2.5k Budget - Mint E34 or Average E39?
Discussion
£2.5k will get you a very nice late E34 535/540, fairly low miles with lots of history OR it will get you a standard 2000/2001 E39 in not so great condition (compared)
In my opinion the E34 is a little dated now, even the youngest ones are 15 years old, although I appreciate their reputation for reliability. Is the E39 a big leap in term of performance, handling etc - would a higher miler E39 be a better bet than a mint E34? I read the E34 is held in higher regard on the owners forum, what's the PH consensus?
In my opinion the E34 is a little dated now, even the youngest ones are 15 years old, although I appreciate their reputation for reliability. Is the E39 a big leap in term of performance, handling etc - would a higher miler E39 be a better bet than a mint E34? I read the E34 is held in higher regard on the owners forum, what's the PH consensus?
If you actually enjoy driving, the E34 is the better bet. If you're happy to just knock around in a nice car and not be concerned about dynamics, the E39 is your friend.
There's a great deal of difference between a tired and well maintained E34. A well sorted one will certainly surprise you with regards to how it handles. A well sorted E39 will always be softer and disconnected in comparison.
There's a great deal of difference between a tired and well maintained E34. A well sorted one will certainly surprise you with regards to how it handles. A well sorted E39 will always be softer and disconnected in comparison.
Id have to disagree, ive owned both and although both are great cars i would choose the E39 over the E34.
IMO In terms of looks, performance (like for like engine) and sheer driving feel good factor, its the E39.
If you look carefully and avoid the obvious crap thats out there you can get some very nice "tight" E39's for 2.5k.
Just make sure you test everything works and if your not sure mechanically get someone who knows to give it the once over.
Read up on some of the BMW forums as to what to look at when car hunting as these are full of advise from owners who combined will know most if not all about these cars.
BTW Ive owned three e39's now and love them, as well as my old E34 V8.
IMO In terms of looks, performance (like for like engine) and sheer driving feel good factor, its the E39.
If you look carefully and avoid the obvious crap thats out there you can get some very nice "tight" E39's for 2.5k.
Just make sure you test everything works and if your not sure mechanically get someone who knows to give it the once over.
Read up on some of the BMW forums as to what to look at when car hunting as these are full of advise from owners who combined will know most if not all about these cars.
BTW Ive owned three e39's now and love them, as well as my old E34 V8.
trickywoo said:
SJobson said:
I'd have thought a non-Sport E39 530i would be low mileage, one owner territory for £2.5k now, to be honest.
You would be looking at not much less than £4k for a nice 530 with fewer than 6 figure mileage.Could get a nice e39 528 for £2.5K
ladedah said:
£2.5k will get you a very nice late E34 535/540, fairly low miles with lots of history OR it will get you a standard 2000/2001 E39 in not so great condition (compared)
In my opinion the E34 is a little dated now, even the youngest ones are 15 years old, although I appreciate their reputation for reliability. Is the E39 a big leap in term of performance, handling etc - would a higher miler E39 be a better bet than a mint E34? I read the E34 is held in higher regard on the owners forum, what's the PH consensus?
The E34 "is a little dated" now? Of course it is! We are now 3 generations of 5-Series "on" after- all?In my opinion the E34 is a little dated now, even the youngest ones are 15 years old, although I appreciate their reputation for reliability. Is the E39 a big leap in term of performance, handling etc - would a higher miler E39 be a better bet than a mint E34? I read the E34 is held in higher regard on the owners forum, what's the PH consensus?
Even E39s are now two generations "old".
One can't compare values with these two models anymore. A so-called "mint" E34 is already worth vastly more than an "average" E39 and actually has been for a while. There are still hundreds upon hundreds of "average E39s"....there are very, very few "mint" E34s.
But what do you mean by "better"?
The E39 is a vastly superior car dynamically than the E34. Not without reason was it considered by many the best car in its class throughout almost the entirety of its production run. Was it an E34?....No.
I can say this because we still own both. In fact, I own the third from last (non-M5) E34 saloon ever built on the very last day of production!
An E34 is an E34...and an E39 is an E39. If you want a really good E34 now (regarded by many as the best built 5-Series of all) you're going to pay more for it than an average E39.
If I wanted a car to 'drive' day in - day out without regard to it's rarity and 'value' I would take the E39.
But it ain't an E34!
ladedah said:
Why oh why did they change the numbering system - the E34's were nice and easy! How does the 528i make 190bhp when the old E34 525 made 192!
It dosn't. A E39 528i is 193PS/190bhp and an E34 525i is 192PS/189bhp.The 2.8L engine has a restrictive inlet manifold, basically strangling it at higher rev's and cutting the power band short. If you change it they'll normally make about 210 - 220bhp.
Thanks Derin, helpful. Lot's of nice BMWs on your site 
The 2.8L engine has a restrictive inlet manifold, basically strangling it at higher rev's and cutting the power band short. If you change it they'll normally make about 210 - 220bhp.Why?
ADM06 said:
ladedah said:
Why oh why did they change the numbering system - the E34's were nice and easy! How does the 528i make 190bhp when the old E34 525 made 192!
It dosn't. A E39 528i is 193PS/190bhp and an E34 525i is 192PS/189bhp.The 2.8L engine has a restrictive inlet manifold, basically strangling it at higher rev's and cutting the power band short. If you change it they'll normally make about 210 - 220bhp.
ladedah said:
Thanks Derin, helpful. Lot's of nice BMWs on your site
The 2.8L engine has a restrictive inlet manifold, basically strangling it at higher rev's and cutting the power band short. If you change it they'll normally make about 210 - 220bhp.Why?
The general consensus is that it was for German road tax. If it were over 190bhp it would slot into a higher band and would cost more. It seems BMW marketing decided it'd sell better if it was cheaper not quicker.ADM06 said:
ladedah said:
Why oh why did they change the numbering system - the E34's were nice and easy! How does the 528i make 190bhp when the old E34 525 made 192!
It dosn't. A E39 528i is 193PS/190bhp and an E34 525i is 192PS/189bhp.The 2.8L engine has a restrictive inlet manifold, basically strangling it at higher rev's and cutting the power band short. If you change it they'll normally make about 210 - 220bhp.
Audi and Merc also had 2.8L engines at the time, making the same power.
Edited by ADM06 on Sunday 4th April 23:20
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