Introduced in 1988, the BMW E34 was the German company’s answer to the 1980s trend for aerodynamic design.
It had a drag coefficient of just 0.30 despite maintaining the hewn-from-granite Teutonic looks that had made its E28 predecessor such a success.
It was also a strikingly handsome car and a highly desirable one, especially when equipped with one of BMW's silky smooth six-cylinder petrol engines, which were considered the very best in the world at the time of its introduction.
This one is very special indeed – possibly unique. It was purchased by the vendor as a brand-new car in 1995 at a cost of almost £27,000 and he and his wife have cherished it from day one.
It has wanted for nothing and is presented in near faultless condition, having been professionally valeted every fortnight and serviced annually without fail.
It’s a hugely reluctant sale, described as ‘heart-wrenching’ by the seller, but as he lives on the border of the London ULEZ, he has bought an electric car and the 520i is now surplus to requirements.KTC9NwWirG8T1gddPxZi1wzEsNDLPUG5CL3gOcBO.jpeg1.21 MB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Original sales invoice
27 years of maintenance invoices
UK V5C
Every MOT and tax disc from new
In June 1995, the vendors walked into Millcars BMW of Temple Fortune, London, and handed over £26,555.72 for their new BMW 520i SE – the evidence is there in the form of the original sales invoice, which begins the story of this remarkable car.
Options on top of the £20,697 list price included air conditioning, a Tracker, sunroof, metallic Oxford Green pearlescent paint, a radio-cassette player and fitted floor mats. It was originally registered on the owner’s cherished plate, so only became N667 WUP recently.
It has a full BMW Main Dealer history and all invoices from new, along with all of its old MOT certificates and tax discs.
Despite having dealer floor mats, some aftermarket mats have been placed on top to protect them. That’s the level of care that the car’s owners have shown to it over the past 27 years.
Everything inside it still works perfectly including the air conditioning, the leather-trimmed seats and door cards are immaculate, the headlining perfect, the carpets undamaged.
The original tool kit is in the boot and the spare wheel unused. It’s really hard to find fault.
This car is absolutely stunning, not only because it’s painted in Oxford Green, which has to be one of the best BMW colours ever, but also because it’s in stunningly beautiful condition.
Aside from a few very tiny paint chips, the car is incredible.
No rust, no dents, no damage. Even the alloy wheels are immaculate. It has been cleaned by a professional valeting company once a fortnight in recent years and has been waxed and polished regularly. qD7JVhYNH4oJDv3RVFftLZxSU9QMkT0snZ2A3GAu.jpeg1.12 MB
THE MECHANICS
2.0 straight-six
Main dealer serviced all its life
No squeaks or rattles
Drives faultlessly
With less than 57,000 miles on the clock, it’s hardly surprising that the E34 runs well and operates without any apparent fault – the vendor says that it is a smooth and gentle car to drive, with superb handling and steering.
A short drive proved to us that there are no untoward noises or clonks or rattles from the steering or suspension.
SUMMARY
We don’t say this lightly, but this must be one of the absolute best E34s ever to come onto the market.
The condition is absolutely impeccable – you simply won’t find another one this good, especially not with such pedigree. Owned by a couple in North London for all of its life and maintained with no expense spared, it’s an absolute beauty.
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