1994 BMW 5 Series Consumer Reviews

Love my 525i

Written by: bimmerguy on 01/22/2007

Vehicle

1994 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 525i Sedan

Review

I purchased my 525i ~3 yrs. ago with 75000 miles on it. I currently have 138000 miles on it and its running strong. I love it so much that I plan to keep it to keep the miles down on the 1999 bmw 528i that I just purchased on eBay. It only has 31,000 miles and is like a time warp...showroom new. I only paid $7600.00 for the 1994 model and haven't had a payment for 3 yrs. Only routine maintenance except water pump at 105000 miles. Still a good looker despite the harsh coal country driving conditions here in SW Virginia. I still get excited when my foot hits the gas and the inline 6 just keeps pulling...90, 100, 110, 120, 128 before I finally pulled back on the reins. WOW!!

Favorite Features

Design, black with taupe leather, comfortable seats with power adjustments, got 30 mpg on one trip to maryland, city is 21 or so. TIGHT, responsive, The Ultimate Driving Machine!!

Suggested Improvements

No cup holders... are you kidding? Material on interior doors has come loose in places. But it is 14 years old and 138000 miles. Wood trim with some cracks also.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Used 540 a great deal!

Written by: Pixcutter on 01/17/2006

Vehicle

1994 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 540i Sedan

Review

I purchased my 1994 BMW 540i 6/2005. The car is rock solid, with no rattles or noises. Seat comfort is very good, ride quality, while dependent on tires, is excellent. Maintenance can be expensive, but not often. Average MPG is about 19.5, not bad for 282 hp. The car accelerates like a rocket, and the brakes are superb. With over 100K miles on the odometer, it's a great car. Records from the previous owner do show a transmission rebuild at 60K miles which cost $4800.00 But since then only minor repairs. The paint has held up well, and the leather interior is in excellent condition, showing no wear to speak of. The only replacement was the factory radio to gain MP3 playback.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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Awesome Wagon

Written by: moogplayer on 01/15/2006

Vehicle

1994 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 525i Touring Wagon

Review

After loads of research, I narrowed the field to a 94 or 95 BMW 525it. Found a white '94 525it from a 2nd owner private party with 117K and newer transmission with receipts and warranty (for 2 1/2 more years or 30K more miles). Bought it for about $6K. This thing is SOLID. I went from an Altima to this. Talk about enormous difference in all aspects of build quality, performance, handling, braking, everything. I have 2 small kids and feel very safe driving this fairly heavy wagon around. I think this series looks better tan the new wagons. And the 2.5L V6 is bulletproof - tried and true. I've done some preventive maintenance but other than that this thing has been problem-free since I got it.

Favorite Features

Styling, ride, safety, leather, status

Suggested Improvements

Radio is pretty wimpy but I'm not complaining since it has a 6-disc changer in the back. Be prepared to spend a little $$$ for upkeep and PM. I expect 8-10 years faithful service from this vehicle.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Outstanding

Written by: sergio on 09/24/2005

Vehicle

1994 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 540i Sedan

Review

I love this car and all the features especially the electronic seats and computer system

Favorite Features

the Wb system in the computer system the automatic one touch windows

Suggested Improvements

a sporty body kit all around and a spoiler

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Fun so far

Written by: tkorion on 08/21/2005

Vehicle

1994 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 540i Sedan

Review

Just bought the car. body is straight and engine is clean. tranny was replaced so I hope this car will last me a few years. I'd like to get 100k, but only time will tell. I love the power and handling. engine has a rattle, but I've never owned one so not sure if it's normal.

Favorite Features

powerful engine. comfortable seats.

Suggested Improvements

needs cup holders and more storage space. sure it's luxury car, but it should be practical as well.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Still Owns the Road!

Written by: JBoff on 07/19/2005

Vehicle

1994 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 530i Sedan

Review

I bought this car four years ago and I have not had any major problems with it. The car was cared for very well. Maintenance is the most important part of owning this car. It is not a real car unless you have to take care of it. This is a car that I will have as long as possible. I would not trade it for anything (maybe an M5). This car has a timeless design and I still get compliments on what a good looking and beautiful car it is. I think the AC Schnitzer wheels really improved the appearance. I love the handling and the very very quick and secure response . The car will stop on a dime, has been very useful a couple of times. Living in CO the snow is not a problem with this car.

Favorite Features

I love telling people that I have a V8 that gets 24+ mpg, with over 160K on it, in everyday driving conditions. The intimidating look it has when it comes up behind another car on the highway and its ability to make cars move over.

Suggested Improvements

The adaptive trany sometimes seems to confuse it's self. Thos makes for some hard shifts once in a blue moon. The glass head and foglights tend to crack somewhat easy with road gravel in the winter time.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Excellent Sedan

Written by: Kenneyu on 04/20/2005

Vehicle

1994 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 530i Sedan

Review

I purchased the 530i from a private party used with 117k miles on it. It was well maintained and has exceeded all expectations I had for this car. Just a fantastic 3.0 eight cylinder engine. Great ride and gets 20 plus mpg.

Favorite Features

German Ride, smooth engine, brakes.

Suggested Improvements

A bit more power

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Love it!

Written by: RogerK on 08/28/2004

Vehicle

1994 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 525i Sedan

Review

I highly recommend this car, I have owned since day one. No problems, did the regular maintenance, still drives like a dream. Smooth but yet the performance is still there.

Favorite Features

The drive, performance, and the overall elegance.

Suggested Improvements

The wheels could have been a better design, kind of bland.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Love it!!

Written by: Looteye on 07/17/2004

Vehicle

1994 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 540i Sedan

Review

I've owned mine for 7 years, live in Germany where it can stretch it legs which it does VERY WELL. I have the 6- spd manual trans, love using all those gears and moving along at 130mph. Averages 24.5mpg. It has 340,000km (212,500 miles), not a problem with any serious mechanical part of the car, and I'm surprised to read about engine/transmission changes from those who have had these problems. Mine runs as good as the day I bought it 7 years ago, and it still does 157mph. I can't imagine selling it for any reason, workabee buds are forever trying to get me to sell it to them. Not a chance....

Favorite Features

6-sp gearbox, 286hp engine, reliability, sporting nature, just a pleasure in all respects every time I get into it.

Suggested Improvements

Get rid of some of the automation, like putting the wipers at intermittent wipe when stopped, the "all-or-nothing" defroster" (give me some levers that I can adjust to send the air where *I* want).

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Awesome Value

Written by: KPitser on 05/25/2004

Vehicle

1994 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 540i Sedan

Review

This was my first BMW after many Honda's. Beside my sport bike, this is one of my lifes few 'true' pleasures. Of course there are times when little piddly stuff breaks, but there are great web sites maintained by many loving fanatics like myself that help you navigate past the 'stealer'. I love the fact that I can put my kids in the back seat but when I am alone can roll her up to 110 mph and feel nothing but confidence (unless observed by Hwy Patrol).

Favorite Features

'Thunk' sound the doors make when closing, sucking sound the intake emits when developing nearly 300 hp, direct connection between steering input and output.

Suggested Improvements

Rear end ratio is a little high, but my tires probably appreciate this greatly.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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