Torque of the town (BMW 5-series (pre-1988))

Member Name: aandy

Product:	BMW 5-series (pre-1988)
Date:	28/07/02 (515 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: performance, economy, driving position, double door seals, torquey engine with attitude

Disadvantages: parts probably too expensive, condensation in boot-e28 problem

The two E28 525e's I own prove these beemers to be solidly built and quite reliable in their pensioned years. Now you can pick them up for monopoly money, but is it worth it?
Yes, but I would say that. The 'eta' engine is high compression high torque-similar principle to a diesel's-it's rev limit is just over 4,500rpm. I can average on motorways and trunk roads over 45mpg, yet on mountain roads this drops to 25mpg.But it's the cars overtaking ability which impresses most, 50-70mph often stuns boy racers trying to keep up, and they get truly left behind after that.And all very civilised except for that wicked engine note which you just want to hear revved.
It's auto box has well spaced gears which allow overtaking with such ease, 2nd can be usefully used at 55-60 changing down manually from drive and then up to 3rd at 70.
70mph cruising relates to 2050rpm.
Overall the 525e is a very good tool to get from a-b, I have covered 50k miles in 3 years without a single service- one 525e has perished valve stem seals so a pint of oil every 1000miles, the other's oil is changed every 6000, and just two breakdowns for a broken fan belt, cheap and refined motoring.

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