Looking to purchase my first BMW

[Regardful]

I've always liked the styling of the early 90's 5 series, and now have a opportunity to pick one up for what appears to be a bargain price, $1500. The particular vehicle I'm considering is a 5 speed 1991 525i with 198k. It's a one owner vehicle, which comes with a hefty folder full of receipts for everything ever done to the car. Recent work has included new clutch, water pump, new front suspension, O2 sensor, rear differential seal, brakes, and new tires. According to the owner, who's wife drove the car, everytime the car made a "funny noise" his wife had him take it to the shop for repairs, and the receipts certainly validate everything he has told me.

Overall the car appears to be in reasonable shape for a 16+ year old car. The body has some dings and scratches, but no major accidents or bodywork are evident. The interior is also in relatively good shape, with a few trim pieces coming loose here and there. The leather seats are actually in very good condition, but the drivers seat has a small hole on top where a seat spring wire has managed to wear thru.

Mechanically, the car seems incredibly responsive for a vehicle with almost 200k, and I was amazed, having never driven a BMW before, how smooth and linear the power was. During the test drive I accelerated, and looked down to see the tach at almost 7000rpms, with little apparent effort. Having built GM V8 motors in the past to hold up to that kind of strain, I couldn't believe how well balanced the inline 6 motor was. The handling also seemed to be very responsive and with the exception of a coolant level warning light (I'm guessing sensor based on what I found here), and a oil leak(perhaps a valve cover gasket?), which appears to be coming from the front, the car seems in very good shape.

OK, after a long-winded introduction, here are my questions:

- First, are there specific things I need to look for with regard to the 525i?
- Second, I'm having a little trouble validating the motor for the 1991. Some sights say the 1991 525i's came with the M50, some say M20, while others say there were some of both for 1991. The best I can tell thus far is that the M20 intake runners are a semi-circle or "C" shaped, while the runners on the M50 appear to be straight. Since I really want the M50 (189hp) version, is this a good way to tell the difference between the two motors?

The car seems like a really good deal, and I don't want to pass it up if it is a M50! Many thanks in advance for reading, and responding to, the "newbie" post!

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Black plastic intake, plastic motor shrouds.

[TC535i]

Pretty sure 92 was the first M50 year, 91 had the old M20. Way underpowered, imho. Can still be a nice car, if you don't mind the fact that it can't get out of it's own way.

[colo525i]

91-92 are non-vanos M50 motors. The M50 is pretty distinctive based on what Bob described. Effortless acceleration doesn't really describe the M20 Knock on the headers, if plastic, M50. The problems you describe with it are pretty typical, the M50's valve cover gasket can be a pain in the ass, my brand new one is currently leaking. The coolant warning is either actual low coolant or, the sensor is broken or corroded. Located in the radiator, not a big deal. Sounds like a good deal to me, esp with all the records. Generally the e34 is a reliable car if taken care of, just requires all sorts of little details.

[bigtisas]

I think 91 525 has M20. M50 engine looks like this.

[ILoveMPower]

Your car sounds like an M20, which most consider a bit underpowered... however for a nice 5-spd instance of one for only $1500, you really can't go wrong here.

Check out bmwe34.net for some maintenence information

EDIT: Figured I'd mention what engines are available in the cars:

88-91 525 = M20 (2.5L Non-vanos)
88-92 535 = M30 (3.5L SOHC)
92-95 525 = M50 (2.5L Vanos, Wide grills in 95)
92-93 530 = M60B30 (3.0L V8)
92-93 530 = M60B40 (4.0L V8)

The V8 motors replaced the rather torquey (and of course everyone's favorite :P) M30 motor that was used in a few different versions for many years before finding its final resting place in the E34.

[Dave M]

[QUOTE=ILoveMPower]Your car sounds like an M20, which most consider a bit underpowered... however for a nice 5-spd instance of one for only $1500, you really can't go wrong here.

Check out bmwe34.net for some maintenence information

EDIT: Figured I'd mention what engines are available in the cars:

88-91 525 = M20 (2.5L Non-vanos)
88-92 535 = M30 (3.5L SOHC)
92-95 525 = M50 (2.5L Vanos, Wide grills in 95)
92-93 530 = M60B30 (3.0L V8)
92-93 530 = M60B40 (4.0L V8)

QUOTE]

I know we've had this discussion before, but I'm quite sure the M50 was standard on the 91 525. There are planty of 91s with M50s on the board, in fact I have a 10/90 build date with one. Where is the info above from?

Whatever the original poster ends up with sounds like a great deal.

Dave

[RallyD]

I've got a '91 M50 5 speed
Funny as it has 195K and I bought it for $1500

it is a later build, so maybe the switch happened within the 1991 model year.

[Dave M]

If I had to guess (which I will, as I don't feel like researching), I'd say the M50 started being implanted around mid to late 1990. Maybe there were enough M20 clad e34s remaining in 91 that they were both offered early in that model year in some countries.

Hmmmmm

[repenttokyo]

I think 91 525 has M20. M50 engine looks like this.

....which is exactly what the engine in my 1991 525 looks like, right down to the calypso fenders. 1991 was the first year for M50's.