New guy thinking about buying 94 540i 6-speed

[RX7guy]

Hey guys, I currently have my eye on a 94 540i 6-speed. It has 88k miles on it. The ad says it has $5k worth of serice records, including a new clutch and radiator. I think the price is pretty good, $7000.

I have read the buyers guide on bmw4life.com, and searched here for some buying info. Is there anything else I should look for?

This would be my daily driver. I am coming from Mazda RX-7's so I am no stranger to ongoing do-it-yourself maintenance and repairs, or crappy gas milage for that matter.

What do you think? Here's a pic --> http://images.autotrader.com/images/..._A.562x421.jpg

[angrypancake]

people get real worried about the nikasil/alusil issue, but with good maintenence they run. there are a few people here with 200k on the nikasil blocks. get the VIN number and a carfax can be done... $7,000 is good, a lot of the 1995's with more miles than that go for 9-10k. get a good pre purchase inspection, compression/leakdown, etc.

OR, shameless plug, though its an auto... you could buy Shakman's 540ia, $5900, all service records.

[joshua43214]

every one here is going to tell you to make sure it has an updated engine, normaly I would say not to worry about it. The gasoline that caused the problem is no longer available in the US, so provided the engine did not fail already, it won't now. BUT, with the low miles it is possible that it does have a bad engine and the owner may not even be aware of it. Google nicosil or alusil and read up on it. Look through the records for an engine replacement, keep in mind that the early replacements used the same block so its best to get the number off the engine.

Other than that, some of the suspension stuff is pricey and so is the climate control at times. Have a BMW specialist look it over, simple things like VC gaskets and tune ups are expensive on that car.

the E34 is a truly wonderouse car and the 540i is nothing less than amazing, you wont be disapointed I think.

[DrewZ]

'94 540is were only available as automatics in the US. The linked pic appears to be a '94 because it has the brake ducts under the front bumper lip. This car is probably:
A) A '95, to which someone has added the brake ducts
B) A '94 grey market car
C) A '94 US car that was converted from auto to 6-speed

Check the VIN, and plug in the last 7 digits at http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do That will tell you the model year and original transmission info.

For other pre-purchase info, check out http://www.e34v8.org and http://www.kindel.com/bmw

[Kalevera]

Ditto.

Nikasil is still an issue -- we've had a dead 530 sitting outside for a few months. Thing was running fine until about December...has around 150k on it, from what I remember.

For the price, it's a deal if it's legit.

best, whit

[Loppy]

I'm new to a 95 540/6. Mine had 144K miles and cost me the same and I had to immediately replace valve cover gaskets and do motor and tranny mounts. not cheap. If the records on the car are tight, and you get it checked out and she's good, thats a smoke'n deal for a low milage car.

Joshua is right. To have work done on the car is expensive, but I've found it's not complicated at all if your a decent mechanic. If you like to tinker yourself or if you are a seasoned mechanic, you'll love the BMW way. Things make sense, are tight, right and work.

Its of course a much larger and heavier car than the RX7, but performance wise, you will NOT be disappointed. Drive it and you'll see why instantly. Add an affordable chip and a few little things and it even gets better.

I love mine. Its just too fun to drive.

[RX7guy]

'94 540is were only available as automatics in the US. The linked pic appears to be a '94 because it has the brake ducts under the front bumper lip. This car is probably:
A) A '95, to which someone has added the brake ducts
B) A '94 grey market car
C) A '94 US car that was converted from auto to 6-speed
Check the VIN, and plug in the last 7 digits at http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do That will tell you the model year and original transmission info.

I just looked up the VIN. It says it has a production date of Oct/93. Maybe you are right about the 6-speed swap, here is a pic of the interior. You can see that the seats and shifter boot are from a different car. http://images.autotrader.com/images/..._A.562x421.jpg

Maybe if someone was clever enough to swap in the 6-speed they also replaced the engine.... hmmm maybe?

If it is the nikasil engine still, how much does it cost to replace it with an alusil engine? Oh and what if I am not able to have a pre-purchase inspection done because this guy lives like three hours away from me??

[Evan]

This car is sweet but don't buy it unless the owner is willing to let you take it to your mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. Invest a couple hundred in a complete inspection, including a leakdown. You can use that info to either bargain him down or just walk away.

Good Luck and let us know what happens.

[angrypancake]

the center console looks replaced too. it's nice looking though. if it still has the nikasil, then the compression/leakdown test would help determine if it was on the road to oblivion or not. where does the seller live? i see you're in NC. there are a decent amount of people from around there, maybe for a case of beer they would be willing to go check out the car, drive it, etc for you? if I lived down there I would...

edit: it could say 88k miles because that is how much is on the new block, if in fact it was replaced...?

[Evan]

My 94 540 has a Nikasil block and 180K miles. I bought it from someone who lived two hours away from me and I took the time to have it inspected by my mechanic... I also contacted the previous owner's mechanic and grilled him for fifteen minutes (though he was tight-lipped for some reason)


Don't take any shortcuts... no matter how hard your dick gets at the thought of owning this car.


Three hours and $300 is better than spending $7000 on a car that may need $5000 to be "right"