BMW 525e (E28) Driving Report: 80s Electric Car
- The car manufacturers have not been able to change this question since recent years.
- As early as 1973, the Middle East was hot: In the course of the Jom Kippur War, the Opec turns on the oil tap, in many western countries...
- German manufacturers who build and export large cars come under pressure.
Which type of drive is ideal for the future? The car manufacturers have not been able to change this question since recent years. BMW was looking for the right answer 40 years ago. And even then stands out wide. So an unusual abbreviation moves into the program.
But we have to turn the time back. As early as 1973, the Middle East was hot: In the course of the Jom Kippur War, the Opec turns on the oil tap, in many western countries the fuel price explodes. Become a result Diesel-Tarche car more popular, especially when the revolution in Iran in 1979 causes a second oil price shock. At the same time, the United States introduced the so -called “Corporate Average Fuel Economy” (Cafe), a legal regulation to limit fleet consumption in motor vehicles.
German manufacturers who build and export large cars come under pressure. Mercedes Build a diesel into the 116er-S-Class and develops the 190, BMW Stomps a practically manufactured 4.5 liter V12. After all: with that 3er You have had a compact car since 1975. But internationally, the large six -cylinder of the brand are popular.
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So what to do? Similar to today, you drive multi -track in Munich. Based on the M20 six-cylinder, the M21 diesel alias is created 324D/324TD and 524D/524TD. But BMW knows that customers will not suddenly buy diesel to hundreds of thousands. Even if it sounds more clearer than a Mercedes taxi. Ergo you have to make the six-cylinder petrol engine more economical.
The recipe for this in today’s times of inflated turbo triangular lines strangles: there is no less, but more displacement. From autumn 1981 the BMW 528E will be available in the USA, always with a three-way catalyst. In the spring of 1983 the 525e followed in Germany before the 325e in Europe came onto the market in 1985.
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The letter “E” stands for the Greek letter “ETA”, the symbol of efficiency. The six -cylinder has 2.7 instead of 2.0 liters of displacement and is uncompromisingly designed for the greatest possible torque at low speed. With better acceleration values, the 525e consumes nine percent less fuel compared to the 520i.
According to the factory, only 8.4 liters of normal gasoline per 100 km. At that time, the consumption – even in practice – is considered sensational for a large -volume six -cylinder. This interpretation of a high -capacity engine for relatively little power is still unusual in Europe.
In the BMW 528E and 525E models, a inline six-cylinder ottomotor of the type M20 with 2,693 cc displacement is used. It delivers 90 kW (122 hp, 92 kW/125 hp without a cat) at 4,250 rpm, the red area of the tachometer begins at 4,500 rpm. The maximum torque is 230 Nm (240 Nm without a cat) at 3,250/min and enables the use of a longer -translated rear axle gear with a translation of 2.93: 1.
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Long intake pipes improve the cylinder filling at low speeds due to the swing tube effect. The engine block is made of gray cast, the cylinder head made of aluminum. The construction is optimized for low internal friction: the reduced speed level allows valve springs and piston rings with less preload, and the engine has only four camshaft wave bearings.
The 525e brochure of January 1984 titles: “Eta energy: the second strength for the joy of driving”. And explains the peculiarities of the drive again on many sides. Quote: “An alternative way of driving BMW.” Effectiveness has been developed “That extends close to that of a diesel engine.” The “digital motor electronics” (original notch BMW) and the “BMW Energie-Control” also help. However, the latter is only the analogous consumption display that many drivers of older BMW still know.
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BMW can be paid well on the German market to the new letters: a 525e at the beginning costs DM 30,165, a 520i is almost 2,000 marks cheaper. Measured by this, the number of quantities are decent: until the end of 1987 40,621 BMW 525E for Europe and 89,853 528E for the USA and Japan.
First e-contact after 40 years
So the theory. What does the practice of 2025 look like? At BMW Classic, a very chic 525e of the year of construction 1985 is waiting for me in a light gold metallic. Complete color -coordinated inside. At that time, many blasphemed that the E28 series would hardly look different from Your predecessor. Today the angular design with the chrome between the rear lights has its own charm. Curiosity in passing: Our photographer is surprised why the exhaust is almost in the middle. I’ve been wondering that since childhood …
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Inside, this is literally noticeable. The 525E is 4.62 meters and 1.70 meters wide with a wheelbase of 2.62 meters. Large windows and a steep windshield provide an excellent overview, only the rear area is not visible when looking back.
Space? Okay, although the elbow always leans on the door. The ashtrays are very contemporary in the rear. The simple driver -oriented cockpit with simple operation is always beautiful. I only find the faring switch for the headlights far left.
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If a tachometer were on board, I would see that the red area starts at 4,500 rpm. But it is not, but a quartz train in the format television news. However, it doesn’t matter, because “my” 525e has a four-speed automatic. Unusual for a BMW of that time, but very happy to be ordered from 525e, as the used market shows.
Surprising automatic harmony
And rightly so. Because the 525e is one of the few BMW of those days due to its engine characteristics that harmonize well with an automatic. The machine does not want to be cheered here. You surf the big torque wave early. Certainly, a racing car is not the 525E. 12.3 seconds at 100 km/h are more of a case to relax. By the way, 10.7 would be with manual transmission, especially since the 525E with a good 1,300 kilograms is not extremely light.
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Be it. The car pushes forward, garnished with a wonderful six-cylinder sound. Sometimes the switching trucks of the automatic can be felt delicate, but nothing is uncomfortable here. No throttle charasteristics, as the BMW brochure at that time emphasizes. And the advertisers must have known me even then: “Driver personalities with a driving style that is characterized by active serenity.”
An imaginary Derrick episode runs in front of my intellectual eye: investigations in the noble suburb of Grünwald from Munich, the 525e parked in front of a sophisticated villa. Just stupid that Derrick only drove in the E28 until 1982 and then on the 7er (E23). By the way, I also like very much, even without ETA technology. BMW Classic – you know.
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