Which Would you Prefer?

I'm looking to pick up a late model E32. I've found two that are likely candidates and am curious to hear some expert opinions on preference,

Option 1 - 1992 735i w/ 75K miles. Looks like it's in pristine shape from what I've seen. New tires, new rotors and pads, new belts and hoses. No maintenance history but was a 2 owner car according to the title history. No other major work done to it to the best of my knowledge including suspension work, water pump, or exhaust.

Option 2 - 1994 740i w/ around 110K and 50K since an alusil block replacement. This car is also is pristine condition and appears to have been well taken care of (the owner is something of an enthusiast). No major work to suspension or exhaust on this one either (though I found on my E23 that suspension and exhaust are suspect around 90-100K. What would I expect to have been changed by the dealer when they did the warranty alusil replacement?

Any thoughts are appreciated. I'm pretty torn.

Thanks!

Oh I forgot to mention...

The '92 735i would run in the $8.5K range and the '94 740i would be around $11.5K

I'm skeptical about the price on the 740i but I know it's well cared for.

Thanks

Having recently purchased an E32 let me share what I've learned. On either car if that transmission isn't silky smooth, don't but it. I would have a compression test done on the 740 before buying it (sulfur problems). My 735 I thought when I bought it just had a trans chip put in because It wasn't really shifting hard, just fast--it seemed. Now it's clear that the A-clutch pack is to blame. I'd choose from the enthusiast. No maintenance is a bad sign. Lot's of things wear out after 70k miles. Mainly suspension starts to wear out, brushings, and o2 sensor needs changing. Cant' stress enough about the transmission. The zf 4hp 22 should not shift hard. When just starting out there should be no drag, delay or hisitation. If all is well, the m30 in the 735i should feel like a V8 in most other cars.

I've had this nagging question, and since you mentioned it asdf123456, I post about it now.

You mentioned the transmission, and I just bought a 1990 535i. As you see in my signature, I also have a same-year Acura Legend that I bought with 150,000. It now has just over 200,000 miles. About 180-185K, the transmission began slipping, shifting 1-2-4, and doing other unseemly things, although the car is still entirely driveable even after my recent misfortune. The problem is gradually getting worse, but I suppose it's normal for an automatic to go out in this mileage range.

My question regards the new car, though. Even though the automatic in my 535i shifts BEAUTIFULLY and truly is silky smooth (138K miles), I've read about common failures just past 150,000 miles.

I now know what a big hole a spent transmission can shoot in your car's value, and am wondering how long you think the unit in my 535i will probably last.

IF well taken care of, meaning you have records, I've heard of 160-180K. Some lucky guys claim over 200k. Treat your trans like your engine. Give it regular oil changes at least once a year if not more. Use Amsoil. When you change it the first time, do it twice because a lot of it stays up in the torque converter. Drive it for a while and do it again. never rev the engine in park neutral. Although some says for most trans it's good to put it in neutral at traffic stops, not so for the ZF trans, you'll wear out the A clutch pack, and possible blow the trans all together. Mine was giving me problems. I had hard shifting. New oil smoothed it out some but added grinding to the mix because of the detergents. Also I suspect the previous owner seemed to neglect the trans compared to the rest of the car which is emaculate for a 160k car. I'm going to do another drain and filter change this time and put Amsoil in. I'm expecting to get to the 200k mark, that is if I don't put a 5-speed in before that.

Wow, thanks! I've already put 9K on the car since I bought it, and have meant to do a transmission flush since then--will definitely do soon--and now I know I'll do it once a year (maybe twice since I [obviously] drive a lot of miles). I'll inquire about Amsoil when I get it done.

I hate to say this, but I had NO IDEA transmission fluid was supposed to be changed that frequently before I bought my 535i. That's why I drove my Legend for 50,000 miles without doing anything (still hasn't been flushed, but I don't think that matters much now as the transmission is on its last legs at 201K miles).

I swear to take great car of the automatic in my 535i, and will need to--at my current rate of driving, I'll be up past 200K in just a couple of years! (This of course is provided I don't buy a manual E36 325i as a second car to distribute the mileage--that's looking like a good [and fun] prospect now).