i am looking at a 1994 535i to be used as a daily driver and occasional transport to chicago from dayton (OH)

has 117,467 miles and asking price of $9975

was wondering what i should look for / common problems around 100k miles and any other suggestions

thanks, ao

since u looking for an e34, for that much

just look for a 540i, v8 power, a few more bucks but its worth it.

pardon me, is 530i v8 too?

that's a 530i. e34 530i's are v8's.

yes it has a v8

Does anyone have experience with a 530i in terms of reliability and maintenance?

I think I will go back tomorow and have a more detailed look at the car and take a test drive, make sure electronics work.

btw edmunds quotes $8k, does this seem like a decent buy at that price?
-ao

http://www.e34v8.org

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

That price seems just a little high to me but maybe not.

autotrader lists a couple of 535 for 6500 but that article about damage from sulfur has me worried. is a full leakdown test expensive?
-ao

autotrader lists a couple of 535 for 6500 but that article about damage from sulfur has me worried. is a full leakdown test expensive?
-ao

If it was me - if it's a M60 engine - I would not bother. If it's got it replaced for a M62 I defintely consider it. It's one happy little V8 - loves to rev.

Ron.

My $.02.......

1. $1500 too high... I'm sure if you're serious you can negotiate that price down. Knowledge is power, read up on all the issues with the E34 V8's.
2. Look for maintenance records. Major discount power if not there.
3. Have an independent shop inspect the suspension and driveline components. You can probably knock that cost off the purchase price. $75 bucks is a pretty good investment if it keeps you from buying something that will need major repairs

I bought a '95 540 a year ago with about 125K miles. The engine had been replaced (no nikasil to worry about) every thing works, body, interior in great shape. I did have to replace driveshaft, flex disc, tranny mounts, and engine mounts. $2000 - OUCH!

I currently have 145K miles, the engine doesn't use a drop of oil, car runs & drives great. I don't have any reason to doubt that the car will last well over 200K without any significant problems (double crossed fingers on the slushbox :) )

Personally, I haven't driven the 530, but the 540 is an absolute power rush, and the price tag for a 94-95 540 is virtually the same as a 530. So why not go for the 540?


And last........... I don't like green cars :stickoutt

My $.02.......

I bought a '95 540 a year ago with about 125K miles. I did have to replace driveshaft, flex disc, tranny mounts, and engine mounts. $2000 - OUCH!IWhat did the car do that made you replace drive shaft?

What did the car do that made you replace drive shaft?


The car had a very pronounced vibration between 10-20 mph. Definitely had cracked flex disc. The tranny mounts were obliterated, and same for the left engine mount. My mechanic told me the u-joints at the end of the driveshaft were "dry", and BMW doesn't manufacture them to be dis-assembled and regreased. Basically you have to buy a replacement shaft. :dunno:

Regardless of whether or not I needed to replace the shaft the rest was trashed and I can definitely feel the difference, so it was good to do.

The car had a very pronounced vibration between 10-20 mph. Definitely had cracked flex disc. The tranny mounts were obliterated, and same for the left engine mount. My mechanic told me the u-joints at the end of the driveshaft were "dry", and BMW doesn't manufacture them to be dis-assembled and regreased. Basically you have to buy a replacement shaft. :dunno:

Regardless of whether or not I needed to replace the shaft the rest was trashed and I can definitely feel the difference, so it was good to do.
I just replaced both engine mounts. I gotta check my tranny mount & the drive shaft...I dont really have a vibration but sometimes (not always) I get a little buck in the 1 to 2 shift & also when doing 55-65 the car seeme to want to go in &7 out of overdrive(not always?) and someone told me it could be my driveshaft...I was hoping you were gonna say that is what your car was doing.... :eyecrazy

If it was me - if it's a M60 engine - I would not bother. If it's got it replaced for a M62 I defintely consider it. It's one happy little V8 - loves to rev.

Ron.




none of the engines were replaced w/ M62's. The replacements were M60s as well, but Alusil not Nikasil.




-Sal

94 535i? i thought the last year was 93

94 535i? i thought the last year was 93


he said its a 535 but the pics are of a 530 :dunno


-Sal

yes 530i not 535i, my mistake
i looked at 3 different 5series that day and obviously didn't get them straight