Price: SOLD on Cars & Bids | Visit Cars & Bids auction
Mileage: 257,100 Kilometers (159,800 Miles)
Engine: 2.5-liter M50B25 Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual Transmission
Exterior color: Granit Silver Metallic Exterior (L0237)
Interior: Anthracite Cloth Interior (P0411)
Additional features:
Wood Trim
Sport iX E34 Springs
Rear SLS Delete
M-Tech 2 Steering Wheel
Manual Sport Seats
Continental TRT7412UB-OR Stereo
Outside Air Temp Display
Leather Shifter Surround
Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror
Fold Down Rear Seats
Rear Pass Through
Rear Headrests
Rear Sunshades
Cargo Cover
Coco Floor Mats
Bosch Smiley Headlights
Fog Lights
Sicktop (No Sunroof)
Rear Trailer Hitch
17-Inch Alpina Maxilite Replica Wheels
Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Tires
16-Inch Original Wheels
European Market Import
Extensive Recent Maintenance
The E34 was the third generation of the BMW 5 Series and the most advanced of the traditional BMWs. Its form comprises the iconic BMW 3-box design language, square kidney grills, double headlights, and tidy lines that were smooth and sleek compared to its E28 predecessor. At its release, BMW accurately described it as “sophisticated styling that is aerodynamic while in motion and admired when parked.” For function, in 1992, the E34 525i was the first BMW to get the M50 2.5-liter inline 6-cylinder engine. It is one of the most reliable BMW power plants ever produced, which earned the late-model 525i the reputation as one of the most reliable luxury cars of all time. One of the rarest E34s was the 525iX, the first all-wheel drive 5 Series and the only all-wheel drive E34. The 525iX was also the first 5 Series to feature the tighter rack and pinion steering over the steering box. Having been a Euro-only model, finding one in the U.S. market is extremely rare.
This 1992 E34 525iX Touring is one of those few examples that made it to the United States. Finished in Granite silver metallic over an Anthracite cloth interior with manual sport seats and no sunroof (a slick top), it is very rare. Outside of not having the problematic sunroof, it is nicely optioned for a European Market 525i, including power windows, door locks, front armrests, outside air temp display, rear headrests, rear sunshade, and the Euro trailer hitch. Upgrades include a retro Continental stereo, M Tech 2 steering wheel, sport iX 525i springs, and 17-inch Alpina replica wheels.
It was originally a Swiss market car and remained there until 2017, when it moved to the Netherlands. In 2020, a good friend and Glen Shelly regular imported it to the United States. When it landed, he gave it a thorough initial mechanical and cosmetic run-through. The mechanical work was performed by independent BMW specialist Slimmers Automotive Service in Lawrence, Kansas, and included replacing dated fuel hoses, an oxygen sensor, front ball joints, front struts and springs, fan shroud, brake fluid, engine oil and driveline fluids, valve cover gasket, spark plugs and coil packs, and replacing many burned out cluster bulbs. He also added the M Tech 2 steering wheel and replaced the headliner, driver’s door striker, and the left front window regulator.
In 2021, it came to the hangar and has resided here over the last four years. Under our tenure, we repaired and replaced rusty rear shock towers, then set about replacing rusty rear trailing arms and the associated rear subframe parts. Sourcing the correct rear trailing arms was a herculean task, but eventually, we got a corrosion-free set from Europe. The work included all associated bushings, the left rear hub, wheel bearings, swaybar, swaybar bushings, and end links. On the front end, we replaced the sway bar, bushings, end links, tie rods, front wheel bearings, dust shields, and front axle boots. We also replaced the front and rear brakes with fresh pads, rotors, sensors, hoses and rear brake hard lines. The last round of work included the valve cover gasket, clutch, flywheel, slave cylinder, radiator, heater core and air conditioning parts, repairing the driver’s door striker, window regulator and guide rail, and repairing the driver’s seat recline function.
Most E34s were used and enjoyed, making non-M survivors rare, and even more so with an iX Touring. This example stands out as one that its previous owners clearly cherished. It isn’t perfect, but it can be used and enjoyed without guilt. We want to find a new owner who will continue to care for it and enjoy it for the next chapter of its story.
The exterior of this E34 presents very nicely and looks fantastic in the Granite Silver. The paint is very glossy and presents well; it is a decent-quality repaint without significant imperfections. The paint gauge report averages in the 15 mil range, with some deeper areas around the rear fenders and lower valances. The front fenders have been replaced. The bumpers are in excellent condition; the rear has some minor scuffing below the trim. It has the typical corrosion expected of an alpine European market car, but it is better than most. There is visible corrosion on the undercarriage components and evidence of previous rust repair in the lower body panels. The most evident is a patch on the driver’s floorboard and visible rust in the rear rocker panels. We preventatively addressed areas in the rear shock towers; pictures of everything are included in the gallery. The troublesome E34 door trim is relatively clean. All trim is present and in good condition; it has some UV fade but is still plenty presentable. The lights, turn signals, and taillights are clear and crack-free, except for a small hairline crack in the driver’s side outer taillight and a crack in one of the fog lights. The headlights are Bosch “smileys” that are in great shape with minor pitting. The wheels are Maxilite Alpina style wheels; they have no curb rash and are wrapped in fresh Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus tires with 2020 DOT dates.
The interior is a highlight of this car, and it is in very good condition overall. The anthracite sport seats are excellent, with only minor wear on the driver’s outside bolster. The rear seats are in equally good condition, with minor wrinkles on the outer bolsters. The dashboard has one small crack on the passenger side and some minor warping near the windshield. The headliner has been recovered; it is a bit lumpy, but still presentable. Extra headliner material is included with the sale. All instrument cluster functions work; there are several check panel notifications, and the airbag light has been removed. The A/C has been refreshed, but we could not get the compressor to engage consistently through the factory harness. We added a direct switch in the glove box. The rear windows are INOP. The head unit has been replaced with a visually period-correct Continental TR7412UB-OR unit, which sounds great. The OBC has no burned-out bulbs and works as it should. The shifter surround and center console are in good condition. The carpet is not worn, is free of any notable tears or stains, and is protected by Coco Mats. The rear hatch electric switch is INOP, but it works with the key. The rear hatch glass struts are missing. The tool kit hinges are broken. Some original manuals are present, along with most of the tool kit and the first aid kit. One key is included.
Overall, the mechanical condition is very good, not the basket-case that some E34s become if maintenance is not kept up. The extensive maintenance list outlined in the summary paragraph certainly helped with this. The M50 engine fires on command idles smoothly and pulls strongly to redline. This is an early non-VANOS M50. There is slight timing tensioner rattle on cold starts, but it diminishes once up to operating temperature. There are some typical weeps and seeps, but no glaring fluid leaks. The transmission shifts smoothly, and the clutch take-up is correct. The all-wheel-drive system functions correctly. There are no driveline or wheel-bearing vibrations. The suspension is compliant, with no excessive bushing play. The SLS system appears to have been deleted some time ago, and it could have been done more neatly, but it’s only a nitpick when you see it on the lift. The brakes have plenty of life left, and the Continental ExtremeContact tires only have a few thousand miles on them.
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