E34 525i typical running costs
Discussion
Couple of quick questions,
I am looking to replace the 190E in a few months, I was looking at the E34 525i but am wondering about the running costs? Per year what would I typically be looking at spending? (I realize that tyres are reasonably expensive at nearly £90 per corner) I am not buying yet but when it comes to purchasing I will be looking for one near 1k (the decent ones seem to go for 1k, the iffy ones go for £600 it seems)
Also is it an easy car to work on? (I am guessing not) And what are they like to drive? Good on B roads?
I was previously looking at getting an E36, however the only ones I can insure are the 316 and the 318s, which I don't really want.
Many thanks,
Matt.
I am looking to replace the 190E in a few months, I was looking at the E34 525i but am wondering about the running costs? Per year what would I typically be looking at spending? (I realize that tyres are reasonably expensive at nearly £90 per corner) I am not buying yet but when it comes to purchasing I will be looking for one near 1k (the decent ones seem to go for 1k, the iffy ones go for £600 it seems)
Also is it an easy car to work on? (I am guessing not) And what are they like to drive? Good on B roads?
I was previously looking at getting an E36, however the only ones I can insure are the 316 and the 318s, which I don't really want.
Many thanks,
Matt.
With them being such old cars now it's hard to put a figure on running costs as it depends on what breaks during your ownership. Have a look at part prices on GSF to give you an idea. They are big easy cars to work on, the engine bay's not cramped at all.
A E34 weighs about 200 kgs more than a E36 with the same engine so they're not as sharp to drive, more of a comfortable cruiser though. Depends what type of driving experience you want.
A E34 weighs about 200 kgs more than a E36 with the same engine so they're not as sharp to drive, more of a comfortable cruiser though. Depends what type of driving experience you want.
Hi Matt,
I've had older E34's for quite a few years now. First one was an J reg 520i which needed nothing but servicing and pads/discs. Pretty cheap to run and economical. The thermostat went and I couldn't be arsed to stop and get AA'd so I carried on driving! The engine wasn't quite the same after that but I did manage to px it for more than I paid so quite a bargain all round.
I am now running round in an H reg 535i which has been nothing but a money pit compared to the previous one, see my profile for a list of what has been done. Bear in mind though I quite like this one for some reason so am paying for some things that really are not necessary if you are just after a run-about. They are a good drive considering age but bear in mind most are old and suspension parts may not have been replaced as often as they should have done, probably because parts and installation come to more than the purchase cost. Sniff-Diesels right though, more of a cruiser than a B road hustler. Can be fun though, and good value if you are handy with spanners. Oh and check for rust too, sills and bottom of doors.
The 520 managed 30-35mpg, the 535 is managing 23ish so the 525 would probably be in the high 20's maybe.
Hope this helps.
John
I've had older E34's for quite a few years now. First one was an J reg 520i which needed nothing but servicing and pads/discs. Pretty cheap to run and economical. The thermostat went and I couldn't be arsed to stop and get AA'd so I carried on driving! The engine wasn't quite the same after that but I did manage to px it for more than I paid so quite a bargain all round.
I am now running round in an H reg 535i which has been nothing but a money pit compared to the previous one, see my profile for a list of what has been done. Bear in mind though I quite like this one for some reason so am paying for some things that really are not necessary if you are just after a run-about. They are a good drive considering age but bear in mind most are old and suspension parts may not have been replaced as often as they should have done, probably because parts and installation come to more than the purchase cost. Sniff-Diesels right though, more of a cruiser than a B road hustler. Can be fun though, and good value if you are handy with spanners. Oh and check for rust too, sills and bottom of doors.
The 520 managed 30-35mpg, the 535 is managing 23ish so the 525 would probably be in the high 20's maybe.
Hope this helps.
John
190E Matt said:
I was previously looking at getting an E36, however the only ones I can insure are the 316 and the 318s, which I don't really want.
The 316 is hopelessly underpowered, and the standard 318 is relatively gutless.However, its worth test driving a 318iS - totally different car, much better engine. Although I found little real difference on insurance costs between 316, 318iS and a 328 ....
ive had two e34s a 12v 525se & a24v 525sport both excellent cars the 12v car was on 192,000 miles and still going strong,didnt use a drop of oil between services but needed the water topping up every week, we never found any leak & it never overheated in the 4 years of ownership, the sport was great to handled nicely for a heavy car, as has been said already just make sure the suspensions in good order & also ive seen afew cars as well as one of mine rust around the fuel filler. once youve had one of these you wont want anything else. Happy hunting.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1995-BMW-
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1989-BMW-
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/853030.htm
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1995-BMW-
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1989-BMW-
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/853030.htm
Eiger120 said:
Hi Matt,
I've had older E34's for quite a few years now. First one was an J reg 520i which needed nothing but servicing and pads/discs. Pretty cheap to run and economical. The thermostat went and I couldn't be arsed to stop and get AA'd so I carried on driving! The engine wasn't quite the same after that but I did manage to px it for more than I paid so quite a bargain all round.
I am now running round in an H reg 535i which has been nothing but a money pit compared to the previous one, see my profile for a list of what has been done. Bear in mind though I quite like this one for some reason so am paying for some things that really are not necessary if you are just after a run-about. They are a good drive considering age but bear in mind most are old and suspension parts may not have been replaced as often as they should have done, probably because parts and installation come to more than the purchase cost. Sniff-Diesels right though, more of a cruiser than a B road hustler. Can be fun though, and good value if you are handy with spanners. Oh and check for rust too, sills and bottom of doors.
The 520 managed 30-35mpg, the 535 is managing 23ish so the 525 would probably be in the high 20's maybe.
Hope this helps.
John
£2,304 on servicing and repairs?! what on earth needed doing?!I've had older E34's for quite a few years now. First one was an J reg 520i which needed nothing but servicing and pads/discs. Pretty cheap to run and economical. The thermostat went and I couldn't be arsed to stop and get AA'd so I carried on driving! The engine wasn't quite the same after that but I did manage to px it for more than I paid so quite a bargain all round.
I am now running round in an H reg 535i which has been nothing but a money pit compared to the previous one, see my profile for a list of what has been done. Bear in mind though I quite like this one for some reason so am paying for some things that really are not necessary if you are just after a run-about. They are a good drive considering age but bear in mind most are old and suspension parts may not have been replaced as often as they should have done, probably because parts and installation come to more than the purchase cost. Sniff-Diesels right though, more of a cruiser than a B road hustler. Can be fun though, and good value if you are handy with spanners. Oh and check for rust too, sills and bottom of doors.
The 520 managed 30-35mpg, the 535 is managing 23ish so the 525 would probably be in the high 20's maybe.
Hope this helps.
John
190E Matt said:
Eiger120 said:
Hi Matt,
I've had older E34's for quite a few years now. First one was an J reg 520i which needed nothing but servicing and pads/discs. Pretty cheap to run and economical. The thermostat went and I couldn't be arsed to stop and get AA'd so I carried on driving! The engine wasn't quite the same after that but I did manage to px it for more than I paid so quite a bargain all round.
I am now running round in an H reg 535i which has been nothing but a money pit compared to the previous one, see my profile for a list of what has been done. Bear in mind though I quite like this one for some reason so am paying for some things that really are not necessary if you are just after a run-about. They are a good drive considering age but bear in mind most are old and suspension parts may not have been replaced as often as they should have done, probably because parts and installation come to more than the purchase cost. Sniff-Diesels right though, more of a cruiser than a B road hustler. Can be fun though, and good value if you are handy with spanners. Oh and check for rust too, sills and bottom of doors.
The 520 managed 30-35mpg, the 535 is managing 23ish so the 525 would probably be in the high 20's maybe.
Hope this helps.
John
£2,304 on servicing and repairs?! what on earth needed doing?!I've had older E34's for quite a few years now. First one was an J reg 520i which needed nothing but servicing and pads/discs. Pretty cheap to run and economical. The thermostat went and I couldn't be arsed to stop and get AA'd so I carried on driving! The engine wasn't quite the same after that but I did manage to px it for more than I paid so quite a bargain all round.
I am now running round in an H reg 535i which has been nothing but a money pit compared to the previous one, see my profile for a list of what has been done. Bear in mind though I quite like this one for some reason so am paying for some things that really are not necessary if you are just after a run-about. They are a good drive considering age but bear in mind most are old and suspension parts may not have been replaced as often as they should have done, probably because parts and installation come to more than the purchase cost. Sniff-Diesels right though, more of a cruiser than a B road hustler. Can be fun though, and good value if you are handy with spanners. Oh and check for rust too, sills and bottom of doors.
The 520 managed 30-35mpg, the 535 is managing 23ish so the 525 would probably be in the high 20's maybe.
Hope this helps.
John
I did try and sell but with the offers being made it made no sense so I thought I may as well get things perfect (mechanically) and keep her. Stripping out the stereo bits was another consideration in keeping the old tank. I would have better financialy spending a few more thousand on purchase and getting something newer but then I love the E34's and would prefer to keep one on the road than spend on a newer 5 series. Only down side is no aircon in this one but other than that I have got absolutely no reason to trade on.
As I mentioned above though atleast three quarters of the work was done to get things 100% and probably not completely necessary. Next on the list is a bit of rust rectification and maybe a respray!
ETA this thread makes me sound a bit ocd!
Edited by Eiger120 on Friday 30th January 14:28
My old E34 did 275,000 before dying. Running costs :-
Oil service £75.00
Inspection 1 £95.00
Inspection 11 £195.00
These were from small indie, BMW trained, with all reset tools and fault diagnostic equipment.
I averaged 30MPG on a run, and about 23MPG round town ( Auto 12v engine )
Car was mint, comfy, and without doubt the most reliable one I have ever owned.Want another, but will defo get a 24v one next time..............still the 525 though.192 BHP, as oppose to 211 BHP for the 3.5, so real world speed differential is minimal.
Actually, 4 x tyres 15/60/225's cost me £210.00 fitted and balanced as well, from same Indie.Tyres were cheaper than from a so called tyre specialist!!
Oil service £75.00
Inspection 1 £95.00
Inspection 11 £195.00
These were from small indie, BMW trained, with all reset tools and fault diagnostic equipment.
I averaged 30MPG on a run, and about 23MPG round town ( Auto 12v engine )
Car was mint, comfy, and without doubt the most reliable one I have ever owned.Want another, but will defo get a 24v one next time..............still the 525 though.192 BHP, as oppose to 211 BHP for the 3.5, so real world speed differential is minimal.
Actually, 4 x tyres 15/60/225's cost me £210.00 fitted and balanced as well, from same Indie.Tyres were cheaper than from a so called tyre specialist!!
Edited by delboy735 on Friday 30th January 22:30
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff