BMW E34 - thoughts?

[seacow]

Some of you may know that I have been looking for an addition to my small fleet in a half arsed way for a while to tinker with but on strict budget etc. I have a soft spot for BMW - bring on the abuse - and went to look at a 1993 520i auto yesterday near me. It the later 24v version 2 owner with 54k on it and a service history an inch thick - spent thousands on it no joke. Was owned by an older guy and the current owner is moving on after 18 months as he is now retiring - its full BMW history from the supplying dealer. The body lets it down though - there are some big blobs of rust - underneath looks OK and its probably more tatty that anything serious (famous last words). Anyone got any thoughts or experience here - love the history and it sounds ace but needs a bloody good clean etc. He's after £850 but i couldn't get that high with what is quite a lot of minor body fettling. And the airbag light is on - which I dont care about buts that MOT stuff now isn't it?

[Rocket88]

£850 sounds wildly optimistic to me. Ask yourself what you'd pay for a clean one with no service history..........

[Pete-M]

Sounds overpriced to me.

 

The 2.0 24v job is a bit gutless as an auto, but not a horrible thing. SE spec is a good thing to have, alloys, front fog lights, rear head rests etc.

 

2.0 12v is pointless.

 

The one you're describing sounds like £350 to me.

[seacow]

Sounds overpriced to me.

 

The 2.0 24v job is a bit gutless as an auto, but not a horrible thing. SE spec is a good thing to have, alloys, front fog lights, rear head rests etc.

 

2.0 12v is pointless.

 

The one you're describing sounds like £350 to me.

 

It is the SE - forgot to mention. Thanks for comments so far - kind of confirmed what I was thinking - probably 5-600 at a push. I think he will realise that he just can't move it and may look at lower offers - the 520 gets no love probably as it doesn't set the world alight as you say - its worth saving but not at any cost!!! Cheers all

[skattrd]

Not a fan of the 2l 6-pot myself, it can be a very smooth engine, but it has the power of the 4-pot with the economy of a 6.

I'd say either get a 525 or 518

[cort16]

The 520i is underpowered and thirsty. I imagine it's a real plodder in auto form. If it really has got 54k on it then as long as it's not hanging with rust I think that's a fair price. Low mileage effects the price of BMW's like no other as most of them have done a gazzillion miles. Anything that age with under 70k attracts interest.

[Spiny Norman]

Sounds expensive for what it is. That low a mileage on a 20 year old car would put me off, not entice me, and it'll be slower than a week in the jail. 150bhp in a fairly high revving engine with an autobox in a 1600Kg barge will be frustrating. The rust would put me off too, mechanical bits are tough and can be replaced, but you'll spend far more fixing a grotty body.

I'd have a rust free shiny one with 200k before a rusty 50k miler tbh.

 

I liked both my 5 series BMWs, I had the old 12v 520i auto in an E28, still not fast but nearly half a ton lighter than the E34 so not dreadful, and later a 530i auto E34, which went like a stabbed rat.

 

Offer him £500 if you really want it but I'd regard a 525i 24v as a minimum engine requirement for an E34 if you want it to drive like a BMW or the Diseasel 525tds if you don't.

[cort16]

Is it this one?

 

[seacow]

Is it this one?

 

 

Yup - not cleaned at all! And its sat outside on a farm for 18 months....

[cort16]

It doesn't look too bad in the pictures. What bit's are rusty.

[DodgyBastard]

If you do decide to buy it I have some lovely metric bbs for sale!

[seacow]

It doesn't look too bad in the pictures. What bit's are rusty.

 

 

I agree - I was surprised when I got there. There is general tattyness rust on edge of bonnet from stone chips - marks on the door edges and scuffed bumpers and mirrors. No worries there - but there are plastic door and sill caps and on the drivers door there is bad rust under one - not through but the worst bit, then end of sills by rear wheel arch nasty blob and a couple of other bits. A bloody good clean would do wonders but I guess just nervous about whats lurking further in!!!

 

Thanks for wheel offer - surprisingly it doesn't have metrics on it so I assume they were swapped at some point.

[rml2345]

Unless he's willing to drop the price by a fair bit I'd leave it. If you're really after an E34 there's better out there for the same sort of dosh.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

He's on drugs at £850. You're into tidy E39's at that level.

 

If it has a long MOT it's 500 quid tops, and the wadge of invoices doesn't add £1 to the value - it's a tatty 20 year old 520i and it's worth a cup of cold piss.

 

The airbag light can be fixed by fitting a £10 standard steering wheel and whipping the bulb out. Of more importance is the state of it underneath. The rear sills rot and so does the steel panel under the radiator. I'd expect it to have had front shocks and various other front suspension/steering bits at that age as well so it ought to drive nicely.

[Pete-M]

The E39 comment is a valid one. That mega mile 528iSE I had last year had zero rot, an unmarked leather interior, insanely full service history, and other than being a bit woolly from cold it was great. Cost me £350.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

The E39 comment is a valid one. That mega mile 528iSE I had last year had zero rot, an unmarked leather interior, insanely full service history, and other than being a bit woolly from cold it was great. Cost me £350.

 

 

And therein lies the rub, as they say. At this level you're not after buying the car a birthday cake - it's a short term shitter for a year or so. I'm amazed at what you can buy for £850 these days - I spotted a T&T 02 plate Volvo S60 2.0T on the Bay for £590 BIN. Have no room otherwise it'd be here now recieving a bit of love.

[Bren]

£850 can but you something decent if you are after an older luxury car - personally for that money I would be considering a Lexus LS 400 if you are after something to waft about in at weekends.

 

I'm not saying they dont have their problems, but a 20 year old one wont have the rust issues you get with Jags/Mercs/BMW's of that era.

 

A nice 525 or 535 might be worth that money, but a povo spec 520 with bodywork issues will be about as popular as a Gary Glitter tribute act.

 

I would'nt be tempted.

[aldo135]

Agree with the guys above Andy, it's looks ok but way overpriced! Did you see the '83 520 that's on carandclassic in Edinburgh? Again a bit dear at £1750 but looks great

[seacow]

Agree with the guys above Andy, it's looks ok but way overpriced! Did you see the '83 520 that's on carandclassic in Edinburgh? Again a bit dear at £1750 but looks great

 

That looks nice - I think its either been around a while or changed hands last year! I am in the same position as you Alan - fancy something else/different but don't really know what! I have a bucket list thats for when I save up but I have a small amount put by to play with. I was never going to pay 850 for it even before I saw it! all the comments on here have confirmed my thoughts so many thanks to all, I wish him luck with the sale but if I doubt anyone will have it off him - its a case of how long it takes him to realise!!

 

How is your change of motors going Alan? I can't make the meet this week as I am down in bristol again! I'm flying easyjet so if anyone needs a car moving up or down let me know!!

[aldo135]

Not heard much mate but not exactly pushing it! Not going on Wednesday either having to work. Have you been browsing Bristol Gumtree for BMWs?

[J-T]

I've a 525TDS SE that I still haven't advertised properly if a diesel interests you. It's a fairly clean old thing, there's a thread on here somewhere.

[binboy]

That's well over priced bought a proper tidy E39 today for £500, its a 1999 523i SE in silver with black interior. Ok I am in the trade so I get cars a bit cheaper but £850 for that tatty old thing is madness. You can buy a clean diesel E34 for that his is worth about £300 tops.