Steyr engines in 80's vintage BMW's...

[Ducati]

I have found a 1985 5-series BMW with a turbodiesel and a manual trans...well, rather, I was told about it. I havent seen it. A turbodiesel with a manual transmission....nice thought.
The car is apparently very nice, and priced well due to its' strangeness limiting the market for it.
So, it has piqued my curiosity. Were these engines as good as the 617? Is the 5 series as good as a 123? Or are they like the Volvo Turbodiesels which I have been advised against buying due to head gasket problems and weak cooling systems?


I have also heard that Ford also sourced these Steyr turbodiesels for use in some of the mid-eighties MkVI Lincolns. Has anyone ever seen one of these odd creations?