would this be dumb? 4Runner to e34T

cddallara · Post by **cddallara** » Jun 16, 2011 1:48 AM

So my daily ride is a slightly lifted '96 4Runner, which we've had for 9 extremely trouble free years. With having to use it for work (when I lifted it, it saw 3k miles/year), it's eating me alive in gas. It's not a perfect work truck, but pulls double duty hauling four kids around when needed.

Would an e34 touring be a headache I don't need?

If I can sell the runner, I was thinking of picking one up, but am a little nervous as to the maintenance issue. I'm used to changing oil, doing brakes every few years, and that's about it.

Opinions?

Xenocide · Post by **Xenocide** » Jun 16, 2011 1:56 AM

Would an e34 touring be a headache I don't need?

I've been thinking this same thing about the e34 touring, being that I'm due to be married in T-minus 1 year I really need a more practical car.

Snakeyestx · Post by **Snakeyestx** » Jun 16, 2011 9:51 AM

Get the V8 and a manual one. Toting that kind of weight with a 525T slushbox, you'll get the same if not worse mpg's than the 4-runner.

For some reason I read the topic and thought "He's thinking about putting a touring body on a 4-runner chassis?"

pldlnr · Post by **pldlnr** » Jun 16, 2011 11:35 AM

Toting that kind of weight with a 525T slushbox, you'll get the same if not worse mpg's than the 4-runner.

I don't know about that. I have a '92 525iT with an automatic. It has 197k miles and runs very well. With an estimated 70% of driving around town and maybe 30% on the highway, the overall average has never dropped below 20mpg. On the highway I am getting 26-27mpg if I mind my manners. I have done actual calculations, not just the OBC. I would be shocked if a lifted 4runner is getting ths kind of mileage.

Greg E34 · Post by **Greg E34** » Jun 16, 2011 9:28 PM

I had a 1997 4Runner that I sold (over the car limit at the time) and was actually looking for another 3rd gen Runner when I picked up my E34T over 4 years ago. Outside the ability to tow a trailer, I think I made the right decision. I bought the car with about 140K and now have over 175K. As far as maintenance, I've done a preventative cooling system makeover, brakes, oil changes and not much else. I've done quite a bit of "upgrading" such as the 5 speed swap, lowered the car on B&G springs, heated sport seats, headers, chip, Euro lights / HID's, bigger brakes, etc. I love the car and it has been extremely reliable. I have taken it on many long distance road trips and would not hesitate to drive it anywhere. It gets better mileage than my 4Runner did and is much more fun to drive. Still has a majority of the utility that my runner did too. Unless you need to do any towing or off roading, I would recommend the E34.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Jun 17, 2011 12:17 AM

First note my bias, I'm not a truck person, and the only thing worse than a pickup truck is a passenger truck. Some people call them pseudo utility vehicles, I call them passenger trucks.

Don't do it for the mileage. Run the numbers, do a spreadsheet and see how much you would be saving. I doubt you will pay for it in gas savings. Now if you want a touring, go for it, just don't use the excuse of gas prices, the numbers just don't work.

cddallara · Post by **cddallara** » Jun 17, 2011 1:27 AM

Mike W. wrote:First note my bias, I'm not a truck person, and the only thing worse than a pickup truck is a passenger truck. Some people call them pseudo utility vehicles, I call them passenger trucks.

Don't do it for the mileage. Run the numbers, do a spreadsheet and see how much you would be saving. I doubt you will pay for it in gas savings. Now if you want a touring, go for it, just don't use the excuse of gas prices, the numbers just don't work.

Spreadsheets, what are those?

I do want a touring (would rather an e39, but...) but not necessarily if it's going to be a mainantence nightmare. It's basically the same thing but no front driveshaft, differential, transfer case, and 33" tires. Size wise they look about the same. I'd hafta do a 5 speed swap at some point, there's another dramafest...

I'm not looking to 'pay for it' in gas, but if I go from $10/day to $5-7, and buy it with the proceeds of the 'Runner...

Can one get a decent mid100k mile e34T for $3-3.5k?

johnnye23 · Post by **johnnye23** » Jun 17, 2011 5:51 AM

Love my E34 Touring ! A 5 speed swap really makes them a different animal to drive , really the way it should have come in North America imho. Take one for a test drive before you jump into it if you are unsure .
The early Tourings had sls in the back and can be expensive to work on but you can do a sls delete very easily. Good luck

cddallara · Post by **cddallara** » Jun 17, 2011 8:55 AM

So I've been advised to stay away from '92's, and a +1, and -1 for the 530.

Any other year/make/model likes dislikes?

johnnye23 · Post by **johnnye23** » Jun 17, 2011 9:03 AM

cddallara wrote:So I've been advised to stay away from '92's, and a +1, and -1 for the 530.

Any other year/make/model likes dislikes?

Remember no E34 Tourings were built for the US market with a manual transmission .If you are looking for fuel economy go with the M50 six cylinder 525it model. There have been a couple of manual Tourings for sale on Bimmerforums lately .

Greg E34 · Post by **Greg E34** » Jun 17, 2011 9:08 AM

I'd stick with an M50 car. The M60B30 gives you all the additional maintenance of a V8 car with no benefit. What's the vote against the '92?

mooseheadm5 · Post by **mooseheadm5** » Jun 17, 2011 11:33 AM

92s all have self leveling to fail and are non-vanos. Non-vanos autos are super pigs because they never get to the power band unless you floor them and hand shift.

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Jun 17, 2011 3:31 PM

Unless the car has about 700 dents in it, its not worth buying.

cddallara · Post by **cddallara** » Jun 17, 2011 4:56 PM

wkohler wrote:Unless the car has about 700 dents in it, its not worth buying.

how much

ElGuappo · Post by **ElGuappo** » Jun 17, 2011 6:57 PM

I had a 92 Touring and dealth with the SLS failing, the dual sunroof not working (no matter what) and the transmissions electrics killing it.

Now this is not to say I wouldnt take another one, but it would get a manual and a real suspension in the back.
The manual with a lighter flywheel would make all the difference in the world.

cddallara · Post by **cddallara** » Jun 17, 2011 7:19 PM

So what I'm picking up from this is I should look for a 89-91 525it, preferrably with a 5 speed swap. Color don't matter, even hai damage just adds character:laugh:

wkohler · Post by **wkohler** » Jun 17, 2011 7:30 PM

No. 94 or 95 525. No self levelling, banks, better interiors (lol) and the hail damage looks better than it would on an early car.

First touring for us was 1992.

cddallara · Post by **cddallara** » Jun 17, 2011 7:49 PM

wkohler wrote:No. 94 or 95 525. No self levelling, banks, better interiors (lol) and the hail damage looks better than it would on an early car.

First touring for us was 1992.

aaah, ok. I figured it started when e34s started, obviously

if I find a clean one then, I have to 'distress' it via a ballpeen hammer to fit in?

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

would this be dumb? 4Runner to e34T

would this be dumb? 4Runner to e34T