rnbluva 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2009 hey guys first up hello to everyone, brand new member to BS! just a question, im thinking of buying a 1990 e34, manual, 180000kms. Are there any known problems with the model? also what are they like to maintain? is there anything i should definitely look for when viewing the car before buying it? thanks for your help! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjac001 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2009 What size engine? is it a M5... drooolll Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greenday-rulz21 6 Report post Posted March 28, 2009 What size engine? is it a M5... drooolll M50. Either 520 or 525. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
isis 16 Report post Posted March 28, 2009 M50 also came out from 92. doubt it'll be an M50 Either an M20 or M30 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greenday-rulz21 6 Report post Posted March 28, 2009 (edited) M50 also came out from 92. doubt it'll be an M50 Either an M20 or M30 M50 came out in '89.Won't be M30. M20 was up to 1990 1989('90)-1996 E34 520i had the M50B20, was updated '93 with VANOS, M50TUB20. 1990('90)-1995 E34 525i had the M50B25. Edited March 28, 2009 by Nick021 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rnbluva 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2009 yea its a m50b25. i know its not an m20 cuz its double cam and got an engine cover. m20s had the manifold on top...if im not mistaken. so are they good reliable cars? read somewhere that the old 5 series were the best built cars from them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e30m42cab 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2009 Reliable engine, yes. Good all round car, yes. But they do come with their problems. The M50 as far as I know only came out in 1992, but that's besides the fact. Either engine is fine. I've had so many issues with my P.O.S. 525i. The metal on the doors where the hinge is attached tends to fatique, and will fail over time... Intstrument clusters are a headache, and the numerous ball joints are a pain in the @$$ and fail all the time, it seems. I go through wheel bearings every two years. seats are not terribly comfortable, and if it weren't for the arm rests, wouldn't supply any lateral support at all. Other than that, I like the size and the handling. Also, the stance looks great when it's lowered. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danj 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2009 The M50B20's came out in 1989, the M50B25's came out in 91 in the e34's, but wasn't put in the e36's till 92... i think Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted March 28, 2009 (edited) gooogle is your freind.All E34 problems are very well documented and so are the fixes.I have had a e34 535 for 7 years.It is not the cheapest car i have had for maintenance but i dont work on it exceet the occasional oil change or small fixable problem.However it has only let me down once in thos 7 years,(The distributor was wet inside and rhe rotor was worn out)I have replaced the front control arms and bushings,water pump(precaution) and radiator.I bough it at 147000 ka and it has now done 250000 ks.Its drives very very nicely.Otherwise all servicing has been done as per the service indicators.If you can ,get a manual with sports seats Edited March 28, 2009 by kiwi535 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted March 28, 2009 Reliable engine, yes. Good all round car, yes. But they do come with their problems. The M50 as far as I know only came out in 1992, but that's besides the fact. Either engine is fine. I've had so many issues with my P.O.S. 525i. The metal on the doors where the hinge is attached tends to fatique, and will fail over time... Intstrument clusters are a headache, and the numerous ball joints are a pain in the @$$ and fail all the time, it seems. I go through wheel bearings every two years. seats are not terribly comfortable, and if it weren't for the arm rests, wouldn't supply any lateral support at all. Other than that, I like the size and the handling. Also, the stance looks great when it's lowered.what do you do to your car . have many e34's over the years real problems. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites