Decisions decisions

[Coffee&Doughnut 0]

Getting back to the Velour interior on a 88 535i, leather is standard as far as I know, would Velour be an option? To me a 535i is decked out in leather, I guess it could be retrimmed, but low mileage manuals with extensive service history and so on dont show up too often here..............................................................................with velour trim.

[kiwi535 538]

leather was an option,albeit an option that was ore often taken up

and a 540 is seriousy powerful and not much heavier than a 535.The main weight difference is actually the gbox and differential

155 kw vs 212 kw or thereabouts,not to mention the torque

the NZ market is much much much cheaper than the Aussie market,due mostly to

1) no local market to protect

2) the fact that second hand jap imports have made cars truly a throw away item

[Coffee&Doughnut 0]

A 540i would be real nice but here they gennerally go for an extra 4-5 grand.

My E30 is a Jap import and its been great, but there seems to be animosity towards Jap imports here thats is unjustified, especially when you consider how much some of the crap here is going for.

[rxsumo 33]

My 50c worth......

Depends what your needs are.....if its for a second car, so fuel economy may be an issue, and back seat space for adults isnt then my choice would be a 3 series.

A "baby six" early 5, isnt too thirsty, but if you are concerned about fuel economy, I wouldnt be buying a "big six" 5.

The old cars I run typically achieve 20-24 MPG on a run, whereas my 535 manual averages around 19 (according to the trip computer), and this drops to about 16-17 around town. These are similar figures to a friend of mine, who had a 535IA from new. He actually reckoned that his E32 735IA was more economical that his E34.

We queried the fuel economy with our BMW servicer, who assures me that this is pretty typical for these cars, and that our car is fine emissions wise. He should know he is a factory trained BMW speciallist, who runs a E32 735.

Some of the reasons to buy a E28 over a E34 are suspect, they are lighter, but you are unlikely to encounter rust problems in an E34. The motors may be quoted as 218bhp v 211bhp, but that in real terms could be different measurement methods, but as you are buying an old car, the HP figures are unlikely to still be at these levels anyway.

And as for the manual debate, I brought our car on a whim, and knowing a little more after 6 years of ownership, I probably wouldnt buy another E34 5 speed manual.

The manual is great once you are out touring but it isnt nice if the car is going to be used as a commuter, the clutch is heavy, and the gearchange is a bit baulky at low speed. In fact the old 4 speed in my opinion, especially the old ZF box (in the 2800) is actually a nicer box to drive with.

If you decide on a 5, I'd probably go for a E34, the E28 has lightness and "character" in its favour, I would suspect the E34 has a better body, better spec's, better safety features, and better driving characteristics in its favour.

[Coffee&Doughnut 0]

Some interesting points you raised there rxsumo, I am aslo looking at a 735il but I wonder if electrics aside I might be paying more in running costs. So e32 or e34 as these cars are easier to find in good order. I had forgotten about the 525i cause I thought I would regret it being somewhat under powered, fuel costs these days adds to the uncertainty

of long term viability for thses kind of cars. Do you think with a 735i I am likely to run into more problems than a 535i

Edited June 13, 2006 by Coffee&Doughnut

[rxsumo 33]

Some interesting points you raised there rxsumo, I am aslo looking at a 735il but I wonder if electrics aside I might be paying more in running costs. So e32 or e34 as these cars are easier to find in good order. I had forgotten about the 525i cause I thought I would regret it being somewhat under powered, fuel costs these days adds to the uncertainty

of long term viability for thses kind of cars. Do you think with a 735i I am likely to run into more problems than a 535i

I'd research the L a little more, I was warned against the L as they have some driveshaft "issues".

I cant see any real differnces in running costs between the E32 and the E34, especially if they end up being cheaper on fuel (taller diff ratio?)

The twin cam E34 525 actually runs similar HP to the 535 from what I can recall.

Horribly under powered would be the 518 E34 and perhaps the 520, but I cant see to much of an issue with the 525, although I've never driven one.

[cainchapman 0]

If I was going to go for a 535 or the like, then I'd go with the E28 as it is a lighter car (and attractive in it's own way). The E34 is a better all round car, as the E39 is better again. But you're paying extra for each evolution.

Our 540 will deliver 9.5l/100km on the open road and around 12.5-13.0l/100km around town. For a 1680kg car, I'm pretty happy with that.

As far as the price premium for the 540. I would think that is coming back due to the perceived petrol issues with the larger motor. I couldn't comment on the economy of the Auto 540's. To get a manual 540, double your 4-5k and you'll be getting closer. Still only 4-5 in the country that I know of. Cheapest one I've seen go was $18k, and it wasn't all that tidy.

If you're in Auckland, get in touch and you can take ours for a spin. But, if you get a good model of any of those cars, E28 or E34, you'll love them.

[Gus 5]

and attractive in it's own way

best euphemism ive heard today

[Coffee&Doughnut 0]

The E28 535i always appealed to me but the one I looked at last week put me off I was getting bad vibes from it, like someone was murdered in it or something and they used some industrial strength bleach to clean the leather. I didnt like its stance and it had crappy tyres. Auto 540i' s here for around the 15-16k mark. Actually I remember talking to a guy here who said that his E34 540i was cheaper to run than his E32 735i

which the 540i replaced. I am getting similar mileage with my 320i 4.27 diff. average about 10l/100km dont do a lot of urban driving, but mileage is noticeably worse.

I will look into the 24 valve 525i, so is the Nikasil an issue in OZ or NZ, it has been a problem in the US and UK as far as I understand.

[cainchapman 0]

The Nikasil block was never an issue in NZ. I am unsure about Australia, but I don't think it was. Kiwi 535 may be able to shed some light on that. Or go and look at the 540LE group on Yahoo, the discussion may have been had there.

We've had ours from new and it's been driven, from daily driver, towing race cars and racing. Never had an issue with the motor. 183km nearly on the clock now.

[rxsumo 33]

My understanding is that the Nikasil issues, were related to the fuel that was available at the time in Europe and the US.

As a good proportion of NZ fuel actually comes from BP's plant in Perth, I'd be guessing that Aussie gas on the whole should be similar to NZ gas, and there shouldnt be a problem.