Why the BMW E34 540i is the BEST bang for your buck daily driver....

[@andreistoica2994]

3 months ago i bought one for €800. Spent €2500 on parts and maintenance since and now it’s as good as new. It did not have a single problem - they were tyres, discs, pads, all possible oils. 140k miles and running very smooth

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Love to hear it!

[@crescendo7357]

Wtf you bought 540i for 800€??! I’m looking forward to buying one soon and prices here in middle Europe are stunning! You can get 518i in bad condition for about 800€. 540i starts from 25000€. I’m looking for broken 530i V8 because that could be affordable in my 3000€ budget…

[@andreistoica2994]

@@crescendo7357 Sorry it's not clear. I have bought a 520i for 800EUR - in Spain

[@substitor]

Preach dude. I feel your love. People either hate this car or love it to the bone. There are many cars that strike in some side likeliness more than others, but for me this is a crowned king - the perfect balance.

[@habsom1406]

Hey 'Klasik', loved the way you phrased your comment dude, hallelujah!😎

[@Stompychann]

Love watching your channel and your passion for e34s.. ive got 540i/6 and it seriously is the best car ever made.. so I know what you mean.. also got e34 wagon… appreciate all your content! Take care

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you Craig!!!! Truly the best cars!!

[@Retrobeemer]

I have a modern 320d (2012) but still end up taking my 535i sport for the commute to work and back. It's just so much cooler and nicer to drive. They're pretty rare now here in the UK although values are pretty low also. Mine is a manual 535 sport and had an extensive body resto a couple of years back. If I were to sell I would want £10K GB but there's nothing I could buy for that price that's better than my e34. I just wish it made the sound of a 540!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Love to hear stuff like this! E34s really are special!

[@cvlro.]

i’m from the UK and i really want one 😂

[@jonenpelit857]

Theyre nice if they just werent 8k+ for a manual thats in ok shape

[@m3nameisjosh464]

8k for such a good car isn’t bad though. Better than 20k for an M5 in worse condition

[@armandomorales242]

Their alot cheaper at the junk yard lol

[@samalevizopoulos1465]

In Australia, you can't even buy an E34 520 Auto for less than $10k... Life's rough

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@samalevizopoulos1465 geeez

[@raphaelrichard92]

8k for a Manual ? Here its 20-25k looool, mine is auto and I get it for 12k , and it's a very good price 😂

[@1bossamazin]

I love my 95 e34 too and everything you said is correct i just hit 200000 on mine

[@amariodom4858]

the e38 was another good one, with the m60/m62 engine

[@eptdy]

Im glad your rear wheel gap was completely different but the front looks the same. Because my car somehow ends up the exact same way sometimes.

[@TechTokOffical]

Owned v8's,v6's and 1 4 cylinder cars in my life and all the note Ive loved the most it's that of my e36 with the m50 intake swap and 3.91 diff. People complain about the "drone" but imo it makes it sound meaner

[@TechTokOffical]

Btw u got an extra e36 wheel clock spring laying round do u?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@TechTokOffical no clocksprings unfortunately

[@Anirossa]

On the economy / power the best balance is 525i, at least here in Europe, The US a bit of a oddball with the road size and gas prices

[@bosley629]

The EU spec E34 HD61 drives differently from a US spec model specially in MT form...

[@lilwick2945]

can't find 540i but 525 is everywhere, guess i'll go with 525i then

[@grahamepigney8565]

E34 525i with an M50B25 Vanos is reliable, easy DIY maintenance and does good fuel economy. I have a '93 E34 Touring with a M50B20 Vanos engine that has done 200,000 plus miles. Just rebuilt the front suspension and now replacing the clutch. It'll be good for more miles than I will be able to do.

[@MikeBMW]

Nice vid. I've had a 1990 525i and a 1990 750iL. Currently drive a 1990 535i - one owner before I bought it. The e34s are much easier to work on than the e32 750iL engine-wise and the electronics. The e32 750iL was over complicated for its time but when I had it running right, it was a blast! The e34 535i is a breeze to work on in comparison.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

V12 cars scare me for that reason haha

[@EdisAlija]

Hello, How does the 525i compare to the 535i in terms of power and acceleration?

[@MikeBMW]

@@EdisAlija Hard to discern innately as my 525i had a 5 speed and I could chirp the tires in first and 2nd. My current 535i is ECU chipped and TCU chipped but is an automatic. When I want it to go, it goes nicely. For pure fun, the 525i was better, but for pure cruising and occasional acceleration, the 535i is effortless.

[@levymwamba3283]

E34 is the best looking Bmw ever brother

[@Devil666__]

The e39 540i is good tho bro, i own one and is biggest love

[@Anon-fh3yg]

You motivated me to do simple maintenance on my e36 😂

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Im glad lol

[@christianpaz2781]

i use a 350.000km e34 520 as daily, never a single problem

[@carlosraya5136]

Temos uma das 3 540i manuais existentes no Brasil em perfeito estado, o carro é espetacular.

[@housespider]

m50's and some S motors are definitely responsible for some of the worst exhaust notes out there, but I love it when they're set up well

[@sakhiweshezi]

Take a shot every time Josh says “badass”

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Hahahahhahahah

[@sakhiweshezi]

😂😂😂

[@SteezyFilthyFilms92]

Snagged me an original he53 v8 6 speed and love it.first bmw and im going to make the best of it.

[@marmaladebrah]

ay big man tossing up between 535 and 540 and I think I'm sold haha

[@jpadicecoffee9812]

10:53, I think you can get the pipes to sound like a gang warfare ...

[@TechTokOffical]

ONLY reason I've found bmw ownership has been expensive is the absolute need to use like 98% OEM parts unless u wanna be fixing it again. People cheap out,buy the cheap parts and complain when it keeps breaking. Bmw parts I swear are made to work together,buy a aftermarket and the car just rejects it like the body rejects organs not meant to be changed

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Agreed lol

[@Anirossa]

Buy oem, but th trick is to know what brands produced parts for BMW in the diffrent components, don't buy what it says BMW on. Example my fuel pump on my E34, could buy it from a BMW dealer or other BMW part outlets, they asked 600 euros. I knew what two companies produced the part for BMW, so I got the better than oem quality brand for E34, used in E32, for 50 euros. Knowing these things becomes kinda important on these cars.

[@yomansam4689]

UNLESS you use Mahle 😏

[@TechTokOffical]

WORST sound is a straight piped m5x motor. LOVE my full exhaust and tight exhaust note

[@fuckngreat8955]

90% of straight pipe cars sound like shit

[@grahamepigney8565]

Depends what your daily driving pattern is. For a daily drive that involves a short commute, doing the shopping and the like an E34 M50B20 (you didn't get this in the US) or M50B25 is arguable more reliable and cheaper to run.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Easily more reliable and cheaper. But not quite as fun

[@grahamepigney8565]

@@m3nameisjosh464 but that is about fun, something I completely understand, I'd love a 540i E34 Touring instead of my 520I M50B20 Vanos Touring, BUT that is not about a good daily drive.

[@xxxxpandaxxxx]

Love these cars

[@joonatansaarinen8715]

525i individual paid 3k for it around 5k in parts and other work and still not near finnished.

[@jonenpelit857]

Aika hintavaa maksoin ite 1991 525i m50b25 manuaalista 550e ja vaihtanut siihen kumit ja öljyt eikä muutä vikaa oo ollukkaan ja meni leimastakin heittämällä läpi

[@joonatansaarinen8715]

@@jonenpelit857 no joo tossa oli sellasta halluttua palikkaa tehtaan mtech mrain penkit hellan tummat jne jne mutta aikalailla alustaan uusinut kaiken mitä voi ja sisustaa on verhoiltu uusiksi sun muuta.

[@jonenpelit857]

@@joonatansaarinen8715 ahaa. mullakin oli jälkeen päin asennetut mustat msport jakkarat ja mtech 2 ratti mutta alkuperäsenä ilmeisesti ollu aika karvalakki. Oli kuitenkin suomi auto.

[@joonatansaarinen8715]

@@jonenpelit857 joo itellä alcantara penkit ei oo montaa 34 niillä lähteny tehtaalta varmaan pelkästää niistäkin sais 1000-1500€, sisustaa nyt laitettu muuten alcantaraa katto ja pilarit pitäs tulla ihan siisti alustakin lähtee hiekkapuhallukseen piakkoin

[@jonenpelit857]

@@joonatansaarinen8715 joo no varmaan tulee tosi hiano. mutta mulla ei oo rahoja tollaseen kun vasta 15v ikää niin pitää noilla halvemilla paskoilla kikkailla. Sitten aikuisena voi kattoo että onko massia alcantaaran ja msporttiin

[@1haitian1]

Damn, that thing sounds like a V8 🔥

[@1haitian1]

Nvm, I see it is a V8

[@MattyMattsBavarianBuilds]

540i with chip is 235rwhp... I got smoked by a old lady with a white perm in a GTI... I was unimpressed other than exhaust note! Next build I went Supercharged S62 swap because fuck that shit!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

235 whp never felt so good!😂

[@bunnell6335]

hey Josh, saw ur posting off the 840 n fell in love of your builds and just getting into the market of these cars. im in the budget of around 14k-25k and either looking at one these, a mid 10's lexus IS/GS, or a mid 00's Merc. what is ur opinion? im here in MI so some winters will be tough/have to be considered. i love these cars but spending that much/to get it up to standards, is it worth? especially compared to newer car like an IS/GS 350. you've proven these models are reliable n swayed me to consider these cars but want to know your opinion on everything from an owners perspective.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Hey man! i appreciate you watching!! These are fantastic cars, but as you mentioned Michigan, old BMWs and winter aren’t best friends, these things will rust out really badly. And unless you get a well sorted car, it might be too unreliable to be a daily driver, depending on your day to day. Its hard to admit but a 2010s lexus would be a wildly better daily during winter, etc. mercs Im not sure on.

[@ruslanniftullaev5908]

wow, what is the exhaust setup? Sounds great, not too loud not too quiet. Need to do the same thing with mine as well so any advice would be nice

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Muffler and cat delete!

[@danny3487]

💯Agree, such a great sounding V8. Are you going to Radwood next weekend? I’m in Chicago as well.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Ill be out of town so won’t be able to attend:(

[@chrismarkey2926]

Someone offered me a e34 535i that’s been sitting for a year or two and they just want some stuff around the house cleaned up for the car. 140k miles pretty nice just been sitting. Should I do it?

[@ramm0]

Yes. No question. M30 e34 for free is insane.

[@ruslanniftullaev5908]

lol, even if it is dead - totaly worth it. just have fun

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Absolutely do it!

[@chrismarkey2926]

@@m3nameisjosh464 I’ll let you know when I get it

[@yomansam4689]

I found a 95 540i for 5500 with 162,000 miles on it and am JUST about to pull the trigger. I can definitely wrench I'm just scared I'm not getting an M60 like i want(I'm only versed in modern 2000+ years and engines) and was wondering if this year still has the M60 in it?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

95 540 is m60b40 yesssir

[@yomansam4689]

@m3nameisjosh464 I ended up buying it and have had it for 3 weeks now. Love it to death and it definitely can take more of a beating than my 435i could ever dream of.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@yomansam4689 ayyy thats awesome!

[@truuston3r220]

E34 540i & E32 740i Best cars right here What do you want ? Sport and luxury? or Luxury and sport?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Such a good way to put that lol!

[@SteezyFilthyFilms92]

I stay cruising in highest gear in my 540i too it drinkssssss gas lnao i get half a tank on 30 bucks

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Hahahha only downside

[@pascutia]

Always been an E39 guy, but I’m considering an E34 530i 5 speed. Price seems high, but I’ve never driven an E34 before. I have a lot of respect for the M60, as it’s so solid compared to an M62TU. If you’re in the Chicago area, I think you know which car I’m talking about. Have you driven a 530i before? Not a lot of videos on the 3.0 V8 :/

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Hahah i do know the car I think. Ive only owned 1 530i but had a blown clutch so never drove, but ive heard its as slow as a 525i, which is pretty damn slow. Personally for my to buy a 530i it has to be a bargain. Least desirable e34 spec next to an m20 car.

[@pascutia]

@@m3nameisjosh464 I see. That’s what I’ve been reading online about the 3.0 too. It’s the green one and they’re asking 8900 for it. It looks nice, but it’s been for sale for a very long time. Probably because of the price. But I love the color and it looks really clean. Years ago I drove an E38 with the M60 and loved how smooth and strong it felt.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@pascutia the B30 sounds great and its undoubtedly a nice car, but the issue with the b30 is that it gets v8 gas mileage whilst making m50 power which is kind of disappointing. But any manual bmw of that era is still a good car so dont let me discourage you.

[@Bacondavidlettuce]

Honestly the price of he53 cars is creeping up on m5 prices

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Slowly but surely

[@larryjohnson8168]

arent e34 540i rare? i havent seen one for sale

[@conartist674]

Yeah there pretty rare the manual is really hard to find and there gonna be near 10k

[@larryjohnson8168]

@@conartist674 I think I've seen 1 for sale some years ago thats it

[@larryjohnson8168]

Just found 2 on Craigslist haha automatics though

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Most older bmws are rare these days. Its sad

[@conartist674]

@@larryjohnson8168 thats why next time i see a manual 540 i am pulling the trigger quick cause dont know when i find another

[@azabreham]

Am I overpaying for a clean m sport 6 Spd 540i with 160k miles for 17-18k? Comes with a stock lsd too feels like a lot but theirs nothing to compare it against really so a bit unsure.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Yes to be honest. Msports used to be sub 10k. Id put that closer to 12-14

[@azabreham]

@@m3nameisjosh464 Even a California car that has all refreshed suspension, new motor under warranty 70k ago and just minty interior? Can't get this guy to budge and don't feel like I'll find another. Apparently 1 of 2 left on the 540i registry optioned the same way.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@azabreham if thats the case then I guess, but still a little high

[@azabreham]

@@m3nameisjosh464 Agreed still high going to offer 16k. I think I'll probably pay his asking worst case scenario, the more I read, the more special the car seems. 1 of 200 for NA and 1/2 M-sport with a stock LSD.

[@E34boyz]

How much did it cost you to buy the 540i motor vs a 525i. My 1991 bmw 525i needs a motor and I am just trying to see the price difference to swapping it .

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I got the car with the motor in it. But honestly last i seen locally, a guy couldn’t even sell his b40 for $600. Where as I sell m50s for 1k plus

[@E34boyz]

@@m3nameisjosh464 okay that’s what’s up

[@francispowell1811]

@@E34boyz, yeah, but you have to get the V8 gearbox that ain't cheap, nor is the driveshaft and diff. Probably best to get a 540i.

[@E34boyz]

@@francispowell1811 I already have a 1991 bmw the car just need a motor that’s why I was seeing which way I wanna go but I think I’ll just get the same 525i motor and call it a day for real

[@francispowell1811]

@@E34boyz, if you want a good increase in power, try using the 3 litre crankshaft from the M54b30 (e39/e46) when rebuilding your M50b25. That will give you close to 240bhp, and chipping it will give you a bit more.

[@bloxyway8548]

how much did you pay for your 540i?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

2k non running

[@bloxyway8548]

@@m3nameisjosh464Thank you, I've been trying to calculate the price of my 540i this helps!

[@Tonygee160]

Josh want you donate me one of your 735i for parts I need so bad man I need a lot of things for mine to make it ready to fix it up so be a friend and help me out I can't find anything here in Phoenix to even think about it bro

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I have no 735s haha

[@WhateverItTakesLIVE]

nails everything but fuel consumption

[@Anirossa]

I don't like the sound of BMW V8s, would get a American car with a 302 or a other iconic V8 if I want V8 sounds, prefer the Inline six engine sound in my BMWs, even if they have a lot less torque and hp, but comes down to preferance ofc.

[@jpeg3933]

cmon josh look for another 540

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Always lookin!

[@jaromor8808]

the stance 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻💩💩💩💇🏻‍♂💇🏻‍♂💇🏻‍♂

[@Soleno1t]

Josh we need a meet from you with @stashecam of 90's vibes

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I have 3 videos with Stachecam!

[@Soleno1t]

@@m3nameisjosh464 I'll be honest bro but I'm new to your channel I found you from @bmw and was highly inspired! Will def see that in school tomorrow!