1996 BMW 5 Series E34

Overview

Engines

2.5L twin-cam inline-six, 3.0L V8, 4.0L V8

Came as

• Sedan
• Touring

On record

5 warnings, 1 recall

What changed for 1996

• A carry-over year, the E34's last. CarGurus

Compare 1996 with 1995

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
• 530i: 3.0L V8, Rear-wheel drive CarGurus, Edmunds
• 540i: 4.0L V8, 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

• 3.0L V8 M60 CarGurus, a published reference

  215 hp and 214 lb-ft, in the 530i · 1994–1996

• 4.0L V8 M60 CarGurus, a published reference

  282 hp and 295 lb-ft, in the 540i · 1994–1996

Transmissions

• Five-speed manual CarGurus, Edmunds, a published reference
• Four-speed automatic CarGurus, a published reference
• Five-speed automatic (1994–1996) CarGurus, a published reference
• Six-speed manual (1995–1996) Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference

Drivetrains

• Rear-wheel drive CarGurus, a published reference

Body styles

• Sedan Edmunds, a published reference
• Touring (1992–1996) CarGurus, 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.

• Worn Nikasil bores on early V8s 1994–1996

  One source so far

  Check: Have a compression test done, and look for white smoke and oil use.

  Euro Premium Parts says the Nikasil coating on early M60 bores reacted with sulfur-rich US fuel and wore fast, losing compression, and that later engines are unaffected. It also lists failing engine wiring insulation on the M60. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• 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.

• 1996–1997 Recall 04V183000

  The front spring strut plate can crack after long exposure to the elements and break, and could touch the tire. Dealers fit a retaining clip under the plates. 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)

• Watch for

  An early V8 without a compression test 1994–1996

  Walk away One source so far

  Euro Premium Parts advises avoiding early M60 V8 cars unless a compression test shows the Nikasil cylinder bores are undamaged. 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 1996. The rest are for other years.