Forums Forums Enthusiast Forums A - Z Autowirral 5 Series Info...old one

Right,ive changed my mind again on my next car and decided i wanna try a BM 5 series that a mate of mine is practically GIVING AWAY

Its a early nineties 5 series with twin headlights,2 litre (six pot i think) with auto box.It needs a new water pump and it hasnt overheated so head gasket is ok,also needs new centre section of front grille as it had to be smashed out to get bonnet unjammed (bonnet latch now fixed)

Any1 have any experience/info/opinions. and what the hell are the 5 series's called??? (E39,E49,Ejaffacake,and so on)

the 5 series consists of...

E12 (1972-1981) ugly
E28 (1982-1988) ugly
E34 (1989-1996) not bad (im guessing it's this type then)
E39 (1996-2003) nicest (looks a bit like mine)
E60/E61 (2004-present) ugh, modern peice of ugly crap

water pumps go all the time on most BM's, it's a common problem as is rust on rear arches and a dodgy ICV.

I doubt it'll be that quick, it has a M50 type engine (DOHC 24-valve) me thinks and about 150 hp

but hey, if it's free (or near enough), I'd go for it lol

it will be the e34, i dnt like the look of these to be honest, its normally very hard to find a really nice one and the majority of the ones ive seen tend not to have any luxuries and usually high millers due to being executive cars in the day. As for the e28 joe its a really nice shape have you seen tupacs mates the red one (really smart). I used to have one but just 1.8 model, it was gutless but still a really gud car and reliable. I had heard a rumour of the six cylinder heads being ally and them cracking if overheted so beaware. I have had a e30 325is and that was a similar engine just 500cc bigger and it was really smooth and again i never ever had a problem with it. If it is for free then i would go for it you aint got anything to loose. must say i also like tupacs mates 740i reallyu nice motor aswell.

Having a go of it later to see how it runs etc (obv wont run it long enough to get too hot)

Escort failed its MOT yesterday with over 100 quids worth of work, just guessing now but i reckon i could have the beemer on the road with only a tiny bit more spent on it. Any1 know if E39 seats would fit in it? or any other BM seats for that matter,these are cloth,and drivers one shows its age,and maybe a newer set of beemer wheels?

The older 520i's are pretty big, and very gutless meaning you need to get your toe in to get them moving (Especially with an auto box) so any economy is out of the window - the 2.0 even feels a little overstressed in a 3 series!!!!

Water pumps and head gaskets are very easy jobs on these motors though- they are very easy to work on

Ah well.. ive bought it, last night. Took it for a run and its definately big,feels like driving a bloody boat! Temp held well for 5 minutes then rocketed,shut it down BEFORE entering red but still ended up getting smoke/steam coming out of engine bay. (looked like it was coming from exhaust manifold area,hopefully not a leak in the head on exhaust side)

MMC to be posted and pics tomorrow. Even if i cant get the engine back up and running ill make a profit on this car by breaking it for spares

I have done loads or water pump replacements on these and it only takes an hour tops.If the head gasket has gone get the head skimmed and checked for cracks as they are VERY prone to both of these even with only one overheat!

could u give me a guide chris? how much is the pump? is the pump driven by the cambelt?

Water pump is driven by the alternator belt, and replacements are about £50 IIRC from a motor factors.