common problem of E34?

[flash]

Ehem .......

I change my gasket every 20,000 miles.
Water pump - so far so good - no issues.

Fuel consumption - hmm .. so far - better than E34 525 Vanos - on a high speed run .

Ahem... and how fast were you running the last time you went to East Coast? Even the E34 525 Vanos cannot attain such speeds.

 

[535i]

Ahem... and how fast were you running the last time you went to East Coast? Even the E34 525 Vanos cannot attain such speeds.

Not fast laaa ... I follow the law one ...

My fuel : RM 63.00
E34 525 Vanos : RM 70.00
E46 328 : RM 73.00 ++

Speed - circa 120-140 aje ... and maybe 150 once or twice ...

 

[5115]

randy,thanks for ur input.wat do u mean by GM gear box?wat other gear box will be in E34?how to justify?

 

[seech]

5115.

E34 got either ZF or GM g/box (manufactured by either ZF or General Motors). Mine is GM so I assume local ones all GM. Shifts should be smooth and no slipping. Just shift it into reverse and see if it engages smoothly and is able to move. If auto kaput very likely when you engage reverse nothing much happens then a big jerk when the gear finally engages. Slipping gearbox also big no no.

As for radiator, if you planning to buy E34 and radiator has not been changed, it is highly likely you'll be changing it sooner or later. Crap expansion tank very prone to leaking at this age. Mine was leaking from bleed screw and also where plastic tank meets alum rad. Hoses oso need to change. Cooling system is critical so if you buy one better change all to make sure.

 

[5115]

oic....thank you soooooo much bro,drinks on me!!!

 

[aaron]

My car is a Nov 93, CBU 525i and i guess its a M25 vanos type engine.
The car has set me back easily( and this is just from the top of my head)

Mid 97 Purchased from 1st owner (diplomat/german embassy)(46kkm)(140k)
98 Aircon system changed RM6k+
99 Top overhaul ( dont know/forgot why...radiator leaked i think) RM7k
00 Radiator again ( Auto Bav RM 3k+)(ridiculous)
01 Full overhaul ( 150kkm)....there was a funny sound. after complete overhaul, still sound...aircon bearing was faulty.(idiot mechanic) ( approx )15K
01 Rear shocks (self-levelling and power steering pump) (6k+ , bought in USA)
02 Aircon compressor and system 4k
03 Radiator leaked, head cracked, replaced w 2hd hand head and top overhaul......approx 8k ( incl new radiator)
04 Aircon box, blower (3k) and drivers pwr window motor and regulator something (2k)
05 Brake pads and disc (2k)(Mspeed....they are honest and good...first time with them)
05 Bushes , A arms tie rods etc( 2k+)
06 General maintenance (2k)

And this doesnt include the routine service w synthetic oil every 5kkm, brake discs and pads, tires , wheel bearings , countless litlle problems and general maintenance.
Now 260kkm and easily RM60k spent not inc tires,batteries

My honest opinion.Get a good mechanic and a decent car or u will burn an unnecessary hole in yr pocket.Personally i wdnt recommend one.

All in all, loved the car, now parked permanently as spare car( 5kkm in 05/06) but awaiting a paint job

 

[anaksarawak]

My car is a Nov 93, CBU 525i and i guess its a M25 vanos type engine.
The car has set me back easily( and this is just from the top of my head)

Mid 97 Purchased from 1st owner (diplomat/german embassy)(46kkm)(140k)
98 Aircon system changed RM6k+
99 Top overhaul ( dont know/forgot why...radiator leaked i think) RM7k
00 Radiator again ( Auto Bav RM 3k+)(ridiculous)
01 Full overhaul ( 150kkm)....there was a funny sound. after complete overhaul, still sound...aircon bearing was faulty.(idiot mechanic) ( approx )15K
01 Rear shocks (self-levelling and power steering pump) (6k+ , bought in USA)
02 Aircon compressor and system 4k
03 Radiator leaked, head cracked, replaced w 2hd hand head and top overhaul......approx 8k ( incl new radiator)
04 Aircon box, blower (3k) and drivers pwr window motor and regulator something (2k)
05 Brake pads and disc (2k)(Mspeed....they are honest and good...first time with them)
05 Bushes , A arms tie rods etc( 2k+)
06 General maintenance (2k)

And this doesnt include the routine service w synthetic oil every 5kkm, brake discs and pads, tires , wheel bearings , countless litlle problems and general maintenance.
Now 260kkm and easily RM60k spent not inc tires,batteries

My honest opinion.Get a good mechanic and a decent car or u will burn an unnecessary hole in yr pocket.Personally i wdnt recommend one.

All in all, loved the car, now parked permanently as spare car( 5kkm in 05/06) but awaiting a paint job

Ohh my ... thats a lot of $$$$$$$$ burn!! No wonder you sold your E36. So how is your new E46 CI??

 

[flash]

My car is a Nov 93, CBU 525i and i guess its a M25 vanos type engine.
The car has set me back easily( and this is just from the top of my head)

Mid 97 Purchased from 1st owner (diplomat/german embassy)(46kkm)(140k)
98 Aircon system changed RM6k+
99 Top overhaul ( dont know/forgot why...radiator leaked i think) RM7k
00 Radiator again ( Auto Bav RM 3k+)(ridiculous)
01 Full overhaul ( 150kkm)....there was a funny sound. after complete overhaul, still sound...aircon bearing was faulty.(idiot mechanic) ( approx )15K
01 Rear shocks (self-levelling and power steering pump) (6k+ , bought in USA)
02 Aircon compressor and system 4k
03 Radiator leaked, head cracked, replaced w 2hd hand head and top overhaul......approx 8k ( incl new radiator)
04 Aircon box, blower (3k) and drivers pwr window motor and regulator something (2k)
05 Brake pads and disc (2k)(Mspeed....they are honest and good...first time with them)
05 Bushes , A arms tie rods etc( 2k+)
06 General maintenance (2k)

And this doesnt include the routine service w synthetic oil every 5kkm, brake discs and pads, tires , wheel bearings , countless litlle problems and general maintenance.
Now 260kkm and easily RM60k spent not inc tires,batteries

My honest opinion.Get a good mechanic and a decent car or u will burn an unnecessary hole in yr pocket.Personally i wdnt recommend one.

All in all, loved the car, now parked permanently as spare car( 5kkm in 05/06) but awaiting a paint job

Wow, that many "blown" radiator and overhauls in just 10 years of ownership....

 

[5115]

u scared me off bro aaron...

 

[integramania]

me too....but like he sed....need to know a good mech...

lots of them just simply price only

so Damon tat is another thing to find lor

 

[5115]

mech i got,my member since secondary school running a workshop in bandar sri damansara.

but 15k is really scary la

 

[seech]

Is that many blown rad due to overfilling of expansion tank? Most ppl mistakenly fill it to the top so no space for coolant to expand.....then boom. Just my thoughts. Don't know if its the actual reason though.

 

[5115]

bro seech,all M50 is running timing chain but M20 is belt rite?issit the only way to diffrentiate these 2 machine?

 

[Zoggee]

I love the E34,but especially the M50 powerplant. Some loves the Vanos...as for me,the Non Vanos is good enuff for me.

Those old foggies really scared the Sh!T out of the newbies la. Just remeber to do some preventive measures of the wear and tear parts and the M50 won't fail you...especially the radiator. Its human error(fault) lazy to check coolant,top up during hot running temperatures la...duh!!!

Pls DO get advise from a reliable BMW mechanics they'll advise you even better....

oit...old foggies..dun la scare the newbies....hehe..C1P3K...haha.

 

[aaron]

hey guys..5115 and others .......(hi zog!)
dont mean to frighten anyone off.I think my "over-spending" was a result of human error, over-priced mechanic , and too much trust and reliance on workshops.
When i join this great forum (only in 04 i think) , i learnt alot of ways and means to spend both wisely and intelligently....thanks to the many threads on maintenance.
And my expenses were reduced.

For all of you newbies...u got a very good head start , thanks to this forum, u will enjoy reasonable "lower cost" ownership of these fabulous cars.(saving thousands)
Dont be put off by my comments, they were to highlight my mistakes.The E34 is great car and i hope that i can keep it mine in pristine condition esp knowing that its the only touring around.

In 2000 i wdnt sell it when i was offered just over rm100k
In 2004 I wdnt accept 45k
Now in 07, its probably less than 30k
so i am sure many of you can get yr hands on some great bargains.

 

[anaksarawak]

aaron,

Need your advice man... Should I get a E34 or E36... same engine 3/525

 

[flash]

oit...old foggies..dun la scare the newbies....hehe..C1P3K...haha.

Talking about yourself too, izzit... C1P3K....

 

[flash]

aaron,

Need your advice man... Should I get a E34 or E36... same engine 3/525

Both are very different cars. Depends on what your requirement...

If you are single, not planning to have a family so soon and don't need a big boot... get the E36. If you need a car with a bigger boot i.e. got a family, for those monthly grocery shopping, better get the E34. I earlier got myself an E36. But a year later changed to E34... why? Got a kiddo and I needed a car with a bigger boot. Bad planning on my part too because I lost $$$$ in changing cars.

Oh, my E34 had lesser problems and is a more solid car than the E36. Hee hee, no door squeeks, dashboard rattle... quiet. And it is a good highway cruiser. Would you believe RM0.18 per km? But pure city driving is horrendous - at least RM0.30 per km. Mix is around RM0.25 per km.

 

[peckchoonheng]

aaron,

Need your advice man... Should I get a E34 or E36... same engine 3/525

I was told by Happy Motor that E36 325 is a very problematic car, they advised that the slightly newer 328 would give you better peace of mind.

 

[seech]

Zoggee,
I agree with you. If you put in some preventive maintenance and don't cut corners by replacing worn out parts with used parts then not many problems. In fact, some BMW enthusiast say E34 is one of the most reliable and least problematic of all the BMW's.

Furthermore the cost of buying the car is quite low. Even if you spend a few k to repair its still much lower than a new Proton/Perodua. For the money I spent on my car, I can't even afford a brand new Kancil. I know which I'd rather drive around in.

As for the radiatior issues, they shouldn't fail so regularly. I only caution those that are buying an older BMW that they should expect to change one due to the age of the radiator. The plastic just won't last forever. Same issue with the plastic blades on the water pump. BUT having one fail on a regular basis maybe due to other issues.

Overall I'm very pleased with my E34. No regrets.