Plunging into the UDM world, with an E34!

[e.dayanan]

Hi everyone!I'm a newbie, but have been lurking in this forum for a long time now, reading up and gathering as much information as possible.I'm a HUGE fan of the E34 BMWs, and have not been able to afford one until very recently. Now that I'm able to afford one, I have been looking for some for the last 5 weeks. My specifications (non-negotiable) are as follows;- M50B20TU/M50B25TU engine- 5 speed ZF/Jatco gearbox (no 4 speeders)- Optional; black leather interiorI would like to request some advice from all fellow forumers here, if it is not too much to ask. These are some of my questions;1. I've tried the 520i and I feel that the performance is quite flat. How much better is the 525i? (M50 engines)2. How much difference is the cost between maintaining and running (i.e. fuel) a 520i and a 525i? (I am a ardent petrolhead, drive a lot)3. How does one go about nowadays getting insurance cover for these cars (>10 years old, difficult)4. Personally, should I go for the 520i or the 525i?I hope I can get some good advice here, and if anyone here has an E34 for sale as per my requested specs, please, do let me know. It would be much appreciated. Thank you everyone, and long live the UDM!! (I'm no joy is BMW person, hehehehe.....)DMann

 

[haywire]

Bro, if you can afford it always go for the bigger displacement engine i.e the 525i. You're a petrolhead, said so yourself. The 520i might not be enough.

Anyway, before you buy, do test the 525i first. Ask any of the forummers with one for a test, Im sure some of them would be okay with it. Just dont test Ramsing's E34, that one you'll get itchy that you cannot scratch one. hehe

 

[julianpang]

If you are around PJ, we can meet up and yam char. We can go for a ride in my car.

Mine is a 1994 E34 with M50B25 (non vanos).

520i is very underpower even with manual.

 

[mizhan]

...or you can try my M60B40 and see if you like 400Nm :biggrin:

 

[SEN5241]

Hi everyone!

1. I've tried the 520i and I feel that the performance is quite flat. How much better is the 525i? (M50 engines)
2. How much difference is the cost between maintaining and running (i.e. fuel) a 520i and a 525i? (I am a ardent petrolhead, drive a lot)
3. How does one go about nowadays getting insurance cover for these cars (>10 years old, difficult)
4. Personally, should I go for the 520i or the 525i?

1. The 525 has better pickup (M50B25TU vs M50B20TU). Important for safety reasons, e.g. pulling out into traffic, roundabouts, etc.
2. I think (meaning I could be wrong) the difference will be marginal. Probably slightly higher fuel consumption for the 525 but this might be offset by less wear and tear on the engine since you'll be running at lower revs. Road tax difference is about RM500.
3. Insurance for >10yr old is not an issue. Your existing insurer will be able to handle it. Loading (i think for >15 years) is 15%.
4. The 525. Costs more to buy, more to insure, more in road tax. But worth every penny. If you get a 520, you'll be reminded of the lack of pick-up (from a standing start) every single time you drive.

 

[V-Man]

nobody mentioned the infamous Big Six

 

[lamoo]

...or you can try my M60B40 and see if you like 400Nm :biggrin:

helio u very naughty ah long time no see come this sat. to TT at MMZ lah Saya beli u teatarik

 

[e.dayanan]

Julianpang - Very nice of you to offer! Maybe, one of these days.....thank you!

Mizhan - I think your green 540i is a little too much cost for me to bear, but it's a supreme beast. Nice wheels though, just the right ones I must look for!

SEN5241 - thank you very much for very clear answers.

pardypeople - E24's are superb cars, just not a practical choice for me. My car also doubles up as the family long distance tripper you see.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

DMann

 

[lamoo]

come to TT this saturday at MMZ and I let u test drive a E34 525 M50b25tu

 

[V-Man]

pardypeople - E24's are superb cars, just not a practical choice for me. My car also doubles up as the family long distance tripper you see.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

DMann

the big six i was referring to is the m30b35 powerplant...

 

[SEN5241]

If you decide to get a 525, and you are sticking to 1996 (as in your intro post), be prepared to buy as soon as you come across one in good condition. I say this because 1996 525s are relatively rare (plenty of 1996 520s) so you may have to wait a long time for one to come up for sale.

Things you'll need to do:
- get familiar with what a 525 in good condition looks / feels like.
- draw up a list of what condition/faults you'll accept. Sometimes you'll come across a '96 525 which is looks/feels almost perfect, but maybe the mileage is higher than what you were thinking of, or maybe there's blue smoke from the exhaust. Is that a dealbreaker? If you take time to decide only when you come across the car, you might miss out because someone else will buy it while you're deliberating.

There will be the temptation to buy a '96 520 and change the engine to a M50B25TU. This might be quicker, but more expensive.

 

[julianpang]

Correct me I am wrong....

525i will have better brake system.
525i fuel consumption is about the same as 520i
some said 525i have better sub-frame or suspension system.

 

[ICEMAN 68]

if ya a small size type of person ...

An e36 M50/M52 ..will eat these e34 up for lunch and breakfast...but give them some chance for dinner ...

 

[fandango]

Correct me I am wrong....

525i will have better brake system.
525i fuel consumption is about the same as 520i
some said 525i have better sub-frame or suspension system.

Locally assembled 520's 525's don't have 5-speed gearboxes - you'll need to convert. But frankly, I've driven a 5-speed M50B25TU and pickup is worse than my previous 4-speed M50B25TU (chipped) . Chipping is a whole lot cheaper than converting to a 5-speeder.

Also 525's have ventilated front discs, whereas 520's have solid discs. 525's have rear anti-roll bar, but 520's don't. What else? 525's have wood trim and small pocket under driver's air vent, but 520's don't.

yeah, last batch 525's are hard to come by...you might also want to consider 1996/97 E39s...pretty cheap nowadays...the M52B25tu (523i) already comes with 5-speed auto standard...

 

[julianpang]

Locally assembled 520's 525's don't have 5-speed gearboxes - you'll need to convert.

I thought all E34 sold by AB or BMWM are all CBU in those days?

 

[e.dayanan]

Been getting a lot of good feedback from everyone, thank you! Looks like I am gravitating towards the 525 eh? Seems to be the forum thread favourite!

Lamoo - sure can meet for TT! But where is MMZ?

Pardypeople - Aiyo...M30B35 engine, mati lor.....road tax also will kena one.

Iceman13 - E30s are nice but too small for me. I'm kinda a big guy.....6 feet tall and heavyset too.

SEN5241, Julianpang, Fandango - your comments are very helpful. Looks like I might have to look for 96' 525i it seems. I owe you guys a TT. And more.....

Let me know when n where's the TT, I hope I can join in. You guys have been most helpful,

DMann

 

[lamoo]

BMW Club Official TT @ MMZ- 18th Feb 12 - 3:00pm Saturday

check out this thread

 

[ves]

nobody mentioned the infamous Big Six

:canabis::beer::canabis:

 

[erica34]

for e34, balance between economy and performance for the majority, i.e. most of us, would definitely be the 525 with vanos so you're on the right track looking for a 96 525i. but don't discount earlier cars. a couple of years won't make any difference as long as car well maintained or price is really good value particularly if you're into doing up cars.

 

[ramsing]

An e36 M50/M52 ..will eat these e34 up for lunch and breakfast...but give them some chance for dinner ...

correct la phai, everyday my poor E34 car kena tarpau by all the e36. I always put my gear in R for racing mode. but always lose. y ar? ......