buying a E34 518 ? opinions !

[ACCORD EX]

hello every body !

my dad want to buy a '90 518 with M40 engine BMW , what do you think of this car guys !?

any advantages , disadvantages !?

what to look for in such a car !( defects )

thanx a lot !

MIKE

[phil neal]

I have a 1989 525i (about 170bhp) and would't consider an e34 with anything less if you are going to use it a fair amount.

[N_CURTIS]

I had an E34 518iSE for a year, I was looking for a 520i 24v at the time, but could not find a good one. I bought a later one with the M43 engine, the car had one previous owner with FBMWSH, so it ran well. I did find it lacking in initial shove, but on the motorway it was okay cruising at 90ish with no probs. Returned over 30mpg on average.
So I would say don't discount them, but go for the M43 engine (slightly more power and no timing belt to worry about) '93 on. Saying that after a year I changed it for an E34 525i 24v Sport. Getting up to 29mpg with mainly motorway runs. Oh and you can't beat the sound of the sixes when you open the taps!!

[lowridder11]

I am so confused by the E...(E29, E49)