What to look for in an used e34

I may end up going back to commuting to work soon, so I've been looking around
for a halfway decent commuter car. I was thinking about a used 525i with a
manual transmission. Anyone know a pointer to a list of things to look out
for in e34s?

I just bought a 93 525i w 127k for an everyday driver as I've seen them go many more miles. My neighbor had a 1990 that he drove to 319k!!!

Initially, my car had a clunk coming from the front suspension when I let off the brake pedal... turned out to be the thrust arms and bushings. Also had a vibration when I was on the highway. The flexdisk (Guibo?) on the driveshaft was shredded. Did the alignment afterwards and the car now drives real smooth.

I've heard the the auto trannys go for a while. The brakes are phenominal in these things and takes turns with confidence. Theres supposed to be a bushing or spring absorber in the rear shock towers that causes a clunk when it wears down. Other than that, Im a Newbie here so still researching these cars. Im sure I'll discover more soon.

Good Luck!

Check here http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e34/ and http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/troubl...will_break.htm

So, it looks like anything in the suspension that's made from rubber will have to be replaced, plus water pump and wheel bearings. Maybe some other stuff depending on which engine is in the car. So, maybe more than you'd care to do on the same vintage Japanese or American car, but probably not something outside the realm of the competent DIYer.

Yep that about sums it up. My mechanic says the 91-95 525i E34 and 93-95 325i E36 are the most reliable BMWs, even better then MB. He specializes in both.

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10

the best place for the 525 e35 series information