Tell me what you know about a 95 530i

[DarkWing6]

I'm looking at a black one with 103K on it. Haven't seen it yet, but he says it is perfect and is asking $7,500. If that is true, is that worth it. From what I've read this is an excellent and reliable motor. Oh ya, it's 5 speed too!


Thoughts?

[Low Level E30]

Maintenance history is key. These get expensive fast if they're not maintained properly.

www.bimmer.info - Great forums for E34 info.

Also go to the Bimmerforums E34 section - lots of knowledgeable regulars there.

[Bill-B]

Well I know that it is no E30:D

[auto da fe]

Nooo!

Stay away unless the block has been replaced and the owner has documentation. You take the chance that the Nikasil demon will kick your ass if it has the original V8 engine.

[mudflaps]

block? sounds like a fucking expensive recall on the part of BMW.

[Low Level E30]

Stay away unless the block has been replaced and the owner has documentation. You take the chance that the Nikasil demon will kick your ass if it has the original V8 engine.

This is what you call "misinformation".

There is potentially nothing wrong with a Nikasil engine --- provided it was run mostly on high-octane gas. Nikasil engines were degraded by the high sulphur content of lower-octane gasoline in the US.

If the motor is a Nikasil one, start it up and let it idle - if it idles roughly, that's your first sign that it may be eaten away at the cylinder walls by sulphur.

A leakdown is the most important test - good results = a good Nikasil motor.

Gasoline nowadays in the US has MUCH less sulphur in it, so the Nikasil issue is not an issue if the motor has lasted this long.

Hope that helps.

And always be on the lookout for misinformation...

[Low Level E30]

block? sounds like a fucking expensive recall on the part of BMW.

Oh yes. Very much so.

[PiercedE30]

3 liter V8 = gas mileage of V8 with power of a 2.5

[Jean]

If you were going to get a v8 e34, atleast get a 540i ;) The 535 with the m30 is a tank otherwise.

[blunttech]

i dont like the 3.0L V8. but what was stated earlier is true,.. if it shows no signs of the nikilsil problem now its fine. i have a e39 4.4v8 and i built a 4.0L e34 for my mom and both are good motors but suffer from intake seal problems. not sure if thats true with the 3.0L . personally id go for the 6. they just feel better.

[auto da fe]

This is what you call "misinformation".

There is potentially nothing wrong with a Nikasil engine --- provided it was run mostly on high-octane gas. Nikasil engines were degraded by the high sulphur content of lower-octane gasoline in the US.

If the motor is a Nikasil one, start it up and let it idle - if it idles roughly, that's your first sign that it may be eaten away at the cylinder walls by sulphur.

A leakdown is the most important test - good results = a good Nikasil motor.

Gasoline nowadays in the US has MUCH less sulphur in it, so the Nikasil issue is not an issue if the motor has lasted this long.

Hope that helps.

And always be on the lookout for misinformation...

I stand by what I wrote. It is not misinformation. He could buy a Nikasil engine that has a perfect idle, for now, only to be very sorry a couple years down the road. "There is potentially nothing wrong with a Nikasil engine." Sure, there is potentially nothing wrong with getting your ass sent to Iraq either. "..so the Nikasil issue is not an issue if the motor has lasted this long." That's misinformation. If he insists on the car, a leakdown test is a must. It's foolish to make a 7500 dollar assumption about a known problematic engine.

[Low Level E30]

I stand by what I wrote. It is not misinformation. He could buy a Nikasil engine that has a perfect idle, for now, only to be very sorry a couple years down the road. "There is potentially nothing wrong with a Nikasil engine." Sure, there is potentially nothing wrong with getting your ass sent to Iraq either. "..so the Nikasil issue is not an issue if the motor has lasted this long." That's misinformation. If he insists on the car, a leakdown test is a must. It's foolish to make a 7500 dollar assumption about a known problematic engine.

I just don't care to argue over the internet. What a complete waste of time.

Go to Bimmerforums and search for "Nikasil". Plenty of info and experience there, rather than the aimless mental wanderings of an old fart on R3V.

[Low Level E30]

Edited above for accuracy.

[ping65810]

Before everyone gets pissy.....call EuroDepot and see how much you can get another Nikasil enginer for, dirt cheap if I remember right. I remember talking to Joel about it, and he thinks the same way I do, I'd rather buy one for dirt cheap, and worse case scenario every few years drop another nikasil one in for cheap

[Jean]

Before everyone gets pissy.....call EuroDepot and see how much you can get another Nikasil enginer for, dirt cheap if I remember right. I remember talking to Joel about it, and he thinks the same way I do, I'd rather buy one for dirt cheap, and worse case scenario every few years drop another nikasil one in for cheap

LOL, that must be the reason why M60s from EuroDepot weren't much more than M50.... just swap one out every few years and go haha