The most consistent thing that went wrong with the BMW 533i was the water pump, which I learned to replace myself with the urging of a friend that worked on BMW and Mercedes for a living. It seemed every 45,000 to 55,000 miles I was replacing the after market water pumps (maybe that was the issue).
I also had to rebuild the master clutch cylinder several times; it was a bear to contort ones body under the dash and through the firewall to accomplish. However they got done.
* A very quick car, but rides like a sedan.
* Sporty, but holds 4 to 5 comfortably.
* Metric tires were OK to find up to the early 1990's, and then become more difficult and extremely hard to find now.
* Question to other 5 early model 5 series owners and specifically 533i owners; the car has not been running for 1.75 years, and is it worth it to invest the money to have it fixed up knowing there will be issues and it already has 265,000+/- miles on it? When asking one mechanic about it, he replied get a dog if you like nostalgia?
I would like to answer your question.
It all depends on the state in which the car is in now and also on how much does for instance fuel economy bother you.
If you can get the parts cheaply and know a good scrap yard or someone that fixes these cars, why not.
But be warned, restoring an older car to its full life is a financial nightmare.
If someone reads this, what is the factory rating MPG for the 1984 533i, automatic with a 6 cyl. The odometer do not work in mine, so I cannot determine MPG.
Also, what is the way you can test the gauges. the fuel and water gauge works, but not the speedo, or tach, or odometer. Is there a voltage I can meter, or is it a common part that fails. I have done fuse and relay testing, and all is good.
Thanks.
I have a 84 533i 6cyl manual and it is an awesome car; fast, reliable and spacey.
No complaints here. Just a little knocking in the engine.
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