E34 5 Series

abitdazed

Alright, here's the prob. I bought a 94 520i around six months ago as a second car (new baby, you see) and it came with steel wheels. I was wondering where I could find a set of second hand alloys for it. Even originals will do fine so long as they're not the metric jobbies. And please don't say a wrecker or something as I've tried 14 already and they all play dumb. My guess is they're getting better money leaving them on cars.

The PCD is 5x120 and the ET is a minimum of 15. 3 Series wheels won't work. Any 5 series alloys from 1988 and up will fit. Minimum of 15in obviously and with tyres would be lovely though not necessary.

Most of all I've very little money so cheapest is bestest.

Cheers, Kev.

Anan1

If I had a 14-year-old E34 and no money to throw around i'd forget about alloys and keep the money for servicing/repairs, TBH. If you really want alloys though, try ebay, www.buyandsell.ie, www.autotrader.ie, maybe www.adverts.ie too.

abitdazed

Ya, I know, but she's in the shop now getting all the niggly little bits that a neglected 14 yr old car with enough miles to get into orbit needs. She should be perfect after that, except that it looks like a rejected option for the bluesmobile.

Anan1

abitdazed wrote: »

Ya, I know, but she's in the shop now getting all the niggly little bits that a neglected 14 yr old car with enough miles to get into orbit needs. She should be perfect after that, except that it looks like a rejected option for the bluesmobile.

I've owned a bit of elderly German heavy metal over the years, and believe me when I tell you that things can and will need doing at any time. Your reasoning is really only applicable to a car under factory warranty, maybe at a push to a newish Japanese car, but absolutely not to a 1994 E34. You don't want to find yourself in a situation where something fails in two months time and you've spent the money on alloys! Just my 2c.:)

Cmar-Ireland

I've got a set of genuine M5 alloys for sale for an E34. PM for details if you like.

captainosull

abitdazed wrote: »

Alright, here's the prob. I bought a 94 520i around six months ago

Thats really your issue though, isn't it?

abitdazed

captainosull wrote: »

Thats really your issue though, isn't it?

that's cheeky. What do you drive? Can't possibly be more comfortable than this.

abitdazed

Anan1 wrote: »

I've owned a bit of elderly German heavy metal over the years, and believe me when I tell you that things can and will need doing at any time. Your reasoning is really only applicable to a car under factory warranty, maybe at a push to a newish Japanese car, but absolutely not to a 1994 E34. You don't want to find yourself in a situation where something fails in two months time and you've spent the money on alloys! Just my 2c.:)

Very true, but I was thinking if somebody had a rusting hulk in a field, then they wouldn't mind me havin the alloys as long as they were serviceable. Trust me, I am not stupid (this time) and am not going to spend a lot of money (this time).

Anan1

abitdazed wrote: »

that's cheeky. What do you drive? Can't possibly be more comfortable than this.

I don't know what he drives now, but he's previously told us that he's always wanted a 318i.;)

Anan1

abitdazed wrote: »

Very true, but I was thinking if somebody had a rusting hulk in a field, then they wouldn't mind me havin the alloys as long as they were serviceable. Trust me, I am not stupid (this time) and am not going to spend a lot of money (this time).

Well if they'd make you happy and you get them cheap then sure what harm. I suppose i'm just more into engines than wheels.;)

abitdazed

Oh mate, definitely! But you know what a Qcar is, right? Well this thing just takes it too far. And the paint is **** and also black so the black steelies just bring out the horrors in the paintwork. A set of even original alloys would add the contrast needed to hide those blemishes.

And they're steelies! I mean, come on!

Also, a 318? Whoever'd spend that kinda money a 4cyl BMW? Just buy the econobox and be done with it.

Esel

Hubcaps?

unkel

abitdazed wrote: »

Oh mate, definitely! But you know what a Qcar is, right?

I think he does

BTW the only E34s I've ever seen with steel wheels were Irish famine spec 518s iirc

JHMEG

unkel wrote: »

I think he does

BTW the only E34s I've ever seen with steel wheels were Irish famine spec 518s iirc

I think that was Irish spec, or poverty spec, not Irish famine spec. The famine was a different thing, and wasn't too nice.

unkel

JHMEG wrote: »

The famine was a different thing, and wasn't too nice.

Surely it couldn't have been as bad as a BMW with steel rims though?

captainosull

Regardless of what I drive/want - an E34 5 Series is one bucket of poo.

peasant

captainosull wrote: »

an E34 5 Series is one bucket of poo.

... in your not so humble opinion (which the OP doesn't happen to share)

Now, stop stirring it and move on (and just in case you didn't get it ...this is a warning)

abitdazed

esel wrote: »

Hubcaps?

Never, man. Just never. Not even if it was a Kia. I just couldn't do it.

abitdazed

captainosull wrote: »

Regardless of what I drive/want - an E34 5 Series is one bucket of poo.

Hey, man, these were the last ultra reliable, over engineered cars that BMW made. There are plenty of these with well over 200k miles on em and running strong. I came across one 525 with over 400k miles on it that was still on the original clutch! These aren't poo, man. I know a thing or two about cars and know what to look for and where to find it, be it information, specs, or reliability reports. Or actual faults with a specific car. I'm not stirring this with you anymore so just let it go.

JHMEG

abitdazed wrote: »

Hey, man, these were the last ultra reliable, over engineered cars that BMW made.

They're not really if my father-in-law's 520 is anything to go by. 7 grand in parts and repairs in 4 years to keep it going and it was young enough with low mileage.

abitdazed

JHMEG wrote: »

They're not really if my father-in-law's 520 is anything to go by. 7 grand in parts and repairs in 4 years to keep it going and it was young enough with low mileage.

Really? wow. talk about keeping the faith! uh, well, I, uh..... ok ok, most of the ones I've heard about then have been ultra reliable. We all make mistaken generalizations once in a while. What year was this one?

alpina

Wow, guess I just happened to get a beauty going by all this talk...
Bought a 520 new in '89 & sold this spring, had some issues with the oxegyn sensor a few years back but sorted itself out, literally Tax/ins/tyres/petrol purchased, was a fantastic car, only hope the E60 I bought last year holds up as well as it's predecessor.:)

JHMEG

abitdazed wrote: »

Really? wow. talk about keeping the faith! uh, well, I, uh..... ok ok, most of the ones I've heard about then have been ultra reliable. We all make mistaken generalizations once in a while. What year was this one?

He took it over when it was 4 years old (it was his company car since new), which is when the problems started.

E92

abitdazed wrote: »

We all make mistaken generalizations once in a while. What year was this one?

The 5 series JHMEG is on about was actually an E39 fyi(since he didn't answer your question about what year it was), and was a 98, which of course is nothing to do with the car the OP has. They were in general reliable cars too.

abitdazed

E92 wrote: »

The 5 series JHMEG is on about was actually an E39 fyi(since he didn't answer your question about what year it was), and was a 98, which of course is nothing to do with the car the OP has. They were in general reliable cars too.

That's true, but I have heard some horror stories about em.

E92

abitdazed wrote: »

That's true, but I have heard some horror stories about em.

The only real problem with them is the Nikasil issue on any 6 pot petrol built before week 10 in 98. That's the only horror story I'm aware of with them. And electrical glitches from time to time.

I know people with E39s on over 150k and they never had a day's bother with them.

There are always a few lemons about the place, but you can get that with any car.

Mr.Diagnostic

JHMEG wrote: »

There's nothing cheap or sly about my digs at BMW. I'm open and up front and do it as regulary as I can. Which is lots these days what with all these great new cars coming to market. You fanboys, as Vertakill says, better get off the BMW c0ck for a while.

Kinda negates any post on BMW's from this user.

JHMEG

Sorry, missed the question about the year. It was a 1996. Problems included suspension bushes, dash instruments, sensors, chrome trim falling off, catalytic converter (this was the final straw) etc.

E92

But you said before your father in law had a 98 520i?

JHMEG

E92 wrote: »

But you said before your father in law had a 98 520i?

If I did it was an accident. Herself confirms it was a 96.

abitdazed

Truth be told I wouldn't mind an E39. The jump in materials for the interior is generally measured in light-years. Really, really nice. Mine's interior is about average for a car from 82. Pity it's a 94.

peasant

abitdazed wrote: »

Truth be told I wouldn't mind an E39. The jump in materials for the interior is generally measured in light-years. Really, really nice. Mine's interior is about average for a car from 82. Pity it's a 94.

If it's any consolation ...the dashboard in my yoke is sheet metal

Stevie Dakota

Hard to know what the hell this thread is about, bit if it's slating the quality of the E34 then it not to be taken seriously. The cars are bombproof and as said earlier, the last of the over engineered BMW's.

unkel

My previous BMW was a '94 E34 530iA V8 petrol. Originally Irish car bought by the Finnish Ambassador. Silly famine spec with no aircon and no airbag and not even leather, but a great car it was all the same

Anan1

I test-drove an E34 530iA once. Fast & smooth.:)

unkel

Anan1 wrote: »

I test-drove an E34 530iA once

Was that over here? The senior dude in M&G Milltown I was talking to reckoned only about 10-15 V8 E34s were ever sold here

Anan1 wrote: »

Fast & smooth.:)

The buyer taught me a lesson in faster and smoother alright

Anan1

It was maybe six years ago, all I can remember was that the car was metallic red and had no a/c. I can't even remember why I didn't buy it!

DM-BM

OP, you could try Frank Wise in Clogheen in Tipp, near Ballyporeen 087 7717659, he might be able to sort you out.

abitdazed

DM-BM wrote: »

OP, you could try Frank Wise in Clogheen in Tipp, near Ballyporeen 087 7717659, he might be able to sort you out.

Cheers, I'll do that. Thanks man.

abitdazed

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Hard to know what the hell this thread is about, bit if it's slating the quality of the E34 then it not to be taken seriously. The cars are bombproof and as said earlier, the last of the over engineered BMW's.

Well, it started off with me just wonderin if anybody had any bits for my beemer, but thankfully has turned into a discussion about them. No one here (save one) is really slatin these cars, more it's just an honest admission of some of the shortcomings experienced.


Man, I'd really love to drive one of those 530's though.

rebel.ranter

You could also try Ger Collins in Abbeyfeale:

Bavarian Auto Technik
Unit 7 provincial House, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick
Tel: 068-32404
http://www.bavarianautotechnik.com/

BTW I had an e34, nice car to drive. Here's my old bus:


(frosty morning)

Poor maintenance seems to be the cause of a lot of unreliability. Coolant system needs overhaul at 100k miles as does the front suspension (ball joints, drop links, bushes, shocks, etc).
I sold it 6 years ago with 167k miles on the clock to a friend of mine who pushed it over the 200k miles mark, subsequently sold it three years ago. He saw it the other day still on the road.

abitdazed

cheers, RR, will do in the morning! I like yours, man. Nice look. oh, and job one in the shop where mine is, is to fix the front end. I'm assuming mine didn't get the front end sorted when it needed it.

unkel

Anan1 wrote: »

I can't even remember why I didn't buy it!

LOL

The seller asking for too much maybe? Is that when you got the C280 instead?

Anyway, let's not get too sentimental. The E34 was a superb car in its time, but the driving dynamics of its successor are far superior