Anything I need to know about an early '90s 5?
Discussion
Thinking of getting a 5 series Touring for a general work horse, either the 2l or 2.5l, both straight sixes I believe. There's a few around under £5k which look OK to me, naturally +100K miles though. Anything I should be aware about with these engines or the cars in general when I look them over?
Cheers,
Rob
Cheers,
Rob
Bloody great cars! Build Quality is superb, our fathers is a '95 M done 80k and its as fresh as a daisy, scrubs up like new...... much as he fancies a change (Had it 5yrs now) theres no reason to get rid of it, because theres easily another couple of years good wear in it and its now not worth a fat lot.
To my knowledge the straight 6 2.0 & 2.5ltr engines dont have any problems, but around '94 they went 24v which added a fair bit of bhp.
If you can track down a good FSH looked after example they are a great cheap bus, every bit as durable as an E class Merc Estate but far more fun!
To my knowledge the straight 6 2.0 & 2.5ltr engines dont have any problems, but around '94 they went 24v which added a fair bit of bhp.
If you can track down a good FSH looked after example they are a great cheap bus, every bit as durable as an E class Merc Estate but far more fun!
The insurance on the 540i isn't too bad in my current experience.
At 100k miles plus, the ancilliaries can cause hassle, so I'd be finding out what's already been swapped and what hasn't. Basic engines generally reckoned to be bullet-proof (modulo nikasil/alusil block issues with V8s prior to 96ish. If you get a V8, make sure it had a block swap).
With a 525i or smaller, I'd go manual too.
At 100k miles plus, the ancilliaries can cause hassle, so I'd be finding out what's already been swapped and what hasn't. Basic engines generally reckoned to be bullet-proof (modulo nikasil/alusil block issues with V8s prior to 96ish. If you get a V8, make sure it had a block swap).
With a 525i or smaller, I'd go manual too.
My wife drives a 1995 525i Touring. My thoughts? Well, if we had to have just ONE family car...this would be it. It's big enough for us plus three kids, comfortable, good mpg (obviously not diesel category...but not bad at all), feels 'modern', looks good (I think), feels 'rock solid' on the road.
It's an Auto so I'd describe performance as "Adequate". It has the multivalve engine which somehow feels very different to other BMWs engines I've known...It never really feels like it's 'trying that hard'. There's never that lowdown wollop you get from say the M30 engine but then you look down at the speedo and realise you are actually moving reasonably fast. I think in an automatic certainly the 2.5 litre engine is the minimum you want to go for? Maybe a 520i Manual if you are really not bothered about performance?
Some pics here...don't now if you can acces them without registering on this site?
www.thee32register.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/topic_show.pl?tid=3942
It's an Auto so I'd describe performance as "Adequate". It has the multivalve engine which somehow feels very different to other BMWs engines I've known...It never really feels like it's 'trying that hard'. There's never that lowdown wollop you get from say the M30 engine but then you look down at the speedo and realise you are actually moving reasonably fast. I think in an automatic certainly the 2.5 litre engine is the minimum you want to go for? Maybe a 520i Manual if you are really not bothered about performance?
Some pics here...don't now if you can acces them without registering on this site?
www.thee32register.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/topic_show.pl?tid=3942
Bloody lovely looking car you have there 
That's just the sort of thing I'm looking for in the next 10 weeks when the Co car goes back. having said that, the facelift 7 series are pretty damn cheap now, less than £5k for 1994.
Are these as good a prospect as the 5s or are they a bit more delicate/worrysome?
al.
That's just the sort of thing I'm looking for in the next 10 weeks when the Co car goes back. having said that, the facelift 7 series are pretty damn cheap now, less than £5k for 1994.
Are these as good a prospect as the 5s or are they a bit more delicate/worrysome?
al.
Indeed lovely looking motor there!
I think I'm pretty much set on a 525 of some description. Can't help but feel the diesel is the one to go for with a bit of a chip tweak.
That's all assuming certain unamed individuals stop waving there lovely looking 530 V8 under my nose
Cheers.
Rob
I think I'm pretty much set on a 525 of some description. Can't help but feel the diesel is the one to go for with a bit of a chip tweak.
That's all assuming certain unamed individuals stop waving there lovely looking 530 V8 under my nose
Cheers.
Rob
Mustard...you mean like the wheels I have on my E32?
www.thee32register.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/topic_show.pl?tid=1539
I have another set with good tyres I could put on the 525i Touring but I'd already bought these for the 525i Touring and put new tyres on...plus these are a bit easier to clean than the turbines and my wife...well let's say she NEVER cleans the car herself!
Agree with Burriana500 though...E38 7's are becoming an absolute steal these days!
www.thee32register.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/topic_show.pl?tid=1539
I have another set with good tyres I could put on the 525i Touring but I'd already bought these for the 525i Touring and put new tyres on...plus these are a bit easier to clean than the turbines and my wife...well let's say she NEVER cleans the car herself!
Agree with Burriana500 though...E38 7's are becoming an absolute steal these days!
burriana500 said:
What 530 V8?
Is it a Touring or saloon and where can I see a pic if it's being waved with a view to selling?
al
Tis Seans aka Beemer:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=18528&s=133
Cheers,
Rob
burriana500 said:
Bloody lovely looking car you have there
That's just the sort of thing I'm looking for in the next 10 weeks when the Co car goes back. having said that, the facelift 7 series are pretty damn cheap now, less than £5k for 1994.
Are these as good a prospect as the 5s or are they a bit more delicate/worrysome?
al.
I have an e38 730I - smooth quiet work bus. - a snip! - am think of getting another one.
derin100 said:
Mustard...you mean like the wheels I have on my E32?
www.thee32register.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/topic_show.pl?tid=1539
I have another set with good tyres I could put on the 525i Touring but I'd already bought these for the 525i Touring and put new tyres on...plus these are a bit easier to clean than the turbines and my wife...well let's say she NEVER cleans the car herself!
Agree with Burriana500 though...E38 7's are becoming an absolute steal these days!
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