BMW 325/525(E39) 2.5ltr Straight Six 01MY

[Mustard]

Looking at a Late 2000 X reg BMW 525i SE (one of the first with the angel eyes and smooth bumpers)no stranger to BMW's, but a couple of questions

1.Any specific problems to look out for on this engine(with circa. 50k on it)?

2.Any impending additional routine maintenace at this mileage?

3.Is it any different to the earlier 323/523 2.5ltr engine?

TIA

[Marquis_Rex]

Hi mate, I heard about water pump issues on the EARLIER M50, but in all likelihood they've been sorted on this late iteration. the M50 really is quite a bomb proof motor and this is an example where the old "They don't build them like they used to" simply doesn't apply as the old M20 wasn't this good in durability terms! What about the S54...Ok let's not go there...

As for being the same as the earlier 170 Bhp M50 323/523i engine, it is different in detail with different head casting, port designs, camshafts and manifolding/catalyst packaging etc etc- so quite different really. I've seen the engine stripped out side by side with the older type. The newer engine meets a more stringent emissions standard and OBD requirement. I'm sure some parts are interchangeable though.

Good Luck!

[Mustard]

Cheers Mate

are they chain or belt driven?

All being well we should hopefully have the 'old man' installed in a 'Proper' BMW rather than the pesky 4 cylinder ones hes had (M40 & M42) fingers crossed, 3rd time lucky as they say!

[Marquis_Rex]

Chain driven do no worries there!

[Mustard]

good, M40's cam belt interval got shorter everytime it went in!

think they got it down to every 2yrs/30k or something pathetic