I’ve found a lovely E34 518i estate

I'm going to look at this tomorrow, it looks gorgeous and will probably be my next car.

Anyone know which engine code its likely to be ? ( I just need to know if it needs a cam belt change or not)

The metric wheels are with the car, but its had another set put on with new tyres for the mot

I've never seen the "double sunroof", anyone any experience ?

The advert says :

5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Petrol, 88,000 miles, Metallic Montreal Blue. ABS. Insurance Group:13, -FULL BMW SERVICE HISTORY! -12 Months M.O.T- LAST OWNER 9 YEARS- LOW MILEAGE ( 7 K PER YEAR) A RARE treat for any BMW enthusiasts in ths flawless condition. Manual gearbox and 1800 engine makes for surprisingly good fuel economy.Rare electric FULL LENGTH Front/Rear sunroof option. Electric windows x 4. Original BMW business rds sterio. Walnut facia. Timewarp condition interior with dark velour in remarkable condition. Never towed, no pets, non smoker owner. Boot cover with unused dog guard. Complete book pack with all original keys. Looks and drives like its 12 months old! Alot of car for under �2000.Viewing essential

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It will cop some dog hairs, but not the fag smoke ( I hope).

After my recent accident I've been told I must stop, as they consider smoking to be part of the cause, I'm also told I must lose some weight.

I'm actually at the doctors on Monday regarding both those items.

There is another one on autotrader for less than a grand, its 133 miles from me, and if we're lucky it may be in your direction.....I'll check

 

Edited by Nigel

The price of the first one seems a lot given the age/engine size/touring.
I would have thought it would be worth half that!

OK guys, I take your point.

I'm going to see it tomorrow, I do know he's had to buy some new(er) wheels and tyres to get it through the mot, as the one's in the piccy are metric.

I like it as its a large estate that will replace the Ovlov, do a few more mpg, and it looks good.

The other one has a towbar (so I guess its been used for towing), and it seems to have E39 wheels on it (for the metric reason I imagine), which if I remember correctly will mean it has some sort of conversion kit to enable them to fit

The dearer one (the blue one) also doesn't have the 11 stepper motor climatic control air con unit (which I consider to actually be an advantage)

I think I will ring the 2nd one, see where in the world it is.

Edited by Nigel

My car trade mate tells me to go for the blue one & hopefully knock him down �200.

He says I could very easily spend �5 - 600 making the cheaper one good, and we have no indication that the miles on the cheaper one are at all correct.

He doesn't like beemers much, but even he thinks that blue one is exceptional

Cheers Rhys.

I can do that too ! If you look at the first service stamp, it my old mates.......Robert Sterns

Double sunroofs are trouble - even according to the dealer network. It was a gimmick that was soon dropped from the E34 range.

Sealing seems to be the problem.

518i's are a good car. In many ways they're better than the 520i as the
smaller M43 1.8 (chain for the cam) has more low down torque. They are
also pretty good on fuel. The double sunroof is a ballache though. They
were troublesome so really, avoid opening it! Giving them a good
greasing twice a year helps. That apart they are a reliable car. Anto freeze
needs to be changed every year because if left to stew, it rots the head
gasket. Even so, a h/g is an easy 1 day job.
�2000 is a bit steep - even with those miles I'd be looking to pay about
�1600. But if it's what you want, �1800 in notes would be fine.

Just my 2 pennorth, my double sunroof works a treat and I have been told silicon spray is best for the runners so mine gets the full treatment at least twice a year.

Just make sure you open each half individually and spray the runners and all joints, hinges etc and you should have trouble free usage. I think the troublesome ones are the ones which aren't maintained as the sunroof isn't usually a place that needs it.

Looks good Nige, no reason not to go for it, I doubt youll be disappointed.

Good luck

Mike

 

I don't have it yet K, I'll pick it up on Thursday or Saturday.

I'll post you some more pictures then, but like I said (rather like the one you were looking at), I'm not keen on the wheels, looks a bit too "chavvy" for a 47 year old bloke, also smacks of trying to make a 518i look something it isn't