Nikasil question again 95' 530i

[franks]

I am thinking about buying a 1995 530i, made in 8/94, 101,000 miles, $3,100. I have to drive 200 miles to look at it, so before I do that I was wanting to know the following: were all m60 engines made with nikasil? If not can I tell from the VIN? And were would I have to go to find out? Thanks

[Fetch]

Others will tell you to search...but....
Not all were nikasil after a certain production point. If yours hasn't been replaced, it probably is nikasil by it's age I'd guess.
You can tell by looking on the engine block above the starter.
It's pretty hard to do with the car on the ground,
But there are different numbers on the block that denote if it is nikasil or alusil.
* 1 725 970 - Nikasil
* 1 741 212 - Nikasil
* 1 745 871 - Alusil
Sometimes dealers will spend the time to find out if the engine was replaced, but it depends on the dealer. And that might only work at the dealer it was serviced at.
Those numbers are for the 3.0 M60, not 4.0

There are ways to tell the condition of the nikasil you are looking at, searching will bring up plenty of threads.

[Jehu]

Call BMWNA with the VIN and ask if the short block swap was done as well as other recall items. I did that and they confirmed it had been done on mine and at what mileage. 1-800-831-1117

[Eric Clark]

That is one hell of a deal if it turns out to be in decent condition. I own 2 nikasil E34s and the second one I bought without ever seeing the car before buying it. With the quality of todays gas I would not hesitate if it runs well. Get a compression and leak down test for piece of mind.

[franks]

Yea I thought it was a deal. got it on ebay, the high bidder change his mind and it was offered to me. I want to my it but I am gun shy. I guess I could put a new blosk in for $3,000 and have a real good deal. I have attached some photos for the expert eyes. Do you see any red flags?

[Jehu]

http://users.adelphia.net/~cpkver8/images/sseat.JPG

[BillionPa]

wow that seat is ****ed!

[franks]

Are you pointing out the messed up front seat on the 530i

[franks]

Yes it is. but the car is only $3,100. What do yoy think?

[Jehu]

start looking for a replacement. You really can't expect us to allow you to drive something looking like that can you ? We have standards...

[franks]

Here are you more photos for your thoughts.

[franks]

I figure $500 will fix the seat.

[Jehu]

If it were me , I'd keep looking. There have been a goodly number of 540's even six speeds for sale recently with about 9K the upper level. If 3ish is all you have that's another story but it looks pretty grungy to my eye.Scour the net. All the Bimmer classifieds,auto trader,etc. post WTB threads everywhere and state your criteria.Just my two cents. I couldn't own something i had to overlook the ever present defects when i was in it. Just the dirty interior alone says to me the previous owners were airheads and didn't take care of the car.My seat is original , 11 years old with 136 K on it, its owners have all been gentle and cared what happened to it and it shows in looks and performance, I am constantly amazed at how superbly this car drives and feels.I would hate to have to overlook such ugliness just to finally own one. I waited about 5 years actually while i studied and conversed with other owners before i found the right BMW for me.You may think 3 k is a steal but if it ends up needing another 3 K to approach a minimum level of acceptability I'd keep looking, but that's just me.

[Michael999]

Nice thongs! :D

I like superfical damage/wear like that, for the DIYer its easy to fix and just takes time or alot of running around. But the amount that it knocks off the price is worth it IMO.

[saj3n]

I thought that 4k was a steal for my 95 530, which I bought June 05! Pristine interior, and exterior. Everything, including A/C "worked perfectly" and was in "perfect mechanical condition"..... I had to have $2100 in maintenance/repairs to get it to pass inspection, trans fluid cooler, suspension, brakes, etc.... And only 2 months after buying it, the idle became really rough... Nikasil block failed. $6k+ was spent on that repair, for new block, water pump, thermostat, needed new raidiator, 02 sensors, engine mounts, flex disc, etc..

And now I'm in a situtation where I am going to have to replace the Tranny! Another $3k!

My own, one of a kind, $15,000 95 530I. Could've possibly picked up an Alpina at the cost I've paid for this one.

So in my opinion, the $3k itself throws up some red flags. I'd definitely check to see about the block, also email (written) correspondance with the seller regarding other repairs made. And get that bad boy inspected. I hope that all IS well.... but just be sure before you plunge into a possible money pit.

[632 Regal]

well frank from the looks of that drivers seat id most likely pass. Not because its worn and cracked but simply from the dirt. if something you sit on every day looks like that what else did they simply ignore? where is the car at? Maybe someone else is closer and can take a look for you.