1991 BMW 5 Series E34

Overview

Engines

2.5L twin-cam inline-six, 3.4L inline-six

Came as

• Sedan

On record

4 warnings, 7 recalls

What changed for 1991

• The 525i gets a new twin-cam six with more power. CarGurus

Compare 1991 with 1990

Colors

No paint color is recorded yet.

Specs

Badges

• 525i: 2.5L inline-six, 2.5L twin-cam inline-six, Rear-wheel drive CarGurus, Edmunds
• 535i: 3.4L inline-six, Rear-wheel drive CarGurus, Edmunds

Engines

• 2.5L twin-cam inline-six M50 engine page CarGurus, Edmunds, a published reference

  189 hp and 184 lb-ft, with variable valve timing from 1993 · 1991–1996

• 3.4L inline-six M30 CarGurus, a published reference

  208 hp. Badged 535i, though Wikipedia and CarGurus put it at 3.4 liters · 1989–1993

Transmissions

• Five-speed manual CarGurus, Edmunds, a published reference
• Four-speed automatic CarGurus, a published reference

Drivetrains

• Rear-wheel drive CarGurus, a published reference

Body styles

• Sedan Edmunds, a published reference

Figures for the whole E34

• Model code: E34 A published reference
• Built: In Dingolfing, Germany, and Rosslyn, South Africa, from November 1987 to June 1996 A published reference
• Total built: 1,333,412 A published reference
• Drag coefficient: 0.30 for the basic sedan A published reference
• 540i M-Sport manuals: 139 of the 205 built had the six-speed manual A published reference

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Cooling system failure All years

  One source so far

  Check: Ask when the water pump, hoses, thermostat and expansion tank were last replaced, and watch the temperature gauge on a long drive.

  Euro Premium Parts calls the plastic water pump impeller, hoses and expansion tank consumables, and says a failed impeller is the leading cause of head gasket damage on the six-cylinder engines. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Rust in the sills and floor All years

  One source so far

  Check: Look at the jacking points, sills, floor pans and inner wheel arches.

  Euro Premium Parts calls sill and floor pan rust the biggest structural concern on any E34, especially where roads are salted. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Worn VANOS seals on the twin-cam six 1991–1996

  One source so far

  Check: Listen for a rattle at a cold start.

  Euro Premium Parts says early VANOS units leak oil and rattle on a cold start as their seals wear, and that the idle control valve can cause a rough idle and stalling. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Worn suspension bushings All years

  One source so far

  Check: On the test drive, feel for vague steering or pulling, and listen for clunks over bumps.

  Euro Premium Parts calls the front control arm and rear trailing arm bushings wear items. A seller's guide (unofficial)

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 1989–1995 Recall 98V178000

  If a thermostat, water pump or fan belt fails and the driver misses the overheating warning, coolant pressure can damage the cooling system. Dealers fit a new design of radiator cap. NHTSA

• 1989–1995 Recall 97V131000

  A plastic bushing on the cruise control or throttle cable can break, letting the outer cable catch on it when the accelerator is pressed. Dealers fit a spring steel clip to each cable. NHTSA

• 1990–1994 Recall 96V111000

  The brake light switch can fail with the brake lights stuck on or off. Dealers fit a newly designed switch. NHTSA

• 1991–1992 Recall 96V110000

  A locking tab for the airbag contact ring in the steering wheel can break without warning. Dealers fit a tab of a different design. NHTSA

• 1989–1993 Recall 94V066000

  The fuel feed hoses can harden over time and let fuel seep at the engine fitting. Dealers fit a redesigned hose and clamp. NHTSA

• 1991 Recall 92V101000

  The nut holding the throttle valve shaft may not have been tightened enough. Dealers test it and replace the throttle housing if needed. NHTSA

• 1991 Recall 91V029000

  In cold weather a hot engine's throttle valve may lack clearance in its housing, because its parts expand at different rates. Dealers inspect it and replace the throttle housing if needed. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  Manual sedans, V8s and the Touring All years

  CarGurus says manual sedans, V8s and Touring models are already becoming collectibles, and Euro Premium Parts says the Touring is increasingly sought after in the US. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

Maintenance

• Engine oil and filter All years

  Replace every 5,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts advises not stretching the interval on an engine this old A seller's guide (unofficial)

  Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.

• Spark plugs and ignition leads All years

  Replace every 30,000 miles, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Brake fluid All years

  Replace every 2 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

The E34 has 4 services on its schedule, and 3 of them apply to 1991. The rest are for other years.