buying advice: 1995 540 i

[rodrigo]

Hi everyone. I am considering getting another BMW. I came across a very nice 1995 540i with 92,000 miles.

Does anyone here own one of these? Im assuming this is a 4000cc V8.

What are known issues with these?

[Kershaw]

valley pan gasket.

[rodrigo]

What is that?

[Schneller 3er]

Search this place, before buying one.
Good Luck

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=201

[tjts1]

Nikasil

[Garageaholic]

Upper timing case cover leaks. Seat twist.

[StereoInstaller1]

I fixed the seat twist in my E34 in half an hour with basic tools and a cigarette lighter.

How are the door panels on that E34? I understand they used better glue on the later cars.

EDIT: the E34 suspension is WAY more complex than an E30, and all of it seems to wear out pretty much at the same time. Ball joints, thrust arms, subframe bushings, sway bar end links and mounts...and the beloved "dog bones" all are failure prone

[CorvallisBMW]

But it's also super-easy to replace all of those suspension components. In my experience, even easier than on an e30.

[CamuTao]

1995 BMW's are trouble because that's when they switched over designs

[Streichholzschächtelchen]

1995 BMW's are trouble because that's when they switched over designs

Only trouble if you are too stupid to identify differences / print a buyers guide.

[gearheadE30]

1995 BMW's are trouble because that's when they switched over designs

au contraire. End-of-cycle cars are typically the best of the run, at least from a quality standpoint, as the factory has tried to come up with fixes for all of the glaring faults, and would have also had warranty fixes at a later date than other cars, so have a further probability of having factory issues worked out.

[Super Sedan]

Watch for Nikasil vs. Alusil engine as mentioned above. Look for rust in the usual areas. The M60 V8 is a lot of fun when it's running well!

[StereoInstaller1]

But it's also super-easy to replace all of those suspension components. In my experience, even easier than on an e30.

I did a subframe bushing in half an hour, so yeah, I agree.

[5Toes]

LAdy who owns one said when she bought hers, there are 2 types of 540is, and the one has transmission leak problems. You have to tell by serial number

[QUKBMER]

Little basic shit that goes wrong on a car thats 16 years old.Biggest is the valley plate i agree(have to remove the intake off to get to it)and 95 is the last year for the e34 5 series line and then started up again in 97 with the e39 5 series.