525tds E34 - How many miles are they good for?
 

Looking for a stop gap motor while we pick out something nice. Has to be an auto and has to be an estate. Apart from the Omega which is being discussed in another thread, I thought one of these might do the job and still have a bit of poke whilst also being able to pass a petrol station.

I know the water pumps are pants - any tell tale signs its been changed?

Also, most at getting on for some decent miles... anyone know when the belts should have been done/how expensive it is for them and how long the engine is likely to last?

Any other advice (inc guide price would be good) going to see one local at the weekend.

5t.

Something wrong? A post about a beemer and not one response in two hours...?

5t.

About a million.

They last forever.

And as if by magic....1 minute later....
;)

I felt sorry for him.

:lol1:

Don't.

thanks for the helpful input.

5t.

I had a 2.5 TDS Omega Elite auto. A lot of pleasant things about the car, but they do need to be kept well. Mine did ok for the first 100k but the last few owners and 50k failed to look after it. It need about £2k of bits and bobs in the end. Leaky injectors all bushes and mounts split pipes the list was endless.

If you need a solid cheap barge, I would go with a BMW E34 with the 2.5 petrol M50 engine. It is very reliable and solid and will do thousands of miles with little or no real issues. A manual can achieve top 20's to 35mpg on a run. My Omega did 30-34mpg. A bit more on gas but cheap to find plenty around and no headaches.

This does look ok though
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1995-BMW-525-T...ht_2032wt_1167

This is ok too though E39
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-BMW-523I-...#ht_500wt_1182

more
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1998-BMW-520I-...#ht_809wt_1167

Struggling to find a petrol 525 E34 touring though

Andy you a star. Thought the petrol might be a bit thirsty but if it isn't too bad (it will be a mway cruncher).

Had a look at the Mercs (build quality becoming an issue though, they seem a lot more rusty) and Audis but they are a bit rarer.

On the plus side, usually well looked after as you say with the Omega, on the downside, potentially expensive if they go wrong/servicing so bit of a quandry really. The idea is to buy it, service it, run it for a bit and basically flog it for the same/bit less than we paid for it. Not quite free motoring but you get the idea. almost a disposable car...

Appreciate the time spent Andy.

5t.

I would certainly go with the BMW. I had an e36 325tds. Loads of poke 40+ mpg on a run. Mine had 298K miles on it when I bought it and 302K when I sold it. Uses a timing chain rather than a belt, mine was a bit rattly at that milaege lol. Like you said the water pump was a weak point and I had to change it after it had only been on a year. Make sure you use a genuine one with metal impellor blades because the one that went was a low qaulity item. Not a bad job in any case only took around 1 hour.

Cheers dude. That one at £1300 looks ok then on 180k (assuming its been serviced).

Take it yours was a manual and not an auto? I'd be concerned about say... a Ford auto box on those miles but less worried about this (famous last words).

5t.

yeap 200k easy on them, just bought one for a run around. mines still got the origional water pump but comes with spare brand new upratied one thrown in, you can get them for around £40 with a metal insted of plastic impellor which makes them last alot better so im told

Yes it was a manual, could of done with a new gear linkage though was a bit like stirring a pudding sometimes. :D