E34 520 vs. 525

[seech]

Hi,Was wondering if any of the sifu's can enlighten a newbie (already intro in the newbies section so dun angry ah...) on the differences between the E34, 520 and 525? (Aside from the engine capacity..... )Any difference between braking sys, interior, engine design... etc. What little I know is that the original engine was the M20 engine and later the M50 24V. How can I tell if its a M20 or M50?The reason I'm asking is that I'm looking at buying an E34. Don't know if I should get a 520 or 525. I noticed that there's not much difference in price between the two. Is the M20 reliable and easy to maintain or should I get a M50 E34? (I know, I know.... stupid question. Of course newer better but price is an issue.) Is the M50 worth the additional money? What year did the 520 and 525 convert to the M50 engine?Hope someone can help me out. Want to look for one soon.Thanks.seech

 

[willy5]

Hi seech,

Both 525 and 520 share same basic engine whether M20 or M50. 520 especially auto is kinda lethargic in response from standstill, best thing is to go test drive both and decide for yourself.

M50 is quite reliable so not much major issues. The vanos (M50TU) engines provide better torque characteristics. As you said the newer the better.

M20 engines did not have a plastic cover, M50 has the big black cover.

I stand corrected, M50 - 1991 and M50TU - 1993.

All in all the e34 are generally very nice cars which ever the model, just make sure you get one in good nick.

 

[andrewk]

Hi Seech,

I drive a 520 converted to a 525 m20 engine. I have not driven a 520 before, but I think the general consensus is the 2.5 litre works better for the E34. The 2 litre engine is said to be a bit lethargic for the weight of the car. Also, if you don't mind, get the manual instead. IMO, much more fun to drive.

Specs wise, I think the 525 has slightly better interior specs (e.g. rear window shades, wood trim etc.) coz I managed to look in the interior of an "ori" E34 525 and noted some differences. Don't think there is any difference as far as mechanic is concern. Can someone confirm this?

m20 vs m50? m50 has more horses, and also more valves (24 vs 12). And, vanos too. If you're not to fuss about power etc, the m20 engine is adequate - its a relatively simple engine to look after. Also, less things to break down and less plugs to change... heh heh!! But if you don't mind the slightly higher maintenance, I'd go for the m50.

Hope it helps. Do check out some of the threads under the 5 series section. Lots of sifu there with better info..

Happy hunting - if you can't find one, let me know. I may consider selling my E34 and upgrading it to a E39.... maybe...

Cheers & good luck!

 

[elwine30]

andrewK, yours is m50 525?

 

[andrewk]

No ler bro Elwine30. Its the older M20B25 engine, and apparently, it came out of an E30, or so says my mech.

Seech, to add to my comments above, some do say that the 2 ltr M50 engine is just as good as the 2.5 M20 engine. I can't verify, but its something that you may wanna check out. But if you look at the spec, the M20B25 churns out abt 167hp while the M50B25 has 148hp... so i oso dunno where's the basis of that comment... blur blur only listen... heh heh...

 

[integramania]

I posted this in another thread...tot i post this hear as well

Hi guys wat e34 engine is this izit a 520i 24V

The trip meter is in miles...what does tat mean?

 

[seech]

Hi willy5 & andrewk,

Thanks for the response. Not too concerned about power. My last car was an RB20DET E30. I find myself driving too fast so want to get a more sensible 'underpowered' car so that if want to tekan oso kenot. Oso need bigger car due to expanding family.

Just wondering if 520 has rear disc brakes or drums? Most important factor to me is reliability and fuel efficiency. M20 vs. M50? Not too bothered about road tax so don't mind the 525 if it doesn't suck much more petrol than the 520. So 1991 cars generally M50 and 1993 M50 Vanos? Issit same for both 520 and 525? After reading your replies, I suppose maybe an M50 Vanos 520 would be best.

Need to go shopping for one soon. Thanks a lot for info.

 

[integramania]

Hi seech....I'm also in the look out for one myself....maybe we can sama sama look for it...I have tried the M20 and M50 520i...and if you are looking for one which u stomp on the accelerator and it does fly like Jap car then I can tell u this is the car...
So if u try conti or this car for the first time like no power...its a cruiser...top speed tat time dun play play lor....

 

[andrewk]

The power on my m20b25 unit may not be the most powerful unit on the block (pun intended), but at the right rpm, it can get pretty fast, pretty quick. however, launching the beast from standstill can quickly bring you back down to earth...hah hah hah!!

Nevertheless, for the price of E34 these days, its absolute value for money mate!

Happy hunting...

 

[integramania]

Bro how much will u pay for a 93 M50B20? Wats the amount to pay I mean not the market selling rate?

 

[5115]

Hi Seech,

I drive a 520 converted to a 525 m20 engine. I have not driven a 520 before, but I think the general consensus is the 2.5 litre works better for the E34. The 2 litre engine is said to be a bit lethargic for the weight of the car. Also, if you don't mind, get the manual instead. IMO, much more fun to drive.

Specs wise, I think the 525 has slightly better interior specs (e.g. rear window shades, wood trim etc.) coz I managed to look in the interior of an "ori" E34 525 and noted some differences. Don't think there is any difference as far as mechanic is concern. Can someone confirm this?

m20 vs m50? m50 has more horses, and also more valves (24 vs 12). And, vanos too. If you're not to fuss about power etc, the m20 engine is adequate - its a relatively simple engine to look after. Also, less things to break down and less plugs to change... heh heh!! But if you don't mind the slightly higher maintenance, I'd go for the m50.

Hope it helps. Do check out some of the threads under the 5 series section. Lots of sifu there with better info..

Happy hunting - if you can't find one, let me know. I may consider selling my E34 and upgrading it to a E39.... maybe...

Cheers & good luck!

hi bro,pm me some details of ur E34.serious buyer here

 

[chairoger]

If can,definitely get the 525....520 is a good car but sadly little ommph and acceleration. Even my lighter E30 320i also no kick ah.....sad to say.

 

[peckchoonheng]

Layman’s talk here, the statement below may or may not have any basis.

I have this 1991 E34 24V for years now and whenever I’m behind the wheel I just couldn’t help but try thinking of a way to improve its pick-up.

This car has made me swear that I would never buy a 520i ever!!

I thought it is just the problem with my car, so I went to ask every single mechanic in Penang I came across from Chu Seng to Happy Motor to United Auto about this frustration of mine. I asked them to test drive and all return and replied with “normal.”

About remedy measure to this, Chu Seng and Happy Motor were quick to suggest a change of engine block to that of 525. “It is common procedure, many people have done that and it’s an easy job”. I was and still very tempted but changing engine is too big a JOB for me to stomach.

United Auto just asks me to accept it as what it is. He told me that he is experiencing the same thing driving his E36 318; in fact he says that mine responses a lot better than his. This remark has somehow put this matter to a temporary end.

Another key issue pops up. Why is my 520i guzzling petrol like nobody business when it could not even performs as I have wished? In town driving, I usually achieve less than 400km for a full tank of RM130.

Curious about how these numbers stack up to other versions of the E34, I asked Ban Huat Chan, the BMW parts distributor for northern region. One of the boss drives a 12V version of the 520i. He said that it is not unusual to hit above 500km for a full tank mainly of town driving. I complained to him how bad my 24V was and he told me that many of his customers complain about the bad guzzling habit of the 24V, 520 and 525 alike.

He also told me that the 12V version has better pickup but the 24V has better horse power at high rpm. I don’t appreciate this truth at all since I’m the 110km/hr person.

So what is so attractive about the 2 litre E34 with 24V?

 

[ktteoh]

where is united auto located?

 

[peckchoonheng]

where is united auto located?

United Auto is located along Lebuh Sungai Nyior, Butterworth, opposite F&N. It is very easy to find, currently there are two Jaguars and a Porshe parking outside their workship. Very often, you may spot other exoctic cars like Rolls and Ferrari etc.

 

[ktteoh]

United Auto is located along Lebuh Sungai Nyior, Butterworth, opposite F&N. It is very easy to find, currently there are two Jaguars and a Porshe parking outside their workship. Very often, you may spot other exoctic cars like Rolls and Ferrari etc.

peckchoonheng, how would you rank all the 3 workhops (happy, united and chu seng) in terms of bmw servicing?

 

[andrewk]

Bro Peck,

For a comparison, my 525 12v (M20B25) gets slightly above 360kms for every RM100.00 of a mix between highway & city driving. If I'm more gentle on the pedal, I can touch 400kms. Alternatively, it goes way, way down to sub 300kms if I put pedal to the metal...

 

[peckchoonheng]

Bro Peck,

For a comparison, my 525 12v (M20B25) gets slightly above 360kms for every RM100.00 of a mix between highway & city driving. If I'm more gentle on the pedal, I can touch 400kms. Alternatively, it goes way, way down to sub 300kms if I put pedal to the metal...

It seems like your 12V 525 is more economical to drive than the 24V 520. Even if they are the same, the 525 should be more enjoyable.

 

[andrewk]

Again layman speaking, I've been made to understand that this is due to the hp/weight ratio. HP for both engines are:

M20B25 ~ 167hp
M50B20 ~ 148hp
(source: wikipedia)

And they both pull around the same weight. I think that's why the fuel consumption for your car is slightly higher. Any sifu to comment?

I've never driven a 520 before, so can't really comment which is more fun. But, I know 2 person personally that have upgraded their 520 to a 525 becoz they thot the 520 engine was a bit lethargic.

Anyway, unless you're a power kinda guy, city drivin not much diffrence ler... the porsche next to me in the jam is also going the same speed!! hah hah!!

 

[integramania]

yeap many ppl I have met has also commented that the 520 be it 12V or 24V is underpowered and compared to the 525 having the same body weight the former will consume more fuel.....so need to consider 525