525 TD Tourer wanted - advice please

[burriana500]

I need one sometime in the next 7 weeks as that's when the Co car goes back.

I am looking for an L,M or N reg for around the 4-5k mark and, as I'll be doing a shed load of miles, one with 80/90k on the clock would be better than 100+, unless it is absolute top condition. Must be auto with cruise control & aircon.

If anyone hears of one I'd be grateful for the nod.

Also:
- are there any major jobs/upgrades that need to be done to the525D engine, or do they just go and go with the right care and attention?

- if I found a nice 'iX', is this worth considering or are the early BMW 4wd systems best avoiding?

Thanks in advance.

al

[sohlman]

There are two 525 diesel engines. One has an intercooled turbo the other just has a turbo. Make sure you buy the intercooled one which is depicted by a tds badge on the back of the car and in the log book. It will be much quicker, more satisfying to drive and better on fuel. The problem you are going to find is getting one that has not gone to the moon and back and or one that has not been clocked. These cars were designed to do intergelactic mileages and so people bought them to do just that. I would not get an Auto as you will loose about 5 mpg and it will take a lot off the performance. There are a number of places that will tune them. The best place is probable Van Aakan in Crowthorn Berkshire who will get BHP up from 143-169 with a re chip or tuning box. Hope this is helpfull. I will keep a look out,
James

[burriana500]

Thanks for the info James - that's settled the question of auto then, will it still make a difference on steady motorway cruising? And I presume most of them come with cruise control?

[fergus]

try and put the car under full lock (with an autobox), and put the heater, lights etc, on (i.e. engine under load) and let the car try and pull away in 'D'. If it stalls, it probably doesn't 'just need the idle speed adjusting mate', but may require a new pump. These are EXPENSIVE. Caveat emptor.

[burriana500]

So am I getting the impression that high mileage autos are to be kept at arms length?

Anyone any ideas on the mythical iX 4wd version? Good or bad?

[fergus]

Buriana,

You've asked me a question about what you are thinking. I can't help you there. I'm not Paul McKenna!

If you speak to a diesel specialist, or an independant BMW service place, they should be able to tell you about the pit falls of the various models and what to check. If you do go for the 525, as mentioned before, make sure you go for the intercooled tdS, not the normal td. Also bear in mind that this engine is not particularly economical and was designed for performance rahter than economy. Try a back issue of Diesel car magazine. Their 'Dr. Diesel' column is very useful. In contrast to a lot of mags like autocar which have almost no technical info of any use, this one is good for getting real world advice.

Happy hunting.

Thought about an audi A6 Avant 2.5 tdi...?
(Watch out for the front suspension on these though!)

>> Edited by fergus on Monday 9th February 16:47

[Marshy]

I've had two high-mileage auto BMWs and, unfortunately, both have been troublesome. The most recent has required a rebuild which hasn't fixed all the gremlins yet.

That's not to say they're all bad... I suspect I've been unlucky. But if you look at an auto, give it a very hard stare if the miles are high.

[burriana500]

fergus said:

Buriana, You've asked me a question about what you are thinking. I can't help you there. I'm not Paul McKenna!

Ok, Ok... I'm just a simple TVR driver, we don't get too gramatical over there

I shall re-phrase it to say... Am I justified to have the impression that 525 autos with big miles are best steered clear of?

Though I think I am getting the idea that maybe a manual would be safer

And I like the BM shape, not too keen on the Audi.

Thanks for the advice.

al

[ScoobyZoom]

burriana my good man....

525 tds bullet proof... providing servive history is present

you wont be dissappointed.... great car

send me the reg number of any youfind i will gladly HPI them and check the spec for you and history

[burriana500]

Thanks Scoobz, you're a gent