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By
EWAN KENNEDY
14 June 2004
BMW 5-Series is a sports sedan that's extremely enjoyable to
drive. Sadly in Australia, not many people really put it
through its paces to best advantage. That's either because of
our low speed limits or, more usually, because it’s bought
as a prestige item rather than as a sporty machine.
Which is a shame for the existing owners who aren't really
getting the best from their cars, but great news to the person
thinking of buying a used 5-Series. The car has probably been
driven gently and had serious money lavished on it in the way
of proper servicing, perhaps even a regular professional
detail.
Handling is enhanced by the even weight distribution that’s
the result of rear-wheel drive. This is a car that feels just
wonderful when you are sitting behind the steering wheel.
Seemingly the harder you drive it at a bend the better it
feels and responds.
The really clever thing is that this sports handling is
achieved without upsetting comfort. Some of the worst of
Australian roads may catch it out at times, but it generally
makes light work of rough surfaces.
However, the BMW 5-Series is rather small inside for its
external dimensions so in its older variants isn't really
suited to family-car status, at least in Australia where we
are accustomed to big affordable cars. The BMW’s interior
skimpiness is mainly due to its using rear-wheel drive, which
demands space for a driveshaft to the rear wheels, and a
differential under the boot. Try before you buy as
everyone’s circumstances are different.
The 5-Series released in April 1996 is better than previous
models. The newest one, only sold in Australia since February
2004 is far more spacious, but obviously very scarce on the
used-car scene.
Engine performance is good, even from the models with smaller
motors. Engines begin with a straight six with a relatively
small capacity of 2.0 litres. Keen drivers should probably
start with the bigger six with a capacity of 2.5 litres
(it’s sometimes called a 523i at others a 525i).
There is also a beautiful 2.8-litre six which is the pick of
the engines in the eyes of many enthusiasts. The biggest six
prior to 1993 was a 3.4-litre unit (called 535i). It was
pulled off the market when a small 3.0-litre V8 arrived in
April 1993. There’s also a 4.0-litre V8, which was increased
to 4.4 litres in October 1996. This gives plenty of
performance but somehow doesn’t feel as sweet as the
straight-six units.
The 5-Series should be maintained by a BMW dealer. If you
can’t afford the servicing, you’re probably better off not
buying one.
Spare parts and repairs are about average in price for a car
of this type and prestige rating. There are a reasonable
number of BMW dealers and they are mostly long established.
Some factory trained BMW mechanics have since left the company
and set up independent repair shops. They don’t have the
same factory contact as the official dealers, but are often
highly regarded by owners.
Insurance can be expensive so shop around before becoming
committed to the car.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Make sure all electronic and electrical items are
operating correctly. Use the owner’s handbook to make sure
you find everything.
Look over the car for body damage and previous repairs. Signs
are paint colours which don't quite match, tiny specks of
paint on unpainted areas, uneven panel fit, and ripples in the
repaired parts.
Be sure the engine starts virtually immediately and idles
smoothly from the moment it kicks over. It should accelerate
without hesitation and not blow smoke from the exhaust no
matter how hard it is worked.
Automatic transmissions should change smoothly and, except for
some changes on big throttle openings, should be all but
impossible to pick.
Check on the insides of the front wheels and brake callipers
for signs of a lot of brake dust. That is usually a sign of a
hard driver, though the high-performance pads fitted as
standard do have a tendency to shed a fair bit of dust.
CAR BUYING TI
P
Beware the car that once belonged to a social climber who
couldn’t afford to have it serviced.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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