Description
1995 BMW 520i touring in calypso red (calypsorot) with silver grey (silbergrau) cloth interior. It has the M50B20TU 2. 0 liter six-cylinder inline 6 cylinder engine with approx 150BHP and 4-speed automatic gearbox. In the eight years I've owned and driven it daily, it's never failed to start and never left me stranded. It has been an extremely reliable car, and a pleasure to own. Mileage is low for its age and will increase slowly as I'm still driving it.
The wheels are 15"x7" MIM Tecnomagnesio Juventus painted in shadow chrome with Falken Ziex ZE-310 tyres all with decent tread (purchased in 2022). The spare is a full size 15"x7" original BMW style 5 mesh alloy (refurbished in 2020) with a Pirelli P600 tyre (unknown age but looks OK).
Included is the original cargo net, tonneau cover, and dog net. Pioneer head unit with CD/ USB, Bluetooth, and also DAB/ FM using the factory antenna. Front speakers have been upgraded with Rainbow EL-W5 units. Also included is a Bose STBB subwoofer inside the spare wheel (see photo). It won't win any competitions but it rounds out the sound without taking up any space in the boot. The car has central locking (not remote), electric windows all round, and air conditioning.
All upholstery and factory mats are in great condition with no tears or significant wear. As far as I can tell, nobody has ever smoked in this car. I believe the carpets have never seen shoes, and even the mats are in amazing condition. Only the driver's floor mat has some heel wear.
Issues I'm aware of: The bottom of the front passenger door trim is starting to rust on the inside. The paint on the roof rails is bubbling and peeling. They appear to be aluminium so are not rusting. In the warm weather there is a tiny oil leak from the back of the head gasket, maybe a few drips per week. There's no sign of water in the oil or oil in the water but replacing the head gasket might be on the cards at some point. The starter may need replacing as the solenoid doesn't always engage at the first time of asking. When driving in the rain with the headlights on, the front wipers are occasionally juddery. This only happens with the lights on, and usually at the time of adding more lights (eg indicators, brakes, etc). I suspect a ground fault somewhere but haven't got around to diagnosing it properly. The nearside wiper arm is contacting the bonnet. New brass wiper bushings and fitting instructions are included. The tailpipe on the exhaust has some damage from a previous owner and the back box has a small blow. And finally, the bulb behind the gear indicator screen in the instrument cluster seems to have failed. It only shows P/ N/ D anyway, so not a big deal.
I am the third owner (though the second owner only had it for a few weeks after his wife told him to get rid of it!). The car will come with two keys, aftermarket locking wheel nut, full OEM tool kit inc jack etc, OEM first aid kit, full documentation folder dating from the original purchase of the car, and a box of parts and bits and bobs that I've accumulated during ownership. The current MOT runs until October 2025. The car is not perfect and there a few niggles, as above, which I've been living with, but she is solid.
She's not quick but she's quick enough, practical, comfortable, and a real pleasure to drive. Driver's door replaced and painted Dec 2018
Water pump, thermostat, viscous fan coupling replaced Feb 2021
Bonnet and both sets of tailgate gas struts replaced Mar 2021
Passenger side re-lacquered Aug 2021
Tailgate glass actuator replaced May 2023
Sills and corroded jacking point repaired Jan 2024
Oil filter housing gasket replaced May 2024
Rear screen heater wiring harness replaced May 2024
Rocker cover gasket replaced Jun 2024
Brake discs and pads Sep 2024
New battery Dec 2024
