525 ix Help Required Please

[MOD500]

My Father is looking at an auto 525 ix touring for a run about, its a 1993 car with 151K miles and full history. Should problems with the 4WD system or the auto box occur at this mileage, is there anything to check out?

Also, is the car permanently in 4WD all the time or does it only engage the front axle on detecting wheel spin at the rear?

Thanks for your help.

Best Regards

MOD.

[SoftwareSorcerer]

It's a good reliable system, with no serious problems, but splines on the front driveshafts can strip. Permanent 4WD with viscous couplings, providing 37%/63% front/rear split, but almost all (around 90%) of the torque will be shifted to the wheels with the most grip. Works well, but without winter tyres, don't think it's a Range Rover...

The rest of the car is essentially bulletproof. As a runabout, I'd go for it. [MoneyWhereMouthIs] I drive a 525SE Auto as my runabout (now with 140K), and have had the iX version in the past [/MoneyWhereMouthIs]

[MOD500]

Thanks for that SS.

I think we are off to look at it this week.

Where are you in Yorkshire BTW? I live near Wakefield myself.

Thanks


MOD.

[SoftwareSorcerer]

No problem. If your father fancies a metallic black E34 525SE Auto saloon instead, then I'm about to sell mine...

I'm in Honley, near Holmfirth.

[MOD500]

He is after the Touring to be honest, though thank you for the offer.

Do you see a red 355 spider (very loud with full Tubi exhaust and de-cat) round Holmfirth? He is a fellow PH'er and a nice chap!

Thanks

MOD.

[sohlman]

Whilst i am a big fan of all e34 and think they are great cars the IX model i would steer clear from for 2 reasons really. One they were never an official car in the UK so some parts will be difficult to get and 2 it has more things to go wrong. My advice would be to spend the same amount of money on a 525i touring. It will be about 1 second quicker to sixty, better on fuel and no better around bends unless we are talking snow, ice and torential rain. We have had a 530 for 12 years and have covered over 200k in it without needing to replace anything and i have to say it is one of the best cars i have driven in snow, ice, rain and of course dry roads. All it takes is one bit of the 4wd system to break/go wrong and it will write of the car so to speak. All other E34's parts can be found in any breakers yeard if needed.

Just my two peneth

[sohlman]

Whilst i am a big fan of all e34 and think they are great cars the IX model i would steer clear from for 2 reasons really. One they were never an official car in the UK so some parts will be difficult to get and 2 it has more things to go wrong. My advice would be to spend the same amount of money on a 525i touring. It will be about 1 second quicker to sixty, better on fuel and no better around bends unless we are talking snow, ice and torential rain. We have had a 530 for 12 years and have covered over 200k in it without needing to replace anything and i have to say it is one of the best cars i have driven in snow, ice, rain and of course dry roads. All it takes is one bit of the 4wd system to break/go wrong and it will write of the car so to speak. All other E34's parts can be found in any breakers yeard if needed.

Just my two peneth

[MOD500]

Thanks for that Sohlman, I will explain this to my Dad.

Best Regards

MOD.

[sohlman]

no problem,
glad to be of help

[gazzab]

He can have my 1994 525ISE Touring if he likes.
Had it for 5 yrs. Been totally reliable and cheap as chips. done about 88K I think.
Might want to sell it soon.


>> Edited by gazzab on Monday 14th June 16:33