Potential new car

[teenbimmer]

Hi, have seen a j reg 1991 525i automatic for sale by me for £595. I am going to have a look at it tomorrow or friday depending on weather.

UK model

Is this a fair price?
What do I have to look out for?
How can I tell between the m20 and m50 engines?

Thanks...

[bigsixe34]

m20:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/M20B25.jpg/300px-M20B25.jpg
m50:
http://hem.passagen.se/alpina91/photos/bmw23.jpg

[SSkoda]

decent price if it has enough tax&test.
The M20 has a big silvery inlet on the top of the engine, the M50 has a black plastic cover. It's almost certainly a M20 though.
Look out for service history, that will show you if its well looked after, or ropey. They don't really rust; make sure all your electrics work, and the interior is tidy. Pretty easy.

[garethashenden]

the bottoms of the doors rust. The suspension is the thing most worry some, lots of ₤₤ to replace.

The price seams reasonable. ~$970US

[teenbimmer]

Here is a pic of the engine, is this a m50?

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8880/bmwjreg.jpg

[jhughes]

M50, non Vanos. Looks eh, neglected.

[teenbimmer]

M50, non Vanos. Looks eh, neglected.

Really? I don't think it looks that bad for a 1991 and £595

[nirvana19]

Really? I don't think it looks that bad for a 1991 and £595

It's dirty, but that doesn't necessarily say much. I think all MY 91 cars were M50s...at least in the US...so no surprise there. 920 USD sounds like a steal but I know the UK values are a fair bit lower than here, what's the rest of the car like?

[teenbimmer]

Pretty good condition. Battery was dead so couldn't open the drivers door. Did manage to open passenger door by lifting handle and turning key but not drivers side? Even with engine on couldnt manage to open the drivers door, even from inside? Would it open with the key with charged battery?

Popped bonnet and started her up with jump cables, sounded decent. Problem was idle would drop and eventually cut out (but that was only after it had been started for a few seconds). Had hardly any fuel in but had been standing for 1 - 2 months in the snow. Any ideas? Could it be the battery or condensation in fuel tank? I don't know

Interior in good condition, exterior pretty good aswell.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[garethashenden]

Try some new gas and maybe clean the idle control valve.

[teenbimmer]

Try some new gas and maybe clean the idle control valve.

Thanks, any idea on the doors?

[garethashenden]

Is the door locked and won't unlock or unlocked and won't open?

[teenbimmer]

locked and wont unlock

Any ideas?

[SSkoda]

I've an idea: run.

You'll pick up a better one for less soon enough. Take a look on ebay. The bad idling can be caused by too many issues that all cost money to fix, but that money will buy you a good 'un.
In fact I can point you to one thats better for less - although probably out of your insurance reach..!

[jhughes]

Low voltage will cause crazy idle issues on the M50.

[eightynine535]

You could have a dead double locked door. Double locking is a security feature on the E34. Unfortunately if the doors are double locked and the door actuator dies......you will not be able to open the door.

the only way is to remove the inner door panel (very hard with a locked door) and disconnect the lock actuator.

[teenbimmer]

Got the car today, put new fuel in and engine runs beautifully, changed battery and all doors work, absolute steal :D.

What sort of mpg you getting, put 22L in and it went to 1/4 full, put in sport mode and hit the accelerator to see what it had for about half a mile, after i could see the needle had moved off the line completely. Is that the fuel settling or is it really drinking fuel?

[garethashenden]

The gas gauge is most accurate between full and half. If I recall correctly it holds about 80 liters. I have been getting about 24 recently.

[SSkoda]

Got the car today, put new fuel in and engine runs beautifully, changed battery and all doors work, absolute steal :D.

What sort of mpg you getting, put 22L in and it went to 1/4 full, put in sport mode and hit the accelerator to see what it had for about half a mile, after i could see the needle had moved off the line completely. Is that the fuel settling or is it really drinking fuel?

Sounds about right. You'll soon learn to be gentle on the throttle!!

Glad it worked out easily in the end. Stale petrol then.