Problems us Car Guys have owning a Classic

22 Dec 2015

So recently I bought myself a 1989 E34 BMW 525i and to say the least, I’M IN LOVE! And within the first week of owning it, I’ve already faced so many problems, not with the car, but with the people i know. Bearing in mind that I am 18-year-old so you can imagine the reactions of my friends with their Vauxhall Corsa Limited Eds and their MK7 Fiestas. I did not buy it to get reactions anyway, I bought it because I am simply in love with the E34; I truly believe it’s one of the most beautiful looking motors to exist, but that’s just my opinion.

Problems us Car Guys have owning a Classic

The main sort of comments I get straight away are “Why’ve you bought this, the cars older than you!”, “Does it even work?”, “It must be crap, where’s the built in Sat-Nav?!” that one makes me laugh, i just have to stand there and know that there is no way of explaining to these ‘non car guys’. It really is a shame, how I can have so much love and passion for something that someone else sees as a lump of old worn out metal. But that’s just us car guys have to live with! I feel very sorry for the JDM guys that have to explain to their mothers why putting £5000 into a 20 year old civic is wise, but its just what we do!

Another problem I face is when I’m sat in traffic lights and next to you pulls up a 1.4 litre VW Polo with a straight pipe and 4 certainly not straight lads in it thinking they’re going to smoke you, its always good fun seeing their little faces drop. But people just underestimate these old birds to thinking that they are too fragile to wheel spin off the line, but that’s what makes them great, what puts the smile on my face. Hearing my straight 6 lump rev up to 6000 rpm, its like ecstasy to my ears.

To conclude, everyone thinks I’m silly for buying it, but honestly i could not care less! Its my baby, slightly broken baby, but never the less I’m going to be putting money into it, and this is the start of my Car journey, with many more projects to come. Thank you for reading!

Francis Connor

Comments

And now for real, how do you afford the insurance on it at 18? I had trouble getting insurance for a corsa 1.2 T_T

well it costs me ALOT but fortunately i work hard, i mean yeah it takes up most of my wage but i couldnt imagine driving anything else:)

Great car man. I got the same here. Started with an 89’ golf mk2 1.3 almost 4 years ago. Since then many of those old things have felt my love in better or for worse. Had a total of 4 mk2’s then an mk3 switches to an e39 540i from ‘97 and now ‘84 jettamk2

Thank you very much !

I have 2 e34s so I faced the same problems with other people…but it’s just my car and honestly I don’t want something newer…e34 have the personality and extras that a new corsa could not have in her whole life…Good luck with the boat mate,great choice,glad to help if I could ! :)

Exactly, they have no personality, thanks man, appreciate it!

I can totally understand you m8! I have an 1996 BMW E36 318is coupe. The car is almoust 20years old like me :D
All my friends have some peugeots, citroens, opels and etc. Much newer cars with some small economical engines.
I feel very bad for them asking me why I bought such an old car for the price of newer car. How can I tell them, they just dont get it.
And last but not least, it is much faster than their 1.2 1.5 1.7 disels :D

Love your car dude!

Love the E34, I really want an E32! I currently have an E30 Touring, such an awesome car and have the same problem of the non-car people not understanding. Love this era of BMW

omg that touring, ive always wanted either an e30 or e34 touring, gorgeous!

From a guy driving a shagy-looking ‘89 Tipo, i totaly understand you brother.

Gr8 post m8! I r8 8/8!
Now seriously, good job. i just bought myself a M50B25 E36 (i was looking in the first place for an E34, but my E36 was a much better deal) and you just took the words out of my mouth!

Its a great car and even a greater engine (particularly the sound). It turns a lot of heads…

Take good care of that bad boy!

Since yours is an ‘89 version, it is probably a M20 but i can say the same :P

2.5L petrol damn i’m surprised you could get insurance on that, I’d love one but I couldn’t fuel it haha

I work hard to pay for it, i couldnt imagine driving anything else now, it does leave me pretty short though haha!

Great post, there’s nothing but truth here. When I turned 20 I bought a 51 Ford pickup and everybody thought it was garbage XD. I still love her though!

thats awesome dude!

“Another problem I face is when I’m sat in traffic lights and next to you pulls up a 1.4 litre VW Polo with a straight pipe and 4 certainly not straight lads”

I’m dying over here :’D.

While we talk about old cars, my girlfirend owns a 71’ vw beetle 1302 (with 1600cc engine) and next year in summer I’m importing from Sweden a 72’ volvo 164 with a b30 engine and probably a older beetle too.. sadly the only thing i know about the beetle is that is white and he doesen’t runs :/