To sell, fix, or part out-1995 530i

[Hellrot530i]

I haven't been on the e34 forum in a while; been distracted by my e38 and life in general. My son's been driving the e34 and the other night it died. I did what I could (thought it was a fuel pump), but had to get it towed to an indy. Indy called this morning and said 4 out of the 8 cylinders were showing ~70-80 lbs compression (Alusil engine). Had suspicions a while back about compression, but now I know for sure.

I'm trying to decide if I need to try and locate another engine, or if I need to just call it quits and sell it "as is" or part it out. The body panels are solid and AFAIK EVERYTHING but the rear passenger window (and now motor :rolleyes ) works. Upgrades are minimal, but include Smoked Hella Euro Smilies, blacked-out grill, Alpine CD player w/ipod.

Any suggestions/opinions? Thanks in advance.

[kalevera]

The only reason to fix the car is if you like it and want to keep it. Otherwise, you're better off cutting ties, however you do it. If you do end up needing an alusil 3L, I have one (with good compression numbers).

[skylinergtr]

i've never seen or heard an alusil engine fail because of low compression. I would suggest you check again yourself. If thats the case. I want the bad engine for pennies.

[4500 RPM]

i've never seen or heard an alusil engine fail because of low compression. I would suggest you check again yourself. If thats the case. I want the bad engine for pennies.

It's still an engine, and it's a wear item. :confused Jeep 4.0s lose compression too!

[T444E]

It's still an engine, and it's a wear item. :confused Jeep 4.0s lose compression too!

Pics or it didn't happen :shifty

[misswin]

what color's the interior?

[ross1]

Low compression in four cylinders will make it run like crap but not just die. If indeed there is low compression in four I think that is a red herring and the reason it died is elsewhere.
I'd be curious about which cylinders are so low.
This is all very odd.
Having said this a friend is contemplating parting out a healthy 530 with a failing auto trans. PM me if you decide to shop for an engine.

[ShapeShifter]

Could be as simple as a headgasket.

[moroza]

Could be as simple as a headgasket.

+1

Depends on what's wrong and what condition the rest of the car's in. If the engine is toast (not just a headgasket) and the rest is nice... B40 or M62 swap?

[skylinergtr]

on an m60 a HG is not that simple...


It's still an engine, and it's a wear item. :confused Jeep 4.0s lose compression too!

I know engines wear and loose compression but i havent heard too much about alusil engines wearing as bad as really low compression on all cylinders on one side of the engine. speaking of jeep 4.0s i want a older cherokee 5spd badd. Im actually on the hunt for one.

[Hellrot530i]

The only reason to fix the car is if you like it and want to keep it. Otherwise, you're better off cutting ties, however you do it. If you do end up needing an alusil 3L, I have one (with good compression numbers).It's turned into my son's car and unfortunately, he's a teenager, but not a car guy. We both like the car, but I'm having minor heartburn over the way he spends time with and takes care of the car. He does pretty well, but he doesn't like to "tinker" around with it; it's really just transportation for him. Me, I'll spend 5 hours detailing after "tinkering"... :D Send me a PM about the engine, I'm looking into putting same back in if I go that route. Thanks.


i've never seen or heard an alusil engine fail because of low compression. I would suggest you check again yourself. If thats the case. I want the bad engine for pennies.Was going to go by the mechanic to discuss/look more thoroughly today, but had to take another son to soccer - tomorrow. BTW, how many pennies, if I go that route and it is indeed as bad as it appears at this point?


Pics or it didn't happen :shiftyWhat kind of proof pics do you want? :confused


what color's the interior?Tan/Sand/Beige (Sorry, don't remember exact name off hand). All seats are in good condition; fronts were re-dyed before I purchased in 12/07. Drivers does show some bolster wear, but motors work, incl. headrest.


Low compression in four cylinders will make it run like crap but not just die. If indeed there is low compression in four I think that is a red herring and the reason it died is elsewhere.
I'd be curious about which cylinders are so low.
This is all very odd.
Having said this a friend is contemplating parting out a healthy 530 with a failing auto trans. PM me if you decide to shop for an engine. Hoping to find out which cylinders tomorrow. PM me if you know a price on the engine. Thanks.


+1

Depends on what's wrong and what condition the rest of the car's in. If the engine is toast (not just a headgasket) and the rest is nice... B40 or M62 swap?Son's car (as for who drives) and he doesn't appreciate all that a B40 or M62 would entail once installed... Don't get me wrong, he's a great kid, just not a car guy.

All in all, at this point I'm leaning toward parting out; just hate to cannibalize it. :devillook

[filmy]

Unless you can find a known good-running M60B40 and get it swapped out for under $2K total, I'd call it quits. If your son (and you) like the E34, find a 535i and be happy. :) 540i's aren't cheap to maintain and being that your son is, well, a kid, he probably won't (or didn't?) give it the love it needs. 540i's are high-maintenance girlfriends. :( 535i's are relatively easy to fix when necessary and could be a real learning experience for him - "car guy" or not.

Plus, to a person who has the engine, the time and the know-how, it's worth something as it is right now.

Like any high-maintenance girlfriend who's left you on the side of the road, dump her.

[Hellrot530i]

Unless you can find a known good-running M60B40 and get it swapped out for under $2K total, I'd call it quits. If your son (and you) like the E34, find a 535i and be happy. :) 540i's aren't cheap to maintain and being that your son is, well, a kid, he probably won't (or didn't?) give it the love it needs. 540i's are high-maintenance girlfriends. :( 535i's are relatively easy to fix when necessary and could be a real learning experience for him - "car guy" or not.

Plus, to a person who has the engine, the time and the know-how, it's worth something as it is right now.

Like any high-maintenance girlfriend who's left you on the side of the road, dump her.Well, getting ready to go by today and get the full story. Really on the fence about what to do. As for the "love", he does OK, but I guess he's not as detail oriented, especially with teenage distractions. He did tell me last night that he would hate to see "Einstein" sold for parts, so I have to give him some credit for giving it a name. :D

[misswin]

Tan/Sand/Beige (Sorry, don't remember exact name off hand). All seats are in good condition; fronts were re-dyed before I purchased in 12/07. Drivers does show some bolster wear, but motors work, incl. headrest.





If you part this out, I call first dibs on the two front seats.... Dead serious. Mine are in ROUGH shape (motors are wacked, cracks in the seats... the whole 9), and the color is right. I've been looking for a long time and I'm desperate for some quality front seats.

You more than likely could find a nice quality vehicle (try an e30 3series...) for what you'd spend into recouping this one... or you might be able to sell the whole car, who knows. Do what you think is right... Maybe in time he'll learn how to appreciate the BMW more than just for the name. My little brother never has (he's 19), but I got my dad's genetics when it comes to playing with cars.

Edit: also... he should know better than to name a car after a man! i'm a chick and i still gave my car a woman's name :)

[jfj707]

Hey, how far are you from ATL? I saw a cheap engine there.

[nmp411]

If you part this out, I call first dibs on the two front seats.... Dead serious. Mine are in ROUGH shape (motors are wacked, cracks in the seats... the whole 9), and the color is right. I've been looking for a long time and I'm desperate for some quality front seats.


Actually, his seats are a different color than yours. I'm pretty sure at least.

His are the light tan, called parchment that came in later models, but since yours is a 90 it should have natur which is a darker tan.


That being said, I have seats in natur if you are interested. PM me if you would like to discuss.

[94530inh]

if you need a new head gasket and just want to get rid of the car, why not try the liquid glass head gasket repair liquid. That stuff could keep you going for a while.

[Hellrot530i]

If you part this out, I call first dibs on the two front seats.... Dead serious. Mine are in ROUGH shape (motors are wacked, cracks in the seats... the whole 9), and the color is right. I've been looking for a long time and I'm desperate for some quality front seats.

You more than likely could find a nice quality vehicle (try an e30 3series...) for what you'd spend into recouping this one... .

Edit: also... he should know better than to name a car after a man! i'm a chick and i still gave my car a woman's name :) Will be glad to keep you posted on the seats. Can take pictures, if you'd like. Don't know that if I get rid of this one, I'll get him another BMW. Uh, "Einstein" , maybe I should get him a smart car.:stickoutt

Hey, how far are you from ATL? I saw a cheap engine there.8 friggin hours down I-20. How much/how many miles?


Actually, his seats are a different color than yours. I'm pretty sure at least.

His are the light tan, called parchment that came in later models, but since yours is a 90 it should have natur which is a darker tan.

That being said, I have seats in natur if you are interested. PM me if you would like to discuss.How the heck do you know the color of my seats? Do I need to get a restraining order? :D .


if you need a new head gasket and just want to get rid of the car, why not try the liquid glass head gasket repair liquid. That stuff could keep you going for a while.Not heard of this stuff, but I'll look into it

[quick93]

why not try the liquid glass head gasket repair liquid. That stuff could keep you going for a while.
Is that the stuff in the green bottle at the parts store? If so, I've used this before and if you follow the directions exact it does work. Had a 5.0 Mustang with a blown head gasket, steam out the road behind you bad like something from 007. Tried this just to see what would happen and it worked great. 2 years later and the car is still running fine, my friend drives it daily.

[misswin]

Will be glad to keep you posted on the seats. Can take pictures, if you'd like. Don't know that if I get rid of this one, I'll get him another BMW. Uh, "Einstein" , maybe I should get him a smart car.:stickoutt
8 friggin hours down I-20. How much/how many miles?


haha. 10-4. if you wouldn't mind taking photos, i'd love to see them. get the kid a honda. it's hard to break one of those, and even if it does break, it's easier on the wallet to fix than one of these :)

[Hellrot530i]

haha. 10-4. if you wouldn't mind taking photos, i'd love to see them. get the kid a honda. it's hard to break one of those, and even if it does break, it's easier on the wallet to fix than one of these :)Well, I got the low-down on the motor and talked to the mechanic quite a while today; two cylinders on each bank showed low (ranging from 70 to 110), so without tearing into it, he's pretty much betting against headgasket(s); two at banks at once??? He's actually advising me against the replacement, but I'm still thinking... This would be ideal if someone had a great engine and wanted a donor body. I'm also having heartburn about parting it out for some reason. I'm just not convinced this is the car for him even if/when fixed...

Looked up particulars on my car that I had at my office and the seats are indeed "parchment". I'll take some pictures and send to you; gimme a couple of days since as of today, it's still at mechanics; out of town tomorrow.