'95 530i

[TheGeak]

Any common issues? (aside from the block) How can you tell the 2 blocks apart? easiest way?


a buddy's brother is looking at getting one and just wants to make sure its in good shape. Anything i should tell him to be wary of?

[Beachcomber]

http://www.koalamotorsport.com/tech/...shortblock.htm

[TheGeak]

awesome! thanks!

[632 Regal]

he will love the smell of Nikasil in the morning, nothing like it on earth!

[DueyT]

he will love the smell of Nikasil in the morning, nothing like it on earth!

Hear, hear!

[mholbrook]

My 530 v8 was the best car I ever had and I wonder how many of the nay-sayers of the nikisil v8 have never owned one. The high sulfer gas days are long behind and if the car is not exhibiting any problems now and passes a leak down test, there is really very little to fear. I see a lot more 2.5 and 3.5 liter sixes getting new head gaskets than v8's being replaced. The big six has a very good long life reputation but it is not being made anymore. The v8 which began in the US around 1994 has only had about 10 years to make it's bones. I for one would not hesitate to buy a nikisil v8 with good leak down numbers.

Just my .02 worth.

Mike Holbrook
Spring Valley, CA

[G Feller]

Those guys below are sincere - they both have Nikasil blocks!

Guys, does it really have a special smell?

My 530 v8 was the best car I ever had and I wonder how many of the nay-sayers of the nikisil v8 have never owned one. The high sulfer gas days are long behind and if the car is not exhibiting any problems now and passes a leak down test, there is really very little to fear. I see a lot more 2.5 and 3.5 liter sixes getting new head gaskets than v8's being replaced. The big six has a very good long life reputation but it is not being made anymore. The v8 which began in the US around 1994 has only had about 10 years to make it's bones. I for one would not hesitate to buy a nikisil v8 with good leak down numbers.

Just my .02 worth.

Mike Holbrook
Spring Valley, CA

[MikeV]

Yeah, I feel like I'm missing out somehow (45k on Alusil block)

It's all about the leakdown test....

[scott540]

I've even heard the Nikasil engines not only smell better, they're faster too. Nikasil rocks.

[Super90]

My 530im has the nikasil block, still! 108k mi. on the clock, two sets of leakdown tests, one at 80k and another at 100k, both very good. It won't fail the tests!!!

Yes, I wake up in cold sweats some nights afraid I am going to get the bad news one day, but I recently had the car into my indy for a new clutch and several of the guys drove the car and told me it is one of the nicest running M60s they have seen in a long time, Nik or Alu.

Now, if you have the documentation from the dealer or a good independant, you might be OK. For some reason the four liter motors seem to have more problems than the three liter motors and the auto trannies more than the manual gearboxes. Why, I don't know but that is what I have heard from multiple sources.

In the mean time, I will keep driving mine in the quest for the Holy Grail: 200k mi. + on the original Nikasil block!!!

But, I think a good ole 535 or an E39 528 would be a better car long term than the M60. They are far easier to work on; more space in the engine bay! Don't have the problems with p/s hoses, valve cover gaskets, galley covers, PCV plates, intake gaskets, etc. that the M60 is notorious for.