Hello all, I'm super new to the Bimmer World and I'm excited to get my first one. I'm looking at buying a 1995 525i with 123,000 miles on it. I've been told the body is in great shape and it drives well too.
Was hoping that somebody could tell me if there's any issues with the 525i that I should be carefull of or look for and with so many miles will it last a while?
If I don't get too eager and rush out and buy it tonite I could really use some advice.
Thanks to all!

You want to look into a car with good service history. These cars are all about the upkeep on them, and if they weren't taken care of properly, you'll soon find yourself paying double what the car cost in just maintence and replacing parts. Make sure the transmission shifts well, the engine in in good condition, the steering is straight, and all electrical items are in good working order.

Also something a little more general, and not pertaining to a 525i, but make sure it's got a good title and history as well. I'd be more than happy to run a Carfax for you if you have a VIN.

Be sure to take a look around as well, buying the first car you see/hear about can lead to a wallet-crushing mistake.

Search is your friend!

everything you need to know is also here: http://www.bmwe34.net/

be ready to spend $2000 to $4000 after the purchase....

complex german cars=$$$$ maintenance

read the faq

PorscheH6 thanks for your suggestions. I'll definately be sure to take a close look at those things when I test drive and check it out. Hopefully the guy will have a service history on it for me.

spyrot1 I'll read up on that site, thanks. I definately don't need another car that I need to sink money into.

oh, and I do have the VIN for it WBAHD6326SGK87407 was kind of going on the assumption that if they guy knew something was wrong with it he wouldn't have handed over the VIN.

Carfax wise, the car is clean. I'll email you the link to the report - Let me know if it works.

sweet thanks! It works. =)

Search is your friend!

everything you need to know is also here: http://www.bmwe34.net/




Specifically:

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/trouble/what_will_break.htm

Also:

http://edgemotorworks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=55

Finally:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=912536 (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=725624)

Be very cautious about the 4-speed automatic transmission at 150k miles.

-Zak-

If you are a DIY guy, you'll fall in love....if you plan on taking to a shop, you'll fall into bankruptcy.

If you are a DIY guy, you'll fall in love....if you plan on taking to a shop, you'll fall into bankruptcy.

:lol Well said.

If you are a DIY guy, you'll fall in love....if you plan on taking to a shop, you'll fall into bankruptcy.

Oh my god, that's the best way I've ever heard it put before.

I'd be more than happy to run a Carfax for you if you have a VIN.


Hey since you're offering, you think you could help me out too?

Sure, you can post the VIN here or email it to me, whichever you prefer. I bought the 30-day thing a couple weeks ago and I found my car, so it's just sitting there unused right now.

Thanks for all the infos. Is there a different year/model I could be looking at for less problems or is it just the mileage?

1995 is the end of the line for the E34, and it's the newest, so it's going to have the least problems theoretically. In 1991, the engine in the 525i was updated with VANOS and power went up slightly. Otherwise, mileage is a very important factor but a mistreated car at at 100K will be significantly worse than the car that was well taken care of at 200K.

So I could cross my fingers and hope that this guy took good care or his 525i or just sadly walk away from the BMW world and be satisfied with the eco-friendly soccer-mom vehicles..hmmm...tough choices.

Hey PorscheH6 think you could check out another VIN for me?
WBAHJ6325SGD26421
Figure it doesn't hurt to keep looking at a few other bmw's. ^^

porscheH6 if you can check up on mine as well, it'll be greatly appreciated.

WBAHD6313MBJ63263

Well thanks a lot. Here it is.
WBAHD1310K2173989
You can email me the results at eaj42003@yahoo

with so many miles will it last a while?


:lol

These cars are virtually bulletproof if they're looked after. Check out my 540 for sale, see my sig...

if oil has been regularly changed, on time and even better, before, (get P.O. service records) you have an engine that can go for miles, ive seen from 300,000+, some say higher

1995 is the end of the line for the E34, and it's the newest, so it's going to have the least problems theoretically. In 1991, the engine in the 525i was updated with VANOS and power went up slightly. Otherwise, mileage is a very important factor but a mistreated car at at 100K will be significantly worse than the car that was well taken care of at 200K.

No, VANOS was '93.

No, VANOS was '93.

Oops, I knew that. Thanks, I mixed up the engine revision in '91 with the added VANOS in '93.:eyecrazy



porscheH6 is you can check up on mine as well. thanks.

WBAHD6313MBJ63263

I haven't been here long enough to send PM's, nor can I email you, and you're not on AIM, so can I just post this in the thread or would you like me to send you the link elsewhere?

Everyone else, I've emailed you the links. LMK if there's a problem. :)

thanks soo much man. That was a big help

Not a problem. My account expires on 4/23 so if you have any other VIN's to check feel free to ask.

ima get my vin to you asap. I know this thing was in an accident.

:lol

These cars are virtually bulletproof if they're looked after. Check out my 540 for sale, see my sig...

Bump for lowell - he's an active contributing member of the community and def. knows his way around an E34. His advice to me has been priceless while troubleshooting some tricky bits on my first BMW. If I hadn't already paid cash for my 5-speed 525i literally a couple of days before he listed that 540, it'd be sold to me. You should definitely contact him.

-Zak-

I haven't been here long enough to send PM's, nor can I email you, and you're not on AIM, so can I just post this in the thread or would you like me to send you the link elsewhere?


uh send it to me at BlackoutE34@aim.com thanks!

Alright so here she is. =) I"m such a happy new owner

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/5834/img1562nu0.th.jpg (http://img383.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1562nu0.jpg)