True, the W123 in my mind is far superior to the 524TD. The W123 has more direct pull in acceleration (Turbo models). The W123 feels and IS far more solid in build.

However, there are far fewer 524TD's out there, and while the 524TD is NO W123 Turbo, it is certainly a fine Diesel powered automobile for its era. Aside from the MBZ diesels of the 80's you have some VW/Audi models, and some GM bodied sedan models to choose from. Then you have the 524TD if you can find one.

The reason I think the 524 is collectable (at least here in the U.S.) is because it falls right under the M5 in rarity. There are plenty of run of the mill E28's out there... 525's, 528's etc. And more to the point, is the fact that BMW has never offered any Diesel powered models to U.S. consumers since the 524TD. Which means that die-hard BMW drivers whom want a diesel in a BMW have 1 option; the 524TD. Most are thrashed, maintained poorly, etc. which makes this example listed for sale all the more special, collectable, and in demand. its in better condition than most E28 gassers excluding the M5, and its far rarer.

The notion, or reccomendation that it would make more sense to buy an E28 M5 for the same price as this 524TD defeats the point. An M5 is not a diesel. its like telling a die hard diesel MB enthusiast that it would make more sense to buy a flawless 190E 2.3-16 instead of a flawless 190D 2.5 Turbo. They are totally different cars, and both are fairly rare, more so for a 190D 2.5 Turbo in near new shape.

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Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

Basicaly it comes down to if you want a good example cough up the money.

I'd have no heart burn paying low teens for a like new low milage W126 sedan.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

TIMING BELT?? .....the guy mentions its got a stinking timing belt instead of a chain. I wouldnt touch it for that reason alone - plus the usual cramped and crowded BWM engine compartment. Even accessing the glow plugs looks like a nightmare.

Gimme an honest MB 240D 4-spd any day of the week over this crazy BMW.

A 1985 BMW 5 series is an E28 (chassis code). Probably the best BMW chassis ever made. I can't comment on the diesel drivetrain, though.

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1976 BMW 2002- 100k
1995 BMW 325i 175k
1984 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbo Diesel- 270,000 mi

1981 Mercedes Benz 240D- Estimated 300,000+ mi Returned to the earth

Lincon used the same engine around the same time. Those motors have a very expensive timing belt. Not to mention that BMW window switches fail often. This means that when the a/c craps out and you roll the windows down it will rain and one window will fail to come back up while you are driving down the interstate. Ditto leaking power steering racks are common on Bimmers. Remember, Mercedes almost took over BMW in the late '50s, for some reason they decided against it. Sort of like GM buying Chrysler when they were making Cordobas with fine Corinthian leather.

Because the seats in these cars (1) are flimsy (2) have motors inside for the power headrests, and once disassembled, they don't go back together well. BTDT on the 535i. I'm suspicious of stuff like that on a $9k "mint" example. I find it no surprise on a 535i like mine- bought and sold for around $700...

I can't put my finger on it, but the way that ad was written... it just sunds like the typical Ebay used car dealer sales pitch. I think this may be my misconception, but do you think that one who lavished this kind of attention on a 20 yr old BMW would refer to running "waste oil" as fuel, and that they never got around to trying it? It just doesn't sound like spoken English. Read enough ebay ads, you will see what I mean. it's just a certain mode of speech.

When I sold my clunker 535i, I cut to the chase: "Great motor donor, resto project, beater Bimmer, or maybe track car- the 3.5 Big Six can still spin the tires very easily. It is far from pretty but still goes like a BMW should. $700? You tell me!"

See what I mean? This one just sounds like a "500,000 miles, 40 MPG 240D" kind of seller...

Does anyone know if these engines use hydraulic lifters or not? If not, I wonder if it has those nifty little roller adjusters like BMW's gassers. I've always thought those engines had the easiest and most pleasant valve adjustment procedure of any engine I've worked on, past or present...of course, hyd lifters are even more pleasant.

but my guess is no hydraulics.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Don't forget the E12s!

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82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods

There is a 1986 524td 105k for sale locally I looked at;... not running since 2001, they don't know what is wrong with it. They said they parked it when it was running really rough.
BUT they have BMW stuff everywhere; like they tinker with them all the time. I think they DO know what is wrong with it; but aren't forthcoming.
I can buy it for $400. but I think I am going to pass, my gut tells me there are big issues with this car.

My opinion...The car is built like a cheap German car (VW AUDI). Clear coat is cracked, cloth seats has worn out, dash is cracked. Plastic seems cheap. Aluminum is corroded. Certainly not a Mercedes in quality.
Shiny aluminum bumbers & trim is rainbowed & milky.

BMW is about image more than anything. Like the Mercedes of today. Build quality is shoddy. I owned a 1989 325ic cabriolet. Many issues with poor quality trim, fast wearing suspension, poor a/c, leaking ps rack, not to mention it once locked itself while running in my driveway. I expect problems like those in a Hyundai(sic), not a high $$$ German car.

My 78 e12 530i is holding up as well as/ better than my 90 sdl w/ equvalent mileage.

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82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods

BMW took a turn in the 80's in my opinion. Build quality went down the drain, while the engineers focused on performance and handling. Interior trim wears rather quickly, plastics break, buttons break, seats fall apart, electrical malfunctions plague the performance, drive the owners insane with the onboard diagnostics computer, and the exterior finishes errode like rocks in a tumbler. Too bad the car doesnt turn out like a finely polished stone. MB is the only auto maker that has been able to build a car that gets better with every mile and year granted it is well cared for. For these reasons I will agree that many 1980's-current BMW's are bought to be flashed around by the avg. joe with some dough in his pocket. But on the other side of the BMW consumer spectrum many BMW's are bought by BMW enthusiasts, simply because they do a great job of what they are made for. Performance. I think this is why BMW continues to be a succesful company. BMW buyers arent buying a BMW for quality in build, but rather extremely precise performance engineering. MB has tried to take a stab at this market with the AMG models, and has done quite a nice job, but there will always be BMW loyalists.

On the flip side, I own an E9 3.0 Coupe, and the build quality on that car is nearly equal to that of a Mercedes-Benz of the same era. The interior trimings are sturdy, the exterior fit and material use is almost as briliant as an MB, and the car evokes an overall sturdy and functional feel... I swear if I replaced the BMW roundels on the the hood trunk and steering wheel with the 3 pointed star it could pass as an MB. The same goes for the 1600, 2002, 2800, 3.0S and Bavaria models. They are built to a higher level of sophistication. Very much like an MB.

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Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

then a 72 220. i rate the bmw a 7 on quality scale if benz was 10 most cars less than five.

i also had an (was it an 88?) 318 with a fiver. nice driving little car but the qualtiy was a little scary. i got rid of it in less than a year and got a benz.

maybe i should have kept it. it was my wifes and she is now driving a pt cruiser (pos). maybe if i had kept the bmw she would still be driving it.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.