525iT-Thanks for the Forum Advice

[johun]

Thanks for the responses for the initial post. Overwhelmed and hope that some time I will be able to contribute favorably. Its great to hear from guys who have an insight from both experience and knowlegde. Winfred, Geof, 632 Regal, to name a few among others have been extremely insightful.
This is funny.
a) I mentioned in my last post about my rear windows not working. The bmw specialist I saw wanted me to book the car in. But I read a couple of posts in this forum about "turning the ignition on and opening and closing the rear doors whilst pressing the console buttons. Voila, it worked!! Thanks to "winfred" and the other posts.
b) I need to get a replacement keyless entry remote which the previous owner misplaced. I called the dealer to order a replacement, which he confirmed was a 3-button remote (no p/n) for about $136 plus tax. The p/n for the 3-button remote is 88-88-1-600-292 as in the bimmer homepage and is advertised at Ebaymotors as a "1988-1994 BMW Alpine Keyless Entry remote" for $70, and another with the same part number for $40 without the descriptive highlights. Can I assume this is the same thing and will work on the 525i T? Please excuse my ignorance.
c) The previous owner was using Castrol 20w50 oil for oil changes. The engine sounds crisp and like a baby''s purr if that has any meaning. I have heard horror stories about oil changes involving changes of fluids that change things for the worst. Do I maintain this regime or change it?
d) The transimission is a 4-gear one. Thanks to Geoff and 632-Regal advice, but do I flush the whole thing or just change the fluid and filter. Which is the lesser of two evils?

'IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL DRIVING EXPERIENCE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO SPEND THE REST OF MY DRIVING TIME LOOKING NERVOUSLY AT THAT COMPUTER FOR A "DING" TELLING ME WHAT IS WRONG' (jOKE)

Stay cool guys

[winfred]

a) I mentioned in my last post about my rear windows not working. The bmw specialist I saw wanted me to book the car in. But I read a couple of posts in this forum about "turning the ignition on and opening and closing the rear doors whilst pressing the console buttons. Voila, it worked!! Thanks to "winfred" and the other posts.

it's usualy lack of use and corrosion that stops the motors, a good jolt is generally all that's needed to get em moving

b) I need to get a replacement keyless entry remote which the previous owner misplaced. I called the dealer to order a replacement, which he confirmed was a 3-button remote (no p/n) for about $136 plus tax. The p/n for the 3-button remote is 88-88-1-600-292 as in the bimmer homepage and is advertised at Ebaymotors as a "1988-1994 BMW Alpine Keyless Entry remote" for $70, and another with the same part number for $40 without the descriptive highlights. Can I assume this is the same thing and will work on the 525i T? Please excuse my ignorance.

it should work as long as it has the same look as the old remote, you just need to program the chip to get it to work, the procedure is on www.bmwe34.net but doesn't quite tell the whole story, theres a early alarm box that looks the same but has no provision to program chips, it uses a chip the same as the remote

c) The previous owner was using Castrol 20w50 oil for oil changes. The engine sounds crisp and like a baby''s purr if that has any meaning. I have heard horror stories about oil changes involving changes of fluids that change things for the worst. Do I maintain this regime or change it?

20w50 is a bit thick for the dohc motors (castrol 2050 is what i use in my older sohc cars) it's hard to say wether to rock the boat and change whats working,

d) The transimission is a 4-gear one. Thanks to Geoff and 632-Regal advice, but do I flush the whole thing or just change the fluid and filter. Which is the lesser of two evils?

i don't really go for the flush, fluid and filter is generally good enough

[632 Regal]

yep filter and fluid only should do. change the oil out to mobil one 0w-40, you will notice a difference in sound the first time you start it, most likley see an improvement in mileage over that syrup you have in there.

[Elekta]

Let's see some pics of that Tourer!