1990 BMW 5 Series 525i review from North America
"This car is safe, reliable and fun!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The headliner has always sagged.
The leather on the driver's seat is getting worn.
I had an alternator go; it is not very expensive (if a local electric shop is used).
The starter solenoid went recently, but since nobody replaces only the solenoid, I had buy a new starter. It was easy to replace and cost about $120.
This car has a two piece drive shaft which requires a carrier bearing, like a big truck. The bearing wore out a few years ago. Anything having to do with the drive shaft or differential requires dropping the exhaust, which can be an expensive repair.
A $0.69 gasket blew in the cooling system, which could have caused the car to overheat (had I not been watching it). This has an aluminum head, and aluminum can warp if it gets too hot. You will want to be aware of that.
General comments?
I love this car. It handles beautifully and has never stranded me. It always starts, even at -20 F. When they get a lot of miles they will need some repairs, but nothing out of the ordinary. This car is worth repairing in most cases. I would not advise anyone to buy an older E34 if they have no mechanical knowledge.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1990 |
| Year of manufacture | 1989 |
| First year of ownership | 2004 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.4 liter I6 Manual |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 185000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 249000 miles |
| Previous car | BMW 5 Series |
| Date of Entry | 3rd November, 2008 |