yupididit wrote: In reply to bludroptop: Heading towards Hampton?
Random image search result for "HRBT backup"- yes, that's westbound near Willoughby. Tunnels are the price we pay to have good neighbors, like the US Navy.
yupididit wrote: In reply to bludroptop: Heading towards Hampton?
Random image search result for "HRBT backup"- yes, that's westbound near Willoughby. Tunnels are the price we pay to have good neighbors, like the US Navy.
Ah okay, well I'll be back home in Hampton in August I'd like to meet some GRM'ers while I'm there.
If you get an E32 or E34, please hold out for a manual. The ZF automatics are problematic and very expensive to fix... if you can find parts at all. The Mercedes of those years would have had the 722. series automatics. They are pretty reliable, but again... expensive to rebuild. Their first failures are usually sticking in first. When that happens it will need a valve body. There are no remans available because they don't make parts for them. The little plastic retainers disintegrate and its useless. Your only hope is to find a used one, and the numbers MUST match exactly or it won't shift and its a complete guess as to whether or not its any better than what you took out. Expect $500-600 for a used valve body.
Engines are great on both. I would try to stick with an M30 I-6 in the E32. The V8 is fine, but kinda blah. The V12 is just a gas guzzling whore. Of the two (E32 or E34) I would personally do the E34. The 7 series was equipped with a truckload of strange options; rear privacy screens, foot massagers, and ejection seats. Ok, not really, but it is fraught with typical 1980s German electrical gremlins. Its really just a bunch of stuff that will fail and its a nightmare to fix. The E34 also has a much greater chance of being found with a manual. For the money you save, I might suggest the M5, but the S38 was never one of my favorite M-engines, but the Getrag 6 speed is a joy to row.
Thanks for the input everyone!
Yeah if there's anyone in the HR area feel free to try and get in contact with me, always down for meeting up with over enthusiasts.
My short term fix for driving my Mazda2 on these horrible roads with 550/450lb coilover springs is to put my winter tires back on... So much sidewall flex it numbs the ride pretty well to make it tolerable.
In reply to curtis73: Most I6 BMWs from the nineties use GM automatics. e34,e36 and early e39s. They use regular DEX/MERC ATF,are reliable, although not bullet proof, and don't cost an arm and a leg to rebuild.
I agree that a manual would suit the OP's stated mpg goals better, and that old ZF transmissions are something to avoid.
HappyAndy wrote: In reply to curtis73: Most I6 BMWs from the nineties use GM automatics. e34,e36 and early e39s. They use regular DEX/MERC ATF,are reliable, although not bullet proof, and don't cost an arm and a leg to rebuild. I agree that a manual would suit the OP's stated mpg goals better, and that old ZF transmissions are something to avoid.
Search for BMW Transmission and Oil Application - Some are GM and some are ZF.
What about a Volvo V70 or a Saab 9-3/9-5?
I've driven a 01 Merc E320 for the past 6 years. It has caused NO trouble. MPG on the hwy will show 31-32. Actual is closer to the high 20's. Its smooth, cheap, and comfortable. I've had no problem with parts availability, and when I have had to work on it. Its easy to do so. I bought the car with 120k it currenly has almost 180k.
Curtis73 said- " I would try to stick with an M30 I-6 in the E32. The V8 is fine, but kinda blah" I disagree. The M60 4.0 V8 is a great motor that loves to rev and sounds good doing it. It also gets the same or better gas mileage as the I6...at least w/ an auto behind it. The only advantage I can see with the I6 is easier to turbo or change head gasket.
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