Considering an E34 530i

[Cliche Guevara]

Specifically this one. I'm a little cautious about the reliability/cost of owning a V8 E34, though. How do reliability and maintenance costs compare to an M30 or M50 E34?

[KSLB1]

That car seems really nice.

Generally speaking, e32/e34 chassis cars are pretty stout, however there were a series of recalls regarding the coating used in the cylinder liners of the early M60 engines.

Google "Nakisil". Once the coating wears out the compression bleeds down until engine is worthless. Most cars to suffer such a fate did so before 100K so this car is old enough that it's not likely of concern.

The main concern on an e34 is suspension wear. The double pivot front end chews threw bushings and causing vibration at cruising speed. With that said e34s are great cars and I honestly think they're better built than the e39. Very solid cars. They ride smooth, handle well, have great steering feel for a big car and are very well built.

M30s are more powerful than the M60B30 and an M50 would require less attention, but these are smooth and powerful cars anyway you slice it up, and about as well built as any car BMW EVER built.

[Farbin Kaiber]

looks like some gnarly dents between the passenger and drivers front and rear doors, also looks like a repaint.

[Jean]

Ugly color, shit engine.

[iamsam]

Don't ever own an M60B30 powered car unless you intent to put a B40 in it.

I am not sure why BMW even made the B30, it makes so little power, and the B40 is essentially the same thing but with +80 hp.

[Farbin Kaiber]

The m30 powered e34 in Boise is a much better car, I wouldn't be looking for something else if you already have access to it.

[Robotin]

from what ive seen. owning a e34 530 is terrible idea becuase your asically gonna have the power of a 6 and the gas mileage of an 8...
just get a 525 or a 540

[5Toes]

More power than a 6

I think BMW made it because it was a "v8"

[Cliche Guevara]

The m30 powered e34 in Boise is a much better car, I wouldn't be looking for something else if you already have access to it.

I didn't expect to get much for positive feedback on that, but you never know. Seattle is an easier drive than Boise, so if it turned out to be a good option I didn't want to miss out.

[Jean]

M60B30 was the "replacement" for M30B35 is what I read somewhere in bmw articles...

So, it's got the M30 MPG but v8 lol

[iamsam]

More power than a 6

barely. The M30B35 makes 208 hp while the M60B30 makes 218. For a vastly simpler and easier motor to maintain I would quickly take the 10 hp loss. It can be easily gained back (and more) w/ a chip.

[mottati]

Don't ever own an M60B30 powered car unless you intent to put a B40 in it.

I am not sure why BMW even made the B30, it makes so little power, and the B40 is essentially the same thing but with +80 hp.

they're not that bad. True, my intent is a b40 swap on my 530iT, but the b30 is decent, certainly a better performer than a 525 and it'll still swing 25mpg on the highway.

Regarding why bmw did it, more hp, and better fuel economy than the m30, plus the "v8 appeal"