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E34 or E39

Discussion in 'Other German' started by Protouring442, Aug 1, 2010.

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  1. Protouring442

    Protouring442 F1 Veteran

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    #1 Protouring442, Aug 1, 2010
    The wife and I may be in the market for another car as a daily driver for me. I have been seriously considering either an E34 or E39 5-series, I6 (2.5? 3.0?) and a manual transmission. Any thoughts on these? Models I should stay away from? It looks like I can expect a vehicle that will go the mileage, any disagreements on this?

    Shiny Side Up!
    Bill
     
  2. Ducman491

    Ducman491 Formula 3

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    #2 Ducman491, Aug 1, 2010
    I am a member on Bimmerforums.com because I'm researching M3's. Don't know the first thing about the 5 series but that would be a good place to start.
     
  3. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 GuyIncognito, Aug 1, 2010
    Spasso has several E34s, IIRC. Hopefully he'll chime in, or shoot him a PM.

    both are nice cars, but I don't know any specifics on reliability, problem areas, etc.
     
  4. Protouring442

    Protouring442 F1 Veteran

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    #4 Protouring442, Aug 2, 2010
    No more thoughts??

    Shiny Side Up!
    Bill
     
  5. Sfumato

    Sfumato F1 World Champ

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    #5 Sfumato, Aug 2, 2010
    E39's are great. M5 was great car, 540i 6-speed as well, had both. 528i good cars too. E34's nice, but not as easy to work on as an E28. E28's and E34's getting old, and some E34 540's had the Nikasil bore problem IIRC. So for a driver, E39 probably easiest. I miss my old E39 M5.
     
  6. Emagdnim360

    Emagdnim360 Karting

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    #6 Emagdnim360, Aug 3, 2010
    E39. I had a 540i sport and then traded for an M5. If you happen to buy a 540 I have a VF s/c kit that needs a home.
     
  7. Blown Z

    Blown Z Formula Junior

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    #7 Blown Z, Aug 3, 2010
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  8. ferraripete

    ferraripete F1 World Champ

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    #8 ferraripete, Aug 3, 2010
    we have a 2003 e-39. it is a fantastic car and really as good a road car as i have ever driven. i bought this car after having looked at the e-60 very closely...the e-60 did not compare favorably on any front.

    good luck in your search. there are many low mileage e-39's out there as they seem to be somewhat coveted.

    pcb
     
  9. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

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    #9 parkerfe, Aug 3, 2010
    I've had an e34, e39 and e60 M5. The e34 was the best built of the three...by a wide margin!
     
  10. Formula 1

    Formula 1 Formula 3

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    #10 Formula 1, Aug 3, 2010
    e34 by far.
     
  11. Perkman87

    Perkman87 Formula Junior

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    #11 Perkman87, Aug 3, 2010
    E34 has the best reviews by far!!
     
  12. Derek at FoD

    Derek at FoD Formula 3
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    #12 Derek at FoD, Aug 3, 2010
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  13. Protouring442

    Protouring442 F1 Veteran

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    #13 Protouring442, Aug 3, 2010
    Looks like it's going to have to be an E34. I just don't want to spend all that much, and it appears there are some very well preserved E34 M5s out there with 120K or less on them, priced around 10K or less.

    Did the E39 M come with an I6 in the US or only the V8? I really want the 6 as it looks to be a more durable engine, and much easier to work on, not to mention better on gas.

    Shiny Side Up!
    Bill
     
  14. S Brake

    S Brake F1 World Champ

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    #14 S Brake, Aug 3, 2010
    E39 M5 came only with a V8. It is still one of my all-time favorites.

    E39 all the way.
     
  15. 360Doctor

    360Doctor Formula Junior

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    #15 360Doctor, Aug 3, 2010
    E34 all the way; unless you are looking at an E39 M5.

    I bought mine for less than 4 grand with 14x,xxx miles on it . New brakes, thrust rod bushings and an oil change and it hasn't done me wrong since. VERY smooth on the highway, and plenty of space for friends and luggage in the trunk. Couldn't be happier!!
     
  16. Protouring442

    Protouring442 F1 Veteran

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    #16 Protouring442, Aug 3, 2010
    Now that's the sort of thing I like to hear... What model do you have? I've been drawn to the M5's but only the E34's as they have the I6.

    How many miles have you racked up since then? Any interior problems? Cracking dash, or split leather?

    What engine? Other than regular maintenance, anything else go wrong? How are te bills? High or no?

    Shiny Side Up!
    Bill
     
  17. Jdahlstrom

    Jdahlstrom Formula 3

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    #17 Jdahlstrom, Aug 3, 2010
    +1 on the e34. Just make sure the cooling system is up to date.
     
  18. anunakki

    anunakki Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #18 anunakki, Aug 3, 2010
    + E34 !

    By far the best looking of the bunch
     
  19. Protouring442

    Protouring442 F1 Veteran

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    #19 Protouring442, Aug 4, 2010
    I have to agree... I think the interior of the E39 might be nicer, but the exterior of the E34 is just plain sexy.

    Shiny Side Up!
    Bill
     
  20. solofast

    solofast Formula 3

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    #20 solofast, Aug 4, 2010
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2010
    My business partner has a 2001 E39 with 140k miles on it. He bought the car new and has maintained it by the book all the way. In the last six months he has had to do the following..

    New or rebuilt steering rack = $1800
    New AC compressor ?
    Transmission seal (automatic) = $900
    Front end shimmy, replaced all suspension bushings and tie rods = $2100

    Today he is driving a rental, the tranny failed again $6,000 for a new tranny, or if Aamco can fix it maybe less.

    Beautiful car, with the sport package, a Dinan chip and exhaust, and the special sport wheels, but you need to expect to pay a lot to keep one up. There's a reason that the wholesale price of the car is only $7,000....

    Don't assume that because you can afford one that you can afford to repair it if it breaks..
     
  21. Protouring442

    Protouring442 F1 Veteran

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    #21 Protouring442, Aug 5, 2010
    Seems reasonable figuring the labor, alignment, flushing of the PS pump, etc.


    I would guess this to have run around a grand...

    Sounds about right for the high-tech auto they use... but why would you have a BMW with an auto?

    Again, sounds about right, axcept that this probably all should have been done with the rack replacement.

    And he's chipped it and added exhaust... maybe this is why the tranny failed? Because of the necessity for light weight, modern transmissions aren't built much beyond the ability to handle the factory HP rating. If you want to play, you need to beef up the trans as well.

    No doubt! I think this is why I want the E34. It's a much simpler vehicle, and parts aren't quite so scary. Also, many repairs I can do myself. Even if I have to have someone do the repairs, the difference in price between a $10K E34 and a $30K Ford Taurus leaves a lot of room!

    Thanks for your views on the E39 though. I think the greater complexity, coupled with the fact that BMW started having a few issues starting around the time of the E39, and the E34 seems the better choice.

    I'm not in a hurry, and I'm not 100% sure we're even going to get another vehicle at the moment, but it's definitely being discussed.

    Shiny Side Up!
    Bill
     
  22. Nurburgringer

    Nurburgringer F1 World Champ

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    #22 Nurburgringer, Aug 5, 2010
    I bought a '99 528i sport with an auto trans (my first non-manual) after moving to Houston from Germany in '06.
    Owning a stick in Houston (or many other places, depending on your usage) is NO FUN, and the 4sp (GM made BTW) auto, while primative compared to today's transmissions, suits the nature of the car very well.
    Now it's my fiancee's DD (I drive either an '86 Honda CRX or '85 308GTS), and on the occasions I drive it it feels like a lear-jet for the road. Rock solid, smooth as silk, great AC (had one line replaced for around $400 a few years ago, but the part looked like it could have gone on the space shuttle...).
    These were designed to bomb across Germany at 100mph++, so on US roads they aren't even breaking a sweat.
    Just a beautifully designed car in every way, and worth it to me for the higher-than-average repairs costs.
    new price (sticker) in '99: $48,000
    bought with 45k miles in '06: $16k
    now 110k miles
    repairs:
    ABS controller: $750 (found out later can get it rebuilt, with warranty, for $400)
    brakes (done myself so parts only): ~$350
    AC line: $600
    rad/thermo/pump (done myself): $500ish
    oil breather line: $700 (in cold climates with short trips these are common failures parts due to condensation not burning off. There are some tricks to avoid this though)
    frequent oil changes: $30 each time with a topsider suction-tank and syn oil, takes less than 30minutes all from top of the car

    cheers
     
  23. Protouring442

    Protouring442 F1 Veteran

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    #23 Protouring442, Aug 6, 2010
    So it seems my search may have one from theoretical to actual. Some moron redecorated my Turbo Coupe yesterday in a parking lot. And did they leave a note? Yeah, right.

    Shiny Side Up!
    Bill
     
  24. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
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    #24 Auraraptor, Aug 6, 2010
    Sorry to hear that. FFIW, my daily driver has been BMW M62 powered cars since 2003, and I have been driving BMWs for over a decade.

    The cost of upkeep can be pricey if you do all the work at a dealer. BUT many independents are out there.

    Also, don't pay list for parts. Many places sell them at discounted prices (as well as give a % discount for BMW CCA membership)

    Just doing that will cut costs significantly.

    Do the work yourself and cut it further!
     
  25. kosmo

    kosmo Formula 3

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    #25 kosmo, Aug 6, 2010
    I prefer the e 39 for a few reason:
    1. safer
    2. interior is way better
    3. brakes on e34 feels too weak IMO
    4. appears like the e34 was prone to engine oil leaks.
     
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