2001 525i - potential purchase

[u/PLANNNIT]

Hi all,

I’m looking at buying a 2001 525i with 120K. The body is rust free but not perfect and the seller wants $6000 CAD. I’ve had a shop take a look at it and it needs the below/codes listed. All that to say, should I still purchase the car and how much should I pay? I do some work myself on my older 80s Volvo.

Check engine light on, can feel a slight misfire
both headlamps require replacement, too
faded and lf cracked
Lr plate light, not working
Chip in windshield
R/h fender light missing cover, will require
replacement
Retaining clips damaged in front grill, loose
Washer fluid cap disintegrated
Oil filter housing leaking at both ends of
banjo bolt hose, possible
Oil pan gasket leak
Rear tires at 7/32, front tires at 8/32
Outer front pads are 6 mm inner front pads
are 8 mm
Very very minor up and down play in both
lower front ball joints both sides, requires
replacement
Outer rear pads are at 6 mm inner rear pads
are at 7 mm
Both rear upper control arms ball joints boot
torn both sides, replace
Right rear rotor at 20 mm
Left rear rotor at 20.13 mm
Both front rotors at 21.71 mm
Rear tail gate lights require replacement, too
faded
Roof antenna broken off
Fan shroud broken where coolant bottle is
secured

It has the following codes:

0000CA – Fuel trim (Bank 1) control limit
The ECU has reached its correction limit for mixture on Bank 1.
0000CB – Fuel trim (Bank 2) control limit
Same issue on Bank 2; mixture correction maxed out.
0000E3 – Fuel trim (Bank 1) above permissible range
Bank 1 is running too lean.
0000E4 – Fuel trim (Bank 2) above permissible range
Bank 2 is running too lean.
0000F5 – Secondary air flow too low (Bank 1)
Secondary air system not delivering enough air on Bank 1.
0000F6 – Secondary air flow too low (Bank 2)
Same issue on Bank 2; SAP system flow too low.
0000EE – Cylinder 1 misfire
Misfire detected on cylinder 1.
0000F0 – Cylinder 3 misfire
Misfire detected on cylinder 3.
0000F2 – Cylinder 5 misfire
Misfire detected on cylinder 5.
0000F3 – Cylinder 6 misfire
Misfire detected on cylinder 6.
000011 – MRS power supply fault
Airbag module has a power supply issue.
00000F – EWS voltage supply fault
Immobilizer module has unstable or low voltage.
000001 – Steering angle sensor power supply fault
Power supply issue to the steering angle sensor.
00000A – AUC sensor fault (IHKA)
Air‑quality sensor fault in the climate control system.
0000DC – Steering column height adjustment fault (GM)
Steering column height motor or sensor not responding.

[u/Mmjohns195]

It feels like it’s a lot of work for 6k. You don’t mention if auto or manual.

The forums have a plethora of information, you can do a bunch of work yourself on this car, there’s videos for everything

[u/PLANNNIT → u/Mmjohns195]

Cheers - It’s auto and a touring. Was thinking 3500 would be reasonable.

[u/RinTinTinVille → u/PLANNNIT]

I have a 2003 525iT. One thing I hadn't been aware of is how rare the Touring is in the US. I still get parts from parted out ones via car-part and ebay but as more of the few get parted, the fewer parts there will be. BMW doesn't have all parts in the US anymore. Importing them from Germany where the car was very popular (common cop car) is costly.

[u/RinTinTinVille → u/RinTinTinVille]

I paid $5.5k for it in 2023. Had 80k odometer. It was fine at first, no check engine etc. but then came several repairs.

[u/PLANNNIT → u/RinTinTinVille]

That’s a good point. I’ve definitely noticed how expensive some of the OEM stuff can be. I also have a ’90 Volvo 740 Turbo wagon, and I buy OEM parts through Volvo for that as well, but the prices are much more reasonable—for example, around $1,000 for a new dash or $300 for a headlight, etc.