Hey guys a couple friends of mine have E34 5 series, they're both the I6. I think one is a 530 and the other a 525???? How reliable are these in I6 form, but also what about the 540i? Also what kind of maintenance costs can I expect from one of these?

The 530 actually has the same motor as the 540, just a smaller displacement. Ask your friend, as he will give you more detailed descriptions f the main costs. Just do a google search for "Nikasil" after you talk with him.

Mine has been rock solid for the last 140k miles, original engine, original transmission. Costs about 1k/ year for upkeep.

The 530 actually has the same motor as the 540, just a smaller displacement. Ask your friend, as he will give you more detailed descriptions f the main costs. Just do a google search for "Nikasil" after you talk with him.

Mine has been rock solid for the last 140k miles, original engine, original transmission. Costs about 1k/ year for upkeep.
The 530 is not a 3.0 straight six? or is the 540 not a 4.0 V8????

I never looked under the hood just saw the badge and assumed...

Also whats the power numbers on the two cars...

my buddies has been rock solid, he suggested I check the internet because he considers himself lucky with his car. So I came here :)

They are both V8 with differing displacement. The 3.0 has 215hp and the 4.0 has 282hp.

They are both V8 with differing displacement. The 3.0 has 215hp and the 4.0 has 282hp.
I thought only the M5 had 282?

M5 is 320ish for the 3.6, around 340 for the 3.8. E34 540 does have 282 HP. Other than being careful of the Nikasil issue (do a search), 540s will have the same issues as any other E34. Thrust arm bushings go out causing a shimmy at 55 MPH ($200 for new arms), typical BMW issues with the radiator, water pump, and expansion tank.

M5 is 320ish for the 3.6, around 340 for the 3.8. E34 540 does have 282 HP. Other than being careful of the Nikasil issue (do a search), 540s will have the same issues as any other E34. Thrust arm bushings go out causing a shimmy at 55 MPH ($200 for new arms), typical BMW issues with the radiator, water pump, and expansion tank.
Thats what I was afraid :( I love BMW, but the thought of owning one without a warranty scares me. Things like water pumps and radiators are automotive staples, there's not really an excuse for why they should and do fail prematurely.

Just to clarify:
E34 530i is a V-8
E39 530i is an I-6

It's a question of your capacity to DIY. If you're willing, go for it, these cars are still pretty easy to work on. If not, be prepared to shell out some cash, even a good indy BMW wrench doesn't come cheap. The common stuff like radiator and cooling system stuff, as well as the thrust arms aren't really that hard. You always have a great support system on here! When well kept these cars last a long time, my 540 has 136k on it and doesn't burn a drop of oil, still runs perfect. This is on the cursed Nikasil block as well.

It's a question of your capacity to DIY. If you're willing, go for it, these cars are still pretty easy to work on. If not, be prepared to shell out some cash, even a good indy BMW wrench doesn't come cheap. The common stuff like radiator and cooling system stuff, as well as the thrust arms aren't really that hard. You always have a great support system on here! When well kept these cars last a long time, my 540 has 136k on it and doesn't burn a drop of oil, still runs perfect. This is on the cursed Nikasil block as well.
Yea my buddies 530 had 140k on the clock and was silent as a tomb inside. Another friends 525 had 155k on the clock, it was the same way. Dead silent inside with 155k! It was amazing really. That is what really turned me on to BMW's quality. I think they were both 1995 models. My friends with newer 5 series (e39s) dont seem nearly as solid. Is that how it is in general or are the two E39's I've seen just bad examples by people who dont take good care of them?

If you need to ask, you can't afford it.

If you need to ask, you can't afford it.
yeah because you know my financial situation :rolleyes :mad

I have had both an E34 and an E39 540. The e39 was a 540i/6 with mods. Both cars were very quiet, both cars were very nice overall. However, in my experience, your assertion is correct, the E39 is less well-built than the e34. My e34 interior does not squeak, the side mouldings are original after 140k miles, the panel fit is superior, even the leather is of superior quality. I would take an E34 540i/6 over my E39 540i/6 any day of the week.

As for annual costs, my e34 has run about 1k a year, some years more, others less. A water pump usually lasts about 100k miles, radiator lasts a while too. I replaced mine with a Zionsville, and it has lasted for 70k miles worry-free. With mods, I average about 20mpg 50/50 highway/city.

+1...but I've only driven an E39 never owned.

Would the M30 or M50 be cheaper annually than the M60(?), or whatever the 540 motor is? Because $1000 per year is a bit extreme for me.

Would the M30 or M50 be cheaper annually than the M60(?), or whatever the 540 motor is? Because $1000 per year is a bit extreme for me.

Those costs are not M60 specific. That is just for general e34 costs. My M60 hasn't needed actual work in quite some time. I think the last thing I did to it was a full gasket job, which ran about 2k. That is only about 500$ more than it would have been for any other BMW motor.

I have had both an E34 and an E39 540. The e39 was a 540i/6 with mods. Both cars were very quiet, both cars were very nice overall. However, in my experience, your assertion is correct, the E39 is less well-built than the e34. My e34 interior does not squeak, the side mouldings are original after 140k miles, the panel fit is superior, even the leather is of superior quality. I would take an E34 540i/6 over my E39 540i/6 any day of the week.

As for annual costs, my e34 has run about 1k a year, some years more, others less. A water pump usually lasts about 100k miles, radiator lasts a while too. I replaced mine with a Zionsville, and it has lasted for 70k miles worry-free. With mods, I average about 20mpg 50/50 highway/city.
I may stick it on my list of potential cars, just because the damn E34 is built so well. My buddies cars werejust superb as I mentioned earlier, both with quite a few miles. Quiet, rattle free, and very VERY nice inside.

yeah because you know my financial situation :rolleyes :mad
If you are not willing to set aside $1,500-$2,000 a year for maintenance and mods, look elsewhere. I would suggest Acura or a Lexus.

What kind of differential did the E34 540 have? Did most of the E34 have the same diff.?

Doh, I saw a chart somewhere in the past few days which diffs for which cars... most E34's had different diffs.

If I find it again Ill link it.

Doh, I saw a chart somewhere in the past few days which diffs for which cars... most E34's had different diffs.

If I find it again Ill link it.

Is this what you had in mind?
http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/Recipe.htm

Scroll down a bit. It is #11 on the list.

If you are not willing to set aside $1,500-$2,000 a year for maintenance and mods, look elsewhere. I would suggest Acura or a Lexus.
Did I say I was unwilling? Fuck no I didn't...and I dont plan on modding. I'm asking because I plan with my finances. Last thing I want to do is get a car that I think will cost 400/yr to maintain and wind up spending 1000. I budget my money closely and allot for just about every dime. If I budget for 1000 then I have no problem spending it. I get sick of the arrogant bullshit responses "if you have to ask you can't afford it" this is the first time on this board I've had it, but other folks get it all the time and its ridiculous.

... I dont plan on modding...

Man, too bad.It can really enhance your enjoyment of the car. Plus, they can make it more economical. When my 540 was stock, I got about 18 much less enjoyable mpg. I'd say improving gas mileage by 10-15% is a good reason to mod, if not to simply make driving better.

I put over 10,000 miles on my 95 540i6 and did 3 oil changes in 6 months, and that is it. The car is DEAD reliable, runs cool as a cucumber, is very fast and unbelivably quiet. My girlfriend said the car is like a really fast leather couch, in a bank vault. I can honestly say that I LOVE the car. It looks fantastic and runs beautifully. I'd venture to say that the car is rather cheap to run daily, unless you break something major! :)

Man, too bad.It can really enhance your enjoyment of the car. Plus, they can make it more economical. When my 540 was stock, I got about 18 much less enjoyable mpg. I'd say improving gas mileage by 10-15% is a good reason to mod, if not to simply make driving better.
Like what kind of mods?

Hey mitch thanks for the reply

The good thing about the E34 is I can pick up a 540 for much cheaper than anything else on my list. Finding one with reasonable mileage and a manual transmission is where it'll get harry.

The very first thing to do is upgrade the ECU. I suggest the Conforti chip, as I am quite pleased with it. There are a variety of chips available, they all have about the same gains. Some people swear by a certain kind, so take my suggestion at your whim.

The second thing to do is upgrade the suspension. This is where things get very tricky, as different setups have different feel. The http://www.bmw4life.com/ site has a good write up on it.

Next is a SSK. (Short Shift Kit) I had the UUC kit on my E39, and it was fantastic. Makes the action much more tight, as well as significantly shortening the throw.

Fourth is a lightened flywheel. It makes the engine rev much faster as well as increasing drivetrain efficiency. (supposedly) I had one of these in my E39, as well, and it was excellent.

Exhaust can go in wherever you want it, but it doesn't really give any power gains unless you get headers, which are exceedingly expensive. (2k+) I happen to have a set (SuperSprint) and it has a superb rumble while not droning on the highway.

After that, power mods get very expensive for minimal gains, aside from FI.

The very first thing to do is upgrade the ECU. I suggest the Conforti chip, as I am quite pleased with it. There are a variety of chips available, they all have about the same gains. Some people swear by a certain kind, so take my suggestion at your whim.

The second thing to do is upgrade the suspension. This is where things get very tricky, as different setups have different feel. The http://www.bmw4life.com/ site has a good write up on it.

Next is a SSK. (Short Shift Kit) I had the UUC kit on my E39, and it was fantastic. Makes the action much more tight, as well as significantly shortening the throw.

Fourth is a lightened flywheel. It makes the engine rev much faster as well as increasing drivetrain efficiency. (supposedly) I had one of these in my E39, as well, and it was excellent.

Exhaust can go in wherever you want it, but it doesn't really give any power gains unless you get headers, which are exceedingly expensive. (2k+) I happen to have a set (SuperSprint) and it has a superb rumble while not droning on the highway.

After that, power mods get very expensive for minimal gains, aside from FI.
Only two mods I can think of that I'd wanna do is the ECU and the short throw. Short throws are great :cool:

Good luck finding an E34 540i/6, they only made it for one year and are quite rare, even for that year. They are becoming quite coveted by enthusiasts.

Is this what you had in mind?
http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/Recipe.htm

Scroll down a bit. It is #11 on the list.

Thats it!

The second thing to do is upgrade the suspension. This is where things get very tricky, as different setups have different feel. The http://www.bmw4life.com/ site has a good write up on it

I was looking around for this one also :) thanks!

They can be really reliable when you have a lifetime warranty on the engine...:buttrock

This is tru I have a warranty till 200k

Hey,

All I can tell ya is beware of the "slushbox". If I had it to do all over again, I'd look for someone like me with a bad trans, buy it cheap, then do the six spd conversion :(
Just my 2 cents . . .

That can't be that cheap though, like the others were saying, when you factor in adding the clutch pedal, etc. But yeah makes sense.

They can be really reliable when you have a lifetime warranty on the engine...:buttrock
How do you have a lifetime warranty on a motor???


They're not cheap at least in good condition, I did an autotrader search and pulled some other info and it looks like I'd pay between 12,500 and 14,500 for on in good shape with really low miles. Whereas a G35, E46 3 series, IS300 and a few others would all run between 17,500 and about 28,000. I prefer a cash purchase which means I need to keep it to less than 20k if possible.