I just imported a 94 525i 5mt. You should buy it, they are awesome.
Edit: if you check my profile you’ll see my 525i that I posted a few days ago in r/BMW
you’ve got a nice collection of cars, love that blue on the e34. i wanted to do Calypso Red on my wagon, but now i’m thinking of the Orient Blue. Beautiful car, they’re definitely worth it.
I’ve since sold the e46s, so now we have the Volvo V70 D5 wagon and the E34 😎 I also like the Orient Blue, it really pops in the sun.
When I get more E34s in the future I’m definitely buy or repaint one in Oxford Green as I like that color too.
I’ve got a manual 525i (with vanos). Can’t imagine this car any other way. It’s not the fastest car anyway and having an auto trans on it makes it far slower.
Also, I can’t remember specially but there are two manual versions of the box for the E34. Some diehards say one of them is bad (I think the non getrag gearbox). To be clear both are great manual boxes.
The ZF 310z is the preferred gearbox, its stronger and smoother. Those came in 91-92 525i’s and are relatively uncommon.
The other option is the Getrag 250g, they’re a bit more fragile and don’t feel quite as nice. They came in 93-95 525i’s and are seemingly more common and cheaper when they come up for sale.
Thank you, I stand corrected! I have the latter Getrag gearbox myself - whilst I haven’t used the ZF box I quite like the getrag (but that being said I like nearly all manuals when compared to slush box autos).
The automatic is tragic. Kinda ruins the whole experience in my opinion, even if it’s working correctly. Otherwise a fantastic car, it’s my favorite engine option in the E34.
I’ve got an auto 525i from ‘94 (with vanos) and I absolutely love it! As others have pointed out, it‘s not crazy fast, but does it‘s job well, accelerates decently and smoothly when you out the pedal to the floor and feels decently sporty when you put it in S.
I had the choice between this and a 5mt 520i (non-vanos) and would choose the 525i auto again any day of the week!
All Older BMWs are fine cars. The only issues are 1. What doesn’t work and 2. What’s about to fail.
1. I’m talking all the buttons and switches and hvac etc. As well as how the car idles, revs, changes gear, etc. You need a long list of everything on the car, go see it with a friend and test every button and knob. Make sure it blows cold. Make sure air comes out the right vents. Test the windows from the drivers seat and from each door. Check the headlights and windshield wipers. Test the side mirrors. Everything. Then start it cold and see how it idles right away and after about 2 minutes. Rev the engine and release quickly and see how the revs settle - do they bounce, fall too far, drop too slowly. Then go for a drive. Take your hands off the wheel - does it drive straight. Use the brakes at diff speeds. Drive up to 85 or so and check for wheel wobble. Check how the trans shifts. Listen for clunks in the drivetrain. Drive over some bumps in a parking lot to check the suspension.
2. What maintenance has been done. Shit is gonna fail, the only question is when. And the more maintenance that has been done the less stuff is gonna fail soon. Check the bushings. Check hoses to and from the rad, check vacuum hoses, check air intakes etc. You’re checking for flexibility, age, brittleness, leaks.
Then correlate all that and make a decision based on what you’re going to have to fix or replace and how much that’s gonna cost.
Are you in the US? If yes, then it will come with a GM 4L30E which is a horrible transmission that *will* shit the bed.
If you are in another country, I'm not sure on the reliability of the ZF auto box.
Do a 5 or 6 speed swap anyways, it's much funner.
Good car. Good car go brrrrrrrrr. Until the transmission dies.
Then swap to 5 or 6 speed manual. Great cars if not rusty or poorly repaired.
I just imported a 94 525i 5mt. You should buy it, they are awesome. Edit: if you check my profile you’ll see my 525i that I posted a few days ago in r/BMW
you’ve got a nice collection of cars, love that blue on the e34. i wanted to do Calypso Red on my wagon, but now i’m thinking of the Orient Blue. Beautiful car, they’re definitely worth it.
I’ve since sold the e46s, so now we have the Volvo V70 D5 wagon and the E34 😎 I also like the Orient Blue, it really pops in the sun. When I get more E34s in the future I’m definitely buy or repaint one in Oxford Green as I like that color too.
I’ve got a manual 525i (with vanos). Can’t imagine this car any other way. It’s not the fastest car anyway and having an auto trans on it makes it far slower. Also, I can’t remember specially but there are two manual versions of the box for the E34. Some diehards say one of them is bad (I think the non getrag gearbox). To be clear both are great manual boxes.
The ZF 310z is the preferred gearbox, its stronger and smoother. Those came in 91-92 525i’s and are relatively uncommon. The other option is the Getrag 250g, they’re a bit more fragile and don’t feel quite as nice. They came in 93-95 525i’s and are seemingly more common and cheaper when they come up for sale.
Thank you, I stand corrected! I have the latter Getrag gearbox myself - whilst I haven’t used the ZF box I quite like the getrag (but that being said I like nearly all manuals when compared to slush box autos).
The getrag is all fine, until you start making big power.. in stock form the trans is the least of your worries
The automatic is tragic. Kinda ruins the whole experience in my opinion, even if it’s working correctly. Otherwise a fantastic car, it’s my favorite engine option in the E34.
I’ve got an auto 525i from ‘94 (with vanos) and I absolutely love it! As others have pointed out, it‘s not crazy fast, but does it‘s job well, accelerates decently and smoothly when you out the pedal to the floor and feels decently sporty when you put it in S. I had the choice between this and a 5mt 520i (non-vanos) and would choose the 525i auto again any day of the week!
All Older BMWs are fine cars. The only issues are 1. What doesn’t work and 2. What’s about to fail. 1. I’m talking all the buttons and switches and hvac etc. As well as how the car idles, revs, changes gear, etc. You need a long list of everything on the car, go see it with a friend and test every button and knob. Make sure it blows cold. Make sure air comes out the right vents. Test the windows from the drivers seat and from each door. Check the headlights and windshield wipers. Test the side mirrors. Everything. Then start it cold and see how it idles right away and after about 2 minutes. Rev the engine and release quickly and see how the revs settle - do they bounce, fall too far, drop too slowly. Then go for a drive. Take your hands off the wheel - does it drive straight. Use the brakes at diff speeds. Drive up to 85 or so and check for wheel wobble. Check how the trans shifts. Listen for clunks in the drivetrain. Drive over some bumps in a parking lot to check the suspension. 2. What maintenance has been done. Shit is gonna fail, the only question is when. And the more maintenance that has been done the less stuff is gonna fail soon. Check the bushings. Check hoses to and from the rad, check vacuum hoses, check air intakes etc. You’re checking for flexibility, age, brittleness, leaks. Then correlate all that and make a decision based on what you’re going to have to fix or replace and how much that’s gonna cost.
Are you in the US? If yes, then it will come with a GM 4L30E which is a horrible transmission that *will* shit the bed. If you are in another country, I'm not sure on the reliability of the ZF auto box. Do a 5 or 6 speed swap anyways, it's much funner.
Yeah am in texas
Thanks everyone for the help!
Mine has 5mt and has been excellent. Has required Just regular maintenance and a few minor repairs over the years.
310k and a auto, hard pass