RE: Spotted: BMW 525e

[Super Slo Mo]

WeirdNeville said:

I don't get the "point" of that absurd rev limit?
Perhaps an "eco" switch or setting on the gearbox to enforce it, but to limit the whole engine like that?
No ta.
I'd rather have the choice of some performance and spending a bit more at the pump.

Thing is, it doesn't feel 'limited' as such, as the engine is designed to operate within these specific parameters.

It's a torquey engine, so produces it's power over a broad speed range, and pulls happily at all points within the rev range. It's not unlike a diesel in that respect, only with the pleasant sounding straight six soundtrack, and without the on/off boost characteristics you can get with some turbo diesels.

It's stupidly long geared too, I think 100 mph equated to only around 3,000 rpm, and it'd sit there all day without complaint.

It was intended to be a motorway wafter, rather than an outright performance car, and taken in context with cars of its' day, was a nice motor. Compared to modern stuff, it doesn't have the absolute performance of even a modern 4 pot diesel (320d for instance), but its ride is sublime, and it will hold its own on the motorway without too much problem.

Obviously these things are somewhat subjective, I like them, others won't, but as a motorway mile muncher, it was a decent enough car in its time.

[80quattro]

I remember driving a 525e about 10 years ago, and thought it felt underpowered for a 2.7. I probably just didn't 'get' the fuel economy idea. I've since had a 535i SE, and currently own an M535i (no photo whoring from me today )that you most certainly do not buy with fuel economy high up the list, but have lots of lovely mid range grunt that enable a 25 year old car to keep up with much newer stuff.

[g3org3y]

V8 TEJ said:

g3org3y said:

Lovely.

There's a chap on here who has winter tyres (on Alpinas) on his E28. Looked awesome in the snow.

PS Never apologise for photo-whoring an E28 M5.

Edited by g3org3y on Monday 18th February 13:29

That'll be me then! :-)

Ah yes, sorry I thought you had winters. Great car though

[E38Ross]

Devil2575 said:

The E28 is, IMHO, the best looking car BMW have ever made.

I'd prefer a 528i/535i manual though.

errr, eh?

507? E9 coupe? Z8? I personally even prefer the old shape Z4 coupe. the E28 is a handsome, well proportioned car but to say it's the best looking car they've made.....really??

[pcn1]

I had one of these back in the day. Must have been around 1991, and it was a 1984 "A" plate I think. Had it a couple of years and moved on.
Typical build quality of the era, just solid. Waft along all day, but I suppose not the most exciting car to drive if thats what your after.
Thing was they were dirt cheap back then, thats why I bought it.
A nice car, but I dont think Id want to give £3K to get back into one now.

[SuperchargedVR6]

pcn1 said:

Typical build quality of the era, just solid.

Not words you often hear about the 5 series from the E39 onwards.

One can definitely sense more pride and care in BMW's older work.

[V8 TEJ]

g3org3y said:

Ah yes, sorry I thought you had winters. Great car though

No need to apologise Sir, thanks for the compliment though

[Amirhussain]

sisu said:

[m444ttb]

I love the e28 and would, if spaced and money allowed, definitely have one to modify. LSD, S54 engine, freshly leathered Recaros - that kinda thing. The BMW indy my fiend used to work at before he started his own place had a white 518i manual, which looked great but was SO gutless. Then they had a 525e, which i was lucky enough to drive around in for a week while my e36 328i Sport was broken again. It set me on the path to loving the idea of an auto box for daily driving and it was SO comfortable for something with pretty knackered suspension and ancient seats! I dare say it's more comfortable than my current e36 touring is due to a better driving position. I seem to remember the brakes were a little 'iffy' however.

[astra la vista]

nicknoo said:

astra la vista said:

that blaupunkt windsor radio/cassette player also appears in my mk2 golf. i don't think it was original equipment as someone told me it probably came with a sony.

anyway...love these beemers. proper cars.

I could be wrong but I don't recall any Sony radios being available as part of the choice of radios which were fitted in the E28's. I believe all were Blaupunkt Blue Spot models.

You could have a Blaupunkt New York or Toronto in your lowly 518i if the funds allowed you!!!

sorry nick, i meant the windsor might not be original to my golf.

[nicknoo]

astra la vista said:

sorry nick, i meant the windsor might not be original to my golf.

No worries mate, I thought you meant what was fitted in the BM!

[Output Flange]

E38Ross said:

errr, eh?

507? E9 coupe? Z8? I personally even prefer the old shape Z4 coupe. the E28 is a handsome, well proportioned car but to say it's the best looking car they've made.....really??

Here's your clue

[///ajd]

Gruber said:

The e34 certainly feels more modern.

But I did 2,500 miles over a fortnight in an e28 last year (albeit, one with 286 bhp) and enjoyed every minute of it.

Indeed, here it is... (ETA: apologies for photo-whoring)

lovely car - i thought all the m535 and m5 had the black surrounds on the rear lghts - was this only an option certain years?

[Gruber]

///ajd said:

Gruber said:

The e34 certainly feels more modern.

But I did 2,500 miles over a fortnight in an e28 last year (albeit, one with 286 bhp) and enjoyed every minute of it.

Indeed, here it is... (ETA: apologies for photo-whoring)

lovely car - i thought all the m535 and m5 had the black surrounds on the rear lghts - was this only an option certain years?

Mine's a bit of an oddity in that respect. The original owner specced it with no badges, no front chin spoiler and with chrome all round (rather than shadowline trim on lights, windows and bumpers). I think he wanted the ulimate "sleeper" 5 series - looked just as unassuming as any 518i but went like poo off a spade.

[Mermaid]

I thought the eta was always about torque and 30-70 acceleration, and not at all abut a high top speed.

[slippery]

Back in the early 90s, the E28 was pretty much unloved and suffered from some pretty heavy depreciation. I actually quite liked them and was happy to take advantage of the bargain basement prices for what was an incredibly well screwed together car. The thing that struck me more than anything was the totally rattle and squeak free cabin, even on well used, high mileage examples. I had everything from a 520i to a 535i. Fine cars, although what I really wanted was an M635CSi.

[JSE993]

I had a 525e. It was known in the family as the Armchair. It was woefully slow and deeply frustrating to drive on the open road. Which meant it was driven foot to the floor and mpg was therefore also woeful. No way could it remotely hope of keeping pace with a 528i if not at rush hour on the M25.

[BlitzE34]

James1972 said:

Am I right in thinking that Alpina used the crank from these as the basis for the C2 etc.
Nice old tool - torque for wafting and better economy with a nice sountrack.

No they used the forged one from a 324td.

[helix402]

These engines often donated the crank to a 325 to make a 327. I seem to recall you used 320 pistons. I serviced lots and they needed to be well set up to run perfectly. They run a very high compression ratio and the ignition timing needs to be spot on to avoid pinking.

[Leins]

g3org3y said:

I suppose it depends on what you want the car for.

It would be a shame to use it on a day to day basis, if that were the case a decent E34 5er would be superior in every way (imo) - am sure you could get a very nice example for 3k. f only for a w/e car, a E28 528i manual makes more sense verus the 525e.

Similar phenomenon seen with E30s at the mo. Decent original 316is/318is are getting priced quite high because of their condition. Question is, who are they going to appeal to? Too nice to use for a daily driver (esp if you consider the price) but also not exactly interesting enough to appeal to the weekend driver who would rather save up for a 325i Sport

Oh, and I have that exact Blaupunkt stereo in my E30 cabrio (with OE telescopic aerial)!

Funny you should say that, because I've just bought this '90 318iS with a buddy of mine. It's not going to be a daily driver, but just something a bit different to run occasionally over the summer from my Alpina C2 and his E30 M3