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Thread: RIP 1995 525iA - 300K miles

  1. #1
    Unregistered Guest

    Default RIP 1995 525iA - 300K miles

    Today on the way to work I noticed a lot of smoke from the rear of the car. It looks like the head gasket is blown at the rear of the engine. The engine has a VANOS rattle and now the head gasket. So what do I do, Fix the head gasket and VANOS (don’t know price), Replace the engine with a used engine ($2500 engine and labor) or sell it. The car has been very good for its life of 302,000 miles. Rebuilt transmission last year due to an accident and a pinched transmission cooler line. I’m leaning towards replacing the engine. Any options or opinions are appreciated.

    Thank you
    John W. List
    1995 525iA
    302,000 Miles

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Posts
    42

    Default

    i'd replace the engine...but that's just me.

    instead of selling it, though, i'm sure you'd get more if you parted it out.
    if you do, i call sideskirts and lower door trim!
    mike
    '91 525im

    project e34

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    4,894

    Default

    You spent the money on tranny... might as well go for the engine. Your cost of ownership remains extremely low.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    597

    Default

    Take a look in the back of a Roundel Magazine (BMWCCA), several places have rebuilt engines available. Sorry to hear about your loss! If you don't have access to a Roundel let me know and I'll email you some names an addresses when I get home tonight.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Quebec, Canada
    Posts
    196

    Default

    Rebuilding Expense = $3,000.
    New Car Expense = $1,000 down, plus higher insurance, tax, licensing, loss of money already in the car ????

  6. #6
    Unregistered Guest

    Default Replacement engine

    Found a local engine from a 1993 325iA with 86K miles for $1100 that includes 1 year parts and labor warrenty. Would this swap out be hard?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    4,894

    Default

    As long as it is same exact engine... pretty straightforward.... and would buy it instantly as it is covered by parts and labor!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Elm Grove Farm, NC
    Posts
    770

    Default

    Don't buy it just yet!! AFAIK, the '93 is "single Vanos", while the '95 will be "double Vanos". They can be interchanged but are not exact replacements (you will lose Vanos on one of your cams with the single Vanos)..


    Bret

  9. #9
    Unregistered Guest

    Default 93-95 M50TU have single VANOS

    Brent,
    I think your wrong. 93-95 M50TU had single VANOS. The M52 that came out in 97 has Duel VANOS.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    296

    Default

    How is the body?
    I would replace the engine if the body is still in great shape...not rusting out etc...
    302k miles is pretty good. I am hoping to get past that point myself...just less than 70k to go for me.
    DanH
    1989 535iA 254k Miles
    1992 535iM 330k Miles

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