Old Beemers

Hi I want to buy a 1985 BMW 525e (it's $1000) i was wonder if there is anyone out there that bought an old cheap bmw and tried to repair it and drive it regularly i just want to know how much did it cost u to get the safety certificate and to maintain it I'm hoping u didn't have to spend like 5000 just to get it running my dad is kind of good at mechanical stuff but i know that he hates the beemer(he's not cool) he says that if there is a slight problem with that car it will cost me an astronomical sum of money i'm planning to get parts from a junk yard and to do all the work myself so how bad can it be i hope someone will tell me

hi ive just recently bought a bmw m535i 1986 for £300 it needed a lot of work, it hasnt been on the road for about five years.
All my local scrap yards didnt have any parts for it so i purchased a 520i for £200 and i used that for spares i also got a hold of some spares from the net all together it cost me £700 to get it on the road and iv never driven a car like it in my life!
They are simple engines to fix and if you look properly the parts are cheap,go for it

I've had three old BMWs in my life and they've all been great. The parts can be somewhat more expensive than your "standard" autos (Ford, Chevy, etc.), but are far more durable in the long run.

For the money, you'll find that the average BMW owner takes better care of their cars than most other cars you'll find in the same price range.

Good luck with your project.

the 85 525e is the most reliable BMW ever built. it does not need adjustments, just make sure everything like fuel pressure, spark plugs, vacuum leaks, are fixed and it'll run like a clock, the eta engines go to 400,000 miles before a rebuild

Hi,
Whats wrong? I got a 82 528e for $600 and have had it for about 3 months and it has givin me no problems that other cars wouldn't with the miles, 217,000. It cost me only about $150 to put it on the road and get inspected in PA. I think I got a good deal. Older BMW's are reliable, and can last up to 100k's of miles. I saw a 528e like mine with 450,000 miles on it, and it ran good still! It just depends on whats wrong and how well you take care of it.
Kris

Since we've found a group of 528e fans here...

Does anyone know a good, inexpensive source for the front passenger and driver's side seats? I just try and keep my eye out for an organ donor car at the Pick-A-Part junkyard, but those are kind of hard to find.

The leather on my seats is fine, but the springs are a bit shot and I know it would definitely make the daily commute a bit more comfortable with some "newer" seats.

John

Originally posted by kris2430
Hi,
Whats wrong? I got a 82 528e for $600 and have had it for about 3 months and it has givin me no problems that other cars wouldn't with the miles, 217,000. It cost me only about $150 to put it on the road and get inspected in PA. I think I got a good deal. Older BMW's are reliable, and can last up to 100k's of miles. I saw a 528e like mine with 450,000 miles on it, and it ran good still! It just depends on whats wrong and how well you take care of it.
Kris

my 528 e's engine only sips like a 1/2 a quart of oil every 3,000 miles, and the odometer stopped working around 200,000 miles!! 3 years ago!!!! and I get more than 30 miles per gallon...ok enough braggin:rolleyes:

I bought an older beemer 1984 533i 5 years ago ( 195,000 km) and it looked good and drove great - liked it so much that I continued to restore it - Here what I did..
1. Body repainted - new fenders (aftermarket) better than fixing minor rust spots.
2. Front end redone
3. valve job at 235,000 km. mechanic indicated that rings were like new.
4. Replaced fuse box
5. Replaced Rad

Car looks like new and runs great - just replaced front struts at 280,000km. Leather is perfect. Just looking for 16" alloys and new tires.

Too much into it now and would not get my money back - so I am keepng it. Just bought 95 525i in fabulous condition with 180,000 km to be my daily runner and the 533i as my toy - ready for the next 5ERfest. Slowly there are fewer on the road and these will be the next collectible.

Good luck

.

Those old 5 series are the best cars ever! The most reliable BMW ever built!