BMW E34 - classic car yet?
Discussion
Chaps - I have a 1995 E34 5 series sat on the driveway, not really doing much since it was replaced in daily service with an E39. I was wandering around a classic car show the other day, and wondered about using it to take to these kind of events. You know the type, park the car in a field with lots of others and walk about.
I wouldn't want to do a BMW only event, just because some of those, and I'm trying to put this politely, are more for the innits, and my E34 isn't posh enough to mix with the really classic BMW stuff.
The question is, will I look like a tit if I turned up in it to a classic car show? Has the E34 reached that point yet? I can get classic insurance, but presumably that's by dint of its age rather than anything else.
I wouldn't want to do a BMW only event, just because some of those, and I'm trying to put this politely, are more for the innits, and my E34 isn't posh enough to mix with the really classic BMW stuff.
The question is, will I look like a tit if I turned up in it to a classic car show? Has the E34 reached that point yet? I can get classic insurance, but presumably that's by dint of its age rather than anything else.
I suspect it's a case of yes, no, maybe...
All depending on the type of show and how much you do or don't care about others views.
There are those that will say something old, e.g. a Morris Minor is never a classic, because it isn't exotic.
While others will say something special like an M5, or a new Ferrari are classics from the off.
I suspect the E34 falls into the Modern Usable Classic category, much like a Triumph 2000 or Rover P6 once would have.
All depending on the type of show and how much you do or don't care about others views.
There are those that will say something old, e.g. a Morris Minor is never a classic, because it isn't exotic.
While others will say something special like an M5, or a new Ferrari are classics from the off.
I suspect the E34 falls into the Modern Usable Classic category, much like a Triumph 2000 or Rover P6 once would have.
e21Mark said:
''Classic'' is such a broad spectrum anyway. Who'd have thought Maestro or Triumph Acclaim would be deemed classic?
They're not classics, just old cars that are quite nice to see at shows.The E34 was a brilliant car in '88 and there was just nothing really to touch a 535i. Sadly it suffers from being an old BMW and the ever increasing chav/drift/modding scene that goes with it. A mint original unmolested example in a typical once fashionable colour like Bronzit is almost extinct.
Mr Tidy said:
e21Mark said:
''Classic'' is such a broad spectrum anyway. Who'd have thought Maestro or Triumph Acclaim would be deemed classic?
Are you sure? Neither of them is a classic IMHO, they are still just old bangers to me! 
https://maestro.org.uk
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/bmw/e34/213955
Classic or not, i just rang my insurance and was trying to get my daily insured under the classic policy i have already only to be told sorry sir your car is only 15 year, has to min of 30 now !!!
I asked her well the car i have insured with them is 27 years old she said that is okay as it was insured before they changed the rules, so maybe a word to anyone buying a older car get the insured priced up before you buy
I asked her well the car i have insured with them is 27 years old she said that is okay as it was insured before they changed the rules, so maybe a word to anyone buying a older car get the insured priced up before you buy
300bhp/ton said:
Mr Tidy said:
Are you sure? Neither of them is a classic IMHO, they are still just old bangers to me!
Isn't that a bit of an arrogant stance to take though? As in, somewhat rude and rather up your own a**e.
they had no appeal or following back then and were and still are bland budget motors, the only good thing about either is the fact the Acclaim had the lovely little Civic S drive train I had an E34 525i in 2015-16 and liked it a lot. I paid 1000 quid for it. It was metallic gold, with chestnut brown cloth seats and an autobox. It drove very well, and was not rusty. When it became surplus to needs, I found it impossible to sell. A scrapper gave me 800 quid for it and broke it up for spares and tyres.
E34 M5's only a 'maybe' classic ? doesn't a high price on an old car show something like desirability , because its just old or because its a classic ? 20 -50,000 Euro price range on a 25 year old M5 is a price that surely shows it to be a classic, in the USA one recently sold for $120,000, thats not just an old car.
Sardonicus said:
dont agree they had no appeal or following back then and were and still are bland budget motors, the only good thing about either is the fact the Acclaim had the lovely little Civic S drive train
It's still a pretty rude thing to say in that tone. Not everyone can like the same things. they had no appeal or following back then and were and still are bland budget motors, the only good thing about either is the fact the Acclaim had the lovely little Civic S drive train Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff