1995 BMW 540i

[OVerLoRDI]

I'm going to be picking up my new car tomorrow. Its a 1995 BMW 540i, sports suspension and 6 speed manual. I'm quite excited but as usually with almost all cars people have a very split opinion on them.

Basically, can anyone speak from personal experience about these cars? I'm wondering what to expect. I'm pretty handy with cars and I can fix most small things on my own. Any comments on what its like to drive would be nice too

Maitence Updates!!!
The shocks needed replacing ~300 bucks and a few hours on a Saturday. Dealership wanted 1600.
A few headgasket leaks. Fixed
Needs new Upper Control Arms, parts on their way ~200 dollars and probably another few hours on a Saturday.

All in all I love the car and the maintence hasn't really been getting to me. Mostly because I've been doing it myself and learning a lot thanks to my Uncle (he builds drag racers)

 

[spidey07]

I have not owned that model, although I do love the 5 series. My M cost a fortune in maintenance.

I would say build up an maintenance account and expect to use it. Given the year though, and if you are handy with a wrench it shouldn't be that bad.

Other members can give a more direct experience.

-edit-
what it's like to drive? (this I do have experience with) It's like a 3 but with a more powerful motor and doesn't have the "go-cart" feel that the 3 does. You'll really enjoy it. It doesn't have the 'toss it around feel' the 3 does but it is nice. Just remeber that it is bigger than it feels.

 

[ajayjuneja]

should be an awesome car! a long time ago these had issues with the nikasil block in the usa, most of those were replaced though.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

I never really considered the maintence budget, but that sounds like a really good idea. I hope I don't get one that has too many maintence issues.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

*pump*

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

My father has a 1994 BMW 530i, been around for 150k (now belongs to my brother).

The big maintenance issue was with the Nikasil linings, so check to make sure your car has the newer engine. Provided that's been done, its been quite a reliable car, and drives extremely well for something built 10+ years ago.

Good luck with it.

 

[Ilikepiedoyou]

buy two, so you can drive one while the other is in the shop

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Thanks everyone for the info. I have an appointment to take it to a dealership early next week to check if there is anything that needs to be done. I ran a Carfax and it appears the older engine has been replaced. I'm so excited to finally get this car.

 

[Ilikepiedoyou]

just to let you know, my old prelude was in three accidents, with a clean carfax report. Some states don't require car collison work to be reported. Maybe have them check for any repaint or accident damage as well. Good luck, 6 speed is sweet.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

I'll keep that in mind, I'm leaving now to go pick it up. It has an appointment at a dealership early next week.

 

[woodie1]

I bought one new in 1995 (what else). It is a really fun car to drive. Lots of power from the V8 (282 hp I think) for that year car. Oil changes are a snap but make sure you have a drain pan that can hold 8 quarts (I think). The oil filter is in a canister in the top front of the engine (driver side). I forgot the size wrench needed to remove the canister cap but I think it was 22mm. At this age I would think all the engine issues would have been taken care of. I still have the reset tool I bought to reset the dash reminder when you change oil, but there are instructions out there on how to make your own. It has an onboard computer that will tell you when oil changes are due based on your driving habits. There are several good BMW Boards/Forums where you can get lots of info. Enjoy.

 

[woodie1]

Double Post.. 8-(

 

[imported_LoKe]

Generally a good question to ask before buying the car.

 

[wfn]

Congrats,

Let us know how you like the car. It's definately either for a diy person or someone willing to spend, though keep in mind that if the car was serviced on time and properly you should see plenty of trouble free motoring.

Here are the three important things you will need:

1. What will break
2. Register at this board and ask OP to pull service history by VIN
3. Use service history @ BMW defect code lookup tool

 

[Midlander]

Originally posted by: Ilikepiedoyou
buy two, so you can drive one while the other is in the shop

Good advice.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

I just got back from picking it up a few hours ago. I am amazed. This car drives incredibly well. The power provided by the engine is unmatched by any car I have driven. It flies to 60 like its nothing and begs me to go for 100. The car appears and drives free of any seemingly major problems, but we'll see what the dealership says. Thanks wfn for those links I'll take a look at them tomorrow.

 

[BoomerD]

94-95 is about when BMW was having the problem with the Nikasil engine, and started swapping over to the Alusil block. Double check to see which one your car has. IF it's the Nikasil one, you MIGHT still be able to get BMW to change it at no cost.
There are several forums dedicated to these cars, where you can get the necessary information to find out which block your car has.

Here's some info on it for ya:
"The Nikasil problem
BMW used Nikasil, an aluminium, nickel, and silicon alloy, to line the cylinders of the M60 engines. The cross-hatched Nikasil linings react with the high sulfur content found in lower-quality gasoline, such as that used in parts of the United States. This reaction causes damage to the very top of the cylinder bore, where there is the most contact of the burning mixture and the cylinder lining. The damage prevents a good seal from forming between the piston and the cylinder wall, causing a loss of compression in the combustion chamber. This "leak down" will cause M60s with worn linings to exhibit a rough idle, and if the problem continues unchecked, the engine will not start.

The only permanent fix for this problem is the replacement of the short block with the equivalent block using Alusil linings, which do not exhibit this corrosion problem. After the problem was found, BMW issued an extended six-year, 100,000-mile (160,000 km) warranty to cover these engines at no cost to the owner.

The composition of the engine can be found by checking the serial number stamped into the engine block:

M60B30:

1 725 970 - Nikasil
1 741 212 - Nikasil
1 745 871 - Alusil
M60B40:

1 725 963 - Nikasil
1 742 998 - Nikasil
1 745 872 - Alusil "

For more info, here's the roadfly site for the e34 5 series:
http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e34/

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Well I've had the car for a while now. It needed some work, few small oil leaks and such. The engine is in great shape and the transmission looks great. The interior has been kept in nearly new condition, the leather looks better than my mom's 2001 330i. The car is very heavy feeling, but at the same time still a joy to drive as it's weight is never an issue when you put your foot down The shocks need replacing but I can do that myself. The car has a pretty sweet set of after market rims and an impressive Pioneer sound system. Here are some pictures if you guys are interested. Can anyone recommend some companies for shocks? I'm not looking for absolutely top of the line but I would still like to treate my new BMW well

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l174/OVerLoRDI/540i2.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l174/OVerLoRDI/540i.jpg

 

[chuckywang]

How much?

 

[Sluggo]

Looks nice. Of course we are all wondering what you paid for it if you are comfortable posting that.

 

[shoRunner]

Originally posted by: OVerLoRDI
Well I've had the car for a while now. It needed some work, few small oil leaks and such. The engine is in great shape and the transmission looks great. The interior has been kept in nearly new condition, the leather looks better than my mom's 2001 330i. The car is very heavy feeling, but at the same time still a joy to drive as it's weight is never an issue when you put your foot down The shocks need replacing but I can do that myself. The car has a pretty sweet set of after market rims and an impressive Pioneer sound system. Here are some pictures if you guys are interested. Can anyone recommend some companies for shocks? I'm not looking for absolutely top of the line but I would still like to treate my new BMW well

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l174/OVerLoRDI/540i2.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l174/OVerLoRDI/540i.jpg

nice looking car, i was very tempted to get a 540i when i was looking for a car not long ago, but decided to go with a car that had a more reliable reputation. but i'm sure you'll enjoy it, they are fun cars.

 

[Fenixgoon]

i think i like that 5 series better than the current one, haha

 

[Xyclone]

Take care of it! Car washes every weekend, wax it too! Keep it in good condition!

We are probably buying a 2007 BMW 328i when US dealers get them, the 325i (2006) did very well in Edmunds/ConsumerReports/ConsumerGuides. This means I get my dad's Toyota Tundra (2003), woohooo!

 

[OVerLoRDI]

It was originally a lease car, then sold to the guy I bought it from. 117000 miles on it, I payed 9500 for it. The guy I bought it from wasn't much of a DIY guy and I think the maintence was starting to add up. BMW dealerships charge an arm and a leg for stupid things you can do in 30 minutes on your own. Now I'm off to go buy some shocks.

 

[hoorah]

Long time owner of the E34, but I own a 525i.

BMWE34.net is a great place to check out for repair procedures as others have posted.
Bimmer.info is one of the best E34 message boards. Bimmerforums is also good, but more populated by E36 and E46 people.

Don't worry about the Nikasil issue. The overall consensus is that if it isn't a problem yet, its not going to be. It was caused by the sulpher content in fuels in the mid 90s of which most of it has been cleaned up. Bimmer.info has dozens of threads on this, and I don't usually even pay attention to M60 issues.

As for picking up shocks, BMAParts.com has a lot of parts for these cars at great prices. I use them for parts for all of my cars, including my E46 330. They have a suspension package for the E34 made by Sachs that generally gets the best reviews out of all of the combinations.

I'm jealous of the six-shooter, but you're probably due for a clutch soon.