e34 525iX to buy or not to buy?

[d1mkaz]

was offered M reg e34 525iX for £1500, not really cheap but condition seems quite good, 140k on the clock, engine sounds fine and no rust on arches,quite clean inside and out, did not see any rust exept a little bit on the door and owner said he would fix it. I've got a cherokee jeep 2.5 diesel that runs fine but needs some attention to suspension. just wonder is it worth selling jeep and getting beemer?

[Topblag]

Nickso on here has one, I run a 325ix. The auto versions are very thirsty, as are the manuals. 20 mpg combined if you are lucky.

There are plenty spares for the 525ix in the uk, which isn't the case for the 325ix.

With a set of winter tyres, they are good in the snow and ice.

[nickso]

Apart from the MPG I love mine, it's great in the snow even with shit tyres on.

Mine has done 148k but has had it's engine replaced after headgasket meltdown.. if it's in good condition you should have it......not for £1500 though.

[Morat]

Cherokees are great in the snow, but the 4.0 auto is the one you want.

[DanThe]

£1500? Whats my 80k mile 525i touring worth then?

[Topblag]

If I were doing a lot of miles in the IX I'd defo put LPG on it.

[Morat]

For sure! It should have a decent sized wheel well too...

[DanThe]

Nope, an E36 wheel well is bigger

[d1mkaz]

Cherokees are great in the snow, but the 4.0 auto is the one you want.

I would not even think selling cherokee, 2.5 diesel does about 30mpg and it is great off road track, 4.0 would empty my pockets very quickly . I paid grand for it and went to Austria last year and to Italy this year with no issues whatsoever, all I did after purchase is changed oil and filters. It does have few problems like a little bit of rust on the roof and small leak from front diff and steering a bit loose, and heating does not work as it should, so it does need some investment. The 525iX is few years older but condition wise much better, no leaks no rust no scratches or dents.

[d1mkaz]

If I were doing a lot of miles in the IX I'd defo put LPG on it.

I'm a bit skeptical about LPG: smell, power loss and other issues, I used to have e28 on LPG, it was cheap to run and that was great for a student with no money but can't say that driving that was a great experience. Anyway I don't drive more than 5000-7000 miles a year.

[Morat]

Nope, an E36 wheel well is bigger

How does it compare with an e46 touring wheel well? (I haven't seen an E36 well).

[Morat]

Cherokees are great in the snow, but the 4.0 auto is the one you want.

I would not even think selling cherokee, 2.5 diesel does about 30mpg and it is great off road track, 4.0 would empty my pockets very quickly . I paid grand for it and went to Austria last year and to Italy this year with no issues whatsoever, all I did after purchase is changed oil and filters. It does have few problems like a little bit of rust on the roof and small leak from front diff and steering a bit loose, and heating does not work as it should, so it does need some investment. The 525iX is few years older but condition wise much better, no leaks no rust no scratches or dents.

The 4.0 is THE Jeep engine, and the AW4 trans is bulletproof as well. Mine rusted out underneath, but the next one will be a 4.0 on LPG. Diesel is the devils drink

[d1mkaz]

was looking for 525ix on autotrader and ebay and only found 2 car, one £1000 other £2000 both saloon, so are they rare? may be it worth investing???

[Simon13]

they're rare and a useful old tram, but i wouldn't bet on them going up in value. I think alot have survived compared to the regualr e34's

[snakebrain]

One been up for sale in N Ireland for a while too. Asking about £1600 I think.

[pacerpete]

They are a very capable car in nasty conditions but for the other 50 weeks of the year they are a slower juicier E34 that will cripple you every time anything IX specific goes wrong.

Unlike the e30 IX they do not have much an enthusiast following. As with anything else 4WD at this time of the year, the slightest bit of snow and sellers get very optimistic.

[pianist]

If I were doing a lot of miles in the IX I'd defo put LPG on it.

I'm a bit skeptical about LPG: smell, power loss and other issues, I used to have e28 on LPG, it was cheap to run and that was great for a student with no money but can't say that driving that was a great experience. Anyway I don't drive more than 5000-7000 miles a year.

With LPG injection there is no smell or noticeble power loss