Discussion
I'm thinking of getting either an E28 or E34 as an "everyday" car - although I don't drive everyday, when I do it tends to be trips of 50+ miles.
I'm not too fussed about outright speed, just something that will cruise comfortably, be a bit of fun down the back roads and not cost the earth to buy/run.
Which model would people recommend to cover these bases? My preference would be for a 525 as a minimum.
I'm not too fussed about outright speed, just something that will cruise comfortably, be a bit of fun down the back roads and not cost the earth to buy/run.
Which model would people recommend to cover these bases? My preference would be for a 525 as a minimum.
As everyday transport its got to be an E34
as
1. They are so much modern and drive well even by todays standards
2. A good E28 will be hard to find (and should be preserved)
3. A good E28 will probably cost you more to buy
4. E34 will be cheaper to run
525i is a good all round choice, aim for a 94 facelift car
so why the are people suggesting 535i's???
20mpg if your lucky as opposed to 25mpg etc
as
1. They are so much modern and drive well even by todays standards
2. A good E28 will be hard to find (and should be preserved)
3. A good E28 will probably cost you more to buy
4. E34 will be cheaper to run
525i is a good all round choice, aim for a 94 facelift car
said:
I'm not too fussed about outright speed, just something that will cruise comfortably, be a bit of fun down the back roads and not cost the earth to buy/run.
so why the are people suggesting 535i's??? 20mpg if your lucky as opposed to 25mpg etc
Edited by mustard on Tuesday 21st November 18:48
agent006 said:
mustard said:
so why the are people suggesting 535i's???Because he goes on to say 525 as a minimum.
Well if you apply the suggested criteria a 525i more than adequatly fulfills it
1. It'll be a newer/lower miles car than the 535i (which are early E34's)for hardly extra (if any) money
2. we're talking 192bhp vs 211bhp, identical top speed, be it a bit slower to 60mph, but the ecomomy takes a pounding
3. Your basically comparing an 80's technology engine with a 90's one
If the guy knows all he needs to know abt 5 series, he wouldnt be coming on here asking for advice.
Us as the 'knowledge base' should apply his criteria and based on the facts advise the 525i will more than adequatly fulfill his needs, rather than the usual PH criteria of
a. I've got one of those
or
b. Buy the biggest most powerful engine you can lay hands to
Edited by mustard on Tuesday 21st November 19:06
Forgot about the 24v in the E34, was comparing 170 with 218 as a result.
Would really help if we had some suggestion of budget though, and an idea of what constitutes cheap to run (i'm pleased if i spend less than £700 a month on my car(s), others may be unhappy with less than 40mpg)
Would really help if we had some suggestion of budget though, and an idea of what constitutes cheap to run (i'm pleased if i spend less than £700 a month on my car(s), others may be unhappy with less than 40mpg)
Agree with absolutely everything Mustard said!
As a 'cheap' practical, everyday driver you'd have to go for the E34!
I'm currently preparing an E28 528ISE. As Mustard said the purchase price now will be so far in excess of a decent'run-of-the-mill' E34 we're not even talking the same league!
A good friend of mine just sold this car for..well...let's just say: £K "comfortably into double figures".
(it's already up on Ebay with the new vendor):
www.bmwclassics.co.uk/august06/DSCN1060.JPG
A really good E28 should not be considered (IMHO) an everyday car anymore and is something (as Mustard said) "To be looked after".
As a 'cheap' practical, everyday driver you'd have to go for the E34!
I'm currently preparing an E28 528ISE. As Mustard said the purchase price now will be so far in excess of a decent'run-of-the-mill' E34 we're not even talking the same league!
A good friend of mine just sold this car for..well...let's just say: £K "comfortably into double figures".
(it's already up on Ebay with the new vendor):
www.bmwclassics.co.uk/august06/DSCN1060.JPG
A really good E28 should not be considered (IMHO) an everyday car anymore and is something (as Mustard said) "To be looked after".
Edited by derin100 on Wednesday 22 November 00:11
Edited by derin100 on Wednesday 22 November 00:13
Thanks for the advice guys.
To give a bit of background, I'm chopping in an M3 Evo, so when I say cheap to run, I'm comparing to that!
My budget is around £1500 for a 5 series, the idea being it is cheap daily transport, because I'm also looking to get a bmw 2002 to restore, which aint gonna be cheap!
I think a 525i should fit the bill, just concerned about what sort of reliability you get on a £1500 bmw these days?
To give a bit of background, I'm chopping in an M3 Evo, so when I say cheap to run, I'm comparing to that!
My budget is around £1500 for a 5 series, the idea being it is cheap daily transport, because I'm also looking to get a bmw 2002 to restore, which aint gonna be cheap!
I think a 525i should fit the bill, just concerned about what sort of reliability you get on a £1500 bmw these days?
dan101smith said:
out of interest, when did the 24v engine come in? is there an easy way to tell which version it is?
Think it was towards the end of 91, it has a silver and black plastic shroud with BMW on it covering the engine (sometimes refered to as the M50 Engine) as opposed to a plain silvery rocker cover (the M20 Engine)
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