Should I buy this '94 530i? (noob)

[Neonperfect]

K, first of all, I'd like to say "Hi" to everybody here on Bimmer forums, I'm a complete noob here.Prior to this I worked primarily on sport-compacts and a little on muscle cars. A friend of mine has a blue(ish) '94 530i sedan, auto Xmission. 170,000miles, engine in great condition (mechanic verified), power everything, leather, basically fully loaded. He also said that there's some kinda auto/manual feature around the steering wheel, he said "it's like the newer bimmer and benzes". However, he's pretty clueless about cars - which is why I'm here :) . Oh and he'll give it to me for $3000 max, since we know each other. So, I'd just like to get somebody's opinion on this possible purchase. Also, what is the scale of aftermarket support for this model, if any? Like a lot of enthusiasts, I simply can't keep my cars stock, lol. Thanx in advance.

EDIT: It's a 540i, not a 530i...

[iCeDmAn]

well if the car was treated well that sounds like a good buy to me...170k is high but she should last...but someone else should reply with more knowledge on reliability of the e34...

[RobH]

Go for it. 3 grand sounds like an excellent deal if it is a clean car. As far as mods, you can get as extreme as you want to. There's a guy on here -- E34 biturbo I think -- that has a smoking 5 series. His web site

http://www.cardomain.com/id/pphilpot02

should give you some ideas.

[Chris E30+M50]

Be sure to check that the block has been changed. The liner they used in those engines was bad could result in engine failure. I belive the stuff they used was called nikasil.

[NowThat'sRaw]

I believe those may be subject to the issue with Nikasil. Many of those engines were replaced by BMW, however. I am a little nervous when dealing with auto transmissions in BMWs with that many miles. I know the auto in the e28 was a ticking time bomb, though I had one go to 200k miles. Maybe the e34s are better in that regard? But for $3,000 I'd say you really can't go wrong. You could probably part it out on ebay and make a profit.

- Alan

[shragon]

nikasil issue:

www.e34v8.org

www.koalamotorsport.com/tech/misc/v8shortblock.htm

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$3k is pretty cheap. resale on a 94 530i with that mileage is about $7k or so.

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about e34's: www.bmwe34.net

[Neonperfect]

Woah, I'm devouring all this new info as quickly as I can. I thought that all the E34s (the 530i, I guess) in that year were 6cyl... Or are they V8 after all? Also, how do I know if the engine has been replaced? I haven't seen the ride yet, my friend keeps it in Orlando at his other house.

[NowThat'sRaw]

The e34 had two available v8s - the 530 and 540. The sixes were the 525 and, early on, the 535. And the e34 M5 was a six as well. I believe the 530 v8 was an attempt to meet the new (at the time) challenges from Lexus and Infiniti.

- Alan

[brahtw8]

There is no bargain E34 V8.

That car will probably need a new Alumasil block (see above) and a new transmission. That is why it is so cheap.

If you can afford a $10k car, you may want to consider it, because that is probably what it is going to cost you to bring it up to par. You also need to budget at least $50-100 in repairs each month, once the above has been taken care of.

I like the E34s a lot, but that car does not sound like a good choice for a budget-minded person.

[dan330]

great weekend car!. If the engine is in good working order. $3K sounds like a good deal.

Love 540s

[devilbones]

Get it while you can.

[rmani]

sounds like a good car. only 3k?!