Model differences

[panther654]

Hello,

I am looking for some advise with a purchase. I currently own a 95 525I, and have the opportunity to purchase a 90 525I for parts.

I need to know before I purchase is whether the parts on the 90 model are interchangeable with the 95 model. Particualry with the engines if they are the same.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

[strad]

I can't remember if a 90 is M20 or M50, but in either case it'll be a different engine than your 95, which is an M50tu (technical update -- they added
VANOS). So don't buy it for the engine.

[T444E]

i can't remember if a 90 is m20 or m50, but in either case it'll be a different engine than your 95, which is an m50tu (technical update -- they added
vanos). So don't buy it for the engine.

1990= m20.

[bfp9]

Engine swap the m20 into your current car. Along with the presumably shriveled door panels and go from there?

[jfj707]

Believe or not, Wikipedia could be of use to you here. Look up the E34 chassis.

[brettholomew21]

Hello,

I am looking for some advise with a purchase. I currently own a 95 525I, and have the opportunity to purchase a 90 525I for parts.

I need to know before I purchase is whether the parts on the 90 model are interchangeable with the 95 model. Particualry with the engines if they are the same.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

M20 had a timing belt and no variable timing, and the M50tu in your car has a timing chain and the VANOS system. So they're pretty dissimilar engines. Don't know if any of their accessories are interchangeable, but I'd bet not. Correct me if I'm wrong. Body and interior, aside from the hood and grille should interchange pretty well.

[LouieD]

Body parts, all except grille and hood... 95=wide.
No on Engine/trans/drive shaft. Rear end maybe.
Interior bits (except steering wheels) will interchange, but 95 stuff is usually better quality.

[panther654]

Thank you all for the responses. I will look at the vehicle on Wednesday or Thursday, take some photos and post them.

[M Quick]

Well depending on if it's a 1990 made before month 6, then it's a m20 engine for sure.
If it's between 1990/6 through 1990/8, then it could be either m20 or m50 engine. 1990/9 and up is m50 engine only (this is what realoem will say about the US cars).

So i guess you need to take a look at it under the hood or get the vinnumber so you can find out. If it has the m50 engine you can swap out alot of parts in between them. Though it's not the exact same m50 you have in yours to date, this would be non vanos.

Hood and grill can definately be changed from a 90 to a 95 if that is what you would want, just so you know. The rear subframe is the same on m20 and m50 cars.

The trans no matter if it's m50 or m20 will bolt up to your car. If there is nothing major change on US m20 cars to euro cars, because in europe you can bolt up a m20 tranny on an m50 no problem.

[T444E]

If it is a MODEL YEAR 1990, it has an M20. If it's a model year 91 it has an M50.

[M Quick]

If it is a MODEL YEAR 1990, it has an M20. If it's a model year 91 it has an M50.

I think i know what you're saying, but if you could clarify yourself that would be great as it creates confusion. Why?

That is if a car is made 1990/8 it's a MY90? And if it's made 1990/9 it's a MY91? Correct?

Or is it 1990/6 for MY90 and 1990/7 for MY91? Where does the line go for a model year?


What i said is still true, as i talked about the date of the car being made.

And if the first i guessed is correct then yes, if a car has is MY91 then it's an m50 engine no doubt. But that means MY90 can have m50 too. That is if that is true for MY.

But if the other guess is correct, then a MY91 can be both M20 and M50 powered. But i guess the second is correct?

Either way, one MY seems to have both engines? No?