1990 BMW Serie 5 problems
The 1990 BMW Serie 5 was sold with an engine that we have documented: the M50 and M52. The M50 and M52 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 1990 cars, such as automatic gearbox wear before 150,000 km.
1990 BMW Serie 5 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 6 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine5.23 faults
- Gearbox6.81 fault
- Suspension7.91 fault
- Brakes10.0No documented faults
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering10.0No documented faults
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights10.0No documented faults
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior7.91 fault
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 1989 BMW Serie 5
- New engines or gearboxes: M50 and M52
- Starts to be affected by: cooling system failure (expansion tank, thermostat, pump and radiator) (M50 and M52), worn VANOS seals (M50 and M52) and oil leaks from the rocker cover, oil filter housing and other gaskets (M50 and M52)
M50 and M52 engine in the 1990 BMW Serie 5
Names: 520i · 525i · 525iX
- With caution
M50B20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1990-1995)
150 hp · M50B20, M50B20TU
The cars are between 30 and 35 years old, and the sources cite plastic cooling faults, oil leaks and, from the TU onwards, VANOS wear in this family; CarWiki adds wear of the chain guides. Buy only with the cooling circuit renewed.[3][4]
- With caution
M50B25, 2.5 litre (192 hp; 1990-1995)
192 hp · M50B25, M50B25TU
The same reservations as the M50B20 apply: at this age, insist on a renewed cooling circuit and check for oil leaks and chain noise.[3][4]
Faults that affect 1990 cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonCoolingCooling system failure (expansion tank, thermostat, pump and radiator)The most cited weak point of the M52: the expansion tank, the thermostat housing, the pump impeller and the radiator tanks are plastic and crack with age. If coolant is lost and the engine overheats, the cylinder head can be damaged.Appears at around 97,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonTimingWorn VANOS sealsVANOS, the M52’s variable valve timing, loses sealing when its internal seals harden: rough idle, lack of low-rev pull and higher consumption appear. It is repaired with a seal kit, but special tools are needed.Appears at around 97,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonLubricationOil leaks from the rocker cover, oil filter housing and other gasketsWith age the M52’s rubber gaskets harden: the most cited are the rocker cover gasket and the oil filter housing gasket, and on some M52TUs the plastic cover itself cracks. They should be watched so the oil level does not drop.
Faults outside the engine in the 1990 BMW Serie 5
- High severityFrequency: CommonGearbox and clutchAutomatic gearbox wear before 150,000 kmYes. Autobild considers the four- and five-speed automatics of the E34 critical. They rarely last beyond 150,000 km, because the shift clutches and the planetary gear sets wear out first. The German Wikipedia also cites problems at high mileage, mainly on the 540i.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonBodywork and interiorCorrosion on the front wings, door sills and boot lidYes. Several tests and buying guides agree on the E34's rust spots: the lower door edges, the front wings, the edge of the boot lid and, on the Touring, the tailgate. In 2002 Autobild said rust was not a problem, so the condition depends greatly on each car.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonSuspensionPlay and wear in ball joints and bushes on the front axleYes. Autobild identifies the front-axle ball joints as a common complaint at the TÜV inspection, with rubber bushes that can fail at around 150,000 km and steering ball joints that are not very robust. The German Wikipedia, Auto Motor und Sport and Auto Zeitung also describe a running gear prone to wear.Appears at around 150,000 km
Buying a 1990 BMW Serie 5?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 1990 BMW Serie 5 reliable?
The 1990 BMW Serie 5 was sold with an engine that we have documented: the M50 and M52. The M50 and M52 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 1990 cars, such as automatic gearbox wear before 150,000 km.
Is the 1990 BMW Serie 5 better than the 1989?
Our score goes from 5.2 in 1989 to 5.2 in 1990. Starts to be affected by: cooling system failure (expansion tank, thermostat, pump and radiator) (M50 and M52), worn VANOS seals (M50 and M52) and oil leaks from the rocker cover, oil filter housing and other gaskets (M50 and M52). M50 and M52 arrive.
What is the best year for the BMW Serie 5?
According to our score, the best are 1995, 1994, 1993 and 1 other years with the same score (5.4/10). The year with the worst score is 1988 (5.2/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 1990 BMW Serie 5 have?
The most important ones documented for 1990 cars are: cooling system failure (expansion tank, thermostat, pump and radiator) (M50 and M52, high severity), automatic gearbox wear before 150,000 km (gearbox and clutch, high severity), worn VANOS seals (M50 and M52, medium severity), oil leaks from the rocker cover, oil filter housing and other gaskets (M50 and M52, medium severity) and corrosion on the front wings, door sills and boot lid (bodywork and interior, medium severity).
Own a 1990 BMW Serie 5? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- BMW E34 (1988-1996): motorizaciones, años de producción y puntos débilesWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
- BMW 5 Series (E34): tabla de motoresWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
- BMW M50 / M52: problemas conocidosEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
- Der BMW M50 Motor: Technische Daten, Probleme, Haltbarkeit & FahrzeuglisteCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German