Is a 1990 535i a good buy?

AaronM · 11-04-2003, 05:51 AM

Here's the deal. I recently inherited a '95 Lincoln Mark VIII in simply beautiful condition with only 60,000 miles. (Well, 52,000 before I took that road trip out west.) Anyway, while I love the car on the freeway and it's a nice reminder of Grandpa, the car has two glaring faults. It's an automatic, and it's an ill-handling, nose-heavy boat despite Lincoln's advertising claims.

Also, the car is next to impossible in the rain and I'm dreading it once the snow begins to fall. No, it's not a RWD issue since I drove my 924S through unplowed roads (on 3 season tires) after the "blizzard" last winter dumped 14-18 inches of snow on Pittsburgh (where I go to college). So I've begun reluctantly searching for something more practical (or maybe just more sporting that gives the illusion of being more practical) than the Mark VIII. I should be able to get about $7,000 for the Mark VIII if I decide to sell it.

In my search one car immediately popped up, a 1990 535i with the 5 speed, selling near my hometown (far from college unfortunately) for $5,000. I know that is rather significanly under blue book, which leads me to assume high mileage (not a big deal if the car was taken care of). Hopefully you guys are as helpful as the Porsche people here have been.

My main questions about the 535i are how well does it do in the winter (i.e. how well balanced is it, the 924S with 50/50 and RWD is much better than the Lincoln with 64/36 and RWD). I'm less worried about the RWD if the car isn't nose-heavy and since the car has a standard transmission. Also, how is the reliability? What should I be sure to check out on the 535i? I know that with decent maintenance the cars are rock solid (my sister has a 1982 320i and it's a tank, though with the 3-speed automatic it's also a dog).

Again, thanks for the help.

Aaron

AaronM · 11-08-2003, 09:27 AM

I seem to have killed this forum. Sorry guys.

Aaron

Mark185 · 11-24-2003, 05:47 PM

Aaron,

The 1990 535i is a great car if in good mechanical condition. I bought a 1989 5 spd in August 02. Mine was not in good mechanical condition and required full suspension rebuild, subframe bushing replacement, a/c system replacement, carpet replacement, catalytic converter replacement, brake system overhaul, and the list goes on. Bottom line is I have well over $10K invested in a car worth considerably less. The other bottom line is I love driving it. I've learned enough to not get ripped off again and can recommend the basic car highly.

These cars run well over 250K miles if oil and antifreeze is changed and valves are adjusted regularly. If oil and valve maintenance is not performed regularly, premature camshaft and rocker arm wear occurs. The engine still runs reasonably well but top end power is down and there is noticeable tapping at idle. Lack of antifreeze changes will result in overheating and eventual head gasket failure.

The 535i is very competent in winter if outfitted with Blizzak snow tires. It will be far more fun and probably safer than the Lincoln! I say go for it if you can determine mechanical condition is good. If it needs much work and you don't have time to do it yourself, stay away.

Mark Agnello
89 535i
95 525iT
92 Celica All Trac
88 Celica All Trac

maxnine11 · maxnine11's Garage

i have a 1990 535i, with the 5 speed. it does just fine through Canadian winters. Tire choice is obviously important.
If i remember correctly, they have a 50/50 balance.
good luck,
max

AaronM · 11-26-2003, 07:35 PM

Moot point now. Got back home and the car's sold already. The problem with living so far from "home" for school.

Aaron

gbradcsi · 12-01-2003, 04:30 PM

The manual transmissions on these BMW's are weak and are troublesome.
You should look for a 1991 or 1992 BMW 535i automatic.these are the best of the 535i's and the Most reliable of the 535's. 87 octane, 400,000 miles problem free engine life. i have both a 1991 and a 1992 535i. i have all the manuals and books. i researched this info from the BMW club member list.
you will need to replace the drive shaft which is expensive, about $600 and up, but i found a place in CA that rebuilts them for $265.00. i did this last year. the other problem is the lighting module. there is a guy in FL that rebuilds these for $99 and you will never have a problem again.

AaronM · 12-04-2003, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gbradcsi
The manual transmissions on these BMW's are weak and are troublesome.
You should look for a 1991 or 1992 BMW 535i automatic.these are the best of the 535i's and the Most reliable of the 535's. 87 octane, 400,000 miles problem free engine life. i have both a 1991 and a 1992 535i. i have all the manuals and books. i researched this info from the BMW club member list.
you will need to replace the drive shaft which is expensive, about $600 and up, but i found a place in CA that rebuilts them for $265.00. i did this last year. the other problem is the lighting module. there is a guy in FL that rebuilds these for $99 and you will never have a problem again.

If I want a car with a slushbox, I'll look at a Buick, thanks. No sense in crippling a car of a BWM's calibre with an automatic.

Aaron

gbradcsi · 12-04-2003, 08:50 AM

Aarron,
You asked for advice and i gave you my experience about the 1990 535i. The 1990 535i does not have a good reputation with this particular manual transmission. there are better manual transmissions in other year and models of BMW.
I drove a 1987 325i for years with over 235,000 miles on the original clutch, but that's not the case with a 1990 535i. check with BMW garages on what i wrote.
If you really want to drive a hot sporty car with a manual transmission you should consider a 1987 or newer Porsche 911 with the G50.
Your 924S is actually a VW unlike the 944 which is a real Porsche.

Garry
1987 Porsche 911 cabriolet [a real sports car]
1988 944 [manual]
1992 BMW 535i [automatic]

show up and i will give you driving lessons.

AaronM · 12-04-2003, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gbradcsi
You asked for advice and i gave you my experience about the 1990 535i.

I also said in my first post that I disliked the Lincoln for having an automatic transmission. I made it quite clear that I did not want another automatic car and yet you recommend the automatic anyway instead of providing useful information on typical manual transmission failure modes and ways to prevent them. You also didn't give any experience, but rather regurgitated things I have looked up on my own.

Quote:

Originally posted by gbradcsi
If you really want to drive a hot sporty car with a manual transmission you should consider a 1987 or newer Porsche 911 with the G50.
Your 924S is actually a VW unlike the 944 which is a real Porsche.

Garry
1987 Porsche 911 cabriolet [a real sports car]
1988 944 [manual]
1992 BMW 535i [automatic]

show up and i will give you driving lessons.

911 comes a couple years after I graduate in April. Right now I'm happy.

A couple things to point out here though. You claim the 944 is a "real" Porsche. The 924S is a 944 with 924 bodywork. The 924S interior and drivetrain are identical to those of an early 944. It lacks only the fender flares. So if you're prepared to admit the 944 as a "real" Porsche, then you're forced to admit the 924S (same engine, transmission, suspension, interior) as well. I have no problem calling the 924S a VW, but logically if the 924S is a VW then the 944 is a VW also. If I were after the badge on the hood of the cars, I wouldn't have bought my 914. Some of us like the car for the car's sake and would have bought it even if it said "Yugo". Others of us *cough* seem to need that pretty little crest on the hood.

Also, I'm sorry, but there is not now and there never has been a "real sports car" that was a convertible. The coupe is stiffer, lighter, and faster. Always.

Aaron

gbradcsi · 12-04-2003, 01:07 PM

Aaron,

I don't know what goes wrong with the manual transmission in a 1990 535i, but the information comes from the BMW club web site. you can join the BMW club for $35 a year. they have one of the best monthly club magazines and tech help web sites. they have questions and answers each month and you can post a Q with real experts on transmissions which i am not. i know engines. i went to school on Porsche 911 rebuilding and tuneups. i can't know everything, but i was nice enough to let you know that there is a problem with the 1990 bmw. there are web sites and the club that can pinpoint what it takes if you insist on buying the 1990. if you want to save money don't do it. your decision. i am not trying to tell you what to do, but you came back about me promoting the automatic. read again: the automatic is better than the manual transmission for this year [1990] actually a better model is the 1991 and 1992. i have all the factory manuals on these BMW's.
About convertibles: Porsche sold more 911 convertibles then coupes since 1984, these are very popular. in fact the Porsche 968 convertible is one of the best looking cars out there.
the 914 is expensive to maintain and dificult to work on, but i would not mind owning one.
the most reasonable Porsches to repair, [except the engine, but they can last 400k miles] also the easiest cars to work on and with the the least problem of any Porsche or any car over 12 years old are 1987, 1988 and 1989 [1989 was a split year] they also came out with the C2. they made both models that year.
i repair all my Porsches and BMW's.
the most reaonable BMW to maintain is a 1987 325E. the most reasonabale and least troublefree 5 series cars are the 1991 and 1992 535i's [not 525] by the way automatic only.
THIS ALL ONLY MATTERS IF YOU REPAIR YOUR OWN CARS. i have no control what the mechanics will do you on any car, get the point?

you should join the BMW car club if you are interested in buying one.
Benltey.com have one the best repair manuals on these that will tell you almost everything. they also make manuals for the 1911 Porsche. these manuals ~ 750 pages explain every detail on anything you have a problem on.

i also have all the Porsche manuals on the 944 and 924S, but Bentley does not make one fopr these cars. The Bentley is even superior to the factory manuals in many ways.

have a nice day and enjoy your ride.

I never get challenged in my 911, they pull up, take a look and they know that i ahve already won.

Garry

1987 Porsche 911 "Our blessed Lady of Accleration", with 17" 3 piece Supercup Wheels and shoed with Pirelli P zeros :-)

AaronM · 12-05-2003, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gbradcsi
you came back about me promoting the automatic. read again: the automatic is better than the manual transmission for this year [1990] actually a better model is the 1991 and 1992.

Differing definitions of "better". Your "better" is more reliable. My "better" is being able to choose my own gear and not having to wait what seems like an eternity while the automatic gets confused over whether 1st or 2nd is better when I drop the throttle coming out of a slow corner. I've never driven an automatic that I didn't manage to confuse somehow. They are great if I want to be nice and relaxed, but automatics just aren't any good for spirited driving. For 90% of my driving, the automatic would be fine, but it would be annoying during the 10% of the time I want to push the car a little bit.

I was not upset that you told me the manual wasn't reliable. But when you then proceded to extoll the virtues of the automatic, you showed a clear disregard for what I had posted. I am simply not about to consider another automatic. Period. I've had my fill of them. I will be shying away from the '90 535i with the manual now, but I will certainly not be gravitating towards anything with a slushbox.

Aaron

Mark185 · 12-09-2003, 09:21 PM

Garry,

I don't know where you found club info indicating the automatic is more reliable than the manual transmission but this is not in agreement with all of my research. The Getrag 260 series manual transmissions were used for E28 and E34 BMWs and have a great reliability track record. Second gear synchros do wear out with high mileage and abuse but this happens with all transmissions. It is the automatic transmission for these cars that has a lousy reputation for failure in the 75-150K mile range. My E34 has about 160K miles on original transmission and it still shifts well. Second gear is a little 'notchy' but this is no big deal. Aaron, if you research the E34 5 series, you will find that the 535i 5 spd is generally considered the best value and most reliable choice.

Mark
89 535i
95 525iT (My only slushbox)
88 Celica All Trac Turbo
92 Celica All Trac Turbo

APZak · 12-17-2003, 07:22 PM

how are e28 reliability? the e28 and two latest 5 series are my favorite looking, but I cant afford the new ones so might consider an e28. The 85-87 5 series had the 535i model right? I like that one, and the E30 3 series. 3 series I like more because I'm young and it's more sporty, but the 5 series offers more luxery and power. Guess i'll have to test drive them. But what do you think will be more reliable? a 85-87 535i or 87-91 325i assuming both were taken care of equally.

Mark185 · 12-31-2003, 05:34 PM

I don't have any personal experience owning an E28 but the drivetrain is very similar. I would assume a well maintained model will be very reliable. The same caution about automatic transmissions applies. The E28 automatics are perhaps, even worse than E34 at high mileage. Rebuilt automatics will cost at least $2000.00 and that's a low price! The manual transmissions seem to run forever if fluid is changed regularly.

As far as comparing E30 vs E28, it depends on what you want to use the car for. I have a young child and the 5 series makes a lot of sense for fun that can still carry the family comfortably. The E30 is smaller and lighter. The straight line performance is probably similar to 535i. In the corners, a lighter car is always going to have an advantage. I still think the 5 series delivers 90% of the fun with a decent back seat and that works for me.

Mark
89 535i
95 525i
92 Celica All Trac Turbo