Saying goodbye to the M20 525... and hello TDS!

[StuartB]

'lo!

Saw an absolute belter of a car the other day, and seeing as the 525i is on the peaky side with beaten up bodywork and knackered paint, I thought I'd go the extra mile and nab it... it was either that or a pug 406:

http://www.aqwh78.dsl.pipex.com/misc/newcar.jpg

Money going down in the next few days, then it's all mine :D Here's the specs:

Aircon
Auto
Full BMW service history
1994/5 post facelift model
Bodywork is absolutely perfect
72k miles
all for £3495! Mebbe a bit expensive, but worth it given the age, milage, and rarity of these things round here :)

[Fred Tyler]

Looks very nice, in Australia it would be about $10,000 or so! also like the colour.
mine is dark blue.
enjoy

[SharkmanBMW]

I wonder why?!!!

[jplacson]

How do the turbo diesel versions perform? I know the new BMW diesels can out perform their petrol counterparts in both the 0-60, and passing acceleration speeds.... how does the 525tds compare to the 525i?

[Interceptor]

How do the turbo diesel versions perform? I know the new BMW diesels can out perform their petrol counterparts in both the 0-60, and passing acceleration speeds.... how does the 525tds compare to the 525i?
Well, there is a "slight" difference in horsepower - around 50 HP, in favour of 525i :) M21/M51 is pretty sluggish. Newer common-rail diesels outperform them easily.

[Jon K]

Well, there is a "slight" difference in horsepower - around 50 HP, in favour of 525i :) M21/M51 is pretty sluggish. Newer common-rail diesels outperform them easily.
The torque is amazing though.

[Interceptor]

The torque is amazing though.
I agree. 525tds is an excellent car for relaxed cruising together with all the luxury E34 has, at a substantially lower price per kilometer/mile. But, I must admit that I don't feel very secure when overtaking cars at higher speeds - diesels are just not good for it due to their power distribution characteristics.

[jplacson]

but what about start-stop traffic sprints? Wouldn't the diesel's low-end torque be more useful for city sprints, over the 525i?

[Interceptor]

but what about start-stop traffic sprints? Wouldn't the diesel's low-end torque be more useful for city sprints, over the 525i?
Actually - no. Diesel engines have heavier moving parts thus making them lazy and sluggish on start. That's why diesels are used in heavy trucks that require a lot of pulling power. You don't see a race/rally car use a diesel, do you? :)

[jplacson]

That's actually what I was wondering. Always wondered why with so much low-end torque, diesels don't make good GT cars.

So only the new common-rail ones have any chance of beating their petrol counterparts in terms of performance?

[StuartB]

Bugger...


Went to put the money down today, after the assurances I'd had that they'd hold on to it, and.... they sold it..

Luckily I'm going to look at another one tomorrow, a boston green touring for the same price... though it's got substantially more miles on (118,000)

:(

[Paul_540i]

So only the new common-rail ones have any chance of beating their petrol counterparts in terms of performance?

Even then, like for like the petrol will still be way more powerful. The only reason they're not is due to the fuel economy being much worse. An example being the new 535d has a 3.0 diesel with two turbos, and it's about 260 BHP so probably roughly on a par with the 535i petrol (but with loads more torque). But strap two turbos onto your 3.0 petrol and boy will it shift :D The reason few manufacturers do so is that 15 MPG doesn't sell too well!

My previous Subaru with just a 2.0 single turbo was putting out about 300 BHP & 300 lb/ft and would waste a 535d. Maybe not at the top end cos the aerodynamics were crap but it would still be quicker.

Put simply petrol is a faster burning fuel so will always be a better choice for power, even if it is pretty inefficient at creating that power. Try getting 850 BHP from a naturally aspirated 3.0 diesel (like 3.0 petrol F1 cars do) ;)