jonesrp

It`s not a heap, and there isn`t much about them that is complicated to get right( in modern terms)... I had a 1992 535 for 8 years and loved it. Guess what... fix it up and enjoy it.

I`d like to see them in Toyotas...preferably 30 year old Starlets.

The point is that everything that was on the car when it rolled out of the showroom is still on it now. For a fairly `heavy discount`. Tht`s why I love them. But you need a good independent mechanic who knows them ( or owns one). I was reading on the net about franchise dealers in the States and how they make their money. Markups in excess of 50% for parts and servicing, and kickbacks on finance packages as well. New car dealers there are looking at less than 10 % profit on purchase price. Worth thinking about...what is maintenance on a Bimmer or Merc really like if you shop around ? I drive past Jeff Gray in ChCh most days but have no intention of ever popping in.................

Ahem..it is still a great car and the OP knows it backwards in terms of what it`s carrying. Nice.

Kyu...she can`t go wrong with it NOW...her brothers have fixed it up.........

A head spinner, not a head turner. And I`m concerned about Graham`s call regarding saturday night in the old country...........

$2700......$2700 ???????? I`m going off for a sulk.

Cheers Paul, I had mine for 8 years and Jared still has one.That motor was a 12 valve for its whole life, It must have been run from the late 70`s to the early 90`s without a tweak. Great thread by the way everyone...

I understand the concept of `torque`, however I don`t believe the e34 535 was described as an `old lump` when it debuted in the late 1980`s. The whole point is engine development and the 530 must be the best allrounder in the e39 range.

Exactly...I just can`t imagine not having one and i`ve had 4. I spend money on them and love them. But I can`t see myself getting an e60 so I`m a bit stuck. Hence the 928 fetish.

But look how the e39 530 outperforms the e34 535. Stands to reason.Depends what you want. I did the fatal `Go for a drive on a Sunday and have car salesmen on...`routine a few months ago and almost ended up with a 540 an hour later. One has to be careful............

Edward old son you are 100% correct. I have driven a couple, but I don`t own one, and they are not expensive to buy. But you have to read my post again. I don`t TRUST myself in one, which is why I operate my 528. They are of course friggin awesome. But I don`t have one. Or a 928. PS: Last Bmw was a 1992 e34 535 ..great car, but only 20 HP more than my current 528.

In sportmode the 528 has more than enough. 190 HP. But the 530 @ 228HP replaced it so I would lean towards one. Sure the 540 would be an awesom ride ( torque wise)but I`m confused about how you can get full fun value out of one and keep your licence. Ditto the 928. I`d love one, but where do i get to cruise it all day at 160 kph ? I`ll quote Clarkson again...` I once travelled 200 km in a 928. In one hour....

This is very good...M5d.. The same sort of thinking that `inspired` the Porsche Cayenne.I can remember Clarkson`s horrified review of that thing on Top Gear. He signed off by saying ( and you`ve got to imagine his voice ) `At the end of the day, why would you put your hand up at the golf club and shout out...I `ve just paid 60.000 pounds for the slowest Porsche.....ever made...!!!

Cheers Adam, I just remembered I saw this online somewhere a few weeks ago after the `48000 year old Kauri` bit caught my eye. That`s a relief actually, even the E39 540 and the M5 are the ultimate `sleeper `cars as they race past you. That thing just screams its head off.

Nice, understated wheels in particular. That thing will probably end up at a motor show with flames painted down the side of it...

I like my NZ new 528 ( a lot). But trust me, when I bought it a year ago you couldn`t find a 530 at that price, Take the 530...have a couple of drinks, then hit ` buy now`. I`m in ChCh and got my 528 from Auckland on the back of a truck, Bit of fun for the neighbors, cost $800.00.

Lrs veep...mok. Eleven.

I`ve just got home from the pub after work ( Yes it`s Friday in ChCh) and I am not sure I can add anything to this debate..but I just have ...or not ?? PS: Just fitted some genuine M paralells and great tyres to my e39 today, bought them off a guy in Napier via Trade me. Had them fitted at Ian Scobie tyres this afternoon and I am the happiest punter on this blog. Cannot believe how great they look.

I had the Rocker cover gasket done {$57) from BM parts. Cam cover bolt rubber seals ($67). Total job 2 hrs labour. Also did the oil filter housing gasket($15). Very happy, I use Victoria Street motors in ChCh. They keep an eye on my car and are very good to deal with.

I put GT Radials on my e34 535i through Mag and Turbo in ChCh about 8 years ago as part of a Wheel and Tyre deal.They were great, the Mag and Turbo guys were pushing them quite hard back then.

Are the tyres warrantable...I have turbines that I want to replace and my tyres just scraped through a couple of weeks ago. I`m in ChCh so you don`t have to worry about a free alignment or fitting. I can organise freight.

Those rotors seem ok. I have just had front rotors ($200) and pads( $100) done. The pads are ceramic and my front wheels are spotless after 2 weeks. Apparently the ceramics are easy on rotors as well. The brake feel doesn`t have that initial bite but there is no difference in overall performance. I would have done this a while ago if I`d known about it, I have had two e34`s and my current e39 and have always been annoyed with the dirty wheel issue.

Good to hear that you`re sorted...best of luck.

Hope everything works out for you..as for `try living for 14 months with no income...` , mate, I fantasise about giving that a go !!