1994 BMW 525 Touring

[Patrick3000]

We are looking at getting an old station wagon any one have general information on the car positive or negative. We have a 530i but I'm not familiar with the M50 engine.

Thanks

[Fritz]

How many car purchases / trades is that in the last year?? :)

[roundel]

M50s are pretty reliable lumps. Water pump impellers and housing are a wear item and so are the radiators. The top hose likes to crack at the radiator neck. I've seen these motors beaten in 3 series cars for over 200,000 miles including track time.

[Patrick3000]

How many car purchases / trades is that in the last year?? :)

Fritz,

It is more complicated than that, my neighbor stopped by the other day for a beer and mentioned to the boss that he liked her BMW 530i. This is the car she took from me after turning her mini van into an off road vehicle! If you recall the 530i replaced the 328is that you traded for the “70 sort of 911T” that replaced the 72 914 that was my track ride which was replaced by the 944 S2 which now is my DD so I needed a new track toy hence the 71 914.

Almost forgot the wife wants a wagon instead of the 530! ;)

[Patrick3000]

M50s are pretty reliable lumps. Water pump impellers and housing are a wear item and so are the radiators. The top hose likes to crack at the radiator neck. I've seen these motors beaten in 3 series cars for over 200,000 miles including track time.

Thanks, How many miles can you get out of a clutch any issues with the 5spd?

[roundel]

All I know is that the beta is to put Red Line MTL in the tranny instead of the called for ATF. If used gently, clutches last well over a hundred thou.

[arob]

Karl, how about a 2002 allroad 6spd? I'm currently shopping for a tow vehicle.

[BlackTalon]

I'm currently shopping for a tow vehicle.
Hahahahahahaha :p

[arob]

:?

[Jase007]

Karl:

Not directly applicable but:

I have a 2000 528iT (touring = wagon) which is a 5-speed manual. It is a 2.8L inline six motor a/k/a M52TU (OBDII and double vanos). Wiki 5 series page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_5_Series#E39_.281995-2003.29) (good info)

Original clutch, motor, tranny ... but I have done:

1. ALL suspension (shocks, struts, control arms, bearings, subframe bushings, air springs, ball joints, tie rods, etc..).
2. Total coolant system overhaul (Every part of system is a wear item ... except maybe heater core ... for now).
3. Lots of modules: lamp control, ABS/DSC, etc...
4. Fuel system (pump, senders, 3/2 running loss valve, etc...)
5. Double vanos seals and associated hoses
6. All engine bay sensors (cam intake & exhaust, crank, temp, intake air temp, etc...)
7. Full brake job including cheap rebuilt front calipers
8. More ... if you are interested.

Mine was worn out when I got it ... hence the price I haggled / got it for. Put about $5k parts (DIY the labor) into it including new wheels / tires over the last 2 years - expected to at my pace.

I really like the E34 cars but I am also partial to the E39 cars. :) If I was buying a 5-speed manual touring for my wife ... I'd be looking at the E39 525iT 5M sport package ... in the 2001 - 2003 versions. 5M + sport in tourings are rare ... you might be looking for a while ... I was.

Good luck.

[Clarke]

I personally think the e34 cars are a bit more reliable than the e39s. There is just less "stuff" to go wrong. My boss got 434K out of his e34 before it got rear ended. We had never been into the motor, the trans was just starting to pop out of gear under a heavy load in 2nd.

[Patrick3000]

Karl, how about a 2002 allroad 6spd? I'm currently shopping for a tow vehicle.

Rob,

Thanks but we have settled on the bmw 5 series or maby the mb 3 series

Karl:

Not directly applicable but:

I have a 2000 528iT (touring = wagon) which is a 5-speed manual. It is a 2.8L inline six motor a/k/a M52TU (OBDII and double vanos). Wiki 5 series page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_5_Series#E39_.281995-2003.29) (good info)

Original clutch, motor, tranny ... but I have done:

1. ALL suspension (shocks, struts, control arms, bearings, subframe bushings, air springs, ball joints, tie rods, etc..).
2. Total coolant system overhaul (Every part of system is a wear item ... except maybe heater core ... for now).
3. Lots of modules: lamp control, ABS/DSC, etc...
4. Fuel system (pump, senders, 3/2 running loss valve, etc...)
5. Double vanos seals and associated hoses
6. All engine bay sensors (cam intake & exhaust, crank, temp, intake air temp, etc...)
7. Full brake job including cheap rebuilt front calipers
8. More ... if you are interested.

Mine was worn out when I got it ... hence the price I haggled / got it for. Put about $5k parts (DIY the labor) into it including new wheels / tires over the last 2 years - expected to at my pace.

I really like the E34 cars but I am also partial to the E39 cars. :) If I was buying a 5-speed manual touring for my wife ... I'd be looking at the E39 525iT 5M sport package ... in the 2001 - 2003 versions. 5M + sport in tourings are rare ... you might be looking for a while ... I was.

Good luck.

Jase,

Thanks for the feedback just the type of info I was looking for.

We settled on a 92-95 525iT because we like our 95 530i but she wants a wagon.

[JayJ]

We had a 93 525iT, nice car but not very quick.