Discussion
I'm looking to replace the trusty estate/family wagon with a 5 touring. Don't want to spend too much, not heard that before 
, say £8K (still trying to get a Cerbera too 
). I just want to get a feel for the engine derivatives and their respective weaknesses, if any.
I've noted that £8K seems to get you anything from a 97 to 00 car with anywhere from 60 to 140K on the clock.
I really want to know if the 2.0 is still strong enough to haul the body as, using the not very scientific rule of sod, the younger the car the less the potential problems makes them seem like a better bet
.
Any comments and advice gratefully recieved.
Harry
, say £8K (still trying to get a Cerbera too ). I just want to get a feel for the engine derivatives and their respective weaknesses, if any. I've noted that £8K seems to get you anything from a 97 to 00 car with anywhere from 60 to 140K on the clock.
I really want to know if the 2.0 is still strong enough to haul the body as, using the not very scientific rule of sod, the younger the car the less the potential problems makes them seem like a better bet
. Any comments and advice gratefully recieved.
Harry
Harry, the 520i is a bit weedy. I have a 523i which is a 2.5. This is a great allrounder, and not too different to the 528i.
I would be going for at least a 523i, a 528i is a bit nicer and a 540i is bonkers but likes the petrol a bit.
My 523 manages 29mpg on short runs around town, and over 30mpg on a run.
Fantastic cars though, good at everything.
I would be going for at least a 523i, a 528i is a bit nicer and a 540i is bonkers but likes the petrol a bit.
My 523 manages 29mpg on short runs around town, and over 30mpg on a run.
Fantastic cars though, good at everything.
gazzab said:
I too am looking for one - prices seem to be wildly different all over the place!
I reckon a post 99 (?) car to avoid Nicosil bore issues.
Heard about that but not sure what engines are affected, I thought it was the 2.8 but may be wrong
. Have an Omega at present and hope the 5 matches it in smoothness if not in space, which is an issue with 2 x 6'+ lads to go in the back.
I think you may be right Mike, a 523 may be the way to go, although not driven a 2.0 yet, shirley 150hp is adequate as I have the Tiv for spirited drivng
. Harry
Harry,
If you try both, you will see a difference in performance and no difference in MPG. There really is a difference in the two. I had a play with both prior to purchasing mine.
The space will not be as cavernous as an omega. We used to use those in work, and you could throw the world in the back. However a 5 will easily sit two six footers plus 'stuff'.
The engines affected with the nicasil problem are all from about P reg to late S reg. Not sure about the V8's but definately the 6's
I had a word with the dealer about mine (1998 model) and although in the timescale of being affected, with 90k and a FBMWSH it is unlikely to suffer it. If it hasn't presented itself by now it probably won't show up.
However, generally BMW still honour engine changes up to about 100k if serviced at the dealers.
Scoobyzoom on here is a world of knowledge and works for BMW. He has helped me out a great deal and may even be able to find you a good car.
The symptoms for a nicasil affected car are excessive oil consumption, rough running and general malaise.
Another odd one, is to open the drivers door, start the car, and watch the top of the drivers door. It shouldn't move. If it does then the engine is bouncing around excessively, so may be affected.
Other than that it is the smoothest 6 cylinder engine I have ever seen/driven. This includes the Omega MV6's.
Hope that helps a bit.
Mike.
If you try both, you will see a difference in performance and no difference in MPG. There really is a difference in the two. I had a play with both prior to purchasing mine.
The space will not be as cavernous as an omega. We used to use those in work, and you could throw the world in the back. However a 5 will easily sit two six footers plus 'stuff'.
The engines affected with the nicasil problem are all from about P reg to late S reg. Not sure about the V8's but definately the 6's
I had a word with the dealer about mine (1998 model) and although in the timescale of being affected, with 90k and a FBMWSH it is unlikely to suffer it. If it hasn't presented itself by now it probably won't show up.
However, generally BMW still honour engine changes up to about 100k if serviced at the dealers.
Scoobyzoom on here is a world of knowledge and works for BMW. He has helped me out a great deal and may even be able to find you a good car.
The symptoms for a nicasil affected car are excessive oil consumption, rough running and general malaise.
Another odd one, is to open the drivers door, start the car, and watch the top of the drivers door. It shouldn't move. If it does then the engine is bouncing around excessively, so may be affected.
Other than that it is the smoothest 6 cylinder engine I have ever seen/driven. This includes the Omega MV6's.
Hope that helps a bit.
Mike.
that was no lampTalking about the nicosil problems with teh bore on the sixes I came across this, which is usful if true www.lestac.co.uk/bmw/nikasil.htm#what_is
Scooby any cometns to help steer this old duffer in the right direction then.
Harry
Scooby any cometns to help steer this old duffer in the right direction then
. Harry
vixpy1 said:
Don't bother with the 520, its gutless. get a 528, its the best model!
Tend to agree with you, like Mike has said perhaps the 523(2.5) is the best compromise. PLenty of cars about, I think I may go down the slightly older route and get it fully loaded too
. ONly problem there is this potential bore problem, the age I could afford there would put it straight in the middle of the problem years 
. Harry
vixpy1 said:
Don't bother with the 520, its gutless. get a 528, its the best model!
What about a younger age but slightly leggy 520 with the modern 2.2 which is not far short of the 2.5 power levels
. 
Outside of the nicosil bore problem zone too. I'm underwhelmed by the response's here chap's (standfast Mike) any other comments from current and previous owners mucho appreciated
, pleeeease. Harry
Thanks again Mike, right I'll ignore the bore thingy for the present as I think I know what I'm looking for there.
Next bit what is the normal failure rate of other major bits with regards to age/miles on these sixes then. I thinking along the lines of 'don't touch a xx if its done yy miles and is zz years old as you'll need to have aa done within bb miles/months'.
In plain english is there any other major bits like the gearbox that has a finite life I should be lookig out for as i'm stuck between a fully loaded slightly older 528 or a more modern 520(2.2) basic SE.
Harry
Next bit
what is the normal failure rate of other major bits with regards to age/miles on these sixes then. I thinking along the lines of 'don't touch a xx if its done yy miles and is zz years old as you'll need to have aa done within bb miles/months'. In plain english is there any other major bits like the gearbox that has a finite life I should be lookig out for as i'm stuck between a fully loaded slightly older 528 or a more modern 520(2.2) basic SE.
Harry
HarryW,
Mike's right most of the bore stuff is sorted by now. Even so BMW will do it up to 100k as long as its FSH with BMW. They even do it after 100k, they are quite flexible. There is a way of telling thats just by looking. I started a thread on it somewhere to try and explain how to tell by looking... In this forum but I have the slowest PC at work and if I search it'll take forever..
If you email me the reg numbers of any potential buys I'll check them out for you.
Cheers
Adam
Mike's right most of the bore stuff is sorted by now. Even so BMW will do it up to 100k as long as its FSH with BMW. They even do it after 100k, they are quite flexible. There is a way of telling thats just by looking. I started a thread on it somewhere to try and explain how to tell by looking... In this forum but I have the slowest PC at work and if I search it'll take forever..
If you email me the reg numbers of any potential buys I'll check them out for you.
Cheers
Adam
HarryW said:
Thanks again Mike, right I'll ignore the bore thingy for the present as I think I know what I'm looking for there.
Next bit
In plain english is there any other major bits like the gearbox that has a finite life I should be lookig out for as i'm stuck between a fully loaded slightly older 528 or a more modern 520(2.2) basic SE.
Harry
Everything else is literally bombproof. Gearboxes go forever and are maintenance free (I know steptronics are, not sure about manual).
Personally I would have no problems with any miles as long as it has a good service history and has had a couple of fastidious owners.
Mind you, as my daily smoker I have an audi with 210k on it which is faultless....
You are most welcome to have a prod around in mine if you are near bristol.
They really are lovely cars.
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