Thinking about a BMW 540 for a daily driver?

[nh500sl]

How are these cars doing? They seem like a heck of a lot of fun with a six speed! A friend of mine had a 1994 740il and had early engeine failure, so I will need to see if this is commen amongst this motor, or if it was just the year. I looking at one around the year of 1998-2000.

[Skippy]

I read the reviews of those cars when they were new. Reviewers loved them, and I have no doubt they are a blast to drive when running right. That's the good news. The bad news is that they use an unlined aluminum engine block and I've heard they tend not to last very long. I suppose buying one with low miles and checking the compression before buying would be a good idea.

[TylerH860]

Well... I dumped my BMW X5, same motor and similar chassis, because it was starting to have very expensive age related issues. I spent many thousands in unscheduled repairs before finally dumping it. It was a 2003 with 75k on it, and I had kept it immaculately maintained since I first got it with 24k in 05.

Fun car, though, just a money pit.

[TylerH860]

I suggest a 94-95 W124 E320. Great cars, cheap, and fast. Around 8 second 0-60.

Most have already had the wiring harness replaced, but look for that, the head gasket, and the evaporator. If those have been done, it should be a great car.

A sedan in great shape can easily be had for around 5k.

[nh500sl]

Hmm, yeah, I don't like the fact that their is a durablility issue with the motor. I'm in kind of an unusual situation, in that I had someone come to me and insist on buying both of my Volvos, in witch I have not intension of selling. Everythings for sale right? Anyway, that will leave me with the 500SL and the 633CSI, so I will need to find another daily driver. Maybe a E320 wagon would be the ticket. I wan't something as reliable as the Volvos, hmm I have no issues with them, maybe I should just buy another, but uhh...time to do something different.

[catmandoo62]

the 4.4 had issues up to 95.

[mytmousemalibu]

Only the older BMW M60 V-8's had the bad Nikasil blocks, though ive seen a few with
200K miles. The year your looking for is well and clear of the motor issues. Very fantastic car to drive with the 6-spd, almost bought one for myself! Im a FACTORY trained BMW tech although work for an independant shop for 5+ years now. But yes, nice cars. I dont see anything of major severity on these cars, typical maintnace stuff, valve cover gaskets, coolant hoses, some suspension parts. They ride and handle very well and really fly too.

[TylerH860]

Wagons are great.

Here's a nice one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___Mercedes-Benz-E320-Station-Wagon-1995-White-Gray-Record_W0QQitemZ280322794849QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?has h=item280322794849&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

[TylerH860]

Originally Posted by mytmousemalibu

Only the older BMW M60 V-8's had the bad Nikasil blocks, though ive seen a few with
200K miles. The year your looking for is well and clear of the motor issues. Very fantastic car to drive with the 6-spd, almost bought one for myself! Im a FACTORY trained BMW tech although work for an independant shop for 5+ years now. But yes, nice cars. I dont see anything of major severity on these cars, typical maintnace stuff, valve cover gaskets, coolant hoses, some suspension parts. They ride and handle very well and really fly too.

Mine was leaking coolant into the intake; I hear that's a common problem. I also started having front end issues. Axel boots leaking too. AC quit too, don't remember the problem, but it was expensive. I swear I could hear a lifter tapping as well.

[mytmousemalibu]

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Mine was leaking coolant into the intake; I hear that's a common problem. I also started having front end issues. Axel boots leaking too. AC quit too, don't remember the problem, but it was expensive. I swear I could hear a lifter tapping as well.

Ya, theres a plate under the intake manifold that leaks sometimes, its not hard to replace, just alot of stuff to remove to get to it. Yup, outter CV shaft boots are a common thing on the X5, i can remove, clean/service the CV and put a new boot on about 45min a side. They turn too tight for there own good and it wears on the boots IMO. Not implieing you tyler but some do get noisy lifters, The HVA hyd. elements get fouled by oil deposits and can develop a tick. BMW's factory oil service interaval is too long.

[Emmerich]

Originally Posted by catmandoo62

the 4.4 had issues up to 95.

The pre-4.4's (4.0) had issues, the 4.4's are the ones to get.

[Emmerich]

Get an 840CI with tiptronic (or whatever BMW calls it)

[mytmousemalibu]

Originally Posted by Emmerich

Get an 840CI with tiptronic (or whatever BMW calls it)

8 series are cool but thoes are old an expensive to keep up, and had the bad motors and the V-12's are trouble.

Now the New 6 series are nice, but the newer 650ci vs the 645ci. Its 4.6L vs the smaller 4.4 and revized. The all the newer autos are steptronic, you can shift it as you wish in manual mode by bumping the shifter in sport mode. Now the SMG cars are BAD! SMG is Sequential Manual Gearbox, Its not an auto, full manual w/ clutch but no clutch pedal. It does the clutching and shifting for you if you wish or bump the stick or paddles for manual shifting. And you can adjust shift firmness by a button on the console. And the regular ole six speed is sweet too

[catmandoo62]

Originally Posted by Emmerich

The pre-4.4's (4.0) had issues, the 4.4's are the ones to get.

the 95 4.4 had the nikosil blocks.they should be avoided.96 up they cured the problems.

[nh500sl]

Originally Posted by Emmerich

Get an 840CI with tiptronic (or whatever BMW calls it)

Well, I don't need three coupes! Need one pratical car of at least a sedan, but prefer a wagon.