pump. Also the car needs new thrust arm bushings. (I have new arms with the bushings installed and will include them with the sale of the car) The drivers door doesn't lock, nor does the window go down.. I already have the door panel off, the lock actuator and the window motor need to be replaced. The front seats have some cracks and tears, but back are in reasonable condition. These are all real minor things that a competent DIY mechanic can do on a Saturday.

The car will also come with a Pioneer CD/MP3 deck that has a remote. It will also be wired for an amp and subs.

In the last 6 months I have replaced the fuel pump, the clutch slave and all the lines, belts, and done a valve adjustment. It also has 2 new rear tires and a battery that is less the 3 months old. Oil changes have always been done with Mobil 1 synthetic at 5000 miles. When I smogged the car last year, it passed with flying colors. The previous owner installed new cats when the motor was rebuilt. (The smog tech even commented on how low the readings were for a car of this age.)


This car is a really good car with lots of life left, or car be parted out, your choice. I will work on the price a little, but at $1500, this car is a bargain, and with about 500-1000 in parts, it will be like new again. Really, this car needs only a few mechanical bits, but mostly cosmetic TLC. Since the alternator cannot maintain a charge, this car will need to be towed.


He said he would replace the alt. so he could briung it to me here in reno. all info about the car is there let me know what you guys think

[atl530i]

He sounds like he knows what he is talking about.

[tbcbroman]

1500 seems like a good deal if you dont mind all of the work.

[kalevera]

I'd be more concerned with who did the rebuild work and what kind of parts were used than the mileage.

220k and BOTH the M30 and G260 needed rebuilds? That is extreme.


P.S. Cosmetics, interior will nickle and dime you. These days for $4k you can get a maintained 535/5, but it might take a while to find. Pay it upfront or pay it as you go and deal with the hassles.

[moroza]

He sounds like he knows what he is talking about.

+1

[Derek A.]

I love my 1990 E34. But at 212,000 miles. If I lost a motor I would probably go the route of the used engine as opposed to the rebuild. That is a ton of money to sink into a 20 year old car.

[91bimmerboy]

well, they swapped the motor out with a 93' 535i motor and rebuilt it with BMW DOT-R replacement parts.

[forsaken]

Hahaha, dude thats my e34 up for sale... this is too funny for words. Hit me back in an email.

[strayts]

man i'm about to buy a 1990 535i/5spd w/ 184k, and i thought that was a lot. i guess i needed to take that into perspective. good luck!