325 tds engine

[Batfink]

bramley said:

Honest John says the 2.5tds engine isn't very economical, and a mate recently got a 525tds touring and his mpg reading was 24mpg when I looked at it. Ok it's heavier than an E36 but my 530i Touring is no worse on fuel so I'm not convinced by that engine personally.

In fact there are people on here with 4.4 V8's that get the same mpg as that and their fuel is cheaper!

Its not a fantastic engine for economy. Basically if you want to save fuel then you need to drive accordingly otherwise it will drink. Diesel engines are more economical at part throttle so wafting along is key. With a fresh service and v-power diesel i've seen 56mpg cruising at 60mph down the m25 though i've never got close anywhere else as the m25 is pretty flat, though most motorway driving at that speed gets me 48-50mpg if the traffic is moving. You have to remember that the engines are old technology, big capacity and have now done a lot of miles. A more modern diesel is better in every way.
Though i bought mine for £2k, was one owner from new and has never let me down in 60k of motoring in the last two years. If i didnt hoon i'd never see under a real 40mpg which for the size of the car is pretty good. I think i've got good value for money out of mine.

[sniff diesel]

Ever had any hot start issues Batfink?

[Mustard]

Thoughts on economy seem to vary quite a lot!

We'll have to see, should have a very late exceptional lowish milege E34 Tds Touring (manual) coming to me late this year/early next which I will most likely replace the 520i 24v Saloon with (which itself turns in a very respectable high 20's mpg, occasionally over 30) so to make any sense it needs to do 35mpg+

Any particular weaknesses / extra service costs over and above a six cylinder 24v petrol?

[buggalugs]

I've been hacking around in a 525tds since april ish. It's been pretty good, it does have a hot start issue in that it sometimes takes 5-10 seconds of cranking to fire up. It never fails to start its just a bit unusual to have to crank it for more than a second in this day and age. I've also got an uneven idle issue which apparently is also common. It hasn't got any worse in the last 6000 miles though, infact if anything it's got better *touch wood*

Mine's on 307,000 at the mo and averages 35-40mpg in mixed driving. I'm sure a set of recon injectors and pump would boost that but its not really worth it in this beauty...

It also runs quite well on straight vegetable oil

[silverback mike]

My old 525tds took ages to fire up. New set of glow plugs and off it went within a nanosecond. Easy job.

Buggalugs I thought I had the highest mileage tds here, mines on 283,000 but maybe I win as mines a poxy 318tds with two less cylinders so has worked harder

Let me know if you want to offload the old girl, I have a thing for mega mileage things.

Edited by silverback mike on Friday 14th November 09:48

[buggalugs]

silverback mike said:

My old 525tds took ages to fire up. New set of glow plugs and off it went within a nanosecond. Easy job.

Buggalugs I thought I had the highest mileage tds here, mines on 283,000 but maybe I win as mines a poxy 318tds with two less cylinders so has worked harder

Let me know if you want to offload the old girl, I have a thing for mega mileage things.

Edited by silverback mike on Friday 14th November 09:48

It was only supposed to be a runabout while my e30 was off the road but I've grown to quite like it! Mine needs a couple of glowplugs too, looks like taking the inlet manifold off would be the easiest way to access though?

I'll be offloading in a couple of months actualy! MOT's up in Feb and it'll need rear subframe bushes and possibly another steering box too, as this one has worn beyond adjustment The paint's loosing it's laquer in a couple of places too... lets just say it's going to be cheap with a capital C! I'll PM you when the time comes if you're still interested!

[silverback mike]

Cheers Fella

[sniff diesel]

buggalugs said:

Mine needs a couple of glowplugs too, looks like taking the inlet manifold off would be the easiest way to access though?

Beru plugs are only a fiver each from GSF, had to take the manifold off to get at them so did it whislt I was doing the injectors. Remember to get a new inlet manifold gasket before doing the job (some models have one small gasket for each port).

[buggalugs]

sniff diesel said:

buggalugs said:

Mine needs a couple of glowplugs too, looks like taking the inlet manifold off would be the easiest way to access though?

Beru plugs are only a fiver each from GSF, had to take the manifold off to get at them so did it whislt I was doing the injectors. Remember to get a new inlet manifold gasket before doing the job (some models have one small gasket for each port).

Nice one

[Batfink]

sniff diesel said:

Ever had any hot start issues Batfink?

Absolutely none...

[sniff diesel]

Batfink said:

sniff diesel said:

Ever had any hot start issues Batfink?

Absolutely none...

Only some seem to be affected, mine managed to cure itself somehow thankfully.