BMW E34 518

Hi lads. I'm thinking of buying an e34 518 as a weekend toy but have gotten a few mixed reviews about it. Anything I've read seems to be positive but I've been told by a few people to keep away from them due to overheating and head gasket issues even though these people have never owned one. I've always been mad about the e34 model and am now in a position to buy one. I'm sure some of ye have had some experience with this machine and I'd like to hear your opinions on them. cheers

Alanstrainor

Seems nuts to get a 518, as a toy! It has to have a 6 cylinder, or a 3.0 V8! There's a 2.0 straight 6 too.

Nissan doctor

Imo if your buying a weekend car then get a proper engined BMW.

The 1.8 is a lethargic engine in the 5 series and is there purely to suit the (previously)engine sized obsessed Irish market.

pcardin

I love e34, have owned few of them in past and planning to buy another one in future but I think 1.8 4-cylinder engine is a joke for e34. Car is quite heavy for that little engine. I currently drive e36 convertible 1.8 automatic and can feel that the only joy is lower tax band than 2.0 or 2.5. Fuel consumption due to weight is the same as 2.5 and it's very slow.
Get 2.0 6-cylinder instead. As per headgasket problem - viscious fan is the part to check and make sure it works properly. If it doesnt, then it will lead to overheating.

L-M

i drove an E34 518 before, if you're after something that looks good and not thirsty as the 6 cylinder, they're fine. The one i drove was ropey at best and there was enough "go" to keep one satisfied.

Any link to it?

b318isp

An E36 318is is a much better bet, but only two door and a good deal smaller.

Matt Simis

The minimum engine size that should be in an e34 is the 525i 2.5l. This is generally accepted as the sweet spot. I found the 2.0 (as do other drivers) underpowered. The 1.8 is just silly talk.

I have a 525i thats getting a 3.2l engine dropped into it as well as a 540i V8 E34 as a track/toy car.

mondeo

I had an e34 520i between 2007 and 2008. Great car and distinctive noise from the 6 cylinders. you just know when you hear it that its an e34:).

I wouldn't bother with the 518i, sounds nasty to be honest. Like a strangled cat.

ShadowHearth

518 - no

E34 - big yes.

In a way of comfort and silence inside it can give a good run for its money to a lot of modern cars out there.

I had an e34 520i tourer, great car but not at all fast.

high horse

That's the same M42 4 cylinder engine I had in my E30 318iS. It's a great engine for the E30, free revving and has an urgency about it that just encourages you to go. I'm not so sure it would work well in the larger heavier E34 as there is very little torque from that engine. As said above, it was only sold to satisfy tax restrictions.
If I was getting an E34, I'd look for a 525i

mondeo

RoverJames wrote: »

I had an e34 520i tourer, great car but not at all fast.

I thought mine was kinda nippy...

Pov06

mondeo wrote: »

I thought mine was kinda nippy...

Considering your username is mondeo then sure...

mondeo

Pov06 wrote: »

Considering your username is mondeo then sure...

Ye the old poverty spec LX Mondeo, those were the days

unkel

I had an E34 530i V8, sweet car, very solid, overengineered. Old skool driving skills required!

Not too bad from a tax point of view as it's just under 3l

dgt

Weekend toy and M40 engined E34 do not mix... Feeble at best, that body weighs a fair bit and 110bhp isn't enough for a petrol engine! Most are well shagged at this stage anyway...

Even if the 524/5td is just as feeble with just a few bhp more, its more suited and much more fun imo...

Source out a M50B20 engined E34 if its tax you are worried about. Watch out for the HG and you have areal hoot of a car (I had one with a 5 speed manual, hours of fun spinning in circles :cool:)

Or if money is no object, get an M5/ Alpina Bi-Turbo

I'll stick with my 12v thank you :P

b318isp

high horse wrote: »

That's the same M42 4 cylinder engine I had in my E30 318iS. It's a great engine for the E30, free revving and has an urgency about it that just encourages you to go. I'm not so sure it would work well in the larger heavier E34 as there is very little torque from that engine. As said above, it was only sold to satisfy tax restrictions.
If I was getting an E34, I'd look for a 525i

It's the M40 115bhp engine in the E34.

Pov06

Why not go for an E30? Much sexier and more fun.

Matt Simis

Pov06 wrote: »

Why not go for an E30? Much sexier and more fun.

Some people like me prefer the E34, the 5 series of the line up is always the best balanced in terms of proportions model. It also comes with the choice of 2 V8s and 2 BMW-M designed 6pots..

E30 weekend toys are overpriced and played out IMO.

high horse

b318isp wrote: »

It's the M40 115bhp engine in the E34.

You're right, I've been wrong on that one for quite some time it seems

115bhp is nowhere near enough for that car, I thought it was too heavy for the 136bhp M42!

Right so it's a big no no on the 518 then? Shame, seen a mint looking one for a good price but seems to be up for sale for a while. Wonder why? Anyway I'll start looking towards a 520 or 520i. As much as I'd love a 523 or higher, I'm not yet in a position to run/insure one due to my age. Thanks for all the replys lads, much appreciated and I'll keep ye updated on what I end up with and could possibly seek more advice from ye soon. Also, even though I said I'm mad about the E34, I'd probably consider the E39 too. Thanks again

dahamsta

518s are always a good price, because no-one wants 'em.

I had the luck of owning a 525i as my first car and I absolutely loved it. First car I discovered the rev-limiter on.

The 520 is a great alternative, the 6 cylinder engine is underpowered but still sounds lovely and runs forever. You just won't get that from a 518.