I am interested in purchasing a 1991 bmw 525i from a guy localy. It has 160,000 miles and it is a stick. I was wondering how long do the clutches last on the cars. Also i am pretty sure this model does not have a timing chain instead it has a belt, when do those have to be replaced?

Can't help you very much with you other questions (although $3,500 sounds reasonably fair provided the rust isn't too bad), but you are right, the 525i has a timing belt (my 535i has a chain), and that needs to be changed every 60,000 miles. I've heard shorter intervals are really not a bad idea either. Just make sure you find out when the service was last performed.

The fact that it's a 5-speed makes it an even better deal in my eyes, as only something like 20% were sold this way (i.e. it's a lot harder to find a similar car for the price than if it were an automatic).

I'm aware that 525i's are one of the best buys you can get for a used BMW--the design is still fairly up-to-date, the car is of a decent size but still very fuel efficient, it has intelligent features not found on many of today's cars, and is known to be quite reliable overall.

hi again,
thanx for replying, i talked to the owner and he said that this model does indeed have a timing chain. so that makes this car so much better because it saves me a lot of money. Just wanted to let you know

Wow, I did not realize that! Now that I've referenced "BMW Buyer's Guide", I notice it does say that the M50 2.5-liter engines (it claims they were introduced in 1993, but I know BMW switched over to these in mid-1991) does indeed use a timing chain. Apparently only the earlier, pre-1991 varieties used a belt.

Good for you (plus the later engines are also more powerful, 189 hp vs. 168)!

i know this is off topic but i was wondering in you owners maunual for your 1990 5er what is the manufacturers fuel recommendation? Is it premium or reg?
thanx alot
christian

According to "BMW Buyer's Guide", the 525i requires "unleaded premium" and the 535i requires "unleaded regular". I have heard this from multiple sources.

I don't know what the actual octane requirement is (probably 87 for 535i and 91 for 525i) but I'll check the manual when I go out to the car today and post back this afternoon.

I always use premium (93 octane here in Maryland) in my car, even though it's a 535i. It may be a waste, although premium is supposed to have fuel system-cleaning additives that are not put in lower grades of gasoline.

do you know if the engine will knock if i dont use premium?
thanx alot
christian

OK, I checked my manual. It actually recommends 91 RON for BOTH 525i and 535i, and 95 RON for the M5!

Regarding the use of regular--most newer engines have knock sensors, that (I think) retard ignition timing if they detect a lower octane fuel is being used. I'd assume your car PROBABLY has this (even though it's not "newer", count on BMW to think of that stuff long before everyone else does). If so, you can run regular with out causing engine damage, but performance (and possibly fuel economy) will suffer a bit.

Although gas prices are ridiculously high, I don't really mind using premium, and would definitely do so if I had your car. Nevertheless, if you choose to use regular, you're probably safe unless you hear the engine knocking under hard load. If that becomes the case, definitely move up to a higher octane.