Buying a 1989 BMW 525i

[Domecq2006]

I am looking to buy a 1989 BMW 525i 6inline 135000 miles. Exterior and interior clean. leather like new. new battery and new tires. The radio is locked as it indicates that it needs a code to operate. I am told that it is owned by a widow who has had it stored in her garage after her husband passed away (is this a classic tale?). It runs good once it is up and going past 40 mph but it starts up sluggish. It kind of feels like a 4 cylinder. The muffler sound is a soft smooth rumble. Should I start looking at high cost maintanance? Cooling/heating, suspension, smog certification or other problems? Please advice as the car looks good but I am not familiar with this type of vehicle. I have offered to pay $2500 for the car. The asking price was $3500. Is it worth buying? Thanks!

[troysmith]

i have had 2 bmws a 325 and now a 525 and of course its just my opinon but i love it its a very solid car and it has 210,000 miles on it and i did have to replace the upper control arms which are sorta expensive at bmw or most stores but can be found online pretty resonable as is many other parts ..mine is a 1990 but very similar to your just a few differences one being the check engine light after 1990 you can do whats called a stopm test to check trouble codes and 89 is a little more extensive. but accually im having a little trouble with power in mine at the time something is holding it back and i havent put my finger on it yet but people here are being very helpfull.. but all in all i love the care it handles well and rides good and even feels a little sporty..when you got some free time check out the early e34{bodystyle} m5 just like our only amost double the horsepower and lots more supension upgrades.. an awsome car..well theres my 2 cents..or maybe 3

[Domecq2006]

Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated! These forums are awesome!

[Domecq2006]

Again, thanks for the reply. The car was initially sluggish. I was told that it was because it had sat for too long and that the fuel needed to be flushed out. Sure enough, Once I got rid of the old fuel, the car is running with plenty of power. Flushing the old fuel appears to do the trick. I am now about to do a fuel injector cleaning and minor tune up; new plugs.

Thanks again!

[sidewinder69]

DAMN!!! I had typed out a big post about doing the same thing with the fuel...but I wasn't logged in and when I did the post disappeared. I was too lazy to repost.

ANYWAYS...happened to my 85 Toyota Corolla. I bought it after the guy had let it sit for ten years on his lawn, fuel was rotten. I had to replace everything from the fuel tank forward. $$$

I'm just happy to hear that the car is runnning smoothly now.

Have fun with it, and with those plugs I'm pretty sure you have to get the ones that the top of the plug screws off. I learnt that the hard way with my 535 I.

BTW I love mine so let's hope you love yours as well!

Alright I might as well repost...

The code should be with the owners manual. If you're getting an aftermarket one forget about it...it'll beep when you take it out though....BEWARE!!!

Don't know about emissions...I don't have them in this little town I'm in.

Just make sure that all power options work...even a power window motor will set you back. $$$

Steering...any pulling or wobbling? Horn work? Cracks in windshield? See if the engine temp goes past the half mark. My 535 stays right at one needles width past half. That one should as well.

Brakes? I had to replace my fronts. Pads were $140 for both sides, rotors were $86 apiece.

See troysmith HE put fuel injector cleaner in.