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Need a quick hit: '89 535i

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ByronLLN

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
A friend is looking at an '89 BMW 535i 5-Speed with full service records. It's high-mileage (172k) but with the service records it doesn't seem to scary. What's important to look for service wise (I'm thinking timing belt/water pump intervals, here) and what should make her run away (besides obvious, i.e. rust, etc)?
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#2 ·
Re: Need a quick hit: '89 535i (PassSedanGLX)

There is no timing belt. Around that mileage some need a headgasket, but I wouldn't worry too much about that. Look for loose steering (worn bushings) and odd handling characteristics. Valve adjustements were necessary and overlooked.
These cars aren't the rusty-floorboard cars. Just rust on the lower door edges, fenders, and the top edge of the trunklid in the plate area.
It's an old BMW. It will run forever but will cost money to do so. Great cars, rare with a 5-speed.
There's no real GOTCHA with E34s, just little stuff that adds up.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Re: Need a quick hit: '89 535i (MAGICGTI)

Quote, originally posted by MAGICGTI »

There is no timing belt. Around that mileage some need a headgasket, but I wouldn't worry too much about that. Look for loose steering (worn bushings) and odd handling characteristics. Valve adjustements were necessary and overlooked.
These cars aren't the rusty-floorboard cars. Just rust on the lower door edges, fenders, and the top edge of the trunklid in the plate area.
It's an old BMW. It will run forever but will cost money to do so. Great cars, rare with a 5-speed.
There's no real GOTCHA with E34s, just little stuff that adds up.

Appreciate it. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif I'll offer to test drive it with her. She makes good money so the maintenance shouldn't scare her.
Moments like this make me wish I knew my old BMWs better. Oh well.
 
#4 ·
that's a cool car, an M30 with a manual shift, you should jump on it, and the mileage isn't really too bad. Old BMW's are famous for eating suspension bushings, so make sure that all looks good. Also as mentioned before this engine needs a valve adjustment every 15K miles or so. Overlooked because most people didn't count on having to do a valve adjustment on any car since their aircooled VW lol.
I think some later E34's had self-leveling rear suspension that was problematic, but that may have only been M5's, this car is probably not equipped with such a thing.
 
#6 ·
Re: (kraut_pauer79)

Quote, originally posted by kraut_pauer79 »

I think some later E34's had self-leveling rear suspension that was problematic, but that may have only been M5's, this car is probably not equipped with such a thing.

Late M5s and some (earlier) E34 Tourings. Nothing here.
Yeah, they sure do eat suspension bushings. When you replace them, don't do anything but OE Lemfoerder. Anything else will fail in months...
 
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