So new to the group and to the BMW world. I can honestly say after driving the '95 525iT I purchased for my wife a month ago, I've gone from being a driver to becoming a driving enthusiast.

So now I'm searching for another for myself. What I'm wondering is beyond the Nikasil issue I've read about on these boards, what are the other issues, if any, that should be noted if I'm looking for E34 wagons when it comes to 530's? I'll admit I'm more attracted to the 525's for the fuel efficiency, but I'm curious to know if there are other reasons to choose it. Higher maintenance with the 530's? Parts? Life expectancy of the engine? Thanks!

other than the engine and transmission...everything is basically the same. If you can find a good one and these two things pass your test (tranny and engine)...you may find that some 530iTs may have rear self leveling suspension (it was an option...unlike the earlier 92-93 525iT where it was standard equip).

The 530iT will probably get a mile or two less per gallon...not much to fret over versus the additional horsepower. But the biggest obstacle will be finding one. There were 6658 e34 Tourings imported to the USA...and only 481 were the 530iT (so good luck in your search). E34 Touring owners are a small bunch and 530iT owners are even more exclusive ;)

BTW the 676 Tourings built & sold in 1996 (as well as all e34 5 series built/sold that year...are considered 1995 models...there were no e34s designated as 1996 model year cars. The 1995 model year was extended awaiting the debut of the new/redesigned e39 5 series. And when the e39 debuted mid 1996...the were designated as early roll out 1997 models.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/739000-739999/739005_76_full.jpg

One would have to think with such low production numbers at some point in the future values would have to climb.

...the numbers I posted were import numbers (to the USA)...not production numbers. There were many e34 Tourings produced and marketed in other countries...plus they came with other engine configurations too...518/520/525/525td/525tds/530/540/M5.

Now the e34 M5 might appreciate...but the rest...I really doubt it. :(

Thanks for the information. Glad to hear there aren't a lot of issues. I had been told by a BMW mechanic to avoid the 530's due to the nikasil issue and 'a host of other issues' but nothing he elaborated on.

I'm hoping to run a leakdown test on the 530 I'm looking at, and have the shop check the tranny...