Buy or not to buy....

[PhilipJCaputo]

I'm thinking about buying a 95 530i and I just wanted to make sure this passes the sniff test.

Here is some info about the car as given to me by the seller

New Alusil Short Block Installed by BMW 33,000 miles ago at 77,585
miles due to factory recall.

Non Smoker, Only 112,200 Miles, good set of Michelin Pilots.

108,560 miles - Replaced Clutch, Master & Slave Cylinder, and
Flywheel, Replaced A/C Auxillery Fan

92,603 miles - Replaced Belts, Replaced Lower Control Arm on Right
Side & Both Front Control Arm Bushings

77,585 miles - Installed new Alusil short block, Replaced Water
Pump, Replaced Both Motor Mounts, Replaced Oil Seperator, Power
Steering Hose and Valve Cover Gaskets

75,804 miles - Replaced Fuel Pump

The asking price is $10,250 which I don't think is unreasonable. I
am slightly concerned with gas mileage, as the price of gas has gone
up recently (but no matter what car I buy, I'm still going to have
to buy gas)

Is there anything else I should be looking out for on this vehicle?
It seems to me that with the motor only having 33K miles on it, I
should be able to expect many many more miles of enjoyment from this
car.

Any tips/hints/helpful insites would be great!

Thanks!

[mholbrook]

Price doesn't seem to be too unreasonable given it has records, new motor, new clutch and some other parts. You still have maybe some suspension work to be done in the future if it has not already been done. And, it is a pretty rare 5 speed car.

Fuel mileage on my previously owned 530 with auto San Diego to Colorado was 28mpg at an average travel speed of about 90 and it was pretty consistently around 24mpg combined city/communte highway driving here in San Diego. With a 5 speed and an even remotely light foot you should do better than 30 on the highway.

The 530 is a terrific car and with a 5 speed and new alusil motor, it removes all the costly problems down the road. The auto transmission is a very expensive replacement cost and you don't have that issue.

You should buy the car and enjoy. If the asking price is 10,250, start at 7500 and work up. Get it bought for $9k or so and you'll be fine.

[Phil M]

With all the work done on her and recorded, and the rare 5 speed, that sounds like a good deal. Even with recorded work, you ought to still take it to an indy and get it check out further. Man, you can be able to tell people its a V8 and still get about as good of gas mileage as their inline 6's. Sure wish I had one. What color exterior and interior is it?

Dark tip: Last year, when me and my father were looking to buy my current car, the lady was asking $11k. Dad got a briefcase and filled it with $8k and brought it to the lady. Before I knew it, we were at the county clerks office getting my new license plate. If you can, try that. Especially if it's a woman.

[Warren N.CA]

price you pay is as important as getting the RIGHT car. When you've found a good one, it's reasonable to pay a higher price for it. In other words, I think it's folly to refuse to pay an extra thousand or two for a really good one, and let it get away. Make sure the paint and body are excellent with NO RUST, and that there has been no paint rework- if so, find another.

I'm thinking about buying a 95 530i and I just wanted to make sure this passes the sniff test.

Here is some info about the car as given to me by the seller

New Alusil Short Block Installed by BMW 33,000 miles ago at 77,585
miles due to factory recall.

Non Smoker, Only 112,200 Miles, good set of Michelin Pilots.

108,560 miles - Replaced Clutch, Master & Slave Cylinder, and
Flywheel, Replaced A/C Auxillery Fan

92,603 miles - Replaced Belts, Replaced Lower Control Arm on Right
Side & Both Front Control Arm Bushings

77,585 miles - Installed new Alusil short block, Replaced Water
Pump, Replaced Both Motor Mounts, Replaced Oil Seperator, Power
Steering Hose and Valve Cover Gaskets

75,804 miles - Replaced Fuel Pump

The asking price is $10,250 which I don't think is unreasonable. I
am slightly concerned with gas mileage, as the price of gas has gone
up recently (but no matter what car I buy, I'm still going to have
to buy gas)

Is there anything else I should be looking out for on this vehicle?
It seems to me that with the motor only having 33K miles on it, I
should be able to expect many many more miles of enjoyment from this
car.

Any tips/hints/helpful insites would be great!

Thanks!

[PhilipJCaputo]

Here is a photo:

its got the tan interior....

Thanks so much for the insite so far, its been very helpful!!