Looking at a BMW 525 00-01 soon - Thoughts and what should I look for?

KeRbDoG

Hey,
Looking at a few BMW 525s M-Tech 00-01 in the next few days, what should I look for? Any common faults? Things I need to make sure have been done to the engine?
Any info is helpful.

Cheers,
Kerbdog

greglo23

rear suspension arm bushes and links are the main problem i have come across with these. maybe some electronics as well but others may know more about it. best of luck.

KeRbDoG

Cheers greglo23.
What about a manual or auto box? Should I be worried about an auto box?

Seth Brundle

Electrics are be the biggie with the E39. I can't think of any engine problems with these motors.
Check the tyres. Decent tyres are ~€200 each (on 17") or closer to €300 if on 18s
Get one with leather, CD player, sunroof, digital climate control, etc. The more bits and pieces the easier it will be to shift in a few years!

greglo23

there's a couple of different ways of looking at manual or auto boxes. buyers of m series cars are buying them for either driving hard or for the prestige. the prestige models will probably have auto whereas the manual would be more of a drivers car. i know the bmw auto boxes are fairly tough so i can't imagine you having much problem with it but it's worth keeping in mind the cost of repairing an auto box is huge !!! my two cents anyway !

JHMEG

If an auto box is serviced according to the manufacturer's recommendations, then nothing should go wrong with it. Check these out before going to see the car, and then check the service history to prove it has been done.

Changed the ATF in my auto box at the weekend, wrote it in the book, and put in the receipt for the manufacturer's fluid (3 litres @ €16 a litre, ouch) with it. First change was due @ 48k miles, car has 49k on it. Box is silky smooth. (not a BMW btw)

KeRbDoG

JHMEG wrote:

If an auto box is serviced according to the manufacturer's recommendations, then nothing should go wrong with it. Check these out before going to see the car, and then check the service history to prove it has been done.

Changed the ATF in my auto box at the weekend, wrote it in the book, and put in the receipt for the manufacturer's fluid (3 litres @ €16 a litre, ouch) with it. First change was due @ 48k miles, car has 49k on it. Box is silky smooth. (not a BMW btw)

Umm, curious, in your non-BWM, was it hard to replace the ATF? Harder than say, bleeding the brake system of a car?

JHMEG

It was actually easier than changing the oil! ATF isn't nearly as messy as engine oil... the drain bolt is at the front of the box, and it's refilled thru the hole for the gearbox dipstick.

Took about 15 mins to do.. a lot quicker than bleeding the brakes!

From past observations a lot of ppl don't change the ATF cos they either
a) don't know it needs to be changed regularly, or
b) think it's too expensive to change and therefore somehow it's optional

digweed

bmw boxes are 'sealed for life'. i have a 525 m-tech 01. it seems to me that if you get cruise control then you don't get the digital climate control (thats my expierence from 2 bm's). i would recommend the bmw althought the servicein gcosts with a dealer are a bit steep, service for the 520 about a year ago 90 quid + vat for oil alone on the oil, 50 for a set of wipers, they fit them for free the dears. few other bits with labour came to 280 all in. got an inspection and oil service done in a local indy german car specialist for oil and filter for 110.

if you can at all get one with the m tech kit, imho it looks better than the standard and the m-tech suspension is better.

D.

KeRbDoG

Right, did it 2000 525 M-Tech Auto.
Anyone recomend a good indy BMW garage on the north Co.Dublin area?

Cheers for all your input so far btw lads