Hi

Looking at a 525TDS manual 1993 vintage with 250k on the clock.

was looking at Omegas but after the other thread i think i shall give them a miss, with Vauxhal build quality and reliability i think the BM 5 series is a better bet.


BM 525 what are they like to drive/own, claimes 40+MPG, is this realistic?

Is this mileage too much, i am after a car to do 120 miles a day for around 6 months until i can upgrade (co car). Do not want a moneypit

anything to look out for or ask about?

MOT'd for 8 months, no tax

wants 350ukp OVNO, does this sound resonable?

 

Hi.

High mileage BMW's can be everything from a hanging heap of **** to a lovely example looking like it has done a 3rd of the miles. I have a good friend with a 730i with 240k and my cousin has a 'rude' 525 with 225k both are running sweet as a nut. You need to look at it and drive it - you should know from that alone.

The only other thing is the fuel consumption. I had an Omega Elite 2.5TD auto a couple of years ago, it was quite a nice car but thirsty. I managed about 25mpg and 30mpg on a 75mph motorway run. Manual might be better, but 40mpg isn't that realistic IMO.

Good luck in your search though

 

I get 35 mpg from a Petrol 2.0 turbo Saab on my daily commute round the M60, thats going as fast as the traffic will allow as well.

 

Totally agree. My dad just got rid of his 'M' Reg 525 TDS with 167k on the clock. There was so much wrong it wasnt worth repairing.

 

Not sure that is relevant, unless you are suggesting my figures are unrealistic? I have never owned a Saab turbo to comment, but I will add a cross section of figures to give people an idea of the sort of environment I drive in and the results of my driving technique.

MY96 Volvo 850 T5 estate manual - stock. 31mpg motorway, 23mpg daily commute.
MY05 Skoda Fabia vRS - remaped. 44mpg motorway, 34mpg daily commute.
MY03 Audi A6 2.5 TDI CVT - stock. 40mpg motorway, 32 mpg daily commute.
Citroen Saxo VTR - Stock. 38 mpg motorway, 33mpg daily commute.

 

Volvo T5 gets my vote. A friend has one. 400,000 miles and still going strong. You can't argue with that kind of value.

 

My point is that there is some misconception that Diesels will always be more economical than a petrol, big six cylinder diesel, especially old ones just arent that economical.

Me, doubt your figures, never !

 

For ref my 530d [E39] does an average 37mpg on the motorway - cruise set to 80mph = 75 by GPS. When I nail it it wheelpins up to 100 sharpish

To help a bit I anticipate slower traffic/hold ups and lift off rather than brake and hence convert that lovely expensive Diesel to brake dust

Its absolutely mint at 100k miles... If it lasts mnore than 2 years I'm quids in

D

 

Ohh and a manual transmission will do 20% more mpg it seems - 45 ish I hear. Still, the wrist ache

 

I get about 42 mpg motorway commute from my manual 325tds with 260k miles on the clock, I'd expect a bit less from the bigger 5 series, great cars though, money pits if they go wrong though but for £350 its worth a try, you could get more if you broke it ofr spares.

 

dont be put off by the vauxhall badge, its only a slightly detuned engine so should be bulit proof, who minds the trim falling off if your paying half the price of a bm

 

A serious problem for the over 40s...?

 

Depends how they spend their evening