Hi,

I used to post a bit in the e34 forums, haven't driven my 530 in a few months, and I find myself in Hawaii. Having been driving a POS (relatively speaking) 4runner for a while, I need to get back in the seat of a BMW.

There's a '95 840i for sale in Honolulu, and I'm really tempted to leverage myself and buy it.

Since I do own a '95 530i, I'm aware of the nikasil block issue, and I'll have to bring an inspection mirror with me to check serial numbers when I go to drive it, but I guess this post can be boiled down to this:

How much would you pay for a '95 840Ci with 37000 miles? I think I would pay too much, just because I want it!

Thanks for any input. The car is, reportedly, in outstanding condition. I'll know more after I drive it.

Oh, and just in case anyone is feeling magnanimous and has unlimited carfax checks, you can find this car on cars.com. it's the only one in Hawaii. I guess this feels a little more secure than posting a VIN that will be archived in the forums forever. I suppose I should just pony up the 30 bucks, but I thought I would ask.

If it means anything, edmunds says $13000 for a car of this vintage and miles in this area, in outstanding condition, as dealer retail. They currently want 17000 for it, reportedly down from 26.

I'm sure there's some wiggle room in there.

Only one in Hawaii? Is this it??

I meant only one that I know of (FOR SALE on cars.com) in Hawaii :)

it's this one

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-|E-|M-_5_|D-_43_|N-N|R-10000|I-1%2c7|P-PRICE+descending|Q-descending|Z-96816&aff=national&paId=283840364&recnum=25&leadExists=true (http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-%7CM-_5_%7CD-_43_%7CN-N%7CR-10000%7CI-1%2c7%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CZ-96816&aff=national&paId=283840364&recnum=25&leadExists=true)

holy what a long link

Such a long link and no pics??

It's too bad there are no pics :(

Yes, it's too bad.

I've seen it from a distance, it's silver, and it certainly caught my eye.

I guess my question was just sort of 'in general', and assuming that it is in excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition.

If anyone wanted to share any info regarding things to pay close attention to on a test drive, that would be great, I don't know any real specifics on the 8-series' typical trouble points.

Would be great to know which series of engine this one has, as something I read leads me to believe that it is at least possible that it might have come with either the 4.0 nikasil or the 4.4 alusil engine from the factory. If it has spent it's whole life in Hawaii, it is also possible that it never came into contact with any bad high-sulphur gas.

Anyway, thanks for reading.

Koizumi-

Like the wheels in your signature.

Are those the e38 18" M-parallels?

If so, do they work well on the e31?

I happen to have a set of 4 e38 staggered forged m-pars sitting in a garage back on the mainland. I never bothered putting them on my 530i, and from the look of things they look pretty nice on an e31.

What size tires do you use?

thanks