A Grand Monday: BMW E34 518i

Just because a car is getting on a bit doesn't mean it's not fit for regular use, and this BMW 518i E34 that we uncovered in the classifieds is very much proof of that. 

Acquired by its current owner in 2012 with 73,000 miles on the clock, he has added almost 120,000 to its tally, racking up 20,000 miles a year over the past six years. 

There are some, of course, who would say that taking a low mileage car such as that and racking up the miles is sacrilege - after all, a 73k car with full service history has all the hallmarks of being a cherished future collectors' car. But cars were made to be used, and a lowly four-cylinder 518i is never going to be the E34 that makes a collector their millions, after all.

Besides, the owner has clearly enjoyed the car, as well as kept up its maintenance, with new front and rear shock absorbers, cambelt, camshaft, clutch, propshaft, radiator, battery, alternator, distributor and four tyres in the past two years. He says there are over 20 pages of documented repairs and servicing from his ownership, so it's clear that the E34 has been maintained as much as it has been enjoyed.

At £900 it's not expensive, even if it is the very entry level into 5-series ownership. Indeed, there's something really quite charming about a base model exec such as this - the solidity of the controls and purity of the driving experience shine above all the bells and whistles, proving that the essentials are what make a truly great car. 

• Read our BMW 5-series E34 review and buyer's guide
• How many BMW 5-series E34 survied? Find out?
• Find a BMW 5-series E34 for sale