Should i buy another bmw?

[shaggy318ti]

Hi, I have the opportunity to buy a good condition 540i . I already have a 318ti the 540 is a 1995 with 174,000 miles. Leather interior and loaded, seller is asking 2500. There is nothing wrong with my TI.

So, my question to you all Is..... do any of you think the 540 would be a good purchase for something I don't really need? Is it a nice car, and how do you think it compares to the TI, other than the obvious?

-thanks, DAN

[Philly]

sorry i have no real useful info to add to your question..

but there is always a need for more bimmers in the yard

[96cali]

Well I think it would be the opposite of your ti. I'm assuming automatic on the 540. Do you need to xport several adults in comfort? Want to burn more gas?

[adempster1]

KBB Trade-in Value 540i with 176,000 miles
Excellent $5275
Good $4700
Fair $3750

KBB Privet sale Value 540i with 176,000 miles

Excellent $7575
Good $6900
Fair $6025

Suggested retail

Excellent $9975

Typical mileage for a this vehicle should be around 92,000 per KBB

Work the numbers check your need and desire and make your own choice.
Just keep in mind that it is an old high mile V8 not a 4 banger like the TI. A lot more fuel burn.
Just my 2 cents.

Allan

[mohaughn]

A 540 is also much more expensive to maintain. The parts are more expensive, and less places have parts readily available as there are a lot less 540's on the road than 3 series. In most cases the expense is double given that the car is a V8.

I also really have to wonder why it is so cheap? Is this a friend hooking you up just to get rid of the car? If the car has a perfect service record and has had all of the high mileage maintenance items performed I would say it is definitely a good deal. But I do know that I see a lot of early to mid 90's 540 and 740's that are oil dumping machines.

Does this car have the self leveling rear suspension? I'm not sure what years have that, but if this car has it that is major money to fix if something goes wrong with it.

You would probably be a lot better off asking for the normal maintenance items on a high mileage 540 and the cost to repair over at bimmerforums.com.

I think they are nice cars, and they have some pickup for being a big luxury sedan, but most of the people that I know that own them have very low mileage on them.

[shaggy318ti]

Well, I Just went to drive the 540. It is a 6 speed and in good condition. The only problem is this: the traction control light is on and wont go off, and the engine has a huge lack of power. must be something in the computer? But 2500 is a good price for that car. unfortunately i think i will have to pass on this deal.... Rats!!!

[mohaughn]

Traction control light being on could be a very cheap or very very expensive repair. Could be as simple as a relay, or it could be one of the computer control modules which are a few hundred if not 1000+ in price.

Lack of power in the engine could be a lot of things but without it throwing a CEL it would be hard to figure out what exactly it is. If I had to guess the owner had it looked at and it was more money to fix the problems than the car is worth.

[jkilla71]

Just my opinion


the only way I would buy it is if I had the time to part it out. That car with that mileage is going to be an expensive to maintain. There is a reason it is 2500 because that is all it is worth. If you are not using it as a donor car,leave it alone. Besides it is not a 3 series it only resembles one.

[96cali]

Shaggy- what part of the country are you in? I know a mechanic who might be interested if you truly do want to pass.

[shaggy318ti]

96cali- I live in Buffalo New York. If your mechanic is interested let me know asap. I know that the car will not be sold untill at least tuesday of next week.
-DAN

[Den]

E34 is big and heavy. I was going to move from my E28 535 to an E34 535 until I drove one. It's only ~400 lbs heavier than the E28, but it feels like a much bigger car(~3600 lbs, I think.) 540 is probably even heavier, dunno exact weight, but you're looking at 800+ lbs over a 318ti, a completely different class of car.

BMW had muchos problemos with the M60 nikasil blocks. Didn't like the sulphur in US gas. I heard to steer clear of any that didn't have documentation of being replaced with an Alusil block.

http://www.bmwworld.com/engines/nikasil.htm

[3DGE]

get a 740i, I love 7 series!