944 for an E34, my first and hopefully not last post.

[ccaarmerciill]

Hello all!
I've been a huge BMW and Porsche fan since I first started driving. My car history shows that:

1989 325i sold
1989 944 sold
1995 M3 rear ended (dead)
1984 944 currently own
2001 M3 (dead)

Well I just recently totalled my M3, and for now I want to stick with one car again. I had my M3 as the daily driver, and I was turning my 944 into a track car in my off time.

Well the 944 is in GREAT shape, only 65k origional miles, San Diego car, all the records etc... just an all around fun car. But it isn't a good daily driver by any means (especially when I got spoiled by the E46 M3). I posted an ad on craigslist to see whats out there, and what I could get for an outright trade for my 944. I got a few crappy offers in the beginning, (integra, eclipse etc) even though i made it clear in the post I was looking for a better daily driver (and Euro cars only).

So the other day I got an email from a guy with a 1992 525i, black, M50, auto, 160k miles. The pictures show that the car was VERY well taken care of. The black paint still shines like new, with very few blemishes, the interior leather is in great shape, and the guy has ALOT of records for the anal maintence that was done by the PO's.

I am posting here because to me it is a smarter daily driver, the M50 will definatly be more reliable/ cheaper to maintain (I'd hope so). I already have a good amount of experience working on BMW's, just as much as 944's. But I am somewhat hesitant to jump on the offer... one of the biggest reasons is it's an Automatic , no offense to the auto owners, It's just that I have never owned an automatic car in my life! I've always had the third pedal, and it would be something very different for me to drive everyday. I also honestly do LOVE my 944, and will miss it very much if I do trade it.

I need some opinions, sway me either way... I know it's my decision, but maybe you guys could throw some very nicely modded E34 pictures in here to help make me a first time 5'er owner. I have very little experience with any 5 series, but from what I've seen on here, and studying pictures of modded ones online, I think the E34 can look VERY stunning, with a few modest mods. Clear/ smoked corners, chrome peices painted black, and a good replacement for the bottlecaps.




(the owner sent me more pictures that give it more justice) < but they're on my home computer.







I also forgot to mention that I still have the working engine/ transmission from my E46 M3... but I don't think that swap has been done into an E34, and I don't think that engine would work well with a car like the E34, like a V8 does.

[xlr8tin]

Go with an E34, personally I think a 540 would be best.

[ccaarmerciill]

Originally Posted by xlr8tin

So you went with a E34...Great choice! That's how us Coasties roll

They are growing on me, I see some with a few mods and they look like some of the sleekest car's I think I've seen. But some can still look terrible, I think a mint shiney black E34 would be a good canvas to start on

[PorscheDude]

Unless you need more room and more comfort, keep the 944.
Alot more fun to drive.

[Sam Son]

Save the engine and tranny....
Trade the 944 for the E34
Part out m3 use procedes towards an S52 and 5spd and swap that into the E34

Use the remaining funds from the m3 partout for other mods to the E34
And u can sell the stock M50 after u swap it


It seems u have good taste and a good idea of what to do...
E34s are really solid reliable cars if maintained properly they are fantastic daily drivers
My E34 is my only car so I drive it everywhere...
I have yet to get tired or bored with it..my car was originally an auto and now its a 5spd
E34s are tons of fun to drive with the right mods

Iirc u were at my meet last october in cheshire ct...my car was the one with the painters tape..

I can post pics of my car later (on blackberry now) if u wanna see the potential an E34 has but if u search this section u can find manÿ amazing examples of well done cars

Hope that helped
Gl

[ccaarmerciill]

Originally Posted by PorscheDude

Unless you need more room and more comfort, keep the 944.
Alot more fun to drive.

I am completely stuck right now, I know the 944 is a complete blast to drive ( I enjoyed driving it just as much as the M3 )

I drive 3 hours to Albany a few times a month, and in general I am driving alot. Reliability is huge for me right now, because I don't have the second car as a buffer. The 944 has been a tank so far (both have) and nothing remotely major has broken on it. Hell I drove the 944 cross country without incident! But every car I've had thus far, has been on the sporty side. Maybe I'm ready for a luxury cruiser, that just looks good?

Don't get me wrong, I'll be back into a sporty car not too far from now. (another E46 M3, or Z4M) The longest I've owned a car is this 944, and it's barely been 2 years. If I get the E34 I'll most likely only keep it for a year or so.

[Husky]

Get the E34. It can't hurt to try new things, and it sounds like you've found a very clean one.

[mikemxbike4]

Originally Posted by ccaarmerciill

I am completely stuck right now, I know the 944 is a complete blast to drive ( I enjoyed driving it just as much as the M3 )

I drive 3 hours to Albany a few times a month, and in general I am driving alot. Reliability is huge for me right now, because I don't have the second car as a buffer. The 944 has been a tank so far (both have) and nothing remotely major has broken on it. Hell I drove the 944 cross country without incident! But every car I've had thus far, has been on the sporty side. Maybe I'm ready for a luxury cruiser, that just looks good?

Don't get me wrong, I'll be back into a sporty car not too far from now. (another E46 M3, or Z4M) The longest I've owned a car is this 944, and it's barely been 2 years. If I get the E34 I'll most likely only keep it for a year or so.

Wait for an e34 with 5 speed or 540i six speed and then trade. I wouldnt trade for autotragic. And you can make an e34 handle very well if you wanted to. There were a few e34 race cars as well, so its a very good platform for perfomance tuning.

[paanta]

My dad had 3 944's (one S, two non-S) and I had a 924. We shared a really nice 914 autocross toy. I've gotta say, the 535i on sport springs/shocks handles a lot like a 944 that turns in a bit slower. The 944 was super fun, but it never really felt light on its toes like the 924 or 914 or the older 912's and 911's I've driven. It was a SOLID piece of car that had had nowhere near enough power to compliment the unbefrickinlievable amount of grip. The E34 is way easier to hoon.

The 944 is a beautiful tank, but it's such a pain in the ass to work on, and so unexciting in a straight line, I wouldn't hesitate to get a sportier E34. I'd take a 535i/5 or 540i/6 over one any day. A 525ia though? No.

A Turbo, S2 or 968 is a different story, of course.

[bimmershark]

well i think ya should do it it would make a great dd and make gettin in to your 944 that much more exciting (third pedal better )

[zubbie]

I think the 944 is worth about double what a 92 525 autotragic is worth. You can do better. Straight trade for a well maintained 535/5 or 540/5 is more appropriate.

After driving a stick 944 you won't be pleased with an auto E34 of any flavor.

[Stir Fry A Lot]

Originally Posted by zubbie

I think the 944 is worth about double what a 92 525 autotragic is worth. You can do better. Straight trade for a well maintained 535/5 or 540/6 is more appropriate.

After driving a stick 944 you won't be pleased with an auto E34 of any flavor.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[xlr8tin]

Originally Posted by ccaarmerciill

They are growing on me, I see some with a few mods and they look like some of the sleekest car's I think I've seen. But some can still look terrible, I think a mint shiney black E34 would be a good canvas to start on

They all have potential...I had a 944 and loved it. I remember it was the first car I bought while a Coastie. I was still in "A" school in Yorktown. Still don't know why I got ride of it...young and stupid I guess..

[4500 RPM]

Skip the automatic. There's a great 525i buying thread in the first few pages with excellent advice that's too much to put here.

[PorscheDude]

Sell'em all and buy a well sorted 951.
325RWHP very easy to acheive. Under 3000 lbs.

[choppers]

I used to hate automatic but I realize since most of my daily driving is on heavy traffic, I don't mind them now. When I have extra money to take the car to the track then I will do the manual transmission swap.

[caferacer1]

I wish your 944 was a 95.5 I would trade you my 540i/6 in a second if it was.

[ccaarmerciill]

You guys definatly are helping me take a step back, and really think about this.

I KBB'd the 525i and it came out to be $2,500
KBB wouldn't let me go back to 84, but for an 89 944 N/A, it was nearly $6,000
I have seen some people more interested in early 944's because they are usually lighter than the 85.5's and up.

I would much rather have a 540I, in 6 speed. Looking at the prices, like others have said that would be more of a fair trade. If I got this car I'd have to learn how to drive automatic again!

[ross1]

The 5er is worth $2500 or so if nice. No idea what 944s bring there, they're near worthless here.

[e34win]

check out some other craigslists on the east coast... richmond might have a few... try to stay away from cars that reside close to the beach because the salt water around here does a hell of a number on the paint.


my vote: trade for 540/6 + a little cash and start building.

[xlr8tin]

Originally Posted by ccaarmerciill

You guys definatly are helping me take a step back, and really think about this.

I KBB'd the 525i and it came out to be $2,500
KBB wouldn't let me go back to 84, but for an 89 944 N/A, it was nearly $6,000
I have seen some people more interested in early 944's because they are usually lighter than the 85.5's and up.

I would much rather have a 540I, in 6 speed. Looking at the prices, like others have said that would be more of a fair trade. If I got this car I'd have to learn how to drive automatic again!

The 540/6 are harder to find. The 540 auto really isn't that bad. With a ecu and tcu from Dinan, it is a beast. The 540 has sport mode and with the chips make it very fast and fun to drive. This is what I've done. I bought both chips from a member for less then $200.

[janders211]

I'd keep the 944- but you could find a 540i/6 for close to what you could sell the 944 for....don't expect comparable performance- the 540i is a pig in the weight department (~500lbs more than the 944). Don't get a 540iA - you'll just regret it later if you're interested in a 'sports' car, and/or doing any sporting events.

If you were looking for a pure DD, and are not worried about performance (as I'd guess based on the 525iA you were looking at)- I'd get something toyota/honda/nissan.

[Binjammin]

Originally Posted by ccaarmerciill

You guys definatly are helping me take a step back, and really think about this.

I KBB'd the 525i and it came out to be $2,500
KBB wouldn't let me go back to 84, but for an 89 944 N/A, it was nearly $6,000
I have seen some people more interested in early 944's because they are usually lighter than the 85.5's and up.

I would much rather have a 540I, in 6 speed. Looking at the prices, like others have said that would be more of a fair trade. If I got this car I'd have to learn how to drive automatic again!

A step back is what you really need. I don't know what kind of rush you're in, but your best bet at this point is to get a beater for like $400, sell the 944, and use the money from that to buy the e34 you're looking for. At the very least find a 93+ 525iM to get vanos and other goodies (prewired alarm etc...)

It doesn't surprise me that someone was looking to trade an automatic 525 for your 944, it would have made his day

Were you the guy Mike's talking about that showed up at the meet last fall at the shop with the 944? I'm almost in your hood these days, I live in Hamden now.

[ccaarmerciill]

Originally Posted by Binjammin

A step back is what you really need. I don't know what kind of rush you're in, but your best bet at this point is to get a beater for like $400, sell the 944, and use the money from that to buy the e34 you're looking for. At the very least find a 93+ 525iM to get vanos and other goodies (prewired alarm etc...)

It doesn't surprise me that someone was looking to trade an automatic 525 for your 944, it would have made his day

Were you the guy Mike's talking about that showed up at the meet last fall at the shop with the 944? I'm almost in your hood these days, I live in Hamden now.

Yeah, I was at that meet with my M3, and I had my roomate drive my 944. Wish I could've stayed for the burgers!

From his discription, and pictures his car is literally in amazing shape. Engine bay looks VERY clean, interior practicly flawless, and paint still looking pretty. Would a 525i with the M50 auto really be THAT much of a heavy fat dog? I mean I'm kind of interested in just having a nice comfy good looking euro DD car for a change.

Originally Posted by janders211

I'd keep the 944- but you could find a 540i/6 for close to what you could sell the 944 for....don't expect comparable performance- the 540i is a pig in the weight department (~500lbs more than the 944). Don't get a 540iA - you'll just regret it later if you're interested in a 'sports' car, and/or doing any sporting events.

If you were looking for a pure DD, and are not worried about performance (as I'd guess based on the 525iA you were looking at)- I'd get something toyota/honda/nissan.

Toyota? Honda? Nissan? will never happen. I am far too stuck on German cars... also I have to keep the BMW / Porsche thing going.

Would you drive a Toyota Camry over a mint condition Black E34 that you're planning to mod very sleekly? I think not.

Originally Posted by xlr8tin

The 540/6 are harder to find. The 540 auto really isn't that bad. With a ecu and tcu from Dinan, it is a beast. The 540 has sport mode and with the chips make it very fast and fun to drive. This is what I've done. I bought both chips from a member for less then $200.

I understand 540's are a little harder to find, and they do have a good bit of power in comparison to the 525i's. But I would honestly rather own a 525i in Great shape than a 540 in good shape. I can see a 540i in the kind of shape I'm looking for costing a little more than I want to right now.

[xlr8tin]

Originally Posted by ccaarmerciill

You guys definatly are helping me take a step back, and really think about this.

I KBB'd the 525i and it came out to be $2,500
KBB wouldn't let me go back to 84, but for an 89 944 N/A, it was nearly $6,000
I have seen some people more interested in early 944's because they are usually lighter than the 85.5's and up.

I would much rather have a 540I, in 6 speed. Looking at the prices, like others have said that would be more of a fair trade. If I got this car I'd have to learn how to drive automatic again!

How much money do you have to work with?