Which Smoker

[Doofus]

I've decided to buy a BMW to smoke about in. It doesn't need to commute or anything, and will do very few miles (I have several other cars)

So, sub £10k, do I go for an E34, E39, E32 or E38. 3.0, 3.5 or 4.0? I can do spannering, but don't want to spend every weekend so doing.

[d_a_n1979]

Sub £10k for a 'smoker'?!

Personally I'd go for as best an E38 or E39 740i or 530i / 540i you can go for

The 540i/740i V8s need to have lots of paperwork to show that they've been looked after & maintained, the M62, as good an engine it is and a V8, likes to leak and spit its timing chain guides etc, so you'd want to know that these have been replaced etc

As for the 530i; the M54 is a fantastic lump; but again they like to leak oil a bit (simply gaskets) and the cooling systems turn to chocolate with age, so there needs to be paperwork to show that this has been maintained and refreshed recently; otherwise budget c£500 for it all

The M54 engine is easy to work on too and much easier to fix/maintain in comparison to the V8s!

Is there anything specific that you're really after as I'd have thought the E9x 335i cars would be in that price range too and they're great engines (if looked after) too?

The key with any of the E3x range (IMO) is RUST... They ALL rust and even if they look rust free; they will be rusting somewhere and if it's been fixed, it WILL come back... UK cars just do this

With your budget; I'd be looking into Jap imports, more so the E34, E38s and E39s I'm biased I know (had an E39 530i Sport touring that hailed from Japan) but their condition is x100 better than any UK car will ever be...

There are sellers that specialise in the import of BMWs like GMS cars, something like this:

https://www.gmscars.co.uk/bmw_525i_sport_imola_red...

This could be worth a look over though; 540i touring SE:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294652941010?hash=item4...

Can soon fit Sport spec suspension, 17" Style 66s and facelift halo headlights and tail lights and it'd be a superb car

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Sunday 26th December 13:52

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Sunday 26th December 13:54

[Doofus]

d_a_n1979 said:

Sub £10k for a 'smoker'?!

Personally I'd go for as best an E38 or E39 740i or 530i / 540i you can go for

The 540i/740i V8s need to have lots of paperwork to show that they've been looked after & maintained, the M62, as good an engine it is and a V8, likes to leak and spit its timing chain guides etc, so you'd want to know that these have been replaced etc

As for the 530i; the M54 is a fantastic lump; but again they like to leak oil a bit (simply gaskets) and the cooling systems turn to chocolate with age, so there needs to be paperwork to show that this has been maintained and refreshed recently; otherwise budget c£500 for it all

The M54 engine is easy to work on too and much easier to fix/maintain in comparison to the V8s!

Is there anything specific that you're really after as I'd have thought the E9x 335i cars would be in that price range too and they're great engines (if looked after) too?

The key with any of the E3x range (IMO) is RUST... They ALL rust and even if they look rust free; they will be rusting somewhere and if it's been fixed, it WILL come back... UK cars just do this

With your budget; I'd be looking into Jap imports, more so the E34, E38s and E39s I'm biased I know (had an E39 530i Sport touring that hailed from Japan) but their condition is x100 better than any UK car will ever be...

There are sellers that specialise in the import of BMWs like GMS cars, something like this:

https://www.gmscars.co.uk/bmw_525i_sport_imola_red...

This could be worth a look over though; 540i touring SE:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294652941010?hash=item4...

Can soon fit Sport spec suspension, 17" Style 66s and facelift halo headlights and tail lights and it'd be a superb car

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Sunday 26th December 13:52

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Sunday 26th December 13:54

Thank you; lots of detail. What's wong with sub-£10k for a smoker?

I don't want a 3 series, because everyine's got one of those. I've had plenty of classic cars in the past (and still do), but never an old BMW. Having said which, I don't just want to look like I've got an old BMW, so I'm leaning towards E34 or E32, although I accept the 38/39 will be objectively better cars.

And yes, I have seen a couple of Japanese imports, which seem to be the way to go. Presumably nikasil recalls were done there too?

Anything specifically to avoid? I understand the 2.8 engine is a but weedy in the E38.

[d_a_n1979]

Doofus said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Sub £10k for a 'smoker'?!

Personally I'd go for as best an E38 or E39 740i or 530i / 540i you can go for

The 540i/740i V8s need to have lots of paperwork to show that they've been looked after & maintained, the M62, as good an engine it is and a V8, likes to leak and spit its timing chain guides etc, so you'd want to know that these have been replaced etc

As for the 530i; the M54 is a fantastic lump; but again they like to leak oil a bit (simply gaskets) and the cooling systems turn to chocolate with age, so there needs to be paperwork to show that this has been maintained and refreshed recently; otherwise budget c£500 for it all

The M54 engine is easy to work on too and much easier to fix/maintain in comparison to the V8s!

Is there anything specific that you're really after as I'd have thought the E9x 335i cars would be in that price range too and they're great engines (if looked after) too?

The key with any of the E3x range (IMO) is RUST... They ALL rust and even if they look rust free; they will be rusting somewhere and if it's been fixed, it WILL come back... UK cars just do this

With your budget; I'd be looking into Jap imports, more so the E34, E38s and E39s I'm biased I know (had an E39 530i Sport touring that hailed from Japan) but their condition is x100 better than any UK car will ever be...

There are sellers that specialise in the import of BMWs like GMS cars, something like this:

https://www.gmscars.co.uk/bmw_525i_sport_imola_red...

This could be worth a look over though; 540i touring SE:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294652941010?hash=item4...

Can soon fit Sport spec suspension, 17" Style 66s and facelift halo headlights and tail lights and it'd be a superb car

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Sunday 26th December 13:52

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Sunday 26th December 13:54

Thank you; lots of detail. What's wong with sub-£10k for a smoker?

I don't want a 3 series, because everyine's got one of those. I've had plenty of classic cars in the past (and still do), but never an old BMW. Having said which, I don't just want to look like I've got an old BMW, so I'm leaning towards E34 or E32, although I accept the 38/39 will be objectively better cars.

And yes, I have seen a couple of Japanese imports, which seem to be the way to go. Presumably nikasil recalls were done there too?

Anything specifically to avoid? I understand the 2.8 engine is a but weedy in the E38.

Haha nothing, but generally 'smokers' are of the cheaper end...

Re Nikasil, that was the very early E39s and E38s, there's very few of them left, if at all, so you should be fine.

Re the 728i,the engine isn't weedy, the M52 2.8 will help the car hit license losing speeds in no time at all and it's an engine that likes to be driven. I loved my E38 728i and personally wouldn't have the V8 unless it's already had all the essential work done to it re the timing chains & guides etc



Hopefully somene will come on re the pros & cons for the E32s and 34s

[hedges88]

Doofus said:

I've decided to buy a BMW to smoke about in. It doesn't need to commute or anything, and will do very few miles (I have several other cars)

So, sub £10k, do I go for an E34, E39, E32 or E38. 3.0, 3.5 or 4.0? I can do spannering, but don't want to spend every weekend so doing.

If you get an E39 go for the 530 rather than the 535 or 540. The little 535 V8 is very sweet and the 540 is immensely powerful but when you step up to either of the V8s you go to a steel subframe and recirculating ball steering. The straight 6 models have the aluminium subframe and rack and pinion. The 3.0 M54 is a wonderful engine when working properly and would be a more entertaining and engaging steer than the V8s

I had an E39 touring at 7 years old and 90000 miles and it was excruciatingly expensive to maintain at an independent, even back then. God only knows what owning an E39, E38 or similar would be like today

[Doofus]

hedges88 said:

If you get an E39 go for the 530 rather than the 535 or 540. The little 535 V8 is very sweet and the 540 is immensely powerful but when you step up to either of the V8s you go to a steel subframe and recirculating ball steering. The straight 6 models have the aluminium subframe and rack and pinion. The 3.0 M54 is a wonderful engine when working properly and would be a more entertaining and engaging steer than the V8s

I had an E39 touring at 7 years old and 90000 miles and it was excruciatingly expensive to maintain at an independent, even back then. God only knows what owning an E39, E38 or similar would be like today

Interesting, thanks.

[d_a_n1979]

hedges88 said:

Doofus said:

I've decided to buy a BMW to smoke about in. It doesn't need to commute or anything, and will do very few miles (I have several other cars)

So, sub £10k, do I go for an E34, E39, E32 or E38. 3.0, 3.5 or 4.0? I can do spannering, but don't want to spend every weekend so doing.

If you get an E39 go for the 530 rather than the 535 or 540. The little 535 V8 is very sweet and the 540 is immensely powerful but when you step up to either of the V8s you go to a steel subframe and recirculating ball steering. The straight 6 models have the aluminium subframe and rack and pinion. The 3.0 M54 is a wonderful engine when working properly and would be a more entertaining and engaging steer than the V8s

I had an E39 touring at 7 years old and 90000 miles and it was excruciatingly expensive to maintain at an independent, even back then. God only knows what owning an E39, E38 or similar would be like today

The 540i is a great car and they do drive well; swapping out the steering box for an E39 M5 steering box makes a good bit of difference but I agree that the 530i handles the best; it's lighter and with rack & pinion and with the right wheels & tyres (and suspension) etc, the car is a superb drive

As per my initial post; my 530i Sport touring was a Jap import; the PH thread is here:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Yes; it needed a 'refresh' but doing it like I did meant that maintenance wasn't needed (bar the usual oil & filters etc) as sorting out the known problems via preventative maintenance early on in its ownership meant that I had (but also I've serious OCD and high standards, so not everyone will go to the depths that I did)

With the OPs budget; a Jap import makes the most sense (as long as they can find the car & spec that they're after)

[Doofus]

d_a_n1979 said:

With the OPs budget; a Jap import makes the most sense (as long as they can find the car & spec that they're after)

Like I said, it's just to bimble about in. Spec is less important than condition, particularly if I go for an E32, because there wasn't a lot of spec to be had on those anyway.