Hi, guys, I'm new here, and I have a few friends on this board, but, I don't know what they're names are. Anyways, I'm looking into gathering information to amke a decision on buyign a 5 series 535, and I want either an E28, or an E34. But, it's hard to find any that I can actually test drive, so, I haven't been able to yet. I will probably not be making a purchase for the next 1-2 years, but, I'd rather wait, gather as much info as I can, and make the best decision/purchase that will fit my needs.

In you guys's oppinions, and past experiences, what are the pro's-cons to each an E28 and E34? What are the power/weight specs for each model,a nd is one faster that the other, or more reliable for some reason? Thanks for your time, guys

neither are very fast....more than 7 sec to 60 and 15 sec plus in teh quarter....
but they have lots of character ! =]

basically buy as nice a car u can (get it on a lift) then be ready with 4 grand
or so for repairs, parts, upgrades.

i love mine and wouldn't trade it for anything but an ///m

It all depends what you are looking for. The E28 is only the 2nd generation of the 5er and of course the E34 is the 3rd generation.

The E28 came out just about the time when Yuppies were gaining their momentum. It is a good car and it is quite nimble and handles well. It is comfortable and has most of the creature comforts that you look for in a luxury car. The later models had power seats and of course that added weight.

The E34 was actually quite different from the E28 as BMW really got in gear in the mid 80s in their design and sophistication of their cars. The E34 is a little larger and heavier than the E28. However, it is also more luxurious and quiet while retaining that world famous BMW handling. Unfortunately, the cars are also more complex in their electrical systems than the E28 and when these sstems break thay can be frustrating to diagnose.

What would I choose? I have no idea! I had an E28 528e 5 spd as my first BMW and I loved that car! I have my E34 525iT that I would not do without. In fact, I drive that car more than my E39 540. I would love to get a M5, either an E28 or E34 and I still can't figure out which one to get.

neither are very fast....more than 7 sec to 60 and 15 sec plus in teh quarter....
but they have lots of character ! =]
///m

Well, that would still be as fast or faster than any car I've owned so far (BTW, I'm 21 years old). But, $4g's for repairs, you've got to be kidding, right? I can repair almost anything myself, and mods will be placed over time. In all honesty, what could really need repair that could be that expensive, other than major engine work, such as a valve job, and such?

Personally I think $4k is quite a bit more than you would need if you can do most of the work yourself. But $2k is pretty easy to spend on these cars. Especially if you start upgrading things like suspension or wheels and tires. Just a Sach's kit, thrust arms, a bushing or two, and 17" wheels/tires could easily be $2k in parts.


Reliability is pretty similar. The E34 has much more complicated electronics for the body, so those can fail more, but the E28 has a less-robust engine electrical system, which is a little more failure-prone. Niether is a big deal, IMO. Mechanically the cars are nearly identical, so it's a wash there, IMO.

The E34 is actually easier to work on, IMO. The engine compartment is much bigger and gives more room to get around. You'll want to be good with electrical systems, though.

Performance is also pretty similar. The E34 makes more power and torque due to higher compression (mostly) but weighs more, so in the end the performance is very similar.

Where these cars are night-and-day different is in the 'feel' and driving experience. The E28 is a more visceral, involving car, rather unsophisticated. I'd be more likely to term the E28 as the 'fun, tossable' car of the 2. The interior, seating postion, steering wheel, they all say 'E30' with a little more substance. It feels like a fun, old, solid car.

The E34 feels much more 'grown up'. A smoother, quieter ride, much more space inside and in the trunk. Better gas mileage. Overall a much more sophisticated feel, it feels much more modern and more expensive. A very composed feeling, and yet also very capable in it's own right. Handling is remarkably good for a car of this size and weight, and can be quite fun to drive. A few suspension tweaks can really make for a barnstormer as well. The E34 really feels like a luxury car that can surprise you when the road gets curvy.

What is amazing to me is how different the cars feel considering they share so many parts, and even the suspension design is hardly changed. IMO, you can't lose either way. Drive some and decide which feel you like better, then buy the best-condition one you can find.

Ya, the E28 does kinda look like an E30 inside, doesn't it? Now, question: As far as steering wheels, I know the E30 doesn't come with tilt wheel, and in an E30, I feel like the steering wheel is much too high for my comfort (I like to drive with teh wheel all the way or most of the way down on most vehicles with tilt wheel, I feel most in control like that), did either of the 5 series come with tilt wheel, or do they only have the teloscoping wheel? And was that standard, or an option?

Now, I know that the E34 is a bigger car, but, my old roomate has an E28 (sitting back home, we are both about 800-900 miles from home at school, so I've never rode in it), but, he tells me that the E34 isn't as roomy as his E28, he says it feels tighter, especially width-wise. Is this kinda true, or is that more just his feelings, since he owns an E28? You also mentioned weight, what does an E34 weigh, I know the E28 weighed about 3100 lbs. As far as feel, I do tend to like bigger cars, and I'm sure I would like the feel of the modern day convieniences of en E34 over an E28.

And, as far as mods, well, I wouldn't consider them under the repair list, unless something actually NEEDS to be replaced ( such as exhaust leaks would require all new upgraded exhaust, same with suspension system, etc), but, these are definitely not things that I would do right away, I would basically drive the car as-is, untill it needed somethign like that. $1k, that I can understand, as very few cars can be bought in perfect condition. I would probably do a Dinan chip as my first performance mod, anyways, unless the car I buy already has one.

Now, with all this said, what specific thigns should I look for someday when I go to buy one of these thigns, as far as where to look for any modifications, signs of stress, parts known to be prone to failure by a certain age, etc? I appreciate all the input, guys, and believe me, this is all going to go down, to help myself eventually buy my perfect first bimmer. Oh, ya, I don't think I said this, either, but, this will not be a daily driver. This car will be my sunday driver, go out to the movies, business lunch, track day once in awhile, etc. Basically, I don't see any reason why it cannot be my multi-purpose toy. Thanks, guys!!!

I would be SHOCKED if there were any interior dimensions where the E34 was smaller than the E28. I can't find the hard data right now, but I'm 90% sure it's bigger in every way.

The cockpit might feel a bit more 'intimate' because the dash is closer, the seats are better and wider, and the center console is taller.

The E28 shares the (somewhat uncomfortable, IMO) non-adjustable 'bus-like' steering wheel position with the E30. The E34 does not, it's basically the E36 position. I really can't remember if my E34 has tilt, telescope, or both. I know it has at least one of those.

My 535i 5-speed should weigh over 3600 pounds wet. It's a significant bump up from the E28, and you can feel it. After having some experience in both cars, I think 80% of that extra weight is in sound deadening. :)

There is a volume of data on E34 and E28 535's out there. Start reading at these sites if you haven't already...

http://www.bmwe34.net
http://www.m535i.org
http://www.bmwdatabase.com

You'll find that mechanically the weak spots are pretty much the same on these cars. (makes sense since they are so similar). Front suspension, Headgaskets, cooling systems are all common issues.

Quite honestly, if this is a weekend toy/fun car, I'd lean toward the E28. I think it's more fun. The E34 is better for the daily driver AND weekend fun toy role, IMO.

I'm in Chicago on the weekends, if you want to check out an E34 535i I wouldn't mind letting you check mine out.

I'm at the one year mark now with my '91 535i. I thought maybe I'd post this, and this seemed like a good thread to do it in. Here is the work I've done in the last year, about 10k miles. This was a pretty well-maintained car before I bought it, I'm the 3rd owner and have records since the car was new.


171600
Purchase and Compression Test
168 170 175 172 165 173
173100
Air Filter
Oil Change - No filter change
New Spark Plugs (.035 gap)
Rebuilt Mirror Switch
New BMW Emblem - Hood
New Brake circuit switch
Cleaned Washer fluid sensor, coolant level sensor
173379
Hood struts replaced
Trunk struts replaced
Valves adjusted
New Camshaft spray bar bolts
New Camshaft spray bar washers
New Valve Cover Gasket
Valve cover and oil filler painted
174000
Water Pump Pulley replaced
Water Pump Belt replaced
Power Steering Belt replaced
A/C Belt purchased (not installed yet)
174460
Replaced Coolant - BMW Blue Coolant & Distilled water
Replaced Passenger Wiper Arm
174800
Replaced Fuel Filter
Rotated Tires - Front to back
176100
Changed Oil and Filter - Wix 51732
Replaced Windshield washer jet - Driver's side
177000
Installed D'Sylva Techonolgies Performance Chip - 6500RPM
177100
Replaced Front Thrust Arms & 750 bushings
Installed A/C Belt
Tightened Steering Column Nut
Replaced headliner and rear deck carpet
Repaired trunk wiring harness
179000
Removed and flushed ALL A/C components
Replaced A/C Receiver/dryer
Replaced ALL A/C o-rings & Nyloged
Vacuumed and charged w/R134A & POE
180500
Resurfaced Head
Pressure tested head
Replaced Head, Intake, Exhaust, and therm gaskets
Replaced Exhaust studs and nuts
Replaced Head Bolts
Replaced Fuel Injectors
Painted VC and Intake
Cleaned carbon deposits, port-matched intake manifold
Repaired Seat cables
Replaced coolant
Repaired Vacuum leak on booster check valve
Replaced all vacuum lines
181000
Replaced Tie Rods (both sides, whole assys)
Replaced Center steering link
Replaced Steering Idler arm
Replaced fuel lines
Changed Oil and Filter

Man, you've done alot of work to that car. See, I don't think I'd go thru all that, I think I'd keep the basic engine maintenence, but drive the motor till it's dead, then build what I really want. think I'd be happy with a 250-300 hp N/A M30, which could easily be built, over time, if I knew in advance I'd be needing it, since this, again, would be my sunday driver. But, I would probably, slowly but surely, repair most of the minor, easy stuff. A/C I wouldn't be too concerend about, at first, at least, thast something that can wait, especially if it already doesn't work.

if you havnt already heard this, m30 engines are very boost-happy. i would definitly find a "mint" condition e34 and then keep it impeccable and get ready to F/I it :D

Didn't read all the replies, but 4 grand in repairs only if your buying a M5.

if you havnt already heard this, m30 engines are very boost-happy. i would definitly find a "mint" condition e34 and then keep it impeccable and get ready to F/I it :D


Thats what I want, I want a mint e34, or e28, mint as fara s body, frame, and interior. Mechanical stuff can easily be fixed/replaced over time, but it's just so hard to get the looks back once they are gone.

Ya, and I also thought about turbo'ing it, but, that depends on how I like it after a chip and suspension mods. If I feel I really need that much more power, then yes, I'll turbo it. I dunno, I'll decide that later on.

I will just chime in with what has already been stated for the two. I recently sold my E34 and bought an E28.

The more curves you drive, the more you will appreciate the E28. Though the E34 is at least as capable, the E28 is a more engaging car in the corners and feels much more agile. The E34 is a refined driving experience and if you spend most of your time in traffic or on hiways, Id go for that one.

Strangely, I agree with the person who said the E28 is roomier inside. Im sure the dimensions (especially width) are smaller, but the boxy shape and upright seating really feel spacious. Comparatively, the dash is very high in the E34 and the windshield more swept back. Im a space-monger, the main reason I sold the E36.

If you end up doing any kind of under-dash work in the E34, you will learn to despise it. The interior is out together in some "interesting" ways and the wiring is a flat out nightmare. My dome light and ignition forever had a mind of their own, which I never could fix. In comparison, I repaired a similar problem in my 1985 Volvo in about 2 hours!

Im probably a little biased based on my particular car and IM sure others have had perfectly smooth sailing. Both cars are a flat out pleasure to drive in the tradition of BMWs. :alright