Hey all,

I am looking at buying this 1995 525i. 110,000 miles automatic transmission 6 cyl 2.5L. What are some things I should look out for on this year/model? Any specific issues? He's asking $5500 and its pretty clean inside and out.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

The auto transmissions are known to suck in the e34, make sure you change the fluid. The front suspensions are known to be weak, look for fading, shimmies, etc. Cooling systems also suck, particularly the water pump, thermostat, fan clutch. That's pretty much it, the e34 is a solid car, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/trouble/what_will_break.htm

List what to look for, also a very good maintenance site.
Peace

They are problematic, but they are good cars. Get someone who knows BMW's to take a look at it.

As the owner of a "black box" e34 that I bought without any records for cheap and spent about 3k restoring, I second what what prash and E34 530 said. 5.5k is a bit high for a 95 auto, although I don't know how the prices are in Hawaii. I would avoid the automatic tranny on those cars altogether. Both my friend and my mechanic had/have an auto e34 and they constantly had problems with the tranny developing leaks and breaking down altogether. The manual gearboxes on those cars, on the other hand, are pretty bulletproof.

Dude save yourself the problems of the auto and find a 5sp. bmwe34.net will deffinitly help you, make sure to read it

Wow everyone...thanks so much for the good advice. I would prefer a manual, but told myself I would settle for an auto. Now that I hear all this, I think I am gonna wait for a solid manual to pop up for sale.

Much mahalo

That's a good idea. Also don't settle for anything less than extensive records of the car, since you're willing to pay 5.5k for a car, you might as well not get a nasty surprise. It's not like e34s with records go for much more.

Lurk around our sub-forum for awhile 5 spd pop up for sale all the time. $5,500 is too much for an e34 except if owner has a Bible size maintaince bills showing recent work on trans, suspension and cooling systems.

if they're asking that much for the car, they better have every maintenance bill they're ever done to it, and a carfax report for you to show that the car's record is perfect.

I drive a 1995 525ia 58k on it haven't received any problems from tranny at all or anything really major besides the usual problms of a car that would be on many cars, but it really depends who was the owner and how they took care of it. I suggest you should just go find a 5 speed and not deal with a auto because I feel the auto shifts slow, not that its not smooth or anything wrong with it, just if you're shopping for one keep the 5 speed in mind more.

Any suspension component or bushing that hasn't been replaced yet will need to be done soon.

Have a 1993 525iA 145XXX, stock transmission no problems(knock on wood), bushings are shot goin to replace soon. There amazing cars if their well maintained!

People here undervalue E34s.

I paid $6,800 for a PERFECT two-owner E34 a year ago with 102k and don't regret it.

Also, the 525iA M50 is dead-nuts reliable, with the exception of the questionable autobox.

My 525ia has 150K on the original tranny and shows no signs of quiting.

Even at 150K the body shop estimated value at 6500$ at 5K in damages it was not totalled. I'm not sure why everyone thinks our e34s are worth so little.

I would not call the front suspensions "weak". The cooling system and slushboxes, on the other hand...

History of proper maintenance is the single most important thing to look for with an E34, unless you're ready and willing (and able) to restore it if it turns out to be garbage.

how do you tell if the bushings are gone?

There amazing cars if their well maintained!

Wow....

There= in or at that place, opposed to here: She is there now.

Their= belonging to them: This is their car

They're= They are

/English lesson

Value is highly dependent on condition of course. Two examples of the same model and year could be 2-3K apart in price depending on what's been done. I just paid 5K for a 94 525i with 150K miles. It has a new transmission, new radiator, fan, water pump etc. Upgraded suspension, E39 wheels, engine chip, brakes, drive shaft, flex disc, etc. All/most of the stuff that these cars require. And I've still got a project list. Heater valve is clicking and sticking I think. Microfilter needs changing. It never ends but I enjoy most of this minor work.
I could have gotten the same car for 3K (without this maintenance history) somewhere and put 3K+ into it but that's not my desire. You WILL spend $ on these cars, it's just a matter of when.
my2c.

in my opinion, the cooling system is the most dangerous element in the M50 E34. Make sure that your water pump works flawlessly, as well as the radiator. Make sure that you test your tensioners, and examine your belts as much as possible!! My car dropped a tenisioner and slung a belt. It overheated one time and presto- either warped head or bad headgasket :( Shop told me today that if this is the case, $1900 for a new head and headgasket. (worst case scenario) This car MUST not be overheated. As soon as my temp gage went in the red, i pulled the car over immediately and shut it off. but apparently that wasn't enough.

"Value" is very vague, its worth what someone will pay. different cities are flooded with these cars and some are a little more challenging to find so prices would reflect. I payed 8 for my car because it was so clean and well, to be honest i fell in love with it as soon as i hopped in it. Worth it to me!