I am buying a 520 e34 1992 for my first car . I get my provisional licence in a month, ( i'm Australian , located in the north of the country)
My father thinks that this is the perfect car for a teenage male.
Safest car at time of manufacture. Not enough power to hirt me much. and really good brakes.
The car is in very good condition body wise.
Question where can i get a detail spec sheet on this car.
I will have to fix the brakes eg rotors and pads.
the auto has a little issue, after heavy braking the transmission lags before finding first?

I am buying a 520 e34 1992 for my first car . I get my provisional licence in a month, ( i'm Australian , located in the north of the country)
My father thinks that this is the perfect car for a teenage male.
Safest car at time of manufacture. Not enough power to hirt me much. and really good brakes.
The car is in very good condition body wise.
Question where can i get a detail spec sheet on this car.
I will have to fix the brakes eg rotors and pads.
the auto has a little issue, after heavy braking the transmission lags before finding first?

1. Get a Bentley Manual
2. www.realoem.com (http://www.realoem.com) or http://bmwfans.info/original/E34/ to look up all parts (has diagrams also)
3. www.bmwe34.net (http://www.bmwe34.net) for some regular fixes (excellent site)

Your particular car is unusual to us North American types as we did not get the 520, only 525, 535, 530 (V8), 540 so for engine specific info europe has more. I believe the 520 has an M20 engine (similar to early 525) though things should be realtively easy to find.

For detailed info go to the dealer with your VIN and they will print out everything you need to know on the car.

Welcome

Your 1992 should have the M50. M50's started in 9/1991 in Europe and abroad. The m20 looks like this
http://www.autopower.se/begagnatguiden/bilder/m20.jpg

Your 1992 should have the M50. M50's started in 9/1991 in Europe and abroad. The m20 looks like this
http://www.autopower.se/begagnatguiden/bilder/m20.jpg

Wow! How do you keep it so clean!

Google for m20
:D

The motor is the m50 so that makes it a 2002 model, Now late in 2002 they started useing vanos cams , how would i know if i jagged the vanos model.
the road worth certificate required a few fixes , the front end will be done over , bushes and brake rotors and pads. Other wise the car is very good. I expect to pick it up in a week. All looks good.

Your 1992 should have the M50. M50's started in 9/1991 in Europe and abroad. The m20 looks like this
http://www.autopower.se/begagnatguiden/bilder/m20.jpg

Mine has it.. and it is a 90'. So actually it started i 1989 :)

Wow ... that is a clean engine bay in the pic - but where did the radiator fan go?

IMO ... if you can afford it, go for the 525 at least with the 2.5 motor. I haven't driven a 520 but already I feel the 525 struggles a bit with the weight.

I can only guess the 520i will be more sluggish.

Wow ... that is a clean engine bay in the pic - but where did the radiator fan go?

IMO ... if you can afford it, go for the 525 at least with the 2.5 motor. I haven't driven a 520 but already I feel the 525 struggles a bit with the weight.

I can only guess the 520i will be more sluggish.

words of wisdom

how slow is it?im aiming to say its about a 130-140hp pushing 3400lbs? :(

I'm 17 and my father thinks that it's powerful enough and that i will learn more from a 2 l than i will from a 3.5l. some thing about how a bmw is a drivers car not a drag car. He said that when I can slide around a corners balanced by the throttle then I'll know what he is talking about. But the good book said that it is 11 sec(auto) to 100klm and 125? mph top end , thats not to bad for a baby 2l.

I can see where your dad is coming from - RWD cars are not usually recommended for beginners and the safest way would be to get an underpowered car so even the rear is unlikely to get loose unless you are really ham fisted in your driving manner.

I would suggest that you test drive the 520 first to see if it is something that you can live with. The E34 is a fantastic chassis and despite being a big car, has similar handling / grip characteristics as the later E36 series IMO. You could do a lot worst with a Falcon or Commodore.

I find the 525 a bit underpowered for everyday driving, but it sounds like a 520 would be right for you provided you don't have unrealistic expectations - it doesn't from your reply above. However be prepared for the odd time or too you wish you had a bit more acceleration such as taking off from lights etc - but that happens to all of us regardless of the car ... Lol

Perhaps you should suggest that your parents take a 525 for a spin too ... these cars are 1500kg's and it is very hard to get the rear out even in the wet. Lighter RWD cars like silvias and MX5's etc are more likely to prove a danger in the wet to those uninitiated to RWD cars.

I would recommend that if the driveline is fine, you then consider refreshing the suspension as the first step as it makes a big difference.

Oh yeah ... and a defensive driving course is the best lesson you can learn as they don't teach you anything in driving school.

I have to get tyres and the 225 60 15 are a uncommon size , there is little range. i can get cheep bridgestone for 114.00 or good bf goodridge for 220.00 not much in between