E34 525i - 89 - M20 "Baby 6"

I've been limiting my search for a second car to E30s, but am going to look
at a 1989 E34 525i with the M20 engine. The car has just over 100k miles,
and has full service history, one owner, garaged, 4 new tyres, and had the
timing belt and water pump replaced at 75k.

The car is advertised at $5k, and the KBB private sale value is $3,800. If
the car is as nice as described, and subject to the pre-purchase inspection
coming back with nothing major, I'll be very tempted to buy.

I don't know very much about the M20 engine however, and would appreciate
some input. Can I expect a long life from this engine if it's maintained
correctly? Would it be better to spend a little more on a younger E34 with
the M50 24v? Performance is not such a priority, but reliability most
certainly is. A few extra HP via a chip and exhaust would be on the list of
upgrades in the future.

Any E34 specific issues I should be aware of? Any items that are likely to
need replacing in the near future? Any and all input is welcomed!

Thanks.

"Neil" > wrote in message
...
> I've been limiting my search for a second car to E30s, but am going to
look
> at a 1989 E34 525i with the M20 engine. The car has just over 100k miles,
> and has full service history, one owner, garaged, 4 new tyres, and had the
> timing belt and water pump replaced at 75k.
>
> The car is advertised at $5k, and the KBB private sale value is $3,800.
If
> the car is as nice as described, and subject to the pre-purchase
inspection
> coming back with nothing major, I'll be very tempted to buy.
>
> I don't know very much about the M20 engine however, and would appreciate
> some input. Can I expect a long life from this engine if it's maintained
> correctly? Would it be better to spend a little more on a younger E34
with
> the M50 24v? Performance is not such a priority, but reliability most
> certainly is. A few extra HP via a chip and exhaust would be on the list
of
> upgrades in the future.
>
> Any E34 specific issues I should be aware of? Any items that are likely
to
> need replacing in the near future? Any and all input is welcomed!
>
> Thanks.
>
>

I should have added that this is a manual transmission.

"Neil" > wrote
> I've been limiting my search for a second car to E30s, but am going to
> look
> at a 1989 E34 525i with the M20 engine. The car has just over 100k miles,
> and has full service history, one owner, garaged, 4 new tyres, and had the
> timing belt and water pump replaced at 75k.

That's pretty low miles for an '89. My '91 with M50 has 150K miles.

> I don't know very much about the M20 engine however, and would appreciate
> some input. Can I expect a long life from this engine if it's maintained
> correctly? Would it be better to spend a little more on a younger E34
> with
> the M50 24v? Performance is not such a priority, but reliability most
> certainly is. A few extra HP via a chip and exhaust would be on the list
> of
> upgrades in the future.

It's not unusual for the M20 to go 250K miles. The timing belt has already
been changed, so as far as the engine goes you're set. I wouldn't worry
about getting an M50 if HP is not an issue - they both have similar torque.

> Any E34 specific issues I should be aware of? Any items that are likely
> to
> need replacing in the near future? Any and all input is welcomed!

Unless the upper and lower control arms (ball joints) in the front have
been replaced, that should be done asap (along with new shocks all
round if not done.)

Floyd