E32 735i.....E34 535i

[Coffee&Doughnut 0]

I have been thinking about the viability of either an E32 735i or E34 535i as a second

car, not as a daily driver but as a comfortable cruiser for the weekend and longer journeys . 10,000 Km per year or so.

But the way petrol prices are going I am beguining to have second thoughts, I am curious to hear what peoples experiences are with these cars are, running costs and maintenence. If doing a lot of general maintenance oneself is the E32 much more expensive to keep in order than a E34 535i?

[bumpstop325 0]

i am finding the 3.5l very economical to run, providing im not poking it with a stick all the time. even arond town i run on cruze control when ever i can. bearing in mind its in my e30.

if it was looks, i would go for the 34 but if you want to pack 4 adults across the back seat then the 32

[E34-535ti 5]

Mechanically they are virtually identical so maintenance should be the same, the same things will go wrong and be the same to fix.

IMHO the E34 is the better looking of the two, and maybe the better car all round.

Edited September 12, 2005 by E34-535ti

[Coffee&Doughnut 0]

I have heard a lot about the reliability of the M30 motor, I have seen a lot of 535i s and 735i s with close to 200 K on the clock that look to be well looked after, would it still be worth paying up to 8- 10k for a tidy one with that kind of mileage?

[rxsumo 33]

A mate of mine, has owned both, from new/nearly new. E34 535/E32 735 automatics

The 7 series was the cheaper to run on a daily basis.

I find that our 535 (manual), is thirsty to run daily....typically 14-17 MPG around town, 18-20 MPG on a trip. The fuel economy has been checked and is regarded as normal. (its about the same as my 4 speed E3 3.0Si)

My dirty old XF Falcon Ute will do 20MPG around town and 25-28 MPG on a trip

[martyyn 2]

not as a daily driver but as a comfortable cruiser for the weekend and longer journeys . 10,000 Km per year or so.

Then it has to be the E32.

They were made for eating up big distances and will cruise till your hearts content.

[bmwsparkle 3]

i find mine pretty darn good, esp from feilding to palmy everyday, guzzles pretty hard in town tho.

[kiwi535 538]

if you are going to be carrying more than three the seven will be way nicer for the rear seat passengers......Maybe i am a bit more restrained than darryl but i can easily get 25 mpg on a trip....for some reason the e34 535 is pretty thirsty...dont know how they compare to the e32 gering wise.My 535 turns 2300 at 60 mph most other m 30 rev a bit lower i think....

You will find e 34 and e 32 wy cheaper than 8 to 10,the e 32 will prolly be chepar than the e 34

Edited September 13, 2005 by kiwi535

[Coffee&Doughnut 0]

This is all pretty interesting, according to an index I photo copied out of an 89 wheels mag, the 535i produced 136 kW and the 735i 155 KW, is that right?

[BM WORLD 1283]

This is all pretty interesting, according to an index I photo copied out of an 89 wheels mag, the 535i produced 136 kW and the 735i 155 KW, is that right?

no , both have 155kw 211hp 9:1 cr.

the usa version of the e28 535i and e23 735i had only 186hp 8:1 cr .

but nz version had 160kw 218hp 10:1 cr . older is faster .

i have a couple of 735i for sale 87 and 88 both needing engine repairs (have the parts).

and will have a e34 535i soon .

[kiwi535 538]

for the record my e34 nz new(manual) 535 pumps out 139 kw at the wheels

[E30_318i 0]

Haven't driven an E32 but the E34 makes a bloody good cruising car. My only complaint is that it needs dropping down into 4th for some hills, but you shouldn't have to worry about that in a 535

And I can't get comfortable in the E34, driving long distances my back got cramp after 3 hours, which isn't a good feeling when driving. Hopefully E32s have better seats?

A 535 manual is supposedly as quick as the hottest HSV V8 back in the day too :mosh:

Just look on trademe, there seems to be some real mint 735iLs going for around $5k, which is a f**king bargain really.

[kiwi535 538]

535 = what hill,unless you get caught behind slow vehicles and my sports seats are the most comfortable i have had.....they feel hard when you first sit in em tho

[E30_318i 0]

Yeah I like your seats. Mine are just the standard factory ones from 1988, dunno if they changed thru the E34 life. They have alright support, but thats it.

And hills are the reason you shouldn't put a 2.5 in a 1.6 tonne barge

Ohh well, my mums old E28 520 was far, far worse.

[Coffee&Doughnut 0]

Yeah climbing hills is one of my main considerations, I live high up in the mountains. The 320i you can fang it up hill and its pretty good,

but you see the fuel gauge drop, if you approach a hill at 60kmh or less you are stuffed. I think cars must be cheaper in NZ, but I could still import an 88 model from Japan with

less than 120k, maybe M-tech.

[Nic325i 0]

but I could still import an 88 model from Japan

not if you want to drive it on the road - won't comply with frontal impact standards.

[Coffee&Doughnut 0]

Why not?

[Nic325i 0]

because these guys say so. No more E30's can be registered unless they are 20+ years old

[*sic 1]

bimmers are all for looks anyways arnt they? none of you like performance..

go the E34 it looks tougher.

[Coffee&Doughnut 0]

Thats tough, the same laws dont apply here in Oz, there are other restrictions though.