kimoloop

Hi,

i am about to buy a 525i and i am choosing from 2004 and 2006 model.
my question is: what is the different between them?
i have noticed for example that the 2004 model is using the normal KEY however the 2006 model has Start/Stop engine.
what else is different between the two?

Thanks

turboawd

i believe the engine was upgraded in 2005? a little more hp.
other than that, there really isnt much different between 04-06

pcy

M54 engine was used up until (including) 2005 for 525i
2006 and 2007 525i has N52 engine.
While M54 engine has been around for some time and all the kinks have been ironed-out by 2004 to 2005, N52 engine also very reliable. There seem to be very few engine-related issues.

kimoloop

Thank you guys for ur reply, do you guys recommend to go for 2006 model [for better option and Engine] or it will be the same? Thanks

KyleB

early N52 is plagued with cylinder head issues. google "N52 valve ticking". BMW updated the cylinder head sometime in 2008 if I recall correctly. If I had the choice between those two, I'd take the M54 powered car assuming all other things are equal (mileage, condition, options, etc)

M54 is basically the final development of M50, which was released in 1990. So effectively, you're getting an engine with 15 years of development behind it. 2006 was the first year for N52 use, at least in the US.

good luck with your car search.

pcy

If I were you, I'd buy the most recent model of any car I can afford.

kimoloop

Thanks Kyle, i have searched and you are right about the noise issue of the HVA, however i think it can be fixed, right? and they said also it does not mean that there is something wrong in the engine, right?
the problem is you may be right about M54 would be more reliable but i think it will be hard to find a 5 series - M54 with low ks.
one other point to clarify:- on the wikipedia link below they say its only for N52 [3.0L] only, does this mean that if i get 525i [2.5L] i wont have this problem?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N52
Thanks

kimoloop

Thanks Pcy, i think you are 100% right. new model, low ks. but how low do you recommend?

KyleB

It depends. sometimes the valve lifters pump up after a few minutes of driving and the ticking goes away. sometimes a new set of lifters fixes the ticking. sometimes the ticking never goes away and you end up replacing the entire cylinder head with the redesigned casting that has better oil passageways. it's a gamble, as is any used car. again, i wouldn't touch an early N52 powered car, but that's just my opinion. it's your money, you should buy they car you feel most comfortable with. i just wanted to point out that it's something you want to be aware of if you choose an '06.

good luck with the car.

balbs

I have an 06 525i with N52 with 74K miles and no ticking....(knock on wood...no pun intended)

I've been using either Castrol 0w-30 or Mobil 1 0w-40 European formula.