1994 BMW 5 Series 525 tds SE from UK and Ireland - Comments

Car failed to start after purchase due to faulty glow plugs. New ones replaced the originals and it started like a dream.

Banging noise coming from the back suspension. Rubber bushes

Windscreen wiper arm jumping and catching top of bonnet when on a sweep.

Apart from those minor problems the car drives exceptional. Just done a 1400mile trip and the diesel consumption was something to be admired.

One problem with the car is gets a slight vibration through the steering wheel between 45mph-60mph.

Tyres stupid prices £150 each, changed them for a nice set of 17" M5.

The shimmy you are getting through your steering wheel could be worn control arms (upper and lower) on your front suspension. Quite common. If getting replacement only specify Lemforder components.

Good luck

Don

95 520iA.

I've had the same shudder problems on my 525 tds at between 54-60mph too...

Mine used to have a strange start up problem when I bought it. Wouldn't start if the car was facing slightly uphill. Also smelt some diesel around the car... and a small puddle of the stuff. Got it fixed (at just under 270 UK pounds) as the injector had become leaky.

Otherwise very reliable car, excellent motorway cruiser. Great performance and somewhat reasonable economy (baring in mind my older diesel used to give me 38-45mpg) this tds gives me approx 25-30mpg. But then again I do have a heavier foot with the turbo! Has never let me down and it's fully loaded electrics are always working top notch.

Recommended.

Failed glow-plugs is common, you only need one or two to go and it doesn't start properly. For the keen, it's quite an easy diy job, but you need to remove the inlet manifold to gain access, which is dead easy - but don't forget to buy the gaskets!

Hey.

Just wondered, My 525 TDS SE has just has the alternator changed, since this has been done I am having trouble starting it, seems like after the car has sat for a couple of days there is no diesel there. I heat the plugs, turn the key and it fires almost immediately, but then just dies. You then have to re-heat the plugs and turn the engine over for a VERY long time before it begins to fire, could this be air getting into the diesel system causing it to drain away back into the tank OR could it be the plugs? Then again am I barking up the wrong tree totally?

Prior to alternator work (and person who fitted it said he did have to disturb the diesel filter) it used to start on the button every time.

Any ideas appreciated!!

Regards,

John.

Hello.

I have the same problem. After the car has sat overnight or for some 8 hours it starts for half a second then dies. After that i have to crank the starter motor over for 2 minutes or so.

I have found some help on this german website:

http://k063.ims-firmen.de/ah/bmw-forum/forum/index.php?mode=viewthread&forum_id=6&thread=1

U can use google to translate from german.

From what i understand the problem can be:

1) Air entering the fuel lines causing the fuel to run back into the tank. fix is to check all lines and exchange them if they are broken.

2) Air entering the fuel pump becuase of bad o-rings. Leave some paper under the pump to check for leakage.

3) Bad diesel injector. At least 1 person suffered from the same problem for 2 years and had the problem solved after chaging the injector - im not sure if theres more injectors.

Well i still have the problem and i guess ill have to go to a mechanis as i dont know how to check for leakage and injectos myself - maybe someone can help on this topic?

There is a "o" ring in your fuel tank behind the passenger side,lift up your rear seat from the front, there are 2 spring clips holding it in place, you will see a big round nut, remove the hose and cables, then tap the nut of by using a screw driver and hammer anti clock wise, lift out the sender unit half way, this is tricky, you have to remove the sender unit from hose that it is connected to by sqeezing 2 clips together there you will find the "o" ring that is letting in air, before you do this work hook up a clear tube from the tank (make sure u have 1/2 full tank of fuel) and see if you see air coming out of the fuel tank,air getting in this way you will have fullpower sometimes and half power sometimes and idle will be very bad , if you have other problem like it will not start parked up hill or down hill with 1/4 tank, but it starts every time with fulltank , then you have a lift pump problem, that is located behind the driver side under the back seat,check to see if the relay for it is giving it power first , the relay is in the boot above the battery the one nearest to the driver,turn on power you sould hear the pump humming but that does not mean it is pumping?good luck.

Hello.i have same car and had same problem not starting after stood for more than two hours after some research I found the problem. its the fifth injector that has a wire coming from it. (£210 from dealers) the glue used to seal the wire erodes after a while allowing it to suck air in and drops the diesel. u will need a special injector removing tool. after that you can leave it for six months and will fire up first time.

I have a 1997 525tds, the diesel pump is dripping diesel at the bottom of the pump, the side closest to the fuel lines there is a hole with I think is a thread... should there be a plug there???

Hi there I have a 96 BMW 525tds and today I unlocked the boot manually and now I can't start the car at all. Everytime I open it the alarm goes off and the ignition is dead (lights come on, but turn her and she won't do anything)

Can someone please tell me if I can stop this with just the key (the fob no longer works)

To all with problems with BMW diesel not starting when left overnight, it is air entering the system.

Easy fix, go to your nearest diesel specialist and buy a diesel non-return valve (6mm OD ends) and fit this in the pipe between the diesel filter and the injection pump.

You might find it easier with a new pipe from BMW as this is what I did.

BMW pipe £17, Valve £7, did this 7 months ago and car can sit for 2 months and still starts a treat, hope this helps.