Ive been offered a...

[Owain-328i]

1993 K reg BMW e34 525i, its straight, in metallic blue, with cream leather, and a manual box as a bonus. Its done 129k, its got t&t (unsure how much of either) and its cheap. Ive known the car a few years.Ive had one of these before, but an early F reg with m20 engine but i didnt keep it long.Im just wondering how reliable the e34 is on a whole and what the build quality is like etc compared to my e36? I know the m50 iron block its got is more solid than the m52 alloy block in my 328iThanks folks, im going to see it properly later this week, will get pics!!

[r.welfare]

24v? Niiiiice. I'm pretty sure K-plate was a "mod" year; the later ones have mirrors like the E36, the earlier ones have chunkier jobs, like a Mk5 Cortina's. Or an E30, of course. There were probably other mods made but without my trusty Parker's Guide February 2000 I couldn't tell you what they were.The few of these I've seen recently (from the comfort of my computer screen via eBay pics) have shown some pretty alarming rust at each end of the sills; this on late cars (L/M plate) too. So I'd be checking the bodywork, plus the usual BMW vibration under braking from 50mph, etc.

[Owain-328i]

Thanks i'l check the sills thoroughly then. Yes you're quite correct it is a slightly face lifted one, with the smaller mirrors, also meaning the 24v lump also has the Vanos variable valve timing unit which is a bonus. Im told there better screwed together than the e36, anyone confirm this?

[shite_meister]

Just typed out loads about the Nikasil thing then realised that you're probably talking about the M50tu not the M52 so apologies I had an M50 engine in 525i and it was nice-quite revvy but not much low down power or balls but nice all the same.

[shite_meister]

Oh and I went from an E34 525i to an E36 M3 and the quality difference was amazing-the E36 just felt like a Vauxhall but the E34 felt solid and typically teutonic. No creaks in my E34!

[ashmicro]

A BMW nut I know told me that the 4 valve per pot models can be identified by italicised badges, eg, 525i as opposed to 525i

[pogweasel]

Oh and I went from an E34 525i to an E36 M3 and the quality difference was amazing-the E36 just felt like a Vauxhall but the E34 felt solid and typically teutonic. No creaks in my E34!

What year is your M3???My E36 has a very 'quality' feel to it, but then it is a very early one (J-reg) which is before they became rep-tastic. Feels much better screwed together than any of my E30's did....

[andrew e]

What they said!

[shite_meister]

Oh and I went from an E34 525i to an E36 M3 and the quality difference was amazing-the E36 just felt like a Vauxhall but the E34 felt solid and typically teutonic. No creaks in my E34!

What year is your M3???My E36 has a very 'quality' feel to it, but then it is a very early one (J-reg) which is before they became rep-tastic. Feels much better screwed together than any of my E30's did....

Mine is a 1994 with 54k on the clock, I think that the 2-doors may feel a little flimsier in the door dept as they are frameless doors and the 4-door E36s feel alright, to be honest if the leather seats, the inner door panels and the arm rest didn't creak and the arm rest was thinner so it didn't get crushed between the fron seats then maybe it would be perceived as a much better quality car. The engine is a joy and generally I always feel a million lira when I drive it and on the motorway its an absolute gem but as I prefer driving shite the poor old thing doesn't get as much use as it should. People think I'm strange because I generally drive some old ropey pile of tat.

[Pete-M]

Thanks i'l check the sills thoroughly then. Yes you're quite correct it is a slightly face lifted one, with the smaller mirrors, also meaning the 24v lump also has the Vanos variable valve timing unit which is a bonus. Im told there better screwed together than the e36, anyone confirm this?

It'll be better screwed together than an early E36, that's for certain

[Owain-328i]

Yeah i know all about the nikasil issues with the M52's, when i was looking for my 328i i specifically bought one that had the engine work carried out on warranty. Nice steel liner block in mine!The thing drawing me to this 525i is, its a good spec, and a manual. Plus the M50 engines are one of the finest they produced. i'l probably buy it and end up not using it. Im going to have a closer look later in the week and see whats what with it.