I'm looking at a '90 525i 5 spd

[Wally]

I am thinking about buying and older bimmer for a "beater" and since I already have a 3 series I thought it would be fun to try out a 5, and I am still kicking myself for not getting a manual in my e36. So I thought I would kill two birds with one stone, per se.

I am looking at this '90 525i 5 spd that looks pretty nice. I have not gone to see it yet, planning on this weekend or after work Friday. I know about getting a carfax and a inspection, but I really don't know much about the 5 series so if anyone here could give their .02 on if this is a good deal or not. I am planning to try and get the $tealer down so I'm thinking about $4500 as a starting place.

Is this too much money for a beater? I drive 40-50 miles a day just to work and back and don't like to always drive my 328i everywhere. I don't want to spend insane amounts in maintance and repairs. I can do most of the minor to moderate stuff myself and a friend's dad is a BMW mechanic so I can get good deals on the more major repairs.

Thanks in advance.

Here is the link to the car, (hope it works)

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=156298790&dealer_id=87389&dealer_name=Arizona+Wholesale+Auto+and+Truck&make=BMW&distance=any&max_price=50000&model=&sort_type=distance&advcd_on=n&end_year=1990&min_price=0&certified=n&address=85282&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1984&=&color=&cardist=14

[sumguyusa]

I have a 90 525i with the 5 speed manual. Fun car to drive, has been reliable. I have owned it for just over 2 years and have put approx 60k miles on it (179k) total. Still drives tight. Repairs to date were a new clutch and new brake rotors. So far it has been a good reliable commuter car for me.

$4500 seems low if it is in decent shape.

[shragon]

you might want to look into a 91+ 525i. 91+ has the m50 motor, instead of the m20.

[Wally]

The price worried me a bit becuase it is so low...KBB on that car was in the 6 or 7k range, and that was without the M upgrades, (don't know how much those were worth). I have a good contact to do a prebuyers inspection. What is the major difference between the two engines? Oh, and what is the stock HP/torque on these? Thanks again.

[nuke941]

The price worried me a bit becuase it is so low...KBB on that car was in the 6 or 7k range, and that was without the M upgrades, (don't know how much those were worth). I have a good contact to do a prebuyers inspection. What is the major difference between the two engines? Oh, and what is the stock HP/torque on these? Thanks again.

first of all look at edmunds.com TMV to value the price looks about right depending on the millage.

I also have a 5spd M20. Very reliable engine that came in the e30 BMWs as well... simple. Ofcourse the down side is it has less 20 less hp than the M50(91 and up). On the upside very fun car... likes to rev up... with a stick shift your realy dont feel the lack of power. Should be a real nice beater for you.

Things to check...
all services, specially valve adjustments and timing belt changes.
clutch when was it change if at all? Mine went out at 122k.
check www.bmwe34.net and http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e34.html for more info

[Wally]

thanks for all the info...I am going to research it for sure. I am meeting with a loan officer about if I could qualify for a house yet or not...If I can't I think I will be seriously looking into this car. Thanks again for all the help.

[tom@raceoptions]

I have a 92 5spd with the M50 motor..still feels strong and very fun to drive. This coming from a little go cart 85 16V GTI and a 2001 Jetta VR6, the e34 by far has been my favorite!


good luck, and i second you looking for the 92+ e34..the M50 is a great motor! :buttrock

[nuke941]

I have a 92 5spd with the M50 motor..still feels strong and very fun to drive. This coming from a little go cart 85 16V GTI and a 2001 Jetta VR6, the e34 by far has been my favorite!


good luck, and i second you looking for the 92+ e34..the M50 is a great motor! :buttrock
hey I also stepped in to an e34 from MKIV 1.8T that was chipped.. and heck even with the M20 the e34 is loads of fun.. with stick ofcourse :buttrock

[wootwoot]

hellyea for 5speed m20..lots of fun...however mine has had many problems..same year 1990...u may want to have to check out really well before buying..the engin can turn into a money pit, be careful...

[IPyro24]

im getting the ultamate beater 5 series
for 500 it actuly in't bad its mechanicly sound but has a few dents
that need to be repaird

[misterjover]

I'm also in the hunt for a 525 5 speed, and those puppies seem more rare than the holy grail.

I've been able to locate one in San Diego for $4000, which has been owned by an elderly couple. I own a 325is but it's an automatic, and it belonged to my wife before I bought her an SUV.

[nuke941]

I have had mine for a over year put 30k+ miles on it. Great car, fun to drive.
I have done the timing belt,water pump, alternator(preventive since I was taking a cross country trip), clutch. Very ncie car easy to work on great for a long commutes(dont very very long road trips)

I paid 5500 for mine with 120k miles, it was a bit much but 5spd ones are hard to find and I was in hurry to sell my other car. The TMV for these are around 5000. Your range 4500-5000 is about right. You can get an m30 (535) for about the same price as well but again 5spds are hard to come by.

[slocar]

m20b25 is a great engine... very reliable.

[JAlfredPrufrock]

OK I would be weary of that car... that 525i badge on the back is WAY off.

Wouldn't be surprised if it was in an accident or two, and that price is way too high even if it wasn't.

[JAlfredPrufrock]

OK I would be weary of that car... that 525i badge on the back is WAY off.

Wouldn't be surprised if it was in an accident or two, and that price is way too high even if it wasn't.

Haha... I'm an idiot, I thought that Yokohama sticker (wtf) was the model badge.

Still though, way too high of a price for that car. I saw you saying "don't even know how much the upgrades are worth," they're not worth anything. If anything, they detract value from the car.