13 Things you MUST KNOW when owning/buying a BMW E34 5 series!!
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- čas přidán 19. 07. 2024
- Wanted to make a video talking about some things I've learned about the E34 generation bmw 5 series that you must know when owning one or looking to purchase one! Some tips and tricks to the chassis! Let me know what you thought of this video, and if you'd like this for other models!
- Auta a dopravní prostředky
Thank you for producing this! I've fixed everything on the car except for - rusting door base bottoms, sagging rear window clips, and twisting seats! These are common issues, and dealers charge an arm and a leg for the work. Been driving my since 2003 as a daily driver. 95 525i 230k miles. Upstate NY - rust is prevalent but managed. Frame is solid... did some touchup welding this year, but door bottoms need to be fixed again after 6 years... last (first) time was in 2015.
Useful tip about opening the bonnet ( hood as you guys say ) owned my e34 for 20 years and never new that, great vid 👍🏾
Glad you learned something! Thank you!
@@mislavkonjik2827 e46! Haha , no I’m looking into an e34, you think they are going up in value?
@@m3nameisjosh464 hey josh, i got a kinda dumb question, but im not a native speaker so ig its okay haha. When you say blower motor, are you talking of the ac compressor? So the thing which is connected to the crankshaftoutput sepperately?
Love the information you gave on these cars! Even as an E34 owner for more than 10 years I found useful tips - like the one for the seat twist fix. Sometime seat twist is due to the frame of the back of the seat rusting and cracking along the weld, that is not an easy fix at all though. One small tip - if you have the time to prepare for the video beforehand and split it into several takes based on topics or areas of the car would make it much more structured, because wandering with the cam around the garage, opening doors just to point in the general area of where something is and how it would presumably look is a little bit distracting. Would elevate the level of content greatly, imho. Would require more post-processing tho. Gonna sub, because E34 content : )
Thank you for the pointers man! Ive been working on creating more structured content especially for vids like this! Will be working on it
Very helpful video 👍, so far I only know you , stachecam and justish talk about e34 tips and trick , we need more e34 content creator , e34 just one of best looking Bmw ever
Yessir! Those are my buddies! Its a slept on car
Nice video! I am going to have to go and check a few things , especially the hood catch on my 89. Thanks!
Door rust tip is good. Also, what's worked for me, and will SLOW down rust on doors and prevent it.... spray Wurth HHS-K in the door drains so it runs out of the other end. Corrosion Block also works too. Used both. Have used a tooth-pick to allow to spray it allow the seal on the exterior of the lower door seal. I've used my E34 in the salty winter for 12 yrs. and it looks better than most E34s I've seen.
Thank you for that!!!
@@m3nameisjosh464 Sure thing. A BMW Restoration shop gave me that tip 10 yrs. ago. The oilier it is, the more rust doesn't want to grow or start.
Nice video, good pointers. I’ve had my e34 535i 5 speed over fifteen year and most of your stuff was new to me
Happy to hear that!
Most useful video I’ve seen. Thanks for things to look for. If it all goes well I will have a e34 Tuesday
Did you get it how is it
Dude such a great and helpful video ! Left a note on a 1994 530i e34 touring (islandgrün metallic) and the owner called me and we struck a deal! Picking it up in a couples days and this video is just what I needed, thanks again!!
Awesome man! Congrats!!!
Incredible video & content! Thanks so much for the excellent info - SUPER helpful!!
Thank you dave!!
Thx fam, I want to buy one and u gave me some good tips
That rust life I know nothing about 😓 but now I know, that must suck
Must be nice bro🤧
Cali shit lmao
Heyy
Yo Stache make a video on how to prevent the rust my guy
@@kif02 WTF is rain!!!!!!!!!
Thanks buddy, good advises. I can confirm about thr rust on the lower part of the doors, sadly ✌
Happy to be a west coaster - and both of my e34s are rust free!
Thanks for getting me into e34s, just picked up a mint 525i for 5500. I’m so in love
I had same problems with the rust on the lower side of the front doors and removed those trims (M-Technic on your sedan) they have metal reinforcement inside them that rust and transfer the rust to the door. Replaced them with normal ones (much cheaper even genuine) like the ones you have on the touring.
I own a 95 540i. Good stuff to know! thank you
Thanks a lot. Just bought 1994 M60 (scary) 530i automatic. The thing is so clean I had to have it....
You are just a wealth of information, thanks for the video!
Appreciate it man! Happy to help!
Thanks for the shake pointer I bought some newer bmw wheels and it got better but on to the next only 176kmi
Great video! The hood trick is very helpful...did not know that one...😁😁😁
Glad I coud inform!
Nice video bro! The #1 tip is great!
Thanks a lot man!!
Love this video!! I just bought a real 525i shitbox who has several of those problems😅
Great video man! Super informative!
Thank you my friend!
Thanks for this bro. I don’t have an E34 but have an E36 and the brake light circuit message is always on. It just confused me lol. Once in a while the low coolant level warning will show but coolant is fine. Was worried at first because I know that is the number 1 mechanical issue with them but thanks for shedding some light on this. Not something someone usually talks about with Bimmer videos.
I find it amazing that BMW has such a following.
Awesome video thanks!
super useful thanks mate!
Getting my hands on a 535i 5speed this weekend with some dinan goodies, excited to be apart of the e34 cult🧛🏾♂️
Sweet
Nice one on the 530 v8 tip. Actually I’m looking an e34 but rather wait till I find an 540.
Thanks, recently got a non-running 525 and hopefully the crank sensor is the issue.
Super useful tips, I especially need to take care of the seat, control arms at 60mph, and window not working.
Could you clarify regarding the window clips you mentioned what part number or where they are located etc. Thanks, man - the amount of helpful info packed in one video is just unreal!
Appreciate it man! Part number for sliders is 51321938884.
@@m3nameisjosh464 thanks a lot!
Looking to buy an E34 for 700 needs alot of work. I hope this video helps me figure out if that's the car I want for a project car
Don’t forget the BMW cooling system all of them have plastic pumps expansion tanks that crack and other bits that will crack and shatter especially with age and heat. If memory serves me the valeo transmission / radiator combo can cross contaminate and get you a strawberry surprise. Lastly General Motors made the automatics so there’s good domestic parts and support and reasonable cost.
Thanks Bro 😎
Bought a 535i manual 1989 factory original this year.
Most beautiful car I’ve driven..
535s are awesome!
Awesome man hope you drive it and love it like it should be
Thanks brew 🙏
Thanks for the tips man I have a 90 525i ,I'm looking for a left rear door
Best bet is to find a part out!
Thank you very much. Best wishes.
Thanks man for making this video. Covered some really important points, some which I never knew about. You have some cool cars. Cool to see E34s all over the world. Got my first one in Germany. Are parts still easily available in USA for E34s?
I sell e34 parts so they are super easy for me to get my hands on haha. But otherwise id say the parts are widely available
@@m3nameisjosh464 Ok awesome, thats cool. I hope their are many E34s still in USA. Over here in Germany there are still many and most still in good condition and going up in value. Anyways looking forward to future videos
Fire extinguisher in a car always a must
Thank you so much for the tips!!! I just got my e34 for my birthday and I rlly needed this!!
Happy birthday to you 💙
@@ALnuaimi007 thank you!
@@Jessica-hv7ve
You're welcome 😊
How old you are Jessica
@@ALnuaimi007 I am 17…why?
@@Jessica-hv7ve
I'm just asking and I apologize for the inconvenience with my question. I'm 22 years old and I'm from Iraq, do you know Iraq??
Worse than the lower door clips is the jacking points that rust out and can make rust that goes all the way into the floor weld. Also getting a new E34 if you want it rustfri, lift up all the floorcarpet under the doors, serten places there they really like to rust out. Also the wells behind the seats infront of the backseats. Also, do change gearbox fluids when get it, many bmw owners are lazy and ever change it. Also, if get a wagon with the moon roof, know it has a tendency to leak, as well as if the motor running it breaks its a terrible job most BMW dealerships refuses to touch for a reason. Use whitegrease and keep the moonroof (or also aunroofs) clean and lubricated with white grease to not wear out the motors faster. Also, if get a M20 car, change the timing belt right away and don't let the engine tick, its a very easy job to adjust the valves, ticking can cause some damage to the engine that is not very enjoyable fixing. Also, long term, low spec can be great spec, as escape loads of things that will break on you. But overall E34s are great cars, just know the amout of wires from the earliest models to the last one has over double as many wires, something that is not great when it's aging. Had a 88 mod and a 95 mod E34. The 88 is simple as a E30, my 95 model had wires closer to that of a E39.
Loads of great info here! Thanks man!
good tips!
Love the 525iT...love the looks and in my favorite color; white. Looks so good with the M-parallel wheels. Would love to have one just like that in my garage.
Thanks man!
Just changed my control arms on Sunday
Shakes gone. M50 is A great engine
i just manual swapped mine after watching your video. it was hilarious because i would struggle with the same shit you were. currently i’m having some clutch issues, your video definitely helped though
Awesome to hear man!
@@m3nameisjosh464 turns out the dude who sold me the swap kit gave me a getrag 220 and i used a getrag 260 clutch kit. the throw out was too long, causing the issue. so stupid
@@munz3r thats super weird lmao
@@m3nameisjosh464 yea i’ll follow you on instagram and show you
To help preserve the lower door trims. On a dry day clean the seams both sides with brake and clutch cleaner. Then smooth a small bead of clear silicone in the seam and wipe of the excess. Take off the inner door card and spray some dynex corosion inhubitor or equivalent along the lower inside. This puts a barrier between any rain that gets past the window seals and runs down the inside of the doors. Be sure not to block the drain. Apply grease the the window motor mechanism whilst in there.
Great advice!
Electric seats and windows were the main issue on my 1993 e34. A all manual car like German taxis would be perfect😎
ESD Regelt = you need to replace or resolder your CCM
Also, if you wanna drive standard then use the A/M switch. It's not the same as a stick, but it'll get you moving the way you want it to after a while (especially if yours stays stuck on "Manual" mode like mine does)
Thanks mate honestly
Keep up the great content man. Do the m30 motors known to burn oil and leaky?
Any 30 year old motor will leak. Shouldn’t burn oil though
I cannot get my bonnet open I have a UK e34 and just can't get it undone but thank you for the tip, if you could make a more detail version of opening the bonnet I'd really appreciate it
Omg you help me when it comes to the front shake at 50-60mph
I love my 93 e34 but boy does she give me issues from time to time lol I see brake lining and washer fluid message ever day but all works as it should
I never knew that you can open the bonnet from front, its a great tip mate, you nicely explained everything, by the way I have an E34 V8 530i, Also now I know that why its too slow though its a V8, but i love all E34s, I had E34 535, 525 x 2, all sold, now I have the V8 one, hope I will be able to get some parts down to Melbourne. By the way mate from where are you?
Thanks man! Im from Chicago
This is driving me crazy. There is no “brake sensor” that fails. It is the loom around the hinge on the trunk/hatch. Also, brake wear sensors rarely actually fail. They should be changed every time you change the pads, but it is uncommon to have problems with them. If all 4 windows die at the same time, it is not the general module. It is the fusable link. Note on the blower motor: the ONLY reputable brand left is the genuine bmw part. The VDO units dont even fit and and behr ones are no longer made. You are correct on the cabin air filters though. They are a “every oil change or 6 months” type deal. Also note that the rust issues you have brought up are mostly unique to the m-tech sills. So that means cars with the m-tech package, m5’s, and all 1995 model years. The others dont have that trim on the bottom of the door and dont have near as much issue. Also, the sill covers themselves are just as good at holding water at the back of the front wheel wells and causing the fender to rust out. As for coolant level warnings: they are a simple problem with a simple fix. The coolant level sensor, particularly on the m20 and m50 cars LOVES to collect all the sediment in the cooling system. Flush the whole system (supposed to change the coolant every 2 years according to bmw anyway) and change the sensor. Then make sure the connector going into it is clean. Honestly, it is split 50/50 between that connector causing the issue and the sensor being dead. I feel the need to remind you that you forgot to mention the moosehead engineering thrust arm bearings as a permanent solution to the 55mph shimmy (which btw, can appear much sooner with larger wheels). You also forgot to mention the nasty habit of these cars ripping apart the rear STM’s when on lowering springs. Didnt address the simple diagnostics like the hidden codes on the OBC that let you look at things like raw fuel flow, bus voltage, and speed sensor outputs, or the stomp test. The fact that sunroof drain issues are often caused by lack of use of the sunroof and that simply blowing them out and using the sunroof more will almost always prevent these issues. Looks like im going to have to make my own one of these.
Jesus Tom thanks for the novel!
Rust is definitely NOT exclusive to m-tech sills. Normal trim rusts just as bad.
@@Xaocka so is my 1996 bmw 525i going to have these severe rust problems?
Clicked on this thinking it was the E39 i might be able to buy... still good info if I can't get it.
super useful video man thanks. my e34 makes a weird almost constant buzzing sound from what i think is the vent on the dash. any idea what that could be?
E34s buzz under dash for moments after turning off. It should stop
One of my rear tail light went out and none of my rear lights worked changed it and good I still have the fog light coolent level and brake lining on my dash but all those have been checked all is good still running Strong 177kmi definitely check before you ignore to be safe
Hi, I wonder if you know of any video about replacing the vans oil line for a 1995 BMW 525i (E34). I was not able to get to the lower bolt because there is not enough room to fit a socket over it. Thank you!
i have had 2 e36 bmws and brake light circuit alarm was on both. it would flash like it was a big deal but it's just bmw's non wired screw in contact lighting system that sucks.
Why do I have it stuck in my head that that the 55mph shimmy is usually more the LCAs than then UCAs? When I did my E32 change recently, I got the Meyle HD Lowers and Lemforder UCAs .. I think? LoL Great Video! I can't believe I haven't seen this till today. And add me to the list of those who didn't know about the secret hood latch. Is that really ONLY in narrow grill cars? Now I need to look at my 540 and my 740..
In my experience its always been UCAs. Ive never even changed LCAs on one of these cars. Every time I get the shimmy, new UCAs and its gone! But apparently the hood latch is actually on wide noses too! Just harder to get to
@@m3nameisjosh464 Well frankly if I’m under there I’m doing them both anyway. Now I’ve got to go back to FCP Euro and double check my memory 👍😆
Yet I don’t know about rust problems but what I know for fact is that I must take care of E34 :D. Only thing bothering me are these error codes and the most regular for me is “ washer fluid level” :D 3.5l tank is too small for me
hahaha
Only thing better than an e34 is an e24.
💯
sharky boi 🔥🔥🔥
I got scared a few times as my '92 525i didn't start but it wasn't the crank sensor but the ... auto shifter forgot on Drive :)
I cleaned the area around that infamous resistor - very bad design for the car as all the debris are getting inside and reach down through those vents from the bottom of the windshield - right after I bought the car 8 years ago. From the beginning smoke was coming from the dash so I was lucky mine didn't catch fire.
Hi guys, please advise me on fuel consumption on 1995 e34 TDS automatic. I live in a country where we don't have the best of quality of fuel .. I want to know what realistically to expect in the city and mixed. Thanks in advance
My stripped 530i 5 speed alright. I have a b40 intake/full exhuast tho and a tune so that actually woke it up a good amount. But for a cheap drift car it gets the job done 😂 need a b40 tho 😅
Hey, I was wondering if you could possibly help me with me E34. I do the trick where i turn the ignition and press the button on the dash for the car to do its own system check up. Although I have one green block left, all it says is check control. The other day my high-beams turned on their own and wont turn off. They only turn off 5-10 mins after i shut the car off. Can you please let me know something I should check?
That secret latch trick does work on the wide nose, you just have to use a screwdriver and stick it in between the grill and the hood, after that you have to flip it left, and then the hood will pop
Didn’t know that! Awesome!!
@@m3nameisjosh464 believe me, I was mindblown too
I own a E34 518i 4-cyl (M43B18) with 114 hp from 1995. A true DIY vehicle, that'll run (more like walk) for a very long time, if maintained. 👍
wtf, severel e34 folks here complaining about the wrong failure prompts... just pull the cables off from both of your servomotors for headlight range adjustment. Had to google that, in german they are called Leuchtweiteneinstellmotoren :-) Even if they still work, they cause all the "pings"... In fact, this is a quote common issue.
Do you have a video on doing the engine mounted mount that raised the motor needed to have a lowered car?
Maybe in my earlier touring e34 build episodes
Can you explain how to use the cruise control ?
ive have a bmw 525i manual that has a wobble at 70mph. Is that still the control arms or something else?
Could someone help me out with some info? I want to buy a e34 and I found a 92 520i 24v. It has decent miles and the car looks great (no rust and nice seats and stuff) but I dont know anything about the m50b20 engine. Is it worth buying?
I have a seat twist, but its not the wire, it in the gears, do you know what to do?
best thing to come out of tic tok was this channel
I appreciate that big time bro!
I have a 525i 94 automatic transmission what type of oil I can put in it pls?
Would love a video of 1990 bmw 535i 5 speeds just got one and a lot of people say they are very rare
I want one!
Why not drill 2 small holes into that rubber peace under the door to help drain would that work?
Had 3 the last couple of years since my first one, as well as got my dad to have one for a while, hehe
haha Nice!
@@m3nameisjosh464 yeah, now its 4, found a extremely rust free alpina white one way out in nowhere I bought from a nice man in his 70s, first year 88 model:) new summer car
@@Anirossa sweet!
Hi maan thanks for the tips,i have a question do any buddy know how I can fix e34 525i trance program error?
A manual swap lol. Usually means something with the auto is on its way out
I have a 1989 525i,
Which is the better engine m20 or m40 ?
my whole life having an e34 i never have rust anywhere on the car is that normal?
The hood latch trick works on my wide nose 540's 😁
REALLY!
@@m3nameisjosh464 yes sir.
Next edition, speedometer jumping around - sensor at the diff? I’ve seen 2 e34’s with incorrectly wired aftermarket radios that do not work - show how yours is hooked up?
I have a video where I wire in an e34 head unit, far from my specialty though! Never actually had a bouncing speedo too, sensor in diff likely
Nice vid....I have a 1989 e34 m20b25 auto with original untouched engine and transmission...the blower fuse under the hood melted ...any idea why?...I have not used the blower motor at all since then.
Resistor under dash or blower itself likely bad, you’re lucky it didn’t catch on fire!
Should make a video on classic e34 wheels...you know, the old school joints
Style 5s all the way
Oz wheels, style 19.32.5 etc I could on and on
TOP FAVORITE! AC Schnitzer Type 2....18" staggered of courses....looking for some at this time...😍😍😍
Hey brother got a 95 e34 525i I need some advice on wheel fitment
i have a 1990 Bmw 535i e34 all my doors are perfect no rust
I'm trading a set of 98 gsr brakes auto-manual conversion plus some more civic parts for a 1990 BMW 525i sedan automatic with title
Yo do you plan to do a vid on how to source old bmws?
Yessir! In the works!
please make one on the m20b25 engine!
If only I had an M20s!
The Warning lights on mine go on when I drive above 75mph
Oh I have a 530i sitting in the yard idk what year it is
i got a 520i with an m20 a 1988 model from germany. putting in an m50b25tu from a 93-94 car
good choice!
Do you know what this trim is called?
As a new e34 520i owner, I have a question. The windows sometimes work, sometimes they don't. Some of the mechanic says that i need a new regulator, but for some mechanics it's an electrical problem. Actually, it's weird but if the car stays under the sun, they work. I can't be sure what is the problem with this.. But it's been 1 year and i already encountered that crank sensor problem. Going to buy an orinigal sensor soon
If all 4 windows dont work its not a regulator. Sounds like general module under your rear seat
Hello, I have a 1994 BMW E34= Can the A/C condenser be changed out , without removing the front bumper and front grill?
Nope, need to remove all of the front end
Do you have a video on how to tune these?
Nah, only option is a chip for ecu or full standalone
I borrowed my friends 91 535i for a few days and the cabin air filter caught fire 😂
LOL thats bad timing