1990 BMW E34 535i, Anyone have any experience with these? Options

[WannabeGT4]

I'm looking at an E34 Bimmer 535i Auto Transmission for a daily while I fix up the Celi. Does anyone have any experience with them? I like the idea of an FR platform but I'm worried about prices on parts if anything needs fixed/replaced. I don't want another project just something reliable and somewhat fun to drive.

[samir0189]

be very careful. things are not cheap for them. I just got rid of an e34 540i. There are these weird things called oil separators that leak like hell (every 70-80k miles, dealer only part and the parts guy said $600 in parts alone for the system), literally 1/2 qt everytime the car is shut off! intermittent fuel gauge problems (sender unit doesn't read fuel!), and the auto transmission has big problems also with the valve body, causes the car to have huge hesitation before it pulls off (2-4krpms and the car isnt budging, like if you are holding the brakes down), cruise control doesn't work, all the oil seals start to go bad, valve covers, etc. Overall maintenance is very pricey as well, hard to find parts anywhere but the dealer.

I would highly suggest you steer FAR clear of these cars! More trouble than they are worth!!!

edit: and all these are common problems among the e34 bmws, search the bimmerforums. Im seriously disappointed that a company like bmw didn't issue recalls for these things that fail. I thought that they were the type of manufacturer that would stand behind their stuff and push out quality vehicles, but i was wrong.

This post has been edited by samir0189: Oct 30, 2010 - 6:29 PM