1995 530i is this a good deal?

94530iNH · #1 (**permalink**) 05-29-2005, 05:43 PM

Ive been talking to a guy who will sell me a slightly damaged 1995 530i for either 4 grand or in trade for my camaro.. he owns a salvage yard.
The car has all maintenance records and is very clean. Its got a clean title and just needs a little body work and a new LCA (lower control arm) its got 130k with 100k on the motor. Guy says it has no mechanical issues at all. What do you guys think. Here are some pics.
When I get it, it will be totally repaired. and have the set of rims in the pic on it, along with the rims on the car.

94530iNH · #2 (**permalink**) 05-30-2005, 12:47 PM

CleanAzzE30z · #3 (**permalink**) 05-31-2005, 02:15 PM

looks like quite a bit of damage. Try and find out if its one of the Nikasil (as opposed to Alusil) engines as these were sometimes victim to premature wear. EIther way if its got 100K, youll probably be seeing a rebuild somewhat soon since those V8's werent among BMW's best of achievements. Sorry, man. My dad has a '95 540i 6speed and its the same color he needed a new engine due to the Nikasil issue. I suppose if its got 100K and no sign of problem its ok. Some engines went fine even though they were built within the Nikasil time frame. Im all for people coming to the BMW team, but Id stay with the Camaro on this one unless youre quite handy with the body work and/or have hook ups with it. Wait for a good one, IMO.

94530iNH · #4 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 07:30 PM

the body will be perfect when i get it.. its included in the 4 grand or the trade..

CleanAzzE30z · #5 (**permalink**) 06-02-2005, 10:32 AM

Oh ok cool.

94530iNH · #6 (**permalink**) 06-13-2005, 01:15 PM

i think i'll just save up for an e30 instead

sjpgoalie · #7 (**permalink**) 06-13-2005, 01:21 PM

yea save for an e30

CleanAzzE30z · #8 (**permalink**) 06-13-2005, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94530iNH

i think i'll just save up for an e30 instead

Now were talking. The E34 was the beginning of a downward spiral for BMWs in terms of build quality, its fact, not opinion. Product of the cost-cutting, globalization, workforce reducing 90's. E30s will run forever. Mines got 211K original engine and a head job 100K miles ago and it doesnt burn oil. I know people with 300K and onward, its not rare at all.

#98 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-14-2005, 08:46 PM

Like nano said, check to see if it's nikasil, but only for bargaining reasons. If a nikasil engine hasn't gone bad by now then chances are it's not going to simply because of changes in fuel.

Check the casting number on your engine. The M60 Nikasil engines are:

Engine Casting Number
M60B30
1 725 970 or 1 741 212

M60B40
1 725 963 or 1 742 998

UnlucKy E34 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-05-2005, 01:08 AM

Thats slightly damaged?