89 525 for 800 - What do you think?

[napuli]

I found this today:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/2116668282.html

What do you think? 800 for an 89 525i 5-speed with 200K. The car looks very clean in the pictures. Is hard to see the interior but I think is black. I am assuming it is the M30 engine -right? Add says engine runs well but with high rpm. Could this be related to a bad ICV?

[NY Bimmers]

It;s an m20b25, clean car, crappy motor. You should replace the timing belt and the water pump immediately if there is no record of the last change. Also high idle can be the ICV. These motors will last if properly taken care of, however the can be a bit finicky.

:edit: also thats a great price either way. swap another motor in if you want.

[paperplane94]

Looks nice,

Its an m20b25 engine which are very fuel efficient, good for a daily driver when properly maintained.

If your looking for power though you would want to look at something else for a reasonable price, this stock engine is not exactly for speed racers.

overall, if theres no rust its a good car. I love mine

[NY Bimmers]

the m20b25 is not very fuel efficient......the m20b27, which is the eta motor and never made it into an e34 is very fuel efficient. it;s get 27mpg but makes 121hp. the m20b25 makes 170hp and get about 20-21mpg. if u were to get a 525 you should fine a 92+with the m50 in it, that makes 190hp and returns 27mpg.

[rotaryboots]

...well 27 on a good day, on a long hwy. more like 18-25 for city and hwy driving combined. But still more hp and better mpg none the less.

800 is a good price though. But dunno if you'll be satisfied with it.

if you don't mind having an auto then:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/2117141656.html
for 93' black on black 525i for 600

[TGreene]

Not worth it. Nobody wants an M20 in an E34. Pay another few hundred for an M30 or M50 in similar condition.

[jfj707]

I personally would be happy to own any E34 except the M20 cars. Also, my M50 525i gets 28-29 on the highway. M50's are reasonably peppy once they are on cam. 1st gear before 3K rpm is pretty weak though.

[strad]

Condition is a lot more important than what engine it has in it. The M20b25 is not a "crappy" motor -- it's just that the E34 is a bit heavier than an E30 and the extra power available from an M30, M50, M60 or S38 come in handy. For a dd an M20 will be fine. If it's in nice shape, go for it. If it's not, run.

[glnr13]

m20 e34 owner here. it's a dog and it's thirsty. if the car's clean and you like swap jobs pop in a motor. if you don't wanna deal with an engine swap i'd personally spend more on an e34 with a more efficient and powerful powerplant.

if it's just a beater and you don't give a rats ass it's still reliable and works well as a daily.

200k is a lot. expect to also do front suspension overhaul, brakes, coolant system maintenance, probably will need to adjust the steering box, timing belt, fan clutch
all of that can be done in a solid weekend of wrenching