BMW 525i (E34)

BMW 5 series 1988 2.5 petrol description

Sedan BMW 525i has been produced from April, 1990 to December, 1995. It has six-cylinder petrol engine with displacement of 2.5 litres, which produces power of 192 horsepower on 5900 rpm and torque 245 Nm (Newton metres) on 4200 revolutions per minute.

This 6-cylinder 24-valve engine camshaft is driven by chain (What is an engine chain and belt? ). Engine has fuel injection system without turbocharger. The engine meets the Euro 1 emissions standard. Average engine life expectancy (mileage before serious repairs are needed) is from 360 000 to 600 000 kilometres. Remember that engine life depends on regular maintenance and the quality of the materials used (oils, fuels, etc.).
More engine specs 
This BMW 5 series 2.5 engine oil type is 5W-30 and oil capacity is 5.75 litres.

BMW 525i has classical rear wheel drive (RWD) and manual gearbox with 5 gears.
BMW 525i accelerates to speed 100 kilometres per hour in 8.6 seconds. The maximum speed of this car is 230 km/h.

The fuel consumption of this BMW 525i in combined mode (combining urban and highway driving) is 9 litres per 100km (11.1 km/l). Fuel tank capacity is 80 litres or 21.14 gallons, which gives a mileage up to 880 kilometers without refueling in urban cycle.
According to user reviews, this BMW real everyday fuel consumption is 10.3 litres per 100 km, which is 14% more than the manufacturer's stated. More - Real BMW 5 series fuel consumption.

With the same engine there are also two other BMW 5 series versions - with four wheel (4x4) drive and manual gearbox (BMW 525iX MT 4x4), and with four wheel (4x4) drive and automatic gearbox (BMW 525iX AT 4x4) available:
  • BMW 525iX MT 4x4 is more sluggish, reaching 100 km/h 0.9 seconds later (in 9.5 seconds), but manufacturer's fuel consumption is higher by 0.6 litres per 100 km or 7 % - 9.6 litres per 100 km, whereas users reported real fuel consumption is similar - 10.2 litres per 100 km
  • BMW 525iX AT 4x4 is more sluggish, reaching 100 km/h 1.4 seconds later (in 10 seconds), moreover, it is less economic with manufacturer's fuel consumption is higher by 0.5 litres per 100 km or 6 % - 9.5 litres per 100 km, whereas users reported real fuel consumption is higher by 0.4 litres per 100 km or 4 % - 10.7 litres per 100 km
BMW 5 series 1988

BMW 525i technical data

Model: BMW 525i
Body style: Sedan
Production period: 1990. April ... 1995. December 
Engine: 2494 cm3 Petrol, 6 cylinders CO2 emissions: no data
Power: 192 HP ON 5900 RPM Torque: 245 NM ON 4200 RPM
Gearbox: Manual gearbox (5 gears) Drive type: Rear wheel drive (RWD)
Maximum speed: 230 km/h Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 8.6 seconds
Fuel consumption (l/100km): 9.0 (combined)
Real fuel consumption: 10.3 l/100km (22.8 MPG) by user reviews from various sources
Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres (21.1 gallons)
Car dimensions: 4.72m (length) 1.75m (width) 1.41m (height)
Turning diameter: 11 meters
Trunk capacity: 460 litres
Gross weight: 1990 kg

BMW 525i engine M50B25

Engine reliability:

Overall, this engine can last around 360,000 to 600,000 km if properly maintained, using the correct quality oil and fuel, and carrying out regular checks and maintenance.
The engine has hydraulic valve tappets (lifters), which provide quieter operation and do not require periodic adjustment, but are more complex in design and can cause serious engine damage in the event of failure.
Engine displacement 2494 cm3
Number of cylinders 6
Bore (cylinder diameter) 84 mm
Stroke length (piston move) 75 mm
Compression ratio 10.5 : 1
Camshaft drive Timing chain

Chain motors are considered more reliable, chain replacement usually is required less often than a timing belt, but they are often louder and vibrate more.

Fuel system Injection
BMW 525i oil type 5W-30
Oil capacity 5.75 litres (6.1 quarts)
Coolant capacity 10.5 litres (11.1 quarts)
Power 192 HP ON 5900 RPM
Torque 245 NM ON 4200 RPM
Start of production (year) 1990
Duration of production 6 years

Often in the first years of production, engines tend to have various constructive problems, so it is recommended to choose a car with this engine from 1993 onwards.

Engine also used on BMW 3 sērija

All BMW 5 series sedan [1988 - 1995] modifications

Modification Engine Power Consumption Gearbox Drive type
BMW 518i Oct 1989 — Jan 1994

Most fuel efficient petrol version by real consumption

1.8 Petrol 113 HP 8.6 l/100km Manual (5) Rear wheel
BMW 518i Oct 1992 — Mai 1995

Most fuel efficient petrol version

1.8 Petrol 116 HP 8.1 l/100km Manual (5) Rear wheel
BMW 518iN Jan 1994 — Dec 1995

Most fuel efficient petrol version

1.8 Petrol 116 HP 8.1 l/100km Manual (5) Rear wheel
BMW 518iN Jan 1994 — Dec 1995 1.8 Petrol 116 HP 8.6 l/100km Automatic (4) Rear wheel
BMW 518i Apr 1994 — Mai 1995 1.8 Petrol 116 HP 8.6 l/100km Automatic (4) Rear wheel
BMW 520i Jan 1988 — Apr 1990 2.0 Petrol 129 HP 10.0 l/100km Manual (5) Rear wheel
BMW 520i Jan 1988 — Apr 1990 2.0 Petrol 129 HP 10.0 l/100km Automatic (4) Rear wheel
BMW 520i Apr 1990 — Dec 1995 2.0 Petrol 150 HP 8.9 l/100km Manual (5) Rear wheel
BMW 520i Apr 1990 — Dec 1995 2.0 Petrol 150 HP 9.0 l/100km Automatic (5) Rear wheel
BMW 524td Jan 1988 — Oct 1991 2.4 Diesel 116 HP 7.1 l/100km Manual (5) Rear wheel
BMW 524td Jan 1988 — Oct 1991 2.4 Diesel 116 HP 7.3 l/100km Automatic (4) Rear wheel
BMW 525i Jan 1988 — Apr 1990 2.5 Petrol 170 HP 9.5 l/100km Manual (5) Rear wheel
BMW 525i Jan 1988 — Apr 1990 2.5 Petrol 170 HP 9.8 l/100km Automatic (4) Rear wheel
BMW 525i Apr 1990 — Dec 1995 2.5 Petrol 192 HP 9.0 l/100km Manual (5) Rear wheel
BMW 525i Apr 1990 — Dec 1995 2.5 Petrol 192 HP 8.8 l/100km Automatic (5) Rear wheel
BMW 525iX 4x4 Oct 1991 — Dec 1995 2.5 Petrol 192 HP 9.6 l/100km Manual (5) All wheel
BMW 525iX 4x4 Oct 1991 — Dec 1995 2.5 Petrol 192 HP 9.5 l/100km Automatic (5) All wheel
BMW 525td Mai 1993 — Dec 1995

Most fuel efficient diesel version by real consumption

2.5 Diesel 115 HP 7.1 l/100km Manual (5) Rear wheel
BMW 525td Mai 1993 — Dec 1995 2.5 Diesel 115 HP 7.3 l/100km Automatic (4) Rear wheel
BMW 525tds Oct 1991 — Dec 1995

Most powerfull diesel version (143 HP)
Most fuel efficient diesel version

2.5 Diesel 143 HP 7.0 l/100km Manual (5) Rear wheel
BMW 525tds Oct 1991 — Dec 1995

Most powerfull diesel version (143 HP)

2.5 Diesel 143 HP 7.2 l/100km Automatic (5) Rear wheel
BMW 530i Jan 1988 — Apr 1990 3.0 Petrol 188 HP 11.0 l/100km Manual (5) Rear wheel
BMW 530i Jan 1988 — Apr 1990 3.0 Petrol 188 HP 11.0 l/100km Automatic (4) Rear wheel
BMW 530i Oct 1992 — Dec 1995 3.0 Petrol 218 HP 11.0 l/100km Manual (5) Rear wheel
BMW 530i Oct 1992 — Dec 1995 3.0 Petrol 218 HP 10.0 l/100km Automatic (5) Rear wheel
BMW 535i Jan 1988 — Oct 1992 3.4 Petrol 211 HP 11.0 l/100km Manual (5) Rear wheel
BMW 535i Jan 1988 — Oct 1992 3.4 Petrol 211 HP 12.0 l/100km Automatic (4) Rear wheel
BMW 540i V8 Jan 1992 — Dec 1995

Most dynamic version - 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds

4.0 Petrol 286 HP 11.4 l/100km Manual (6) Rear wheel
BMW 540i Oct 1992 — Dec 1995

Most powerfull petrol version (286 HP)

4.0 Petrol 286 HP 12.0 l/100km Automatic (5) Rear wheel
BMW 5 series 1988 reviews
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