Just won this BMW on ebay

If it's not in Manchester then you don't have to buy it. The description says "I have fitted..." so unless the previous winner was also the seller that's not true either. I'd maybe pay a deposit by paypal and the rest when it turns up in manc. For =A3600 though you get what you pay for and it's at your risk. 520s are generally panned for being underpowered for their weight. It could be that the buyer couldn't get insurance as the car may well be classed as modified.

Beggers can be choosers when it comes to old 5 series.

If it's not in Manchester then you don't have to buy it. The description says "I have fitted..." so unless the previous winner was also the seller that's not true either. I'd maybe pay a deposit by paypal and the rest when it turns up in manc. For £600 though you get what you pay for and it's at your risk. 520s are generally panned for being underpowered for their weight. It could be that the buyer couldn't get insurance as the car may well be classed as modified.

Beggers can be choosers when it comes to old 5 series.

I contaced the first seller from back in March, JUST has this reply

Hi,

He was a nice guy, no trouble at all.

I cant believe it has been sold on again. I was really gutted to see it go. That car cost me over £2500 with all the mods. It was real looker.

Good luck.

Insurance was pretty low, but i got quotes for many BMW's, 525,535, 735 etc and there was a nice 535 but in Cornwall, a bit more cash but a year older but cheaper on ins by a quid...couldnt work that out so i guess a year older makes a differance.

A mate of mine said a 2 litre was a bit of a slug, yeah i really wanted more HP (and more torque more important to me) but i have a 4000 mile journey soon and the cost of the fuel was my main concern.

Caveat emptor.

"Jules" wrote

If it turns out to be a nail you can always flog it on eBay!

In bits. Those wheels and all that M-tec bollocks would probably fetch enough to turn it into a profit.

I expect the seller was fed up with being stopped by the cops or by junkies hoping to score.

"Willy Eckerslyke" wrote

It does look a bit "Black Man's Willy", I must admit!

Should be OK though. "Underpowered" is a relative term, I think they push out about 140bhp which isn't too sad.

about 150 accoring to wikopedia thingwotist.

I spoke again to the seller from 2 months ago, guys family are from Reading but the guy works in Warrington and hes now emailed me with his Salford address so things seem ok. i hope to collect midweek onwards

Quite an interesting saga... let us know how it gets on.

will do. i was weary at the start until i spoke to the last owner, most htings fit into place now

It'll be a shocker & you'll notice it on the autobahn! All that body kit will reduce the top speed :-) Did you declare all that on the insurance btw?

I guess you might save a couple of hundred on petrol - going to the world cup are we?

Will do when i get it insured. getting rid of the M badge for a start!

nope...pity cos i have all tickets for England i was planning on going back for them (only got back 2 weeks ago) but she wants to come here so my hands are tied, im off in Sept to see my family cos my chicks a kraut but i have to drive as i have some fragile things to take. Its the very far side, nice to Polish and Cz borders so i know the areas well.

I maye get a 3.5 for sept tho, or bigger, had looked at lpg but they dont have it over there, or at least i have never seen it I was on the autobahn 2 weeks ago, my chick was doing 160kph + in her Bora, horrible FWD thing but she through it round bends like no one i have ever seen drive, puts everyman to shame (apart from me)

Excuse the bad spelling, i was trying to complete 2 other emails at the same time, and rushed it.

Im not really into top speed, any one can drive at 130mph+ in a straight line, i like cars that are fun around country lanes so RWD, i started off with a 1 litre Talbot Sunbeam 16 years ago and had a race tuned Celica for the past 8. I just need something reliable that does half decent MPG esp as i have to go first to Berlin then down to Saxony, im flying in 2 weeks with sleazyjet for less than a tenner both ways (plus tax) and my other car would have cost about 800quid in fuel for the whole trip, i want to get that figure down to about 400 if i can, but dont want a diesel.

I may move to Germany in the near future anyway, once my dog is drugged up for rabies etc. and can take him with me so not sure how long the car stays with me.

According to my 5 series Owners Handbook, the 525i is more economical than the 520i, and has 192 bhp as against the 150 of the 520i. Mike.

I've seen 540s go for that sort of money, I sold my '89 535i Sport for £400 a couple of years ago (full electrics, lsd, 18" wheels, new tyres, rough bodywork, needed radiator)

Damn, wish i had know that before, oh well. I will get a 12 month MOT in the next month on the car and pass it on if i can. ta

there was less than 20 quid differance insurance differance, but the one i saw was at the far south of the country. I really wanted a 6 series but they were either dog rough or mint, nothing inbetween. I saw a 750 that caught my eye.

Never had a BMW before....i think it shows!

Many, myself included, think the 525i is the pick of the E34 5 series. Other 5's are more powerful, but the 6 cyl 525i is a very sweet long lasting engine. The best of the bunch IMO. Mine has done over 170k. Needs no oil between oil changes. Pulls well, and ticks over like sewing machine.

And having driven both, I can confirm the above. The 525 goes like shit off a shovel compared to the 520. It certainly didn't use any more fuel.

TRhey're s**te. My missus used to have a 525 a couple of years ago and it went like stink. Last week I borrowed a 520 off a mate whilst I wait for my Capri to be finished. Was as slow as hell.