Is this a decent deal?

[bdonkersgoed]

Hey BMW Enthusisasts!

To make a long story short, my beloved Lexus ES300 has given up the ghost and I am thinking of crossing over to the BMW realm

Here is the car I am looking at, and I would like your brutally honest opinions if you could provide them. I really don't want to get stuck with repair after repair again . . . and I need this car to last at least 2-3 years.

- 1995 BMW 525i
- $5,600US
- 120,000 miles
- Fully Loaded
- 5-Speed Manual Transmission (I like stick )
- Cassette
- Dark Green Exterior
- Tan Leather Interior
- pw, pdl, power roof
- alloys
- Spotless and all original
- No rust, dent, scratches, etc.
- Sold with safety certificate and emissions testing
- 1 year powertrain warranty

I really appreiciate and value any input you guys can offer. If you could also offer some tips about the best/most reliable 5 series BMW, I would love that too!

Best regards,
Bryan

[bdonkersgoed]

If anyone could answer the following questions as well, I would be most appreciative!

1.) How much should I expect to pay in repairs each year? This is very important . . . I don't want to get rid of one problem car to buy another . . .

2.) What are the most common problems with the car, and the estimated cost to fix? How much does a clutch replacement cost?

3.) What is the stock tire size? I have a fairly new set of pretty expensive Blizzaks that I am hoping will fit . . .

4.) What is the stereo setup in the car? Is the amp separate from the head unit? Is it difficult to install an aftermarket head unit? I just bought the new Alpine CDA-9835 (sweet deck!) and am hoping that it will work in the Beamer. If the speakers are only 2 ohms or something, it could cause problems . . .

5.) Do the 525i's come with remote keyless entry?

6.) I have heard that BMW parts are not as expensive as people think . . . I know OEM Lexus parts were expensive, so BMW is probably comparable?

7.) How does the RWD 525i handle in the snow? I live in Canada so it is kind of important . . .

8.) Is the car difficult to work on? Can only BMW technicians or specialists work on this car?

9.) You can see the rims in the picture above. Are these BMW rims? They don't look like the ones I see on other 5-Series BMWs . . .

10.) What type of light bulbs does this car take? I just bought Sylvania SilverStars for my Lexus and it would be perfect if they fit the BMW too!

11.) Is the 1995 525i what is called the E34 body style?

Thanks for your input guys! Hopefully I can get some responses before I go to look at the car If you wouldn't mind including the question numbers when responding , that would be very helpful! Thanks thanks thanks!!

Regards,
Bryan

[JonE]

If anyone could answer the following questions as well, I would be most appreciative!

1.) How much should I expect to pay in repairs each year? This is very important . . . I don't want to get rid of one problem car to buy another . . .

2.) What are the most common problems with the car, and the estimated cost to fix? How much does a clutch replacement cost?

3.) What is the stock tire size? I have a fairly new set of pretty expensive Blizzaks that I am hoping will fit . . .

4.) What is the stereo setup in the car? Is the amp separate from the head unit? Is it difficult to install an aftermarket head unit? I just bought the new Alpine CDA-9835 (sweet deck!) and am hoping that it will work in the Beamer. If the speakers are only 2 ohms or something, it could cause problems . . .

5.) Do the 525i's come with remote keyless entry?

6.) I have heard that BMW parts are not as expensive as people think . . . I know OEM Lexus parts were expensive, so BMW is probably comparable?

7.) How does the RWD 525i handle in the snow? I live in Canada so it is kind of important . . .

8.) Is the car difficult to work on? Can only BMW technicians or specialists work on this car?

9.) You can see the rims in the picture above. Are these BMW rims? They don't look like the ones I see on other 5-Series BMWs . . .

10.) What type of light bulbs does this car take? I just bought Sylvania SilverStars for my Lexus and it would be perfect if they fit the BMW too!

11.) Is the 1995 525i what is called the E34 body style?

Thanks for your input guys! Hopefully I can get some responses before I go to look at the car If you wouldn't mind including the question numbers when responding , that would be very helpful! Thanks thanks thanks!!

Regards,
Bryan

Bryan,
Check this website http://www.bmwe34.net/ for a wealth of information regarding the E34 cars.
I can respond to some qs.
1. A fair amount at that mileage, much cheaper if done yourself and check BMA for prices on parts. Did the car have records, either way have a prepurchase inspection done by someone who is familiar with E34's, it is worth it.
2. See Bruno's site for common problems. I drive an automatic, so don't know clutch costs.
3. Hope your Blizzaks fit, they work great on my car. Check the present tires/rims for size.
5. I had one installed on mine, many came with the electronics already in there. You'll have to check. Bruno's site might have answers for you.
6. Don't know Lexus prices but BMW are expensive, especially from the Stealer. Try BMA.
7. Mine handles very well with the Blizzaks, without them it is dangerous.
8. I've done some repairs and they're fairly easy, good access, etc.
9. They look BMW, maybe someone else can answer.
11. It is an E34 body style, about 1988-1995.
Good luck.

[bdonkersgoed]

Thanks for the response!

I have seen some pics of these "E34s" and it seems like the '93 - '94 M5s have the same rims as this car. I guess the previous owner must have put on relpica or original M5 rims?

the Blizzaks that I have are P205 55 R15s. Do you think there is a chance they will fit?

I looked at Brunos site and it is excellent! It is so cool that someone took the time to compile such a high-quality site with tonnes of pics for DIY people I live in Canada, so I can use the Canadian Parts Source link (racingking.ca) on that site. looked at the price of things there, and the aftermarket parts are easily available and really cheap! I thought that event the OEM list prices from BMW seemed cheap compared to my expectations. I don't expect it to be Chevy cheap, but it almost seems in line with Toyota or Honda . . .

You say that maintenance will be pretty high because of the mileage of the vehicle (120,000 miles). How high is "high"? Can anyone tell me approximately how much they spend per year in repairs, along with the current mileage of their 525i? Are the problems major (like they are expensive or will end up stranding me somewhere?)

By the way, is the engine in this car the same engine that is in the previous E34 model years?

Thanks for your help guys! I really appreicate the info from some real-life BMW owners! There is no better information of a car than to go straight to the source--the current owners!

Thanks once again!
Bryan

[JonE]

As mentioned in Bruno's "things that will break" or something like that article, around 100k things will need replacement or will break. At 120k perhaps some things have already been taken care of, but, probably not all. Try to have the car assessed for future or present repair needs. Cost vary with what the problem, price of parts/service or DIY. DIY for me might've averaged about $200/month for the last 8 months. Some of these are maintenanc items, though. I believe the engine you'd have is the M50, previously there was a M20 engine, both 6cyl, 2.5liters.
Keep reading the other posts to get an idea of type of problems/issues others are having with their E34's. Each iteration seems to have it's own set of typical problems and fixes.
Good luck.

[bdonkersgoed]

Wow . . . $200US/month is pretty high . . . how much of this is proactive and how much of it is retroactive repairs?

I just love the looks of the car, and I'm sure that, once I drive it, all rational thinking will eb out of my head

Thanks,
Bryan

[callen]

I have two E34's and they can at times keep me busy at times but mostly reliable trouble free miles. One has 240k miles other with 130K. A 95 525 is a great car and would highly recommend you buy it.

Callen
94 530i 91 535i 89 735il

[bdonkersgoed]

I have two E34's and they can at times keep me busy at times but mostly reliable trouble free miles. One has 240k miles other with 130K. A 95 525 is a great car and would highly recommend you buy it.

Callen
94 530i 91 535i 89 735il

Thanks Callen!

I am definitely going to go look at in tonight . . . hopefully it is as nice as they say it is. i haven't seen one since I was car shopping for my brother-in-law a few months ago. I remember thinking it was a super nice car, and very comfy to sit in Never got a chance to drive one though. The truth is, I have never been in a non-parked BMW in my life . . . I hope it drives nice I hear they do

Callen, can you tell me what kind of maintenance you had to go through when your cars were around 120,000 miles? Did you have to replace all of the suspension and struts by this time? If you had a 5-Speed, how long did your clutch last?

Thanks for your input!
Bryan

[G Feller]

You are coming from a 3-liter 6 with auto tranny (your Lexus) and (at the moment) heading to a 2.5 liter 6 with manual shift. That should be largely equivalent power-wise and more fun, as the BMW is somewhat sportier in character out of the box.

In the US and Canada, E34s were/are available with anything from the engine on the 525 (2.5 liter 6) to that on the 530 (3 liter V8!), the 535 (3.5 liter 6), the 540 (4 liter V8), and the M5 (3.6 liter I6). These range in horsepower from 189 (plenty with manual tranny) in the 525, roughly 210 in the 535 and 530, 282 in the 540, and 310 in the M5.

If there is a "car of choice" on this board, it might be the 535, but these are extremely rare (at least in the U.S.) with manual transmission. The auto boxes are prone to failure anywhere north of 100k miles.

The 530 and 540 V8s are satisfying powerplants, but they fill the whole engine bay and so make DIY much more difficult for the shadetree mechanic. The auto boxes go on these, too.

You can spend
a) X dollars annually to fix whatever breaks (hopefully nothing)
b) X dollars annually to do preventive maintenance (essential with these cars, and will earn you many many many years of driving enjoyment)
c) X dollars any time for an upgraded chip; suspension, wheel and tire upgrades; aesthetic upgrades, etc. Anything you can think of.

If you are happy with the stock car, proactive with your maintenance, and willing to do some portion of it yourself, your annual totals will be well under $2000 (U.S.). Short of that, you can buy parts at one of the knowledgeable and helpful suppliers we recommend, than have your indy install them, and you may still come in well under that estimate. We will all urge you to find a competent indy mechanic and to avoid BMW dealers like the plague.

Keep in mind from the start that Bimmers are known for keeping the driver in touch with the road--it will "feel" different to drive it than a Lexus, which is more known for keeping the driver separate from the road. That said, the shocks/struts and springs should have plenty of good life left in them, but you will probably know pretty quickly by driving it if the wear-prone front suspension parts (thrust arms, control arms, etc.) have not been replaced by now. Look for shuddering, shimmying, vibrations etc. (at any speed, but particularly from 80 to 105 km/h). A full service history may seal the deal, but not before you have it thoroughly inspected by a mechanic of your choice for bargaining chips!

Good luck.

[bdonkersgoed]

Wow GFeller! Thanks!

My Lexus ES300 was actually a rare 5-Speed, but that car was not "sporty" by any means. It was kind of floaty, but it was a nice cruise. I don't mind feeling the road a bit. That's the price you pay for sportier handling I guess

I actually prefer a sportier drive over a cushy Luxury drive, so hopefully the BMW will suit me nicely

Is it really $2000/yr to keep these on the road? It seems like quite a bit of money to me, especially if that is with DIY maintenance . . . That's nearly $220CAN/month . . . hmmm. My Lexus didn't require much maintennance until recently when the car just seemed to implode all at once

I can't wait to have a look at this car and give it a spin Before I buy, I will have it checked out at a mechanic.

Thanks for your input!
Bryan