1995 525i

[Ferrett 1962]

G'day people and thank you for letting me join your forum. At this stage I have not purchased my 525i but am looking forward to in the next week or so but this forum has helped me to buy the car since like a lot of people I had heard the bmw was expencive to maintain but thanks to you I see with a little help from you and if I am ready to get my hands dirty I could finally get one of the great drivers cars without having to empty my wallet. I am abut to get a 1995 525i with 190000km and in great condition ( small hole in the drivers side seat bolster and other than that like new inside) but I have tried the stomp test with no resault on the dash, the car is 11/95 biuld and I was wondering if this could be the newer version system that needs the reader to check the fault listing since the handbook does not show a check engine light on the dash but I might be wrong does anyone have a photo to shw me where it is. Pictures to come when I pick up the car.

[Bo525i]

Welcome to the forums, looking forward to seeing your 525i!

[whiskychaser]

Welcome from me too!
From the 'G'day' I guess you are in Oz. If so the stomp test may not work. It doesnt normally on Euro E34s and I dont think it does for your market either. Somebody will jump in and confirm.

[Ferrett 1962]

Yeah I live in Canberra Australia (the capital not Sydney) I have looked at the handbook and it does not show a check engine light on the dash so I can't do the stomp test but the car seems to be in great condition for it's age the motor is smooth and you can't feel the gear changes at all, everything seems to work but I have not spent any time with the car yet but I am looking forward to it.

[genphreak]

There is no stomp test in EU and Au cars. It was only added (mandatory due to manufacturers ripping off consumers) in the US. It is an afterthought and a pain anyway- ur far better to buy a Peake code reader from shogun in Japan- or someone like BMA Auto Parts | Bumper to Bumper since 1978 | Oem auto parts, vw parts, sachs boge, mercedes benz parts, honda auto parts, saab parts. It is easiest to use and helpful. The '95 is a great car, I have 2 and the M50 vanos engine is economical and a great balance in the e34. Short of an M5, the best damn car on the road... LOL. Enjoy ur time with her, you'll never forget her!

[BigKriss]

welcome aboard

[Ferrett 1962]

I am glad someone knew or I would have spent time tryimg the test thinking something was wrong. One more thing will the 525 run on e fuel or should I stay away and just stick to regular 95

[whiskychaser]

Link to workshop and owner's manuals:
Free File Hosting Made Simple - MediaFire
Owner's manual there says minimum octane number 91 RM (mine says min 93 RM) where RM = Research Method.
Here is a link that explains the difference between RM and RON:
About Fuel - Octane Ratings and RON - PetrolPrices.com

The short answer is I use 95 RON without problems. I have no idea what E fuel is unless its ethanol?

[Ferrett 1962]

Yeah in oz they are pushing E10 ethanol blend and say it is ok and some newer cars are set up for it some stations only sell the blend so I was wondering if it is ok for the 525 since I figure it has been available in europe for a while ( most things start there and take years to get here) but I was going to use 95 ron to start with.

[BigKriss]

I use e10 on the m30. no problems yet.