1993 5'ers what to watch out for?

[XJSJohn]

Hi Folks. ....

Looking at possibly venturing into the realms of BMW ownership with a 1990 - 1993 520i Auto

First - yes i know that the 2l Auto is probably the worst combo i can do, but you takes what you can, and given that i am in Singapore its nigh on impossible to find a manual (if i can i will be in pigs heaven) and financially excruciating in road taxes to run anything over 2 litre.


So ... what should i look out for on one of these beasties especially given that local car maintenance is to polish it.

By default they generally came fully loaded here (minus any heater, not really a requirement) and will quite probably have been cosmetically "enhanced" with a facelift if there was one. (not really up to speed on my 90's BMW)

What wears out mechanically and how do you spot it whilst kicking tires / taking it for a 10 minute test drive?

Also how easy are they to service yourself with basic tools and no access to garage ramps / pit??

Its probably between one of these and a same age 200E Mercedes. Any opinions as to which is probably the better car?

Ohh and high milage does not happen here so thats not an issue, will be unlikely to find one with more than 120,000 KM on it.

Cheers folks.

[mustard]

Probably one of the toughest cars to walk this earth! I'd make sure I got the 24v M50 engined car that came out circa 92 though

Watch out for worn rear axle bushes (specialist tool job) which cost about £150 at a specialist in the UK, other than that just general used car checks, pretty simple to work on, (i've done brake discs pads etc)

I'd challenge anyone in the UK to buy better transport than my brothers for less than a grand! lol

Edited by mustard on Sunday 20th May 10:55

[XJSJohn]

mustard said:

less than a grand! lol

less than a grand!!!!! ... ohh god how i wish!!!!

5 to 7k sterling out here with road fund for 4 to 6 years included!!!

and that makes them among the cheapest cars on the road here!!!


(before you say it ... can only import a car thats 3 years old or newer. Tax is 120% of origional market value then have to add a 6k "COE" which is a 10 year license for the car to be on the road!!)

Cheers for the points though ... sounds good.

Do they have any rust points? Its very humid here so tinworm can creep in...

[XJSJohn]

mustard said:

Probably one of the toughest cars to walk this earth! I'd make sure I got the 24v M50 engined car that came out circa 92 though

how does one identify that visually because the stealer wont have a clue what i am on about!! import years can seriously muck you up on actual years ... a 1993 here could in truth be a 1990.

[mustard]

M20 ENGINE


M50 ENGINE the one to get!

For more technical info www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/enumber.html

or if you get the chassis number of the car www.realoem.com and it'll tell you exactly what your looing at.

Rust is pretty rare, usually as a result of neglect/poor repair. do check the brake and fue lines as they dont seem to be the most rust resistant things

[XJSJohn]

A picture paints a thousand words !!! Cheers Mustard, brilliant stuff

Feel a bit better armed, now to go into battle with the chinese car salesmen ... i suspect that this will be a harder fought battle than with the second hand dealers in Saarf Landen ...

[XJSJohn]

Mustard - cheers for the preliminary pointers on what year / motor to look for ...

After viewing several complete lemons (they dont havea cluie about car maintainance here) i am going back for a second viewing and a test drive of this wee beastie ..

http://www.sgcarmart.com/main/info-2fyDSfr7-1223.h...

Can anyone give me a buyers guide of what i should be watching out for on a test drive ....

its a 1993 520i Auto M50 engine on 200,000KM

At that milage it will have done plenty of trips through Malaysia to Thailand so motorway speeds on farm tracks.

Cosmetically is spotless and no rust (even clean wheel arches) i suspect a respray has happened in the past.

I am being overly paranoid because this is a "cheap" car here and its still £6k !!!

[Mustard]

Biggest area of concern/wear is going to be suspension, at that mileage in the UK rear axle bushes would/should have been replaced as i expect other bushes and shockers

Check the cooling system runs spot on and everything else is pretty much the usual 'car buying' common sense

[XJSJohn]

Mustard said:

Biggest area of concern/wear is going to be suspension, at that mileage in the UK rear axle bushes would/should have been replaced as i expect other bushes and shockers

Is that a DIY job (with standard diy tools) or is that a dealer job?

How do you spot this? is it the standard bounce the corner and count the rebounds or am i listening out for any klonks as i go over bumps?

[Mustard]

XJSJohn said:

Mustard said:

Biggest area of concern/wear is going to be suspension, at that mileage in the UK rear axle bushes would/should have been replaced as i expect other bushes and shockers

Is that a DIY job (with standard diy tools) or is that a dealer job?

How do you spot this? is it the standard bounce the corner and count the rebounds or am i listening out for any klonks as i go over bumps?

Rear Axle bushes require special tools .... paid about 150 inc parts at my specialist, as regards checking, your loonking at the big bushes that the rear axle mounts to the body, and signs of deteriation/play