Subject: 535 -vs - 525. I've got questions.......... Author: mikepretti as yooper : member since December, 2005 : 309 posts Posted on: 2009-05-01 18:17:29

As some of you know from my recent posts, I'm looking for an E34 for my daughter. I've got a few options and I'd like to get your opinions. Unfortunately, these cars are anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours away, so I haven't seen them in person, so I have to go by what the sellers say.

1989 535i - 135k miles, auto, supposedly no rust, interior looks very clean, everything works (including AC), no records, interior door inserts unglued (doesn't seem like a big deal to fix), overall nice car (from photos). $2600

1992 535i - 156k mi, auto, quarter sized rust spot by gas filler door (no other rust), supposedly everything works, but no confirmation on AC, "fully serviced" by dealer and has records. $2700

or choice of 2 1994 525i's about 180k mi each, both rebuilt trannys, one has a little rust bubbling on door bottoms, the other rust free, $2500 or $2700, respectively. Rust free one owned by smoker and you can tell, but overall, again, nice cars.

Couple questions: Do the 535s win hands down? If so, do I go with the '89 or '92? Was there an appreciable difference between the two model years? I had an '85 635, so I'm familiar with the engine, but it was a little rough idling (which seems fairly common), and I would assume the engine evolved a little from '85 to '92. Or would the 525s, either one be the way to go? More fuel efficient? Less complex?

The '89 seems the cleanest, but it's obviously the oldest. Do I go with the newest, and don't worry about 525 -vs- 535, just get the newest one, assuming similar mechanical and cosmetic condition?

Any and all opinions appreciated. Thanks for your help.

Mike P.
1998 740iL
1995 740i
1985 635Csi (gone, but not forgotten)
1997 318i (started this whole Bimmer thing)

• 535 -vs - 525. I've got questions.......... - yooper 2009-05-01 18:17:29 (205 views)
  • Thanks all. - yooper 2009-05-04 17:51:58 (145 views)
    • Re: Thanks all. - Shayne 2009-05-05 02:22:42 (131 views)
      • Re: Thanks all. - yooper 2009-05-05 13:00:23 (116 views)
        • CPS - bobbert 2009-05-05 14:12:36 (119 views)
  • My 2 cents - bobbert 2009-05-04 17:31:07 (173 views)
  • Re: 535 -vs - 525. I've got questions.......... (pic) - linhtad341 2009-05-02 13:24:44 (221 views)
    • your 525 for sale - steeltag 2009-05-03 20:39:37 (130 views)
      • Sold today (nt) - linhtad341 2009-05-04 03:12:29 (109 views)
        • Re: Sold today - steeltag 2009-05-05 02:08:45 (103 views)
  • get a 95 and 525 will do just fine - bimmer5michael 2009-05-02 00:47:24 (147 views)
    • you mean the 95 525 got the same size brakes as the 535? - explodingbudgie 94 e34 540,95 e31 840ci 2009-05-02 03:07:08 (144 views)
      • The 95 E34 525 is a better overall car PERIOD - bimmer5michael 2009-05-02 10:47:31 (193 views)
        • Bullshit. - otto99 2009-05-03 00:31:19 (188 views)
          • Re: Bullshit. - Shayne 2009-05-03 14:14:26 (194 views)
            • Re: Bullshit. - roguepidgeon 2009-05-17 19:28:46 (96 views)
          • Go back to sleep and have another DREAM!!! (nt) - bimmer5michael 2009-05-03 10:43:17 (129 views)
        • yeah right,but seriously - explodingbudgie 94 e34 540,95 e31 840ci 2009-05-02 18:38:36 (144 views)
          • Door intrusion bars - rick540 2009-05-03 08:07:11 (107 views)
            • it's the german way don't ask questions (nt) - explodingbudgie 94 e34 540,95 e31 840ci 2009-05-04 07:12:02 (110 views)
              • I wouldn't dare :p (nt) - rick540 2009-05-04 15:02:30 (92 views)
          • side bars in door - kfister 2009-05-02 20:00:32 (101 views)
          • Yeah I have used those intrusion bars (nt) - bimmer5michael 2009-05-02 19:23:18 (100 views)
            • Oops, laptop - bimmer5michael 2009-05-02 19:52:14 (103 views)
              • what was different in the interior? - explodingbudgie 94 e34 540,95 e31 840ci 2009-05-02 22:03:33 (119 views)
                • Here you go - bimmer5michael 2009-05-02 23:04:58 (132 views)
                  • i would hardly call pergament a nice coloured interior - explodingbudgie 94 e34 540,95 e31 840ci 2009-05-04 04:19:32 (103 views)
                    • Going back to Nikasil - rick540 2009-05-06 08:05:20 (110 views)
  • Here's a pic of the unglued door insert.... (pic) - yooper 2009-05-01 20:13:06 (260 views)
    • Re: Here's a pic of the unglued door insert.... - rick540 2009-05-02 13:17:32 (141 views)
    • door panel flapping - kfister 2009-05-02 09:57:41 (131 views)
  • Re: 535 -vs - 525. I've got questions.......... - explodingbudgie 94 e34 540,95 e31 840ci 2009-05-01 18:45:19 (154 views)