BMW 525i (E34) - Registration No: TL 9999
After satisfying my father with his brand new Subaru E10 with registration no TM9339, I went to the BMW's sole dealer in the state of Terengganu at that time (1989) just to take a look at various models being exhibited to the public in the dealer's showroom which was not far away from my office. The dealer was the same dealer that sold the Volvo 360GLE to me about couple of years before.
The showroom displayed the one and only brand new imported CBU (complete built up) BMW 525 series 1988 model (E34 series). Test drive was not allowed due to limited unit available.
The first unit of this BMW ever owned in Terengganu was the one belonging to Perwaja Steel (M) Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia's first iron factory located in the District of Kemaman, Terengganu. If I buy the car, I will be the second user but the first individual owner of BMW E34 in the state of Terengganu! It will be the 10th car I've ever owned in my life.
The car price was MYR187,000.00 as offered to me by the dealer under special scheme for promoting the First Visit Malaysia Year, 1989.
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| Jimi and Najmi behind my 525i |
I bought the car with 80% of the car price under hire-purchase financing for 9 years, costing about MYR2,100.00 for each monthly installments. The car registration number was TL9999 costing another MYR5,000.00 for that numbers which I have purchased from the local Road Traffic Department.
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| another posting of Jimi and Najmi with my 525i |
At that time, I can afford to pay that monthly installments timely. My business was really good. Monthly income was more than MYR50 grands per month. I have American Express Card in addition to Visa Card and Diners Club for my personal usage.
I continued to use the BMW complacently for about one year only when I started to have perspiring moments in my crumbling business. No more tonnes of money or similar sort of largesse or gravy...what more any auspiciousness in businesses. No more excuses or subterfuges for not paying the monthly installments which were in connivance for more than 6 months. I have to let go the car to the Finance Company before they repossess it or get somebody to buy it from me.
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| kakmie and Nami posting with my 525i |
And, it was a bit astounding when suddenly the dealer himself approached me and offered to take the car but without a single cents of collateral to me.
Well, that was the best offer that I can have at such precarious financial situation. I must let go the car immediately, rather than waiting and putting my entire business in intimidating condition and perhaps will end up in formidable unraveling aftermath!
I must save my business, my family and the rest in my back office, though I have lost my pride and immensity.
If my economy getting better after that, I may have another opportunity to buy another 525i...or perhaps a 7 series with latest model in the market. That was what I have said to myself. And that was possible.
Human beings must have bitter-sweet moments in their lives. The bitter one is to be remembered as a lesson. The sweet one is to be shared with our family or parents or even with friends, so that they will remember the same forever.
FACTS YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW ABOUT BMW 525i 1988 Model - E34 SERIES
The BMW E34 is the version of the BMW 5 Series automobile built from February 1988 to 1995 with the Touring model ending June 1996. It replaced the BMW E28 in 1988 and was replaced by the E39 in 1996.
In the North-American market the E34 succeeded the BMW E28 in May 1988 [4] with two models. The 525i used the BMW M20 engine while the 535i used the larger M30. The cars were a blend of BMW tradition and modern technology. BMW's traditional FR layout and straight-6 were used, providing the smooth engine and optimal weight distribution BMW customers had come to expect. New 5-series also had a much stiffer body and was more streamlined than its predecessor, and had design cues to introduced in 1987 7-series.
The E34 was among the most reliable luxury cars on the market, earning the best-in-class ratings from Intellichoice in 1991, and still considered one of the most reliable BMWs ever made.[5] It was also one of the safest cars on the road during its production, providing airbags, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, and a very rigid body structure to protect occupants in the event of an accident.[5] It was also equipped with automatic stability control (ASC) or traction control (ASC+T) in later years on higher-specification variants.[6]
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| Manufacturer | BMW |
|---|---|
| Production | 1988–1996 1,333,412 built[1] |
| Predecessor | BMW E28 |
| Successor | BMW E39 |
| Class | Mid-size, executive car |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | BMW E34 |
| Engine | Gasoline I4 1.8 L M40B18 1.8 L M43B18 I6 2.0 L M20B20 2.0 L M50B20 2.5 L M20B25 2.5 L M50B25 3.0 L M30B30 3.5 L M30B35 Motorsport I6 3.6 L S38B36 3.8 L S38B38 V8 3.0 L M60B30 4.0 L M60B40 Diesel I6 2.4 L M21D24 2.5 L M51D25UL 2.5 L M51D25OL |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-speed ZF 5-speed ZF Manual 5-speed Getrag 6-speed Getrag |
| Wheelbase | 2,761 mm (108.7 in)[2] |
| Length | 4,720 mm (185.8 in) |
| Width | 1,751 mm (68.9 in) |
| Height | 1,412 mm (55.6 in) 1,417 mm (55.8 in) (touring)[3] |
| Curb weight | 1,565 kg (3,450 lb) |
| Related | BMW M5 |
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