ajross.nz 5 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 Firstly hello! I'm new to the forum and haven't owned a bimmer since 2010 when I left the UK for NZ. But now I'm setting my budget to around 10k and really need to make a decision by tomorrow morning. So I'm looking at a near mint E34 535is 1990 (Msport) NZ New . 25% Lsd. Manual. 300ks Also I'm looking at an E39 528i 2000 msport nz new. Near mint. 250ks Finally looking at E60 -2003 Singapore import near mint. 185ks The e39 is fairly cheap for what it is and all nice leather interior. E34 is tricked out with all the toys of the time and has very good black leather for it's age. Again the e60 is in great condition. It looks like an Msport but I suspect that someone added the badges and the steering wheel as it lacks the suspension and mags of most Mtech i know. I have owned 2 e39s and enjoyed them in the UK - i also had an e36 and I've played with an e34 and an e30. Personally I prefer the body look of the 30/34s and consider them true drivers cars. That said I'm buying a car for weekend use only and would really value your opinions on what you would buy given the choice. E39 is half the price of e60 and the e34 is $7500. So- I want to buy tomorrow. But which? I'm torn! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 I have several E39s atm and I love them all, every aspect of them. However, The E60 I got yesterday is just awesome, on a whole other level. I would go with the E60, but make sure you have it looked at by the AA before purchasing as I've been told several times some of the Asian imports have a few electric issues, but not all. Either way, I'm sure you'd be happy with what ever you decide on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajross.nz 5 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 Really appreciate that Francois. Have you ever driven e34? Also I hear you on imports- especially Singapore where humidity is high, I have heard some horror stories re electric cables fraying and rust. I inspected the car as much as I could when I drove it and it seemed to be fine. All electrics seemed sound and I spoke to the previous two owners and they haven't had any issues. It's been in nz for the last 9 years. An aa report is probably un-necessary but I guess you never can be sure! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lord_jagganath 421 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 Forget about the E60. nonmotor sport that alone is a no-no for me. E34 vs e39. The E34 is my kind of car. it is after all a weekend car. Manual is great. E39 would be auto I presume, and is a 528i, not really desirable next to a 530i, which is the better car. if it were between a v8 E39 and a v8 E60.... then we would have a bigger issue Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajross.nz 5 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 Haha is love an 8 cyl but I don't see any reason to spend any more than 10-15k at this time. Maybe when I'm woman free totally I can drop some cash into this fully and get a new one! That's the e60 And this, is the 34 Does your opinion change any when comparing the two? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 I actually had a dark green E34 535i manual myself about 4 years ago. I really enjoyed that car, but I missed the E39s and their ways, but that's just me. Everyone has their own opinions about cars, but at the end of the day, it will be you that will be driving it, so chose what you feel is the one and even the non Motorsport E60s can be tuned nicely. I've spent all day on emails and phones to various BMW tuners and owners in regards to easy modifications for the E60, so if you chose that, I can send you some decent reading 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
francoisv 466 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 Ps that's a good looking E60 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajross.nz 5 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 Yeah I would appreciate that Francois ! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kulgan 1042 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 Gotta say. I'm liking the looks of that E34. For a weekend car I'd prefer the classic over something new. or newer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingkarl 136 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 +1 vote for the e34 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MP0wer Report post Posted May 5, 2015 Only if the E34 was a 540i. If You want a E34 I would wait it out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajross.nz 5 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 Haha I knew this would happen! Making it harder for myself! I think I'm now gonna rule out the e39 and put it just down to e34 or e60. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajross.nz 5 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 I would probably be content if I bought the E60 and say an e30 330/m3 later. I like both e30 and 34 interchangeably. I do think that the e34 here is a nice example though. Apparently there are only six of its type left in nz. 12 were rolled off the line as nz new back in '90 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 i am very biased. The e34 used to be mine.Only buy the e34 if you enjoy a very "manual" experience.Even a manual 540 e34 and a manual e39 540 feel very civilised compared to the 535i.The straight six is awesome .The clutch is heavy,the gearchange is "slow" the brakes are good .You are always aware that it is a heavy car on a windy road but the grip and traction is good. Thirsty for what it is but if its only for the weekend prolly doesnt matter.It is a very original car and still in very good condition.I had it from 150k to about 260 k.Dont waste your money getting a BMW checked by the AA.Get it checked by a BMW dealer or independent BMW specialist.Not sure there were only 6 but there wernt many.In 1990 it would have cost more than the average house. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajross.nz 5 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 Yeah re original cost, I figured that - it was amazing for its time! I'm guessing you are the gent that's good pals with Martyn then? It was Martyn that said there were only 6 left in NZ btw! Coming from the UK I'm very used to manuals, I did feel the heavy clutch a lot but I'm sure that was something I'd get used to. I think on this occasion I'm probably best off with the e60 then I guess. I love the old shapes but I'd probably have to plough a lot more money in it to keep it good. And i would want to look after it. It was well over 300ks on the clock and he's asking $7500 for it and I'll be honest, even though it's a rare car, that's still pretty steep for a car of that mileage. It does seem genuinely well looked after. In terms of fun-ness to drive that's really what I'm after the most. I guess I can be content with the 535 e90, it's not boring, but it's not sh*t off a shovel either! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 That e60 is not msport. The e34 is a members car and is great. An e39 528i can be bought for very very cheap these days but are not as good as a 530 or 540 and must be genuine msport. U have 10k as your budget? I think u havent looked hard enough there are plenty of nicer e39s and e60s for that budget Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kepes 231 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 +1 on the e34. Such a classic car. It's a members car too. Have seen it in the flesh and driven with it at a meet. Looks and sounds great. If I wasn't a student and had the funds I would but it. Always loved e34s Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MP0wer Report post Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) Or, buy this. Its a really nice car! http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-884025340.htm Edited May 5, 2015 by MP0wer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajross.nz 5 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 Would be seriously tempted it it wasn't a station wagon! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajross.nz 5 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 +1 on the e34. Such a classic car. It's a members car too. Have seen it in the flesh and driven with it at a meet. Looks and sounds great. If I wasn't a student and had the funds I would but it. Always loved e34s Oh yeah, I drove it from porirua to khandallah and it held very nicely ! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajross.nz 5 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 That e60 is not msport. The e34 is a members car and is great. An e39 528i can be bought for very very cheap these days but are not as good as a 530 or 540 and must be genuine msport. U have 10k as your budget? I think u havent looked hard enough there are plenty of nicer e39s and e60s for that budget Yeah the 528 was only $5k . I would want to pick up the car locally so I've been limiting my search area to Wellington - if it was a bigger area like Auckland I'm sure I would have much more to choose from! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted May 5, 2015 5k is not cheap for a 528i... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex 693 Report post Posted May 6, 2015 I vote M535i. It is the enthusiasts choice. They look cool, drive well, make a nice noise and are more original that the other two. The other two are just cars. At least spending money on a M535i will bring a return, the others will simply depreciate into the ground as fast as they fall apart. E34: M5 > M535i > 540IS. IMHO. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Driftit 2093 Report post Posted May 6, 2015 Go for the E34. Non Msport E60's are meh and the price of them is still plummeting which in turn will plummet the E39 even further. I have owned all three. Only E60 I was interested in was the 530D. I still own this car and am still amazed at how it drives whenever the Mrs lets me drive it . My E34 is a race car and is great fun. My E39 540 was okay but I sold it when I got bored of it which didn't take long. The E60 is far superior to the E39 in every way though. The E34 does have some soul. They do feel a little dated now but are solid and reliable cars. Models such as the 535is are starting to go up in value for nice ones like the one you are interested in. If I had sold my E30 by now I was going to buy that E34. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi328i 118 Report post Posted May 7, 2015 I have an E34 530i manual (with 4.0l now). My Co. car is a new Nissan Juke cvt jobbie. My theory is that during the week, I drive a very civil, quiet, non offensive, nonchalant unassuming vehicle (some may say hideous) that is designed to go from A to B, using piss all fuel attracting next to no attention minding its own business. When I refuel, I hope out, pay, hop back in drive, repeat. Come the weekend, I do the opposite, and I am literally dying for the analog experience. I sit in the car, and absorb for a minute. I turn the key, and actually hear the fuel pump whirring, and all of the other machinations rising like a symphony before the explosion that is called my rear box delete, its rough at first whilst it is clearing its throat and settles from an idle some 1100 to 800, before I careful adjust my psyche to suit. It is an experience that I never tire from due to previous few days of civil (some say boring) transport. I would go the E34 for the rush, but that's just me. It's like everything else, during the weekend I wear bare feet, it's good for me. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
