WTB: nice e34 touring (should one appear)

[fastenerpuller]

Hi all-

I'm probably not alone in this, but I thought I'd give a shout anyway. I am looking for an e34 touring deserving of investment- mine has recently gone from "car I am fixing up" to "jalopy I am driving around". For all of its downsides, I really like the lumbering touring, and they are getting harder and harder to find. So, if you've got one that needs a good home, let me know. I am in CA but can go anywhere for the right car.

fp

[wkohler]

I don’t think this exists.

[fastenerpuller]

Sadly, I think you are right!

[funkycharms]

I saw this swapped example on my daily CL search.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/ ... 40243.html

[fastenerpuller]

Yeah thanks for that! The previous owner of that one actually posted it on here ages ago, then sold it to this owner. I was in contact with him but never went up to OR (now WA). I may still go get it- definitely the 'grade' that I'm looking for- no show car, but a worthy project.

[tsmall07]

So what's with the car you have now? I'm looking for an e34 touring that's not so worthy of investment. :P

[fastenerpuller]

Here's the deal-

I made a few missteps and now there's a lot to do. The car is mechanically sound, as a lot of little engine gremlins have been attended to. After I got the car, did (well, had done) the full SLS delete and replaced it with conventional suspension stuff- Lemforder all around, Moosehead mounts. However, the sedan lowering shocks and springs mean that it's low as all get out and pretty harsh on city streets. So that is non optimal conveyance for my woman. Secondly, my boss hit the car in the parking lot, it was totaled and (because state farm doesn't think that a car with 234k on it is very valuable). I got someone to do the bodywork on the cheap and he did a bad job of it- he replaced the dented door with a dented door and the paint doesn't match on the door and 3/4 panel. On top of those two things, it has all of the little things that I would fix- broken stereo, ever-crappier seat, sagging headliner, rear wiring harness, exhaust and oil leaks. If it weren't for the bodywork, it could still be a pretty nice car without too much hassle.

The car that is in WA (posted here) is a good candidate for me, but the blemished body gives me hesitation- in my experience, you can never go back to factory. Plus it has two big problems- sunroof and AC.

So that's my story. 3 years ago, San Francisco Craigslist would have multiple tourings at any given time, now they are few and far between. I suppose it is a common one- as you age and your financial situation improves, the cars you like age too.

[tsmall07]

That's more work than I want to get into. I don't care about the engine or transmission, but I want a good body and interior

[fastenerpuller]

You and me both, brother.

[waxonwaxoff]

What do you classify the overall condition of your touring now?

[ZINZ]

Gotta be e34? This e30 Touring has been listed in Austin for over a month. Looks very nice.

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/imp ... 85976.html

[fastenerpuller]

It's funny that all of the posts on here are about buying my touring! I guess you should be thankful for what you've got. I classify my touring as so-so. It is mechanically sound- I commute 40 miles/day in it. But the body has some problems. I forgot to mention this last twist of fate:

I was in a hardware store and when I came out, a teenager was having his friends take pictures of him posing- STANDING on my hood. It's dented to all hell!

-- Added Dec 11, 2018 1:12 PM --

As for the e30 touring, I love it. That one looks really nice: +1 for left hand drive, +100 for fabric.

[waxonwaxoff]

Reading over your description I would classify mine as a couple notches above so-so, if your are interested there are a few for sale threads in this sub forum. Sorry the pictures never seem to stay up, I can re post or text them to you if you'd like.

[fastenerpuller]

Waxonwaxoff-
Are there any current tourings for sale? I snoozed and lost on a beautiful red one in Dallas earlier this year...

[demetk]

I also had a hard time finding an e34 touring in good shape so I finally settled for a 2001 e39 touring. It's growing on me and finally entered the 21st century.



Expand your horizons.

[Adam W in MN]

I would agree on the e39 recommendation. I owned an e34 touring and these are getting pretty old now, and the hatch wiring harness and some of the plastic bits are pretty brittle. For anything but a babied and pampered low mileage e34 you’re going to be wishing you had gone with an e39.

[funkycharms]

How bad do you want a clean touring?
https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto ... 92301.html

[doug]

It's funny that all of the posts on here are about buying my touring! I guess you should be thankful for what you've got. I classify my touring as so-so. It is mechanically sound- I commute 40 miles/day in it. But the body has some problems. I forgot to mention this last twist of fate:

I was in a hardware store and when I came out, a teenager was having his friends take pictures of him posing- STANDING on my hood. It's dented to all hell!

Um ... wut?! And these teenagers are still alive?

[demetk]

It's funny that all of the posts on here are about buying my touring! I guess you should be thankful for what you've got. I classify my touring as so-so. It is mechanically sound- I commute 40 miles/day in it. But the body has some problems. I forgot to mention this last twist of fate:

I was in a hardware store and when I came out, a teenager was having his friends take pictures of him posing- STANDING on my hood. It's dented to all hell!

Um ... wut?! And these teenagers are still alive?

I was wondering the same.

[Pure5]

Sent you a PM.

[e dub]

NMNA: https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/ ... 59553.html

Looks to be a very nice touring. If I was in the market I would definitely take a look at it.

[fastenerpuller]

That is a good looking vehicle indeed. Certainly prefer m50 to m60 and not crazy about that color combo but boy is it clean.

[sail_or_drive]

Kind of interesting.

https://corvallis.craigslist.org/cto/d/ ... 85900.html

[funkycharms]

Local! Might be worth checking out (if it isn't your posting)

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/d/ ... 46971.html

[fastenerpuller]

Thanks! I am going to check that one out- I think I might have seen it before. If it's the same car, it has some kind of fuel system gremlin... which would explain the price. But the body looks decent...

[rmccormick]

I have an 1995 e34 (Alpine white/Parchment) that may meet your needs. VIN WBAHJ6329SGD25305 purchased 9-2013 in Greensboro,NC with 112,745 verifiable miles for $4,300. Current mileage is 121,208 and car has always been garaged during my ownership. Assorted docs and service invoices exist from 3-2000, mileage 35,654. All modifications have been performed by Markert Motor Works (Lawrenceville, GA) one of the best indy shops in the southeast https://www.markertmotorworks.com/. The following was performed over roughly one year beginning in 2014 and is by no means complete.

This limited list of improvements should give you an idea of the scope and quality of the upgrades undertaken.
Bottom up S52 engine build including Schrick Performance Cams
5 speed ZF transmission
Suspension refresh with Bilsteins Sport series, Lemforder strut mounts, B&G lowering springs, Control and thrust arms, Rear strut mounts (Sachs) and spherical control arm bushings some of this performed by https://syncrodesignworks.com/ in Maretta,GA
Cooling system overhaul
Exhaust cleaned up with down pipe, collector, mid pipe and center muffler. Stock beyond that.
Brakes include refurbished 850i carriers and calipers + Brembo 850i V12 front rotors and refurbished 540i carriers and calipers
Battery (2018) on trickle charger

This car is still not perfect, however, it is a lifetime "southern" car with no rust and 8/10 exterior with very few blemishes.
Interior 7.5/10 as driver's seat bottom worn, rear seat back has 2" tear. AC works fine as do window regulators but central door lock mechanism is not reliable. Some delamination of rear interior window sill adhesive.
Inoperable dbl. sunroof, cruise control and rear window defroster. Needs new tires (245x40x18F,265x40x18R) for nicely refurbished M-Parallels and alignment.

With a home/garage downsizing in the near future I want to find a new home for the car. Although I have lurked on this site since 2012,
I 'm not sure what my response posting limitations are nor am I sufficiently savvy at this time to post images. With that in mind, feel free to contact me at [email protected] if seriously interested. My expectations are realistic but bear in my mind I have receipts exceeding $17k not including car purchase price.

Richard

[4DSC]

This one could be a good uh... canvas to paint if Alpine white is your thing https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/6787391948.html.

[doug]

And this.

1993 BMW 525TDS E34 Turbo Diesel Wagon - $12999 (wildomar)
Beemer is located in st petersburg florida and has a clean and clear florida title!!!
fresh import from europe,Ive sold plenty of import diesels to Ca but plz check with your local DMV,
1993 Beemer 525TDS Turbo Diesel with 5 speed manual and AC,
Has cloth but comes with a extra leather interior,odo is broken,very
common with older beemers,the leds go out,4 years ago it only had
85000km. Highway speeds...yes easy.......50 mph in 2nd gear just like that.

Sounds cool, and it looks awesome in the photos. Ad is slightly sketchy, but who knows. Plus, "beemer".

[fastenerpuller]

hahahah "Beemer" is totally a red flag! That is quite the unique setup though- manual diesel with cloth?

[muleskinner]

Clean one:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995- ... touring-3/