Back with my old E34
Discussion
Strange things sometimes happen.
Let me rewind the clock to 2007, I was an undergraduate on a placement year living at home earning an ok wage for the first time ever. I saved a bit but wanted to enjoy a bit. All my friends were at uni so what should I spend it on? Well I was putting over 20k pa on my 2005 Cooper S and whilst loved it was worried about residuals. So thought I'd buy a car.
After much deliberating I concluded I needed leather, something German and an estate, and only had £500 budget. I bought a 202k 525i SE touring manual with the optional full sunroof and buffalo leather seats. I was convinced it was a ticking time bomb with that mileage.
As time and MOT were passed confidence grew, so much so I had some cracking adventures in the car. Key memories include a week in the Scottish highlands sleeping in the car, using it through a grim winter spell visiting my then girlfriend in hospital, day trips out, moving into my first house and using it as the uni wagon. I also recall driving to work one day when an exhaust valve spring broke on the mini and had to use the BMW for a week. Using a clapped out old car because new one had broken, again, was funny.
I was loving I so much that in May 2009 at 226k I decided to finally fix the thermostat which was stuck open. Whilst it was in I browsed the classifieds and spotted a 2000 530iA SE. When the 525 was collected and pissing fluids I blamed the car, clearly after an excuse, and bought the 530i.
However I called the garage who fixed the 525 who apologized for their error, fixed the car and sent it on its way, running perfectly so I was the proud owner of two "old" BMWs and a Cooper S. One had to go.
The house move had wiped me out, and the unreliable mini was just turning 4 and the extended warranty was due to expire. With funds tights I elected to raise some cash and reluctantly moved it on. It was great fun to be fair.
So I was left with the two cars. The E39 felt a million times newer and tighter than the 525, so somehow did not feel as solid. The e39 was pressed into daily duties and the e34 continued as a run about.
I was getting bored of two sensible cars by the October in 2009, so bought an Integra type R, chassis number one incidentally. Unfortunately this time the E34 had to go.
It was for sale on PH with 230k when I guy from work approached me and offered to buy it. I duly obliged as it meant I would still see it from time to time.
Over four years on he finally decided to upgrade. He used it primarily as his daily commuter and tip and kid car so it had a hard life. He felt its days were numbered and was about to scrap it until I got wind. I bought it off him immediately.
So now it's back home, and it feels great. It drives exactly as when I last had it, although the clutch does feel a little more worn. All he has done to it are new brakes and tyres, and changed the water pump. That's it. All I did was bypass the SLS, service it and change the stat. Been super reliable.
I just don't know what to do with it. I have an M135 arriving next month, still have the Integra and using the Passat you see below as a daily. But I don't think I can part with it. I always wanted to get it to 250k and at 246,300 it is getting close! Maybe I will have fun over summer and get it to this milestone.
Anyway seven years on from that trip to Bristol to collect she soldiers on, with everything working. Just to show how it has been looked after through its life, except the last guy, it has it's glovebox torch still in place, unopened first aid kit, tool kit, original dealer leather case with business cards of the salesman and an amazing service history which thankfully all have kept it place.
8482
23614
46321
63031
71474
76635
84736
92378
99263
106848
115330
122169
130297
138870
146804
154031
162143
169202
184851
192376
202376
209507
218094
224857
235712
243080
Thanks for reading, and let me know if you think of any ideas to see this big old bus over the 20 year and 250k line.
Let me rewind the clock to 2007, I was an undergraduate on a placement year living at home earning an ok wage for the first time ever. I saved a bit but wanted to enjoy a bit. All my friends were at uni so what should I spend it on? Well I was putting over 20k pa on my 2005 Cooper S and whilst loved it was worried about residuals. So thought I'd buy a car.
After much deliberating I concluded I needed leather, something German and an estate, and only had £500 budget. I bought a 202k 525i SE touring manual with the optional full sunroof and buffalo leather seats. I was convinced it was a ticking time bomb with that mileage.
As time and MOT were passed confidence grew, so much so I had some cracking adventures in the car. Key memories include a week in the Scottish highlands sleeping in the car, using it through a grim winter spell visiting my then girlfriend in hospital, day trips out, moving into my first house and using it as the uni wagon. I also recall driving to work one day when an exhaust valve spring broke on the mini and had to use the BMW for a week. Using a clapped out old car because new one had broken, again, was funny.
I was loving I so much that in May 2009 at 226k I decided to finally fix the thermostat which was stuck open. Whilst it was in I browsed the classifieds and spotted a 2000 530iA SE. When the 525 was collected and pissing fluids I blamed the car, clearly after an excuse, and bought the 530i.
However I called the garage who fixed the 525 who apologized for their error, fixed the car and sent it on its way, running perfectly so I was the proud owner of two "old" BMWs and a Cooper S. One had to go.
The house move had wiped me out, and the unreliable mini was just turning 4 and the extended warranty was due to expire. With funds tights I elected to raise some cash and reluctantly moved it on. It was great fun to be fair.
So I was left with the two cars. The E39 felt a million times newer and tighter than the 525, so somehow did not feel as solid. The e39 was pressed into daily duties and the e34 continued as a run about.
I was getting bored of two sensible cars by the October in 2009, so bought an Integra type R, chassis number one incidentally. Unfortunately this time the E34 had to go.
It was for sale on PH with 230k when I guy from work approached me and offered to buy it. I duly obliged as it meant I would still see it from time to time.
Over four years on he finally decided to upgrade. He used it primarily as his daily commuter and tip and kid car so it had a hard life. He felt its days were numbered and was about to scrap it until I got wind. I bought it off him immediately.
So now it's back home, and it feels great. It drives exactly as when I last had it, although the clutch does feel a little more worn. All he has done to it are new brakes and tyres, and changed the water pump. That's it. All I did was bypass the SLS, service it and change the stat. Been super reliable.
I just don't know what to do with it. I have an M135 arriving next month, still have the Integra and using the Passat you see below as a daily. But I don't think I can part with it. I always wanted to get it to 250k and at 246,300 it is getting close! Maybe I will have fun over summer and get it to this milestone.
Anyway seven years on from that trip to Bristol to collect she soldiers on, with everything working. Just to show how it has been looked after through its life, except the last guy, it has it's glovebox torch still in place, unopened first aid kit, tool kit, original dealer leather case with business cards of the salesman and an amazing service history which thankfully all have kept it place.
8482
23614
46321
63031
71474
76635
84736
92378
99263
106848
115330
122169
130297
138870
146804
154031
162143
169202
184851
192376
202376
209507
218094
224857
235712
243080
Thanks for reading, and let me know if you think of any ideas to see this big old bus over the 20 year and 250k line.
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