1st car

1991 535 212k miles very clean and solid has been maintained very well $3500 firm-5 speed

1998 528i 5 speed 124k miles good maintaice records, few addons like dinan chip, springs and wheels. $8400

Given the 2 choices which one should i get? I want a bmw real bad and these 2 were the only clean ones I found after allot of search.

how will the 535 last with 212k miles that scares me. Were these good cars back in the day, are they reliable and low maintince?

how about the 528 with 124k miles how long will it last? maintaince etc?

Hmm, the price for the 535 is a bit too steep - you should be able to find one cheaper. Don't be fooled by the mileage - it will run for many more. You will need to check the wear items, such as ball joints, wheel bearings, flex disc, cats, clutch, etc. Bought my 525i with 220k miles and had it for a year now - I put in about $2k+ in it, but that also includes mods. Here's the list of parts that I got for it so far (bilstein struts/shocks, vogtland springs, new thermostat, new waster pump, fan clutch, valve cover gasket, cat-back exhaust, flex disk, new wheel bearings in the rear, new head unit, projector headlights, clear corner lamps, BBS wheels, new tires, new strut mounts, sway bar links all around). I got the car for $1800. Also, what kind of transmissions do these cars have? I wouldn't bother with automatic E34, since those transmisions were made by GM as far as i know and are prone to early failure.

For a manual, clean, well-kept e35 535i/5, that is not a bad price. If the car has been maintained, it will run for a long time. There are a few that have 400k+ miles. The transmission is rock solid. The e34 is also much more of a DIY kind of car, while the e39 is much harder to work on.

Plus, if you get the 535, you can boost it with a TCD kit.

The 535 would be more of a project car while the 528 would be more of a less-hasstle daily driver, imo. I would suggest the 528.

BOTH! 535i project...528 daily.

BOTH! 535i project...528 daily.

Thats what I'm talking about:devillook

how much for the 98 528i?

i beleive u will b much happier w/528

get the 528.....then tell me where the 535m is so I can go buy it. Seriously....where is it.

You've probably bought what you're going to buy by now, but I own a '98 528i and it runs like a champ and is as solid as a tank. The price is in-line with where it should be -- possibly less with 200k+ miles.

That price isnt too steep for the 535im. Get the E34. You will be much happier that you did.

I mentioned in a previous post, I just sold my Brilliant Rot 1990 535im with 118k miles for $7,000. It is a rare car, and the seller will get whatever he wants if he waits long enough.

Nick

man this is old! Yeah, hard choice as it really depends on the condition of the vehicle. A good condition 535 would be sweet, but with that many miles it seems to unusual that you wouldnt have to do some fixing up. But also depends on how reliable the 528 would be, which should be pretty reliable as long as a few problem areas are addressed which hopefully some can help you with.

I like both body styles. If you want a good daily driver and something newer I would go with the E39. Those engines have proven to be very reliable if maintained correctly. I don't know alot about the E34 engines so I can't comment on them but damn those cars look good with a drop and some wheels. I find myself often pondering whether I should have gotten an E34 M5 instead of my E39 540i 6 speed. I want both but the wife won't allot it! :(

I got rid of a 528i for a super low mileage 1990 535im, spent a ton of money in mods and repairs. Then got rid of that for an even LOWER mileage E34 M5. Best decision Ive ever made. More fun than the E39. (528i/540i) If driven correctly, its faster than the 540i as well.

Get one and join the club of one of the most desirable sports sedans the world has ever seen!

Nick

theres a red e34 M5 fore sale on the forum classifieds.

I would get the 528i...I have owned a several E34's & a few E39's. They are both great car however to me its a no brainer decision....Get the 528i...You will love it! :cool

Oh man, get BOTH!

E34 535/5 is a MUCH simpler car, and arguably better built. Show em 3000 cash. Have another 2-3K in mod money and for 5-6K have a real nice ride that will be worth damn near what you've got into it in 2 more years.

Shake the trees and a dozen E39 528's fall out. Thats why people are giving them away.

Uh, please check post date. The OP is over 8 months old.

However, I'd go for the 535. Great overall BMW.