Discussion
Hi guys,
i'm really tempted to see if i can get one of these. insurance is not too much more than the E21. any idea on running costs over the year, the more people i hear back from the better obviously. i seem to think if i can just about cope with running costs of an E21 then surely i could of a much newer E34? i know parts are more. the problem is not many come with manual which i really would prefer. all of them have a lot of miles on them, which i know is not a problem for the engine with a full service history, but other bits like suspension etc (how much for a suspension rebuild? i know they are very well built so what are the major problems, other than to obviously look for any rust. but i always say just get a good example and look after it
it seems you can pick them up for very little money for an awful lot of car. one main problem is i've spent a fortune getting the E21 up to the condition it's in now. i can leave it 2-3 weeks or so under ice and snow, and it will start. i could drive it 500 miles, and it would get me there. but i have no idea how much it's worth. not too many E21's out there to compare with! there is one going for 1600 but i think it's in better condition if anything.
thanks.
Ross.
i'm really tempted to see if i can get one of these. insurance is not too much more than the E21. any idea on running costs over the year, the more people i hear back from the better obviously. i seem to think if i can just about cope with running costs of an E21 then surely i could of a much newer E34? i know parts are more. the problem is not many come with manual which i really would prefer. all of them have a lot of miles on them, which i know is not a problem for the engine with a full service history, but other bits like suspension etc (how much for a suspension rebuild? i know they are very well built so what are the major problems, other than to obviously look for any rust. but i always say just get a good example and look after it
it seems you can pick them up for very little money for an awful lot of car. one main problem is i've spent a fortune getting the E21 up to the condition it's in now. i can leave it 2-3 weeks or so under ice and snow, and it will start. i could drive it 500 miles, and it would get me there. but i have no idea how much it's worth. not too many E21's out there to compare with! there is one going for 1600 but i think it's in better condition if anything.
thanks.
Ross.
The main problem I had with my e34 was it's ability to kill it's front dampers every 9-10 months.This was partly due to running M sport suspension with 17" wheels but also the poor state of the roads.The M50 engine is bullet proof but a bit gutless without vanos,mine never used any oil either.
If I were you I'd keep the e21 as they are rare and have an abundance of old school charm/cool.The e34 is a solid well built car but I struggled to get much more than 24mpg and getting one with a manual 'box in good condition will be difficult.
If I were you I'd keep the e21 as they are rare and have an abundance of old school charm/cool.The e34 is a solid well built car but I struggled to get much more than 24mpg and getting one with a manual 'box in good condition will be difficult.
Tango13 said:
The main problem I had with my e34 was it's ability to kill it's front dampers every 9-10 months.This was partly due to running M sport suspension with 17" wheels but also the poor state of the roads.The M50 engine is bullet proof but a bit gutless without vanos,mine never used any oil either.
If I were you I'd keep the e21 as they are rare and have an abundance of old school charm/cool.The e34 is a solid well built car but I struggled to get much more than 24mpg and getting one with a manual 'box in good condition will be difficult.
i would definitely get the car with vanos, better power delivery and economy. i have seen 1 E34 525i manual in good condition, but it's 147k miles, but with a full service history and it looks very clean indeed. but i think i'll keep the E21, values seem to be on the up too.If I were you I'd keep the e21 as they are rare and have an abundance of old school charm/cool.The e34 is a solid well built car but I struggled to get much more than 24mpg and getting one with a manual 'box in good condition will be difficult.
I ran mine for three years and averaged over thirty mpg (manual). I drove it all over Europe including South of France, Switzerland and three visits to the 'ring. I had no suspension problems and it never went wrong. I got rid of it last year with over 190000 showing and it still wasn't using any oil or water.
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