Eagle

Yep as above, clean and check, a smoke machine makes goes along away. I always seem to find leaks from DISA valve o-rings on the few M52\M54 engines ive put the smoke thru.

I think M42's have a decent power output given their age and non-performance engine status. With a manual box and fairly light body it would still take many newer 4 cylinder BMW's and still possess respectable reliability.

At least we can all agree its got nothing on the Leaf, inside and out The exec leather with wood trims etc on later models do look much better. Here my old one which i replaced the lower dash panels with black items - looked much better than the random grey\black mixture i thought

Some rag on cream\tan interiors but to me grey interiors are my least favourite. E34's like this where the grey and black console are mixed never look that great inside compared to a nice black or dove white interior. The 2 tone body kits detract from the overall look of the car but you'd be in the minority of people who didn't appreciate the E34 lines. I used to get many comments on my old Mtech 535i, they also look way tougher and sure stand out from the crowd far more than dime a dozen E39's etc

You'd easy sink 3k into it you going to bring it up to a decent standard. He states it needs new front shocks so you'd can assume its going to need a good suspension overhaul and no doubt other bits and pieces (they all do at around those k's\age) I've probably dropped around 4k on parts to get mine driving as it should along with some preventive maintenance.. Mine being the sedan brother of this car but with a motor sport kit and steering wheel, 4k would be the asking price if i sell it. I don't think wagons have as much of an appeal as the sedans myself hence the pricing.

+1 to what Andrew said, BMW increasing service intervals didn't help . Most of the ones ive noticed for sale with broken guides were usually at the 200k-300k mark.and always were the TU motors.

Id replace the chain tensioner for piece of mind but i doubt many would replace the guides unless they were an issue.

Yep that's why carbs are still around, personally i generally view the 80-90's as providing the best balance of things. No question newer models are better built due to technology but build quality\built to last\longevity aren't usually priorities these days- environmental laws, emissions, safety standards, rising costs, more profits etc etc have seen to that. Poverty spec or otherwise a brand new E30 vs E90, im sure the E30 would trump it in fit\finish dept. Besides the dash they generally have held up very well given their age. E90's are and will suffer everywhere from the typically BMW plastic failures and they still got 10+ years to catch the E30.

1M probably would but the rest i highly doubt it. They don't possess the qualities a M-tech E30 has.

Looks like something Holden would design. Still looks better than a 5 series GT.

I soaked mine in white vinegar for a few days which removed everything. Then got them zinc coated for $1 each locally.

Yep

I never judge a car on k's myself, its just a number at the end of the day, how its been treated over the years is what matters..Chances are higher that more of the original parts have been replaced in that time compared to a ~200,000 example which would be probably be on tired\old suspension etc anyway. Age is also a factor here not just k's. Personally id view and inspect it before writing it off.. These are all old cars with many owners so you never know whats they are like until you see them. For whats its worth at least half a dozen 80-90's BMW's ive owned had over 300,000km and ive got no regrets. I made sure i got them for a good price and they had strong engines are transmissions. I never mind doing a bit of suspension work (which is usually required). E46 would be cheaper to repair also esp suspension wise.

ET20 Yeah kinda of want to keep them but no space + no car worth putting them on.

17x8 with 72.5 bore Centers repainted, bolts replated, BBS valves, lips repaired & polished (some existing imperfections that aren't obvious of which i can email photos of) Not a showroom finish but are in good condition and look tidy Never seen a set for sale but say $1600 as per rules.

Yeah M43 or bust if you going with the 4 cylinders Parents have owned their E46 318is with M43 engine for nearly 100,000km. One of the slowest cars on the road but as above are quite reliable and very easy to work on being a older design, They wouldn't have spent more than $1500 on parts since owning. DISA valve was the biggest expense ($300, was $600 for the dealer) The 6 cylinders are a nice motor but more flaws so more potential $ to spend. The layout of the cooling system and intake system is terrible and makes working on the engine a lot harder than they should be. My V12 is nicer to work on.

Haven't driven a 3.5L manual but the couple of autos ive driven were lackbuster, only difference i felt compared to the M54 3L was reduced torque availability. 4.4L would be mandatory unless you dropping in something special.

Never seen a complete one myself but RealOEM etc will deliver if you want to empty your wallet. Unless you planning on taking the engine out its not very practical anyway.

What wrong with M54 engine? Once you replace everything made of plastic and rubber they are fine...for a while anyway.

and E38 V12's aren't exactly uncommon. Trying to think what it reminded me of then i remembered - http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1369826963.htm

Still probably rocking 20 yr old fluids and rubber

The same reason the coolant temp warning only comes on once you have actually cooked the engine

Being a touring its probably not as popular but a tidy well sorted E34's are increasing in price like other older machines.

Personally i can't stand blue hoses in any engine bay, so tacky.

Depends on what exactly is wrong cosmetically. If the paint\panel are in poor condition then i wouldn't bother myself, as a good examples can be had for <5k. If its just interior plastics etc then parts are available easy enough. Comes down to how much you want to spend really