Hi,

I just found your site and I was wondering if someone could help me with some questions.
I have been looking online for a good review on the 04' 525i. I cannot find one that actually reviews the 2.5L instead of the 3.0L variant.
Does anyone here know of a good article on the 04' 525i? Or if someone can share their own experience with one that will be of great use to me as well.

I guess my two main concerns are gas mileage and power.
What kind of actual gas mileage can I expect with normal driving and not fast driving but a lot of stop and go?
Also, is the power an issue when you want to enjoy the car a bit and or pass someone on the highway?

If anyone has some suggestions or insights for me I will be so thankfull?

JO

 

The '04 was the first car after the redesign. It is not really rated that highly for reliability. As with first year cars it seems to suffer a few of the effects of working out the bugs. I am sure there are many here that can refute my claim.

 

Thanks, that's why I would buy a CPO.

 

You could still be miserable buying a CPO. It is not wise to purchase a car from a MY with known problems. Plenty are fine but there is a much higher incidence of problems.

 

Thanks, what is an MY? I might get flamed but I know from owning two BMWs that there are always problems with these cars. You have to really love em to keep buying them. I own an 02' 3.0L X5 as well and that one is going in tomorrow for a bad seat motor.

JO

 

MY is model year. No flame required.

I looked at an 04 for a while and then decided on an 05 for the above stated reasons; I would stay away from the first MY of a redesign. The 05 had any number of bugs worked out from the 04s.

As far as power/MPG on a 30 vs a 25; the power will of course be less on a 25 and your MPG is completely related to your driving style. You could get much better mileage from a 530 than a 525 if you drive like a ninny. But then again, who drives bimmers that way!?

Find an 05 CPO and you will be happier. IMHO

 

I?ve only driven a 525i once or twice but there is no question your 330i would be faster. You should definitely do an extensive test drive.

 

I agree. I was given a 328XI for a loaner and it was faster than the 525I. Coming from a Boxster "S" it's a disappointment.....BUT I like the luxury and of course the TOYZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Maybe I can get the salesperon to loan me the 525i tomorrow when i take in my X5 for work.

 

I have on '04 530i and I have had a ton of problems, but I've had them all fixed under warranty and everything's fine now. My biggest concern though would be going from the 3.0 to the the 2.5. I think you are definitely going to feel the difference. From my own experience, I find that going from a car with more power down to one without as much is not very much fun at all. You start to get annoyed by a lot of little things like getting on the freeway or passing people.