Found an E34 525i

[mike cm]

Found an e34, which seems to good to be true for the price. My only real question is, a meticulously maintained m20, at 195k, how reliable are they? Some of you know I have a little one now (2months tomorrow), and just looking for something that won't leave me stranded. The car is stock and super super clean. Un-sure of the year exactly, since it wasn't posted. Just looking for some basic info.

-Mike

[Hkssupra]

why not buy a camry or something? it won't die.

[mike cm]

Because fwd.

[audios]

i know a few guys over on motorgeek.com have some e34's, i havent heard a lot of bad stuff about them. manual or automatic?

[mike cm]

5 speed, 195k, all original, Forest Green, tan cloth interior.

[packofqtips]

dont buy something where maintenance costs will be more than you paid for the car

[mike cm]

dont buy something where maintenance costs will be more than you paid for the car

Which is true for most used cars. Funny part is, it can be exceeded quickly, the way it is priced. If everything this person claims, checks out receipt and documentation wise, I don't see why I wouldn't buy it. Better then the junk box e30 I looked at yesterday. Thing was misfiring and barely started.

[audios]

all bmw's are crazy expensive to maintain... honestly if you just want a realiable DD a honda/toyota.... yea FWD but its just a DD and RWD is generally worse in snow?

[packofqtips]

you dont need a BMW you need a reliable Daily driver, Hondas are by the far the most reliable, and parts are easy to find and cheap

[mike cm]

all bmw's are crazy expensive to maintain... honestly if you just want a realiable DD a honda/toyota.... yea FWD but its just a DD and RWD is generally worse in snow?

I have a Forester.

Honda's I am all set on. Never again. The only Toyota I would care for is a Cressida. I never had an issue DD a RWD in the snow. Plus 99% of the Civics in my budget, don't have ac. No ac, cancels out everything.

[Zoom6]

Guys, he didn't come on and ask what reliable car he should buy. He asked if the car he wants is reliable.

[mike cm]

Doubt it's happening now. This can be locked. The job I was supposedly getting hired for just got budget cuts, and just got some medical bills for my kid.

[HM Motor Works]

M20's are pretty good man, I can give you a run down of what happens to an E34..

1. Rear shocks tend to blow often when driven hard
2. Oil filter housings leak, but once fixed your good for 100k miles
3. Valve Cover gaskets leak, like above they are good for 100k
4. Fan clutches tend to die and free wheel
5. front control arm bushings crack and get slop
6. Rear dog bones wear out, easy fix
7. Water pump and thermostats should be replaced at least once
8. If driven hard the rear subframe bushings will be worn out
9. and power steering hoses tend to leak

I also worked for Honda/Acura for a few years. a 2001 honda accord automatic 6 cyl
1. your drivers axle will break
2. valve cover gaskets leak
3. timing belt maintenance and a water pump
4. transmissions tend to go bad
5. rear control arms will need replacing because you will not be able to adjust rear toe
6. Drive belt tensioner will get noisy
7. Valve adjustment at 105k
8&9 . In my opinion they are just not as much fun to drive...because FWD

either way your going to spend money because it's a car and it WILL break. Personally I would go with an E39 525 or 528 as they are much better on fuel economy.

Just my $0.02

[Boosted Euro]

I love the fact that not a single person that said buy a honda... Has a honda.. or a camry .

[packofqtips]

I love my fusion. 50k miles and just basic maintnence