Most reliable 5-series ever: BMW 535i?

[mixxalot]

I take my bimmer to a great mechanic and when we started chatting about the best built bimmers since I want to pick up a second bimmer as my backup ride he told me that the late 1980's-early 1990's 5series 535i BMW was the most reliable model built. Any experiences or owners of the 535i? I love the body style and would like to know what things I should check out by a mechanic when shopping around for one? How many miles can I expect to get out of a 535i? Thanks!

[stuntride]

ive got an '89 35I and im pushing 195K and it is still going strong with only minor replacements of wear and tear ie: tubing starting to crack.the car was worked on for a cooling issue here one summer where it was 110 degrees for 3 months strait and only had problems in stop and go traffic. i believe the fan clutch was replaced and that would be one area to really check out as some of the older bimmers have had cooling issues........other than that solid as a rock

[The Beastmaster]

I would concur with your mechanic as the M30 block was used for @ 20 years from the mid 70's to 1993 when it was last seen on the 535.

And then there are the guys here that turbo a relatively stock 3.5 and they still have relatively few problems with the car.

[MaloventEvil]

from experience, i would also say that the 535i is the most reliable bmw ever.

[lilxyoshi]

get a 525 :)

[bähnstormer]

lol this guy has no idea what he's talking about ^^

the m30 block itself is the most reliable thing ever.
the car though, has its share of problems, just like
any other. electronics can go bad, cooling systems
DO go bad and interiors fall apart.

[MaloventEvil]

eh. whatev, the m30 block is KING!

[Hypr5]

the m20 isnt bad either! but in a 5 it feels underpowered.
Either way, the car as a whole is pretty great, and yes the interiors fall apart a bit, but at high mileage, what car doesnt?

[Johnny540]

An e34 540i is the only 5-series to ever buy.

Ever.

As long as it comes with a six speed manual.

[jimmyz2]

Let me put it this way.I bought a S/C E34 540i 6spd to replace my 90 535i 5 spd.I am now the proud owner of 2 E34s.I cannot sell my 535i,I like it that much.

[MaloventEvil]

An e34 540i is the only 5-series to ever buy.

Ever.

As long as it comes with a six speed manual.
refer to my above post!

[bähnstormer]

540i is for wussies that need a v8.
all i need is my i6...cuz i got roots
baby! v8's are for mullet lovers =]

[mixxalot]

Thanks guys for the info on 535i series. Now the thing that worries me about the V8 engines that come with 540i/740i is reliability and the fact that they are VERY EXPENSIVE to repair!!! My bimmer mechanic tells me that he loves when he has to do a 540i/740i engine repair because it puts his two kids thru college, lol.. Anyways he warned me against getting a bimmer with the V8 engine UNLESS I want to be spending boatloads of cash on repairs. So thinking for finding a nice used 1990-1992 535i with 5 speed manual for my second bimmer. They are not that expensive under 10 grand but finding one with low mileage is the challenge. What about the older M5 cars? Are they reliable?

[Cacatfish]

V8s are going to be way more $$ if they need repair (which seems to happen at least as much as the i6 motors).
The 525i is in the same league as the 535i in reliability. Both are timing chain motors with proven durbaility. A few more parts to go bad on the M50 though (vanos, extra valves, etc) but MPG is considerably better.
All E34 models are prone to niggling electrical gremlins which can also get costly, hence the E28 535i is the best ever 5er!! ;)

[jimmyz2]

Thanks guys for the info on 535i series. Now the thing that worries me about the V8 engines that come with 540i/740i is reliability and the fact that they are VERY EXPENSIVE to repair!!! My bimmer mechanic tells me that he loves when he has to do a 540i/740i engine repair because it puts his two kids thru college, lol.. Anyways he warned me against getting a bimmer with the V8 engine UNLESS I want to be spending boatloads of cash on repairs. So thinking for finding a nice used 1990-1992 535i with 5 speed manual for my second bimmer. They are not that expensive under 10 grand but finding one with low mileage is the challenge. What about the older M5 cars? Are they reliable?
I bet your BMW mech. is Carl Nelsen in La Jolla.He told me the exact same thing. :D

[mixxalot]

Yep, Carl Nelson is the mechanic I take my 328is to for work in La Jolla. He is a smart guy and honest. What I really want is an older BMW 3.0CSi but they are so rare and hard to find! Really cool looking cars though! Yeah thinking for about 5-10 grand I can find a decent 535i with a 5 speed manual in good condition. I plan to pick one up in a couple years after I have my current bimmer a 96' 328is paid off. The new bimmers look horrible! I so do not like what the goofball designers did to the new 5 series and that iDrive is evil! I like the simpler performance oriented designs of the late 80's to mid 90's bimmers which is originally what made me fall in love with the car. I mean, not everyone can afford a 200K Ferrari or 100K Porsche turbo. So the bimmer is a nice solid cruiser. Mercedes are lame and way overpriced same for Lexus.

[mikemaster]

Nice choice to go with a 535. I've owned 2 so far and aside from electical and cooling troubles have been trouble free. IMO these cars are what built up bmw's reputation to what it is today. Reliable, very fun to drive, look great. Hold out for the 5 speed.

[jimmyz2]

I have 145,000 miles on my 90 535i without any electical or cooling problems.(once had a faulty t-stat).Quess just lucky.

[arkyclown]

the new- old 1990 535i that I got last week was a good one, but has problems with front wheels... not sure if its the suspension or really the thrust arm or just needs alignment. Friends, kindly advise and about how much will it damage my pocket to have it repaired. Im just a newbie and a student. Thanks.

[txp135]

An e34 540i is the only 5-series to ever buy.

Ever.

As long as it comes with a six speed manual.


So is the Metro the only GEO to ever buy? Ever? :)

[Goat128]

While possibly be more reliable, and make more power than an m50, m50's are a lot more technically advanced and they are pretty reliable too. They idle better and get a lot better gas mileage. If you opt for the one w/o vanos, then you don't have to worry about vanos breaking. And they don't require periodic valve adjustments.

[LJSE34]

Wow old threat, almost started thinking some old school members started posting again.

Anyway, tons of info on front end issues, common stuff, do a good search. Basically it comes down to rubber bushings in various suspension arms that wear over time and can cause the notorious 40-60mph or so shimmy under braking, cluncking over bumps, wandering etc etc etc

[EUPS73]

Yeah 3.5 inline 6 is probably the most durable motor bmw has ever produced!

[moroza]

Holy old redundant thread, Batman...

[clevertd]

To find a thread this old, he had to search. I guess that's a good thing?

[miroxz]

haaaaaaaaang on there guys:nono ,....although the m30 engine has very few weak points structurally, however it does requires old school mechanics (valve adjustments..etc) The m50 on the other hand is a MUCH more refined engine that greatly benefits from new technology with the same reliability as an m30. Even with a vanos, which seldom breaks down anyway, it is a much better "ride quality" performer. Simply accepting the notion that BMW is out of engineering beyond the m30 is silly.:rofl
Now when comparing 525(m50) Vs 535(m30) again you will run into the cooling issues related to the m30's which can cost you your engine/ride....Vs. the m50 which only needs a water pump upgrade. Again, opting for the m30, you will lose out on the opportunity of more recent models as the 525i which were more refined as the one i had; 1995 which i think is the BEST year to get. (speaking of, ...selling my alpine bmw was the MOST stupid thing ive done in my life...i shouldve kept it and now im looking for one again:( ) There is a reason why BMW chose to drop the m30 block yet build all successive six's off the m50. If you're getting an m30 most likely you will be getting 89-90 models, for m50's 92-93 models as both years' in both engines' production volumes were the most. All in all....get your hands on the newest m50 or the cheapest m30. my 2c.:redspot

Now on another related note....you guys trash the automatic transmission too easily:nono . Ive had these with over 200k on the original tranny:alright . In stark contrast, i just bought a 1993 Mercedes Benz w124/e300 with a 3.2 and 158k for my wife. Now that is the true meaning of sloppy tranny junk/performance. Even with no mechanical or transmission problems to speak of,...it is faaaaaaaaaaar inferior to the bmw e34's and waaaaaaaaay more expensive to maintain!!! ie: i replaced the sun visor plastic clip for $25..wtf??!! sun visor costs $700 and body molding cost $1800 a BIG WTF:mad !!!!...on a newer better e34, they cost $300 from the stealer...turns out our BMW stealer wasn't stealing after all....:-). After 5 days of ownership,...the Benz is going up for sale.:buttrock

[ohnoes]

All in all....get your hands on the newest m50 or the cheapest m30. my 2c.

I guess I did bad by getting my hands on the oldest M50? :D

I'm not too worried, though. Only 110k miles and a 1-owner car (well, I am the second :)).

[miroxz]

l:lol

[miroxz]

where are those pics....lazer blue...way to go!!

[ohnoes]

where are those pics....lazer blue...way to go!!

I'll get em!!! I haven't had time, I'm a senior in high school and work a lot. 7-11 AM school, 11-1 homework/eat lunch/nap, commute from 1-2, work 2-9, commute from 9-10, home at 10, eat dinner, watch some TV/hang out, bed. Every day except for Wednesday (work pushed back to 4) and Friday (get off at 6). PITA, but this is how I fund my E34. :D

And yes, I'm sure you wanted to know that. :stickoutt

[Lee in Ottawa]

I'll get em!!! I haven't had time, I'm a senior in high school and work a lot. 7-11 AM school, 11-1 homework/eat lunch/nap, commute from 1-2, work 2-9, commute from 9-10, home at 10, eat dinner, watch some TV/hang out, bed. Every day except for Wednesday (work pushed back to 4) and Friday (get off at 6). PITA, but this is how I fund my E34. :D

And yes, I'm sure you wanted to know that. :stickoutt

I only finished high school 4 years ago but I don't remeber any 4 hour days. :confused

[ruftek]

My 1990 525i M20 is definitely the best car I have ever owned and the oldest! I'm approaching 310,000 miles and the engine runs like a champ and burns no oil at all. It may not be the most powerful off the start but once it gets going and on the highway, this thing cruises like a jet! I'm have no plans of selling it and am confident I can drive it until at least 500,000 or more easily! The M20 gets a lot of criticism but its in the same family as the M30 engine which I would agree is a great engine too, just more powerful!

[miroxz]

yes ruftek you ARE more similar to the m30 than the m50 even though you are badged as a 525i....again when that thing tunkers out and you're still alive(lmao this could take forever on the m20's).... you get yourself an m50 and graduate baby:buttrock !! :alright

[blackparis]

e28 535i/533i ftw reliabitly wise.... ;)
Mine had 240k miles when i killed it.... (parted it out) it would have been a great car for someone else if I hadnt parted it out....

My friend in highschool had an e28 528e with 540k miles on it... man was the body tired... But it still ran great!

[LJSE34]

Now on another related note....you guys trash the automatic transmission too easily:nono . Ive had these with over 200k on the original tranny:alright . In stark contrast, i just bought a 1993 Mercedes Benz w124/e300 with a 3.2 and 158k for my wife. Now that is the true meaning of sloppy tranny junk/performance. Even with no mechanical or transmission problems to speak of,...it is faaaaaaaaaaar inferior to the bmw e34's and waaaaaaaaay more expensive to maintain!!! ie: i replaced the sun visor plastic clip for $25..wtf??!! sun visor costs $700 and body molding cost $1800 a BIG WTF:mad !!!!...on a newer better e34, they cost $300 from the stealer...turns out our BMW stealer wasn't stealing after all....:-). After 5 days of ownership,...the Benz is going up for sale.:buttrock

Wow, 5 days isn't that a little quick? I was always under the impression that the W124 300E was the last "good" mercedes.

[miroxz]

yup thats what i thought.......untill i actually drove it back to back with my touring...not even the sedan. DAY & NIGHT my friend. also, the seats are nowhere near as comfortable as the e34. it sux!!.... i think the only MB i would possibly put myself in would have to be a w126. now that may compare to the 5'er.:)

[clevertd]

I only finished high school 4 years ago but I don't remeber any 4 hour days. :confused

My younger brother and sister have less than 4 hour days, "college experience", they get to get college credit at the local community college by taking college courses instead of BS high school classes. Wish I had done that:mad

[Dsisco]

i had an e34 535is manual as my first car, was prob one of best cars i owned, was very reliable and i drove it pretty hard as most young guys do.

[ohnoes]

My younger brother and sister have less than 4 hour days, "college experience", they get to get college credit at the local community college by taking college courses instead of BS high school classes. Wish I had done that:mad

I have 3.5 hour days, but not because of the "college experience," aka "dual enrollment" around these parts. I am in the work-study/co-op program, so I get to leave and go to "work." Of course, work is not right after school, so I have some time to do a few things before working.

Today I just left after first period because it's spring break next week and there were literally 8 people in my first period class. My next period was probably going to be less full, as the teacher pretty much encouraged us not to come. :buttrock

[Goat128]

My friend in highschool had an e28 528e with 540k miles on it... man was the body tired... But it still ran great!


wow.. thats over a half-million miles.

[rhaig]

As an owner of 14 former cars including 4, 5, 6, 8 cylinder motors, five which were Bimmers, I have to say the M30 is truely AWESOME! M20 is tits in the E30 and the M50 is more technically advanced (VANOS, coil on plug) but.. the 3.5 is smooth, seamless, sounds awesome, and is peppy with a chip in a E34 manual. I really do feel this is one of thier best motors ever by BMW... not_just_in terms of reliablity which it was, but also revving finess. Keep the valves adjusted and it purrs til everything else dies. Biggest issue is the lopey idle, which can be tricky to diag. As said before, ones built in the 80s/90s were solid, just make sure the oil bar bolts over the rockers are tighened. I miss my '91 535iM + LSD so much.. 5th-to-3rd downshift on the freeway take me home!

[e24mpwr]

Thanks guys for the info on 535i series. Now the thing that worries me about the V8 engines that come with 540i/740i is reliability and the fact that they are VERY EXPENSIVE to repair!!! My bimmer mechanic tells me that he loves when he has to do a 540i/740i engine repair because it puts his two kids thru college, lol.. Anyways he warned me against getting a bimmer with the V8 engine UNLESS I want to be spending boatloads of cash on repairs. So thinking for finding a nice used 1990-1992 535i with 5 speed manual for my second bimmer. They are not that expensive under 10 grand but finding one with low mileage is the challenge. What about the older M5 cars? Are they reliable?

Your mechanic loves you. Sage advice. An E34 535i stick is a great and fun car, though I'd say they have slightly more than their share of little things that break (similar to the E36, though more issues with rust around the doors for some reason). The M30 is one of the most reliable engine designs in the industry, which is why BMW made it forever.

Your mechanic was probably also talking about maint. as well as repair. A V8 is going to take more maint. than an M30.

Forget about an ///M car. Anything you are going to get close to $10K is going to eat your VISA card alive (ask me how I know). They are great and amazing cars, but not for anyone on a tight budget.

[E34 blasphemy-apologies] If you don't mind old-school, there is a guy over on the E28 side of the house selling a very nice E28 535i for $4K. Those are also very, very fun cars. [/E34 blasphemy]

[Dsisco]

hey does anyone have any info on the e39 v8 535i are these motors reliable?

[moroza]

hey does anyone have any info on the e39 v8 535i are these motors reliable?

It's the same M62 block as the E39 540i's, but with a smaller displacement. I'm guessing they have negligibly fewer and perhaps cheaper problems, which based on what I read in the E39 forum, still means it's a royal money pit.