Description
The Headline Stats
BMW E34 525i sport 1994 M reg, 5-Speed Manual gearbox, with the bulletproof M50B25 engine. Owned for the last five years. BMW digital service history till 2003 and then independent history. Only 7 previous owners, mileage 135k, 12 months MOT.
All manuals present including the service history booklet, with two keys, full toolkit, and a fantastic period correct pioneer face-off stereo.
Maintenance & Servicing
Mechanically the car is superb, I have changed the oil myself every year and every weekend the car is started up to keep everything in good working order. It’s a fantastic drive superb handling with its sports suspension. Seven previous owners myself and last owner hardly put any miles on it. In my ownership I have changed the oil, water pump and drive belts replaced, fuel tank straps replaced, front callipers replaced and front and rear brake pad
Significant welding repairs has been done to the car with both the inner and outer sill replaced. Car was resprayed by previous owner some years ago, the driver’s door and front wing has some bubbles and front bumper, lacquer peel on roof and rear boot. To make the car in A1 condition you could do a respray at some stage if you desire. I am a classic car enthusiast who whenever possible likes to drives his cars, so the paintwork has never really bothered me.
My approach has always been to focus on mechanicals and electricals. Key for me is to get the car mechanically healthy and running right. Having just said that, if I was to keep the car, I would get the paintwork done along with minor bits to bring it up to A1 conditions. The paintwork is predominantly why the car is competitively priced, otherwise it would be closer to the £8-10k going rate. I am a collector who has other cars, such as a nice BMW E30 and a Porsche, having only recently sold (missing it deeply) my Golf Mk2 GTI which I owned for 7 years; with a change in my personal circumstances, I am looking to reduce my collection down.
Interior & Exterior
Inside the 525i Sport has sports bucket half leather seats with the superb BMW M Alcantara cloth inserts. Overall, the interior is in very good condition showing no rips or tears on any of the seats, with only some minor age-related wear on the drivers bolster.
The rear door cards are beginning to show signs of wear due to temperature as they are slightly edged away from fitting snug, but with no damage to them just a gap from them to the door, currently held with a screw.
The car has rare the 17inch M-tech alloys which alone are worth £1000
Summary & Context
For the BMW enthusiasts who have seen the E34 M5 prices go through the roof, and I appreciate the M cars carry a premium. Nevertheless, for an everyday practical classic you will never go wrong with a BMW Straight Six (even the BMW Car Club UK has called its monthly publication Straight Six Magazine, and for good reason!). The 2. 5L version in my opinion hits the sweet spot in terms of economy, practicality, and performance. Couple that with the top of the line ‘Sport’ version, in the much rarer manual transmission. A mint 525i sport can fetch big money now so expect these values to go even higher in the next few years. Apart from the paintwork there is not much else to do in order to get to concours condition. There are plenty of other E34 cars for sale that are not the sought-after manuals or even the rare Sport for sale for a much higher asking price than this. Please bear in mind it is not a new car. The issues mentioned above have been factored into the price. I am open to negotiation but only in person standing next to the car. I appreciate we are all busy so I would not want to waste your time, nevertheless thanks for taking the time to read the advert.
