General Opinoins of 5 series

chica_motriz · Mar 13, 2004

I just bought a 1990 BMW 525i.
Its an inline 2.5 6, automatic trans, black leather interior, and loaded with everything under the sun.
Being a long time die hard believer in American cars, I must say........I love this car! [thumb]

Since I am new to BMW, I would like to find out what I can about the 5 series.
Are they good, reliable cars? Is this thing known as the pinto of BMW's?
Do I have a keeper, or should I sell it before it breaks me?

Any input you have would be greatly appreciated.

Dinan55 · Mar 13, 2004

Smart choice, drive a more recent BMW and I guarantee you'll completely forget about American cars. Sorry to say this, but I think the only American car worth anything is the Dodge Viper. The 5 series is known as one of BMW's best models, and being the driver of one I think it's kind of an understatement. BMWs are known for their incredible reliability, quality, innovation, style, and of course, performance. Their engineering is unmistakably one of the worlds best, nearly closing the gap between driver and machine. They never take shortcuts and believe that forced induction is a cheap way of producing power (which is true to some extent), so all of their cars besides their diesels are normally aspirated. I've never had any experience with a 1990 5 series but I'm guessing it's even more reliable than the E39 and the new E60. So far I haven't had any problems with my car besides the thermostat I had to replace some time ago. As for the Pinto thing, I don't think there is or ever has been a BMW Pinto situation. I hate Pintos.

Congratulations and good luck with your new love.

chica_motriz · Mar 13, 2004

Thanks for the info! I feel smarter already [driving]

Section_8 · Mar 13, 2004

Pinto and BMW shouldn't be used in the same sentence, you're sure to get a rash.... [;)]

Read up on your car, take anything you read on any forum with 2 grains of salt instead of one, change the oil like your life depended on it, and you will be a happy BMW owner. [:)]

Dinan55 · Mar 13, 2004

Section_8 said:

And disregard the moronic fact that synthetic oil should be changed at somewhere around 15,000 miles. True it'll last that long but it isn't really the best thing to do, that is if you decide to use synthetic, which is handed down to us by God. If you use synthetic change it around 5-6k miles.

chica_motriz · Mar 13, 2004

Sorry bout the pinto mentioned..............it was the worst that came to mind!

As far as synthetic oil.......don't know if i'm going that route at this point. Even with synthetic, I get nervous about not changing it at the proper mileage. I've alwaysed prefered to change my own oil, that way I know what was done and it was done right. But when I bought this car, it was in need of an emergency service! It has 200,000 miles on it, but has been well taken care of......sweet as candy. Has some lifter noise, but I think that can be adjusted.
It's pumpin' castol GTX 5w30 high mileage right now. I'm just trial and error at this point, but I dont know how much error a 14yr old car can take. [paranoid]

epj3 · Mar 13, 2004

The 525i actually doesnt have lifters. If i'm correct, it has the M20 engine which is single overhead cam, and has rockers, not lifters.

The noise, which is VERY common, can easily be taken away with a valve adjustment.

I'm doing one on my engine tomorrow (same engine you have, only in a 3 series). All you need is a new valve cover gasket (something like 8 bucks from www.bavauto.com), a tool to adjust the eccentric (I bought the $25 tool -- aparently you can use a coat hanger if you want), and a feeler guage. Thatll make your engine run quiet

[:)]

chica_motriz · Mar 14, 2004

After a second look, mine is dual ohc.

mrferg · Mar 14, 2004

Yea it was only the '89 that came with the M20, in '90 they got the M50.

brahtw8 · Mar 14, 2004

chica_motriz said:

Interesting. I was under the impression 1991 was the first year they switched to the M50 DOHC engine. Not to be contrary, mrferg, but that is my recollection.

Are you sure that is a 1990? Are you going off the VIN# or the door jamb production date? As you may be aware, a later 1990 production date would be a 1991, not a 1990.

chica_motriz · Mar 14, 2004

ok, I checked my vin and my car, here is what I found=

the L in the vin indicates 1990, as well as the manufacture date on the car 3/90.
the motor code in the vin, HC23 indicates a 525iA, E34 M20.

The M50 was introduced in the 1991 E34 525i and the 1992 E26 325i.

Back to my original question about the car..........anyone have any input on the
reliability of them??

mrferg · Mar 14, 2004

That's probably the case, I'm not all up on my M50 facts.

brahtw8 · Mar 14, 2004

chica_motriz said:

A well-maintained E34 should last a long time. If the car has had a spotty history, you can expect a lot of expensive problems with the typical wear parts. As you start getting up in age, things like the steering rack may also begin to fail, as well as electrical system parts-seat heaters, motors, etc. The automatic transmissions are a noted weak point, as are the radiators, as with most BMWs. E34s have some unique issues relating to their door lock mechanisms (which destroy themselves over time, but you can buy a plate to prevent that) and their HVAC systems, IIRC.

I would recommend joining the BMW CCA ( www.bmwcca.org ) and finding a good local independent mechanic to work on your car. www.roadfly.org and www.bimmerforums.com are also good sources for information.

BTW, I assume the E26 was a typo. E36 is the chassis designation you meant.

chica_motriz · Mar 14, 2004

Thanks for the info. and yes, the E26 was a typo [?|]

I did indeed mean E36.

General Opinoins of 5 series

chica_motriz

New Member

Attachments

Dinan55

2

chica_motriz

New Member

Section_8

2

Dinan55

2

chica_motriz

New Member

epj3

Senior Member

chica_motriz

New Member

mrferg

Guest

brahtw8

2

chica_motriz

New Member

mrferg

Guest

brahtw8

2

chica_motriz

New Member