'Upgrading' from 2003 Mondeo TDCI to E34 525tds- am I mad?
Discussion
How long is a piece of string? I can't believe I just typed that...
I've read that the *25tds engines are robust, and arguably being simpler than the more modern Mondy should mean easier to diagnose faults if they occur. Expect to have to renew more age related parts (at least initially), but at the end of the day, I doubt either will break the bank to run and you should get whichever car would make you happier.
I've read that the *25tds engines are robust, and arguably being simpler than the more modern Mondy should mean easier to diagnose faults if they occur. Expect to have to renew more age related parts (at least initially), but at the end of the day, I doubt either will break the bank to run and you should get whichever car would make you happier.
The E34 525TDS can have issues with the injection pump...expensive to replace...
Common other E34 issues are shimmy from the front end due to worn bushes...Rust on the sills..especially if it has plastic covers. If it's a Touring then any electrical gremlins can usually be traced to the broken wiring in the tailgate hinges...
Also Tourings have self-levelling rear suspension which can leak and is expensive to fix...It can be converted to conventional stuff, though.
Steering boxes do wear and can lead to sloppy steering feel and the wiper linkeage can wear out and is expensive ans a pain to fit!
If it's a Touring and has the twin sunroofs, be prepared for the roof to fail open...
They will run on veg oil, but the overal MPG isn't a whole lot better than the petrol 525 with the M50 or the early 530 with the M30 motors.
Common other E34 issues are shimmy from the front end due to worn bushes...Rust on the sills..especially if it has plastic covers. If it's a Touring then any electrical gremlins can usually be traced to the broken wiring in the tailgate hinges...
Also Tourings have self-levelling rear suspension which can leak and is expensive to fix...It can be converted to conventional stuff, though.
Steering boxes do wear and can lead to sloppy steering feel and the wiper linkeage can wear out and is expensive ans a pain to fit!
If it's a Touring and has the twin sunroofs, be prepared for the roof to fail open...
They will run on veg oil, but the overal MPG isn't a whole lot better than the petrol 525 with the M50 or the early 530 with the M30 motors.
Dave- it's roughly comparable power-wise, 10bhp more but less torque. It is quite a bit less economical though.
Codswallop- thanks for the advice 'dad'!
As for that concise list of common faults- good to know. It is a touring and it does have double sunroof! 174k miles so it's also a bit leggy. On one hand I'm concerned about those issues but on the other hand, if the DMF in the Mondeo goes or the injectors start failing, it'll probably cost more to fix than all the BMW issues combined!
At the moment, heart says Beemer and head says better the devil you know when it comes to banger motoring.
Anyone else?
Codswallop- thanks for the advice 'dad'!
As for that concise list of common faults- good to know. It is a touring and it does have double sunroof! 174k miles so it's also a bit leggy. On one hand I'm concerned about those issues but on the other hand, if the DMF in the Mondeo goes or the injectors start failing, it'll probably cost more to fix than all the BMW issues combined!
At the moment, heart says Beemer and head says better the devil you know when it comes to banger motoring.
Anyone else?
I did something similar a couple of years ago and haven't regretted it.
I had a 2001 Mondeo with 90k on the clock but I got bored with it, so I replaced it with a 1997 Saab 9000 Turbo that had done 189k.
I didn't expect to profit from the change. Although I bought the Saab for around half what I sold the Mondeo for, I planned to spend the difference on replacing tired parts on the Saab, so I effectively got a straight swap in terms of cost. In return I've got a better equipped, more powerful car.
I justified the risk by working out that I'd get most of my money back by breaking the car for parts if a major problem cropped up (which it still hasn't 15,000 miles later). If you fancy a change and the car looks like a reasonable example, go for it.
I had a 2001 Mondeo with 90k on the clock but I got bored with it, so I replaced it with a 1997 Saab 9000 Turbo that had done 189k.
I didn't expect to profit from the change. Although I bought the Saab for around half what I sold the Mondeo for, I planned to spend the difference on replacing tired parts on the Saab, so I effectively got a straight swap in terms of cost. In return I've got a better equipped, more powerful car.
I justified the risk by working out that I'd get most of my money back by breaking the car for parts if a major problem cropped up (which it still hasn't 15,000 miles later). If you fancy a change and the car looks like a reasonable example, go for it.
Viewed an E34 525i today... Smooth as you like. I've come away with mixed feelings- I don't know what I was expecting from an 18 year old car, but the jacking points being stoved in and some filler in one of the sills put some doubt in my mind. Do I need to MTFU and learn to expect it? The seller is honest as you like and the car behaved impeccably on the test drive.
It does exhibit all of the classic 'touring' electrical problems around the tailgate- does anyone know how hard they are to fix?
My problem is I've never owned a car from the last millennium. Am I going to find a rust-free one or am I dreaming?
It does exhibit all of the classic 'touring' electrical problems around the tailgate- does anyone know how hard they are to fix?
My problem is I've never owned a car from the last millennium. Am I going to find a rust-free one or am I dreaming?
My old barge
They are average on diesel but the engine was very popular (used in the Omega IIRC). Their main appeal however, is that they are incredibly tough. Mine was on 230,000k sporting a knackered turbo, mismatched wheels and a gearbox that had the onset of dementia, but it just kept going.
They are also supremely comfortable, and one of the better looking BMW's imo. Go for it
They are average on diesel but the engine was very popular (used in the Omega IIRC). Their main appeal however, is that they are incredibly tough. Mine was on 230,000k sporting a knackered turbo, mismatched wheels and a gearbox that had the onset of dementia, but it just kept going.
They are also supremely comfortable, and one of the better looking BMW's imo. Go for it
Hudson said:
Mine was on 230,000k sporting a knackered turbo, mismatched wheels and a gearbox that had the onset of dementia, but it just kept going.
No offence but this was the problem- all of the Diesels have racked up massive mileage now. I'm not scared of a couple of hundred miles on the engine and 'box, but I am scared of the corrosion which was taking hold of the TDSs I viewed.Early on I tried a 525i which was flat as a fart so I discounted them as not powerful enough. However this one came up and as it turns out the engine was much better- I think the first must've had a VANOS problem or something.
The one I've bought is genuinely rust free and although it's not perfect, I can see great potential.
I've been looking at these as a cheap barge runaround. However, I haven't spent a lot of time researching them. I did think that because they were tough old diesel engines they would suit my needs. However, reading this thread has opened my eyes.
The following caught my attention the other day:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C306856
Are they a potential money pit?
The following caught my attention the other day:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C306856
Are they a potential money pit?
funkyrobot said:
I've been looking at these as a cheap barge runaround. However, I haven't spent a lot of time researching them. I did think that because they were tough old diesel engines they would suit my needs. However, reading this thread has opened my eyes.
The following caught my attention the other day:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C306856
Are they a potential money pit?
Having had a couple of E34s the issues will be suspension parts being tired, tin worm in sills, around filler cap, door lowers, number plate lights, rear vlaance drain holes (above bumper) and the dashboard telling you various lights don't work when they obviously do The following caught my attention the other day:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C306856
Are they a potential money pit?
Auto boxes can get clunky but of the rest of the car is good it's worth a recon.
Generaly parts are plentiful and reasonably priced.
The wiper mechanisms can wear and are a pain to replace.
BUT the vanos 525i and the 540 V8 are lovely. The 540 was able to lift its skrts and go like the clappers much to the surprise of many people. No they're not sports cars and they glide rather than corner, but there is much fun to be had. With a tweaked exhaust they sound like this (best with headphones):
http://s462.photobucket.com/albums/qq349/SixFiend/...
Edited by Six Fiend on Friday 22 June 14:51
With great trepidation I am psyching myself up to go and collect my 525i tonight. I'm going straight from work and once I'm with the car I am faced with a 40 mile drive home. I just hope the seller has been honest with me because I have not driven the car yet!
I do hope it doesn't suffer with the 5 series 'shimmy'.
I do hope it doesn't suffer with the 5 series 'shimmy'.
HustleRussell said:
With great trepidation I am psyching myself up to go and collect my 525i tonight. I'm going straight from work and once I'm with the car I am faced with a 40 mile drive home. I just hope the seller has been honest with me because I have not driven the car yet!
I do hope it doesn't suffer with the 5 series 'shimmy'.
That's easy enough to fix and a minor issue.I do hope it doesn't suffer with the 5 series 'shimmy'.
Does it have a metal water pump? That's the bigger issue! If not sure, check it out as the plastic ones fall apart and can thus cook the head. Mine fell apart but as soon as the needle went flying round to red I stopped!
Hope it all works out, I really miss mine.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff