Looking at an E34 Touring - now with better photos

[pldlnr]

However, knowing Kohler's standards, he should consider buying Eric Knowles's E34 Touring with supercharged S50 and perfect everything: http://www.mkippen.com/blog/?p=846. I inquired about this car before I bought Adam's, and he was asking $25k. I told him it was worth half that and I think he was mildly offended. However, he's been emailing me every few months since with a lower price, and it's down to $15k or so now. Low mileage, very well-built, rare and very nice interior, plenty of power, etc. If it's still available--it was 6 or 8 weeks ago--I'll bet $12k cash would do it.


-tammer

I've talked to Eric about that car too. It is impressive. I have watched the price drop slowly and I agree, 12k would probably buy it. It has a lot of brand new euro m5 parts on it.

[cvillebimmer]

Do want. Eric seems like a pretty stand up guy too. Who wants to buy my e24 so I can buy Eric's touring?

[wkohler]

I reached a decision last night, after thinking about the possible options.

Tammer's post pretty much nailed what I was thinking.

The reason I was interested in this car was the fact it was an Orientblau '95 (which I hadn't seen before) and the suspension. I'm no huge fan of blue (I'd prefer a white or black touring), but even I have to admit it's a cool color.

Since I already have two E28s and a Volvo, this car would be like a compromise of the two. It wouldn't be a BMW as well as the E28s and it doesn't have as much room as the Volvo.

I think it would be too much of a project to get the car where I want it and I'd rather spend the money getting my E28s closer to where I want them, and of course, the house needs some attention as well.

So, I did pass on the car. I really hate having that conversation, though people do it to me all the time with parts.

[mooseheadm5]

OK, now post the CL ad in case anyone else wants a crack at it. Either that or clean it up a little and flip it. Shouldn't have too much trouble finding a buyer for a rust free touring in a rare color like that.

[Tammer in Philly]

So, I did pass on the car. I really hate having that conversation, though people do it to me all the time with parts.

Probably wise, but I was looking forward to seeing where you would take the car. I hope someone else in your area grabs it; it is a great starting point if you have realistic expectations going in.

'95 = wide grilles (some like 'em, some prefer narrow), body-colored bumpers and rockers (nice), no SLS (a nice feature but expensive and maintenance-intensive, so probably good to not have it), and much nicer door panels (very big plus).

Someone would do well to pick up this car and sort it out. Here's what I would do:

1) Buy it. Sell the bling wheels, install some E38 weaves for cheap. Do necessary maintenance, get everything working right. Sort the suspension out if it has needs, which is the single biggest factor in driving fun and safety.
2) Drive it. When the transmission shows signs of aging, buy all the parts needed for a transmission swap (including diff).
3) Swap transmission at some point. Drive it some more.
4) Start assembling motor swap parts, including brake upgrades.
5) Motor swap.

This could all be done over a few years, and the diff/manual alone would really wake up the touring, especially if one installed a 3.46 or 3.64 diff. Taking your time means you can wait 'til you stumble across that perfect E36 M3 parts car for cheap or find that perfect low-mileage S52 (and of course, you'd not be in a hurry so you could do the important stuff like welding in an oil pan baffle and doing all the cooling and gasket maintenance with the engine conveniently on a stand).

At the end, with appropriate bolt-ons you can have a 240 whp, dead-nuts-reliable touring for probably $10k all in.

-tammer

[wkohler]

I actually have a friend that really wants the car. He's a mechanic, and he's not the world's biggest cosmetics guy.

Yes, Tammer, I realize this is the best year to have and the car has a sweet suspension, etc. I really don't want to start thinking about it again!

[Tammer in Philly]

I actually have a friend that really wants the car. He's a mechanic, and he's not the world's biggest cosmetics guy.

Yes, Tammer, I realize this is the best year to have and the car has a sweet suspension, etc. I really don't want to start thinking about it again! :laugh:

Not my intention! Just trying to lure the next E28er in to a great car. You've got great cars already, focus on the house.

Trust me, I'm trying to get my house ready to go on the market, and trying to keep up with that while finishing race car prep and preparing to write my dissertation is way too much. Keep it simple. Getting the fleet from 5 cars (at its peak) down to 2 has made my life much better. Now if I could only clear out my garage ... HEY PEOPLE, BUY MY PARTS! :-)

-tammer

[mooseheadm5]

5 cars is not a fleet. I have a picture somewhere with 10 vehicles in my driveway. Now I'm down to only 4 cars. And 2 motorcycles. And a scooter.

[cactusjacks1]

Are those stale bagels acting as buffers between the beams & the roof????

Chris,

Here's a buddy's Orient Blau 5er Touring of a different vintage...

[wkohler]

5 cars is not a fleet. I have a picture somewhere with 10 vehicles in my driveway. Now I'm down to only 4 cars. And 2 motorcycles. And a scooter.

Here's the count between my family:

Me:
'83 533i
'87 535is
'87 Volvo 245 (though my parents drive it)

Parents:
'81 Volvo 245
'91 Volvo 245
'80 320i
'02 Mini Cooper
'04 Mini Cooper S MC40
'72 Cadillac Coupe DeVille
'69 Corvette

[Tammer in Philly]

5 cars is not a fleet. I have a picture somewhere with 10 vehicles in my driveway. Now I'm down to only 4 cars. And 2 motorcycles. And a scooter.

Hey, it's all relative. It's a good thing I don't have more land or storage space.

-tammer

[cvillebimmer]

I have a picture somewhere with 10 vehicles in my driveway.

Said picture has been referenced many times! Now Paul, post or ban!

[mooseheadm5]

Chris-
Now that is a fleet.

Andrew-
It was up on the family website, but my brother has the login and I don't remember the url. It might be one my dead PC somewhere.

[bran]

I am the owner of the car. If anyone else is interested, send me a pm. We are motivated to sell before we move in two weeks.

Thanks,

brandon

[Rich in Tupelo]

Everybody needs a touring to haul parts.... and other items...




Brandon,

You may want to post this over at the E34 board on bimmerforums if you have not already.

[Adam W in MN]

Chris,

Here's a buddy's Orient Blau 5er Touring of a different vintage...

Isn't that Scott Epstein's M5 Touring (as close to the real thing as you can get, i.e. everything converted properly)? I know Scott bought it from a guy who did the major work and Scott finished a lot of the other details to complete the conversion.

[Rich in Tupelo]

Some E34 Touring porn ... and in blue... .hmmmm

[Tammer in Philly]

Wow. I normally HATE grey interiors, dove grey in particular, but that two-tone leather with the grey dash is really beautiful. Love how it works with the exterior color, too.

Rob L.'s M5T is pretty nice, too:


-tammer

[California Dreamin']

wkohler, did you get the touring? Status? Hope it all worked out.

Cheers,
CD

[mooseheadm5]

He did. Check out the eye candy section.

[bmwm3n528]

Chris,

Here's a buddy's Orient Blau 5er Touring of a different vintage...

Isn't that Scott Epstein's M5 Touring (as close to the real thing as you can get, i.e. everything converted properly)? I know Scott bought it from a guy who did the major work and Scott finished a lot of the other details to complete the conversion.

Correct!

I'm diggin' the E34 (M5) Touring love in here!

[mooseheadm5]

I'd love more power from my touring (but I am not allowed to start that project till next year.)
There is (or maybe was by now) an E34 M5 touring with a supercharger on it up at RRT. That thing puts silly power down. I want it badly.

[Tammer in Philly]

I'd love more power from my touring (but I am not allowed to start that project till next year.)

Same here. With the freshened M30B35 in place, it's sort of begging for a turbo.

-tammer

[wkohler]

For those wondering, I did buy the car. I know the opinions on the decision are mixed and sometimes, I wonder why myself, but I have the car now and have been working on making the car better.

Upon bringing the car home, I removed the Abrahams Motorsport kidney covers and replaced the missing bolt for the right front center cap. Then, I put in a new Behr radiator and flushed out the green coolant, replacing it with BMW coolant. Looking around underneath the car, everything is in good order, though I still need to do tranny mounts, a couple of muffler hangers, a fan clutch and the valve cover gasket. All of the front end was replaced not too long ago. Everything works on the car.

Thanks to JohnnyE23 and his generousity, I was able to replace some interior bits needing attention. GregE34 helped me out with a proper Touring CD changer and I sourced an excellent stock headunit from a member here.

I took off the MK Motorsport wheels and replaced them with a set of style 8s I had with 235/50/16s AVS Intermediates. The car looks downright mean with them, but no one makes that size anymore.

I haven't had the car long, but I've already put roughly 1,000 miles on it. Took some photos tonight.

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=73366

[John SCB]

Way cool car Chris. Hope to see it live at the big show in SD...or maybe in PDX? I seem to recall you saying something about Alpina wheels going on the car?

[Adam W in MN]

Great choice of wheels and stance. And such a nice color.

Some E34 Touring porn ... and in blue... .hmmmm

That car is stunning.