1994 BMW 525i Touring Wagon Manual Transmission 525iT

1994 BMW 5-Series 525iT Description

This 1994 BMW 525iT has been the most reliable and beautiful car I have ever owned. Affectionately named "Jelly Bean" by one of my YouTube viewers, it can be seen in several videos on my channel youtube.com/DavidAndTheSea, or just search for #E34Restoration on YouTube.

Like the MCRN "Rocinante" is is the not the fastest, but the most capable ship in the Sol System. Unlike the Roci, it is far more beautiful and turns heads at Cars & Coffee. Like a Prius it is deadly quiet and efficient, and has a battery vent under the back seat, Unlike a Prius it will happily rev to 6,500 RPM and be just as happy cruising at 35mph in 5th with plenty of low-end torque with this beautiful inline-6, and happily still at 100 mph. Like a Subaru Tribeca it can travel on any terrain, unlike a Tribeca it can sleep two adults comfortably and has the best headlight beam illumination you've seen on a 25 year-old car. Like a Volvo 240 it feels sturdy, free of major blind spots, unlike the cars of modernity, while it maintains superior safety. Unlike a Volvo 240, BMW showed incredible build quality with the E34 5-Series and it instantly feels 10 years younger than any other car of this vintage, and unlike the 240 this is fun to drive. BMW really built the Ultimate Driving Machine, and this Touring is a fine example of years of R&D, a pinnacle of engineering and driver feedback, luxurious performance and dependability in the golden age just before the advent of failing complex computer systems became the bane of later models, like the E39.
This BMW lived in Las Vegas its whole life, until I took over ownership and brought it to New Mexico in 2016 with 208,272 miles. That means ZERO RUST. I was meticulous with the maintenance and repairs required of this vehicle. I know what a gem it is, and it will only appreciate with time. Here are the repairs and upgrades I have performed, alongside notable features, previous-owner upgrades and any flaws in this example of BMW's finest.

Engine

• 2.5 Liter I-6 M50B25TU, single-VANOS, 24 Valve, peak horsepower at a fine 4,200 RPM. Idles and runs BEAUTIFULLY, no issue revving up and down all day. I wasn't kidding when I said this was the most reliable engine I've ever owned.
• Oil changes every 5,500 miles using Castrol 5W30 in winter and 10W30 in the summer.
• NanoProMT Oil Stabilizer (NDT320S) used with each oil change (nano-tech reduces oil temp, protects from friction/cold-starts and extends oil life 100%. $25/bottle so I wouldn't waste my money on it if I didn't believe in it and love my engine. It's black right out of the bottle, so it might trick you that the oil is dirty from a fresh change, but you can still tell black from the brown of actually dirty oil.)
• Coolant flush last fall with air filter change.
• Upper radiator hose replaced last July. Lower hose still good but new one included with box of parts.
• Radiator is not original, but unknown mileage. It is good to know it has been replaced, and I inspected it. Looks to be within 5 years old.
• Engine has a service mark at 150k or so miles, which was head service and timing chain.
• Valve Cover gasket changed (I didn't write the date this was done, but within past 6 months).
• I cared so much about the health of my BMW that I even replaced the cabin air filter. Not cheap, but it smells nice :).

Transmission

• Zf310 5 speed transmission mated to a 3.23:1 differential (swapped by previous owner)
• Clutch and dual mass flywheel new with ZF swap at approx. 200k miles.
• BMW Z3 short shifter. (I've driven "normal" manual E34s and this shifter feel is absolutely wonderful)
• NGK BKR6EIX Iridium Spark Plugs (same as OEM BKR6E copper plugs, just much longer life)
• Slight rear main seal leak, I used 1/2 quart of oil on a 2,800 mile trip through Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.
• 21 MPG in the city and 24-26 MPG highway at 80 mph ;), average combined is 23.3
• Because car was originally Automatic, there is no neutral-safety switch in place, which means you can crank the engine while in gear. I start all my manuals in neutral out of habit, but that's something to keep in mind.

Brakes

• Replaced brake light switch (RB411)
• Powerstop cross-drilled and slotted rotors with ceramic pads (previous owner-installed)
• Brake pads have plenty of life, but the front rotors have a vibration when warm. (Bosch QuietCast BP394 brake pads are included but not yet installed.)
• Brake Pad Wear Sensors replaced (BOWA 34351179820)

Suspension

• Both front wheel bearings replaced (Moog 513125)
• Front Track Rod bushings replaced with Polyurethane (Armstrong ADUS601X2)
• Front Control Arms/Ball Joints replaced, Lemforder brand, steel.
• Front Shocks replaced at 219,547 miles, Sensen brand.
• Stock height, unmolested ride. Even with cut springs the M-parallels have plenty of room in these wheel wells. BMW always designed their cars with the gap in mind!

Body/Exterior

• Spoiler wrapped in black carbon fiber vinyl. 2 years later and still looks great
• Sunroof serviced and drains cleaned. Does not work at this time (needs new cables) but it is in the fully closed position. This is problematic on 100% of Tourings.
• No cracks in windshield, but two rock chips.
• Rear windows go ALL THE WAY down. That's unusual for rears, but a wonderful feature on the E34s.
• Power mirrors don't like to move fast. Help them on their way to the adjustment you need.

Wheels

• M-Parallel Wheels 18x8 front and 18x9.5 rear (includes 5th spare, direct fitment, no spacers needed)
• New tires and loaded 4 corner alignment last June (13,000 miles ago), Barum brand 235/40R18 front, 245/40R18 rear. (size is matched to OEM, so speedo stays the same)
• Have since taken around the country (Idaho, Utah, San Fransisco, Los Angeles and back to Albuquerque. Love these tires)
• New spare tire (size matched to M-pars, usable as spare, Ohtsu brand by Falken)
• Wheels rebalanced last fall, smooth crusing all the way to 110 mph (haven't pushed it past, but no limiter up to that point)
• Locking lug nuts so that nobody steals these awesome staggered wheels. Key in back with tools.
• Some curb rash as I inherited these wheels used. Tire sidewalls are large enough to protect from minor brushes when parking to avoid further damage.

Interior

• BCM replaced when a "no cold-start" condition arose. All power windows and locks work
• Kenwood aftermarket Bluetooth radio, California Amp for all the speakers and Dual Amp powering a 12 inch Bazooka subwoofer in the cargo area
• Interior lights LED.
• Seat leather is rough up front, but has a cover on driver side.
• Steering wheel leather shows wear but has been reconditioned with Lexol and is supple again.
• Passenger seat suffers the same fate as all 90s BMW seats with the cables not engaging correctly, so it will twist if reclined. It's currently in a comfortable position and will tilt back some, but not recline.
• Driver side seat still fully functional in all directions.
• Rear Cargo Nets (retractable and removable reels on rear seat backs).
• Hatch shocks holding up, but the small rear window shocks do not hold up the glass-only portion.
• Spare tools included: Jack, screwdriver (the best in the world for some reason) and wrenches.

Other

• No check engine light (CEL) codes exist. Everything works well!
• Display screen has two messages that come and go: "Coolant Level" and "Washer Fluid Low." This is due to both level senders. The washer one was replaced two years ago and occasionally doesn't read correctly. The coolant level message always goes away once you begin driving, so that it also a sticking sender. No coolant or washer fluid leaks present. Sometimes "See Owner's Manual" will display alongside/due to "Coolant Level" message.
• Traction control works, and can be turned off.
• Cruise control does not work. When the automatic transmission was swapped, a jumper was installed to make the car think it was in neutral/park so it would crank. Therefore it doesn't know it is in drive to engage the cruise control. Otherwise the OEM cruise controls and inputs are all there.
• Temperature blend doors are sluggish and occasionally stuck. A spare valve body is included with the box of parts. Otherwise I use the center vents for cold air and the lower/defrost vents for warm. Another common E34 issue, but not a deal-breaker.
• A Military Foot Locker worth of spare parts included. That's spare sensors, ECUs, arm rests, handles, relays, bumper trim, seals, coil packs, lights, OEM speakers, speaker grilles, etc, etc, all included with sale of car.
• Don't forget, you are getting one spare 18x9.5 M-parallel and one spare OEM-style 15x6 BBS mesh wheel. The latter lives in the spare wheel well and it fits all four corners.

THANK YOU for reading this far. It is my wish to accurately represent this car and its condition. Buyer is responsible to ask any and all questions before bidding. IMPORTANT: I will be out of town March 1-13, and while I will be able to answer all of your questions, I will not be at the car. Buyer is responsible for shipping. I am able to drive/deliver it to Arizona, Colorado, Southern Utah, Southern and Central California and Las Vegas for a fee. Please ask, and I will accommodate. Deposit of $500 required within 48 hours. Thanks again and happy bidding! NO RESERVE!