First time poster here, from Australia... hi!
Yes, I have an E34 fetish... I've spotted a 1990 535iM near me, apparently in the 'S' specification. It has 181,000 kms (about 112 mi), leather interior with Recaro front seats, sunroof and best of all it's a 5speed

http :// liveimages.carsales .com .au/private/3082840.jpg
(can't post URLs yet)

Asking price is 8k AUD...

So I'm a student, and this is obviously a decision of my heart and not my head... what is the cost of upkeep like on these things? Reliability and cost of repairs? Fuel consumption a killer? The whole "BMW costs so much more to maintain" thing -- true/false? I'd love to make it mine, but speculating whether or not I can afford the maintenance.

Your opinions would be great... a good buy? Considering I'm in Australia and yes, everything is so much more expensive here compared to the US.

So, thanks in advance I guess!

http://liveimages.carsales.com.au/private/3082840.jpg

I don't think BMWs cost more to maintain exactly, I'm pretty sure they cost about the same to maintain as any other car with the same amount/type of features. Japanese care will run forever, but usually only need fluids, belts, and tires. They're also usually smaller, and have less gizmos and features. Seriously though, if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it. Not trying to be condescending, they do take a lot of upkeep, and quality parts are not cheap.

If you're a student, your best bet is to use the money to pay for more schooling than BMWs, and e34s aren't exactly chick magnets, unless I'm doing it wrong...

and e34s aren't exactly chick magnets, unless I'm doing it wrong...
It's because you aren't a fan of rims. Soul-less chicks that bang guys because of cars love rims. ;)

I don't think BMWs cost more to maintain exactly, I'm pretty sure they cost about the same to maintain as any other car with the same amount/type of features. Japanese care will run forever, but usually only need fluids, belts, and tires. They're also usually smaller, and have less gizmos and features. Seriously though, if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it. Not trying to be condescending, they do take a lot of upkeep, and quality parts are not cheap.

If you're a student, your best bet is to use the money to pay for more schooling than BMWs, and e34s aren't exactly chick magnets, unless I'm doing it wrong...Thanks for the input. It's not that I *can't* afford it; I have money put away, I was just curious as to whether the cost of upkeep is substantially higher than your average car, say a 4cyl. I've also heard that the M30B35 in the 535i is "bulletproof" and will run for many kms if maintained well. Oh, and I'm not too worried about the "chick magnet" aspect, have that covered at the moment lol.

And thanks for posting the pic, moonsspoon.

It's because you aren't a fan of rims. Soul-less chicks that bang guys because of cars love rims. ;)

So you're telling me that if I want to start banging shallow chicks, I need to have bling on my car...:confused


:ponderHmmmmm... maybe there's something to your logic there...

Thanks for the input. It's not that I *can't* afford it; I have money put away, I was just curious as to whether the cost of upkeep is substantially higher than your average car, say a 4cyl. I've also heard that the M30B35 in the 535i is "bulletproof" and will run for many kms if maintained well. Oh, and I'm not too worried about the "chick magnet" aspect, have that covered at the moment lol.

And thanks for posting the pic, moonsspoon.

i'd budget $1k per year for maintenance. the car is almost 20 years old, and this is the age when all these electric gizmo's were new. so reliability on the electrics is questionable.

for reference i bought a 2002 focus with 80k miles and our 95 touring with 100k miles for about the same price at the same time. the wagon has needed almost $1k of various maintenance (window regulator, door brake, door seal, window seals, filters, fluids, electrical work) and still needs a headlight, foglight, paint work, dash lights, seat rock fixed, a window channel, steering wheel squeak fixed, and a couple other items.

the focus has needed.... nothing. bless it, it's a fantasic commuter.

go for it if you have a maintenance budget and can do some work yourself.

the focus has needed.... nothing. bless it, it's a fantasic commuter.



Wow, you're gutsy, I never would have owned up to owning a Focus, but that's probably because I'll never own another Ford...:D

Jacko304: +1 for being I think the 4th Aussie here.

I paid $8,500 for my 1992 535i in immaculate condition.
make sure you've been in it and around it before you set your heart on it though.

The service cycle, if going to an official BMW dealer:
Year 1: Oil $200
Year 2: Inspection 1 $800
Year 3: Oil $200
Year4: Inspection 2 $1200

i'd budget $1k per year for maintenance. the car is almost 20 years old, and this is the age when all these electric gizmo's were new. so reliability on the electrics is questionable.

for reference i bought a 2002 focus with 80k miles and our 95 touring with 100k miles for about the same price at the same time. the wagon has needed almost $1k of various maintenance (window regulator, door brake, door seal, window seals, filters, fluids, electrical work) and still needs a headlight, foglight, paint work, dash lights, seat rock fixed, a window channel, steering wheel squeak fixed, and a couple other items.

the focus has needed.... nothing. bless it, it's a fantasic commuter.

go for it if you have a maintenance budget and can do some work yourself.Yeah that's just as I expected I suppose -- the more features the car has (being a bimmer it's loaded) -- the more things that can play up. I'm hopefully taking a mechanic with me to check things out, hopefully the car will be as good mechanically as it presents visually, but you never know.

Jacko304: +1 for being I think the 4th Aussie here.

I paid $8,500 for my 1992 535i in immaculate condition.
make sure you've been in it and around it before you set your heart on it though.

The service cycle, if going to an official BMW dealer:
Year 1: Oil $200
Year 2: Inspection 1 $800
Year 3: Oil $200
Year4: Inspection 2 $1200I can live with those figures... Your inspections included some parts being replaced etc I gather?

I obviously won't make a decision until I check out the car. But hopefully, if it's in good condition without a great deal needing to be replaced, I might make a purchase... hopefully.

Here's a link with .pdf files of what goes on during each type of service:
http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/models/e34.htm
Half way down.


I asked a service manager at Adelaide Motors and he said those lists are still current.

The thing I reasoned with:

With that money you could buy a newer Commodore or Falcon or something, but they'd need frequent servicing and aren't THAT well manufactured, where as a BMW is built to perfection, solid as a rock, from the factory, so yeah, it is more expensive IF something goes wrong, but the likelihood of that happening is less.

The thing I reasoned with:

With that money you could buy a newer Commodore or Falcon or something, but they'd need frequent servicing and aren't THAT well manufactured, where as a BMW is built to perfection, solid as a rock, from the factory, so yeah, it is more expensive IF something goes wrong, but the likelihood of that happening is less.Yeah I agree with that... I could buy a 2000 spec Commodore/Falcon for around the same price, but why? They're so...ugh. The only good thing about them is parts are cheap as chips, because they're almost 1 in every 4 cars is a Falcodore :P
You seem around the same age as me - and happy with your car. I'm sure a trip up to inspect this car, and a mechanic's report, will influence my decision.

Wow, you're gutsy, I never would have owned up to owning a Focus, but that's probably because I'll never own another Ford...:D

yeah, i'm surprised i haven't taken more grief here. but honesly it's a blast to drive, the steering feel and response are fantastic, it loves to be thrown in corners, and i love driving it. it's also my car of choice as a rental, the steering is that good even in econo-mode. it's cheap, reliable and fun to drive!

the wagon (der kombi) has it's strengths, but good lord... even my wife thinks it's slow! hopefully someday i'll get to fix that.

yeah, i'm surprised i haven't taken more grief here. but honesly it's a blast to drive, the steering feel and response are fantastic, it loves to be thrown in corners, and i love driving it. it's also my car of choice as a rental, the steering is that good even in econo-mode. it's cheap, reliable and fun to drive!



The Focus was a good car with a few weak points (I hate the seats). The new one? Yeah, uhhhh...

Yeah I agree with that... I could buy a 2000 spec Commodore/Falcon for around the same price, but why? They're so...ugh. The only good thing about them is parts are cheap as chips, because they're almost 1 in every 4 cars is a Falcodore :P
You seem around the same age as me - and happy with your car. I'm sure a trip up to inspect this car, and a mechanic's report, will influence my decision.


I'm 17, finishing Year 12 this year.


I LOVE my car, I cop some grief but I love it to bits.

DEFINITELY take it to a BMW dealer for a Pre-Purchase Inspection or similar, and with any luck it'll be flawless, as mine pretty much was.

yeah, i'm surprised i haven't taken more grief here. but honesly it's a blast to drive, the steering feel and response are fantastic, it loves to be thrown in corners, and i love driving it. it's also my car of choice as a rental, the steering is that good even in econo-mode. it's cheap, reliable and fun to drive!

the wagon (der kombi) has it's strengths, but good lord... even my wife thinks it's slow! hopefully someday i'll get to fix that.


I don't know about corners, but I'm sure there's an ocean nearby you can throw it into :D

Jacko i'm in brisbane too and have owned my 535i for 5 years, i know them inside out. if you want any info or help etc. let me know. i can come look at the car with u if you'd like.

Jacko i'm in brisbane too and have owned my 535i for 5 years, i know them inside out. if you want any info or help etc. let me know. i can come look at the car with u if you'd like.Awesome, any pointers / things to look out / anyhting else for would be great. I'm hopefully going up to have a look later on in the week, depending.

Tossing up between this or buying an '02 Imprezza from my dad for a tad more...


EDIT: bit of a question...
Looking at the picture at the top of the thread - two tone, wtf? I've never seen an e34 in two tone... after market job or something or what?

So you're telling me that if I want to start banging shallow chicks, I need to have bling on my car...:confused


:ponderHmmmmm... maybe there's something to your logic there...


Coming from a girl..
Yeah, i'm sure you could easily get a shallow girl to bang you if you have chromed rims haha

I guess I need to compromise my standards a little bit then. Or maybe a lot, considering I don't go for shallow chicks, and I really don't go for blinging wheels.

Or are you suggesting you're shallow and would like to see bling on my car?

I only get laid when I roll with the spinnin 26's on my car

E34's are great. Worth the maintenance IMO. I have spent a ton on my car. My logic..... Before too long, every part on my car will be new :)

I guess I need to compromise my standards a little bit then. Or maybe a lot, considering I don't go for shallow chicks, and I really don't go for blinging wheels.

Or are you suggesting you're shallow and would like to see bling on my car?

No, i'm not that type..i didn't mean to sound like that either haha