are bmw diesels any good? i have an opportunity to pick one up extremely cheap. pros? cons? anyone?

Didn't even know you could one here. Probably imported.

Year/model would help.

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

Pros: BMW handling, unique vehicle, and rock solid engine.
Cons: Timing belt, parts are extremely hard to come by, only imported for one year.

They were actually imported for two years. The same engine was an option in Lincolns for a few years around the same vintage and it was also installed in some mini-motorhomes too. I don't consider a timing belt a liability unless you are dumb enough to not follow the service interval. Nice cars, great handling and better mileage than 617 MB's. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

What year(s) was this and what model?

__________________
-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

From http://524td.com/
BMW 524td: The Diesel Revolution.
A revolutionary decision in the history of BMW was to penetrate the highly competitive market
for diesel automobiles and thus develop a new generation of engines. Finally, in June 1983, the
BMW 524td was presented in Europe (1985 in the US). BMW had faced up to the challenge of
constructing a diesel engine which was to unite the benefits of the diesel principle with
characteristic BMW qualities such as dynamic performance and running smoothness. Thus the
BMW turbo diesel engine was created on the basis of the existing in-line 6-cylinder engines
between 2 and 2.7 liters capacity. With turbo charging and large flow cross sections in the
intake and outlet valves of the 2.4-liter engine; a high output of 115 horsepower was enabled.
The further developed swirl chamber combustion process also offered excellent conditions for
low fuel consumption and combustion noise.

According to DIN norms, BMW achieved a fuel consumption of just 33.1 mpg with this modern
turbo diesel. With a top speed of 112 mph and an acceleration of 13.5 seconds from 0 - 62 mph,
driving performance figures were realized which set new standards in dynamic performance
for diesel automobiles.

The engine was also used in some Lincolns and the Vixen motorhome.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Very interesting that they chose 1985 to compete in the US diesel market. Probably not the wisest choice they ever made

Hey this is way OT, but I was reminded of this ad battle that BMW started recently...
http://www.eatliver.com/bmw-audi-subaru-bentley/

Makes me smile every time I see the Bentley ad.

__________________
-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

Ive read on the greasecar forums that parts are extremley hard to come by. BMW dealers dont carry the parts for the 524TD anymore either. So no luck in servicing the vehicle easily. Although i have pulled some glow plugs for a 524TD from my work before that a shop in st. louis had ordered.

But from looking at what parts are available it seemed that we only carried glow plugs, interior parts, and exterior trim. But nothing for the engine.

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Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed

They also built Autobahn rockets that would SCREAM past anything MB offered at the time too. I know, I own two of them...



You can't say MB is superior to BMW or vica versa. They're vastly differently built vehicles.

BMW used a lockup torque converter starting around '84 (MB didn't until the late 90s).

Their suspension is easier to rebuild.

They use struts up front. A 7-series is larger than a SWB 126 but smaller than a LWB.

Interior is more sporty.

Suspension is more sporty.

They used multi port EFI, not the CIS business.

Hydroboost brakes on the 7-series

A/C system is JUST as problematic though.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I had a 86 535i for 7 years and can say it was one of the best we ever owned. If its cheap enough I say go for it. Worse case you have to dump it or part it out.

__________________
Currently driving a very clean 1985 300SD from the West Coast.

Omg, that link is a classic

__________________
1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

spamman450,

Feel free to join us over at MyE28.com! We even have a sub-section for the 524td.

Regards,
Shawn

You can buy parts for that car at the top of this page. Timing belt is $57

SO_524td



Joined: 18 Jul 2006
Location: Escondido, CA

PostPosted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 11:53 am Post subject: Top 10 reasons IMO to own a 524td Reply with quote
This question was just asked in the "For Sale" forum and I've seen it in other places as well. I compiled the general reasons why people might want to own these cars. Since I live in CA, I also own this because of the emission regulations.

The top 10 reasons to generally own a 524td:

1. They're unique.
2. I get 35-40mpg routinely with the EGR disabled.
3. It prevents me from driving like an a@@hole like when I'm in my E36 M3.
4. Turn up the injector pump and smoke out people who tailgate you. (trust me, people back off fast as they think you blew your engine)
5. Diesel fuel is safer in the event of an accident.
6. As mentioned, WVO friendly.
7. I like the smell of raw diesel fuel in the morning.
8. If you don't get a bad cylinder head, you can go 300-400K without a rebuild.
9. Fuel will eventually be $5/gal. sooner maybe than later.
10. And finally, you don't have to look at the tach to know the engine is running! ;>)

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!