Looking at this Beemer tomorrow...
Discussion
IIRC, the Nikasil issue is something you need to check. Short version: Pre-September 98, these cars had cylinders lined with Nikasil, which degraded on contact with high-sulphur fuel. This caused all sorts of expensive nasties.
If it were me, I'd be asking if the car got sorted under warranty.
Check the dashboard, too; the display has a habit of losing pixels over time.
I have a 2000 528i SE; the kit level is nice without being excessive (although mine doesn't have tellies and extra head units) and it's a very, very comfortable car. Effortless motorway driving, and can still surprise the Max Power brigade if required. Glorious engine note at high revs, too.
If it were me, I'd be asking if the car got sorted under warranty.
Check the dashboard, too; the display has a habit of losing pixels over time.
I have a 2000 528i SE; the kit level is nice without being excessive (although mine doesn't have tellies and extra head units) and it's a very, very comfortable car. Effortless motorway driving, and can still surprise the Max Power brigade if required. Glorious engine note at high revs, too.
Edited by CommanderJameson on Sunday 23 July 08:13
It will have had a Nikasil bore when built and if the engine hasn't been changed already then you should be cautious. Get the VIN no and go to a dealer and ask for a build sheet and poss enquire about the engine with the service dept, they should be able to pront out the full service history.
If its still got the original engine (and most do) then the usual giveaway is a wobbly idle. Start it and get it warmed up and then leave it for ages whilst you check everything else out. Turn the AC off and with the drivers door wide open look carefully at the edge of the window frame and if you can see it vibrating then that may be a sign of bore wear. If its running okay then BMW wont want to know about it. If it goes wrong later (and you have full BMWSH) then they may be helpful when it comes to fitting a new bottom end, I stress MAY.
Anyway, usual gremlims are that the electric pusher fan at the front behind the kidney grille packs up - it should come on whenever the AC is on - leads to poor AC in traffic. £250 ish for a new one...+ 2 hours fitting
The interior fan resistor packs up which means the blower has a mind of its own or doesn't work at all - £60 for the part 15mins to fit
The drivers door seals squeak like an old wooden ship... dunno how expensive...
ABS sensors esp on the rear wheels can pack up, £50 part + 1 hr to fit
From then onwards just check the usual stuff. Overspray, hidden damage, all the windows and switches, tyres wear eveningly, no smoke yadda yadda yadda - years of happy motoring. Oh yeah, make sure there isn't a dot after the mileage on the odomoter - that means its been clocked badly....
If its still got the original engine (and most do) then the usual giveaway is a wobbly idle. Start it and get it warmed up and then leave it for ages whilst you check everything else out. Turn the AC off and with the drivers door wide open look carefully at the edge of the window frame and if you can see it vibrating then that may be a sign of bore wear. If its running okay then BMW wont want to know about it. If it goes wrong later (and you have full BMWSH) then they may be helpful when it comes to fitting a new bottom end, I stress MAY.
Anyway, usual gremlims are that the electric pusher fan at the front behind the kidney grille packs up - it should come on whenever the AC is on - leads to poor AC in traffic. £250 ish for a new one...+ 2 hours fitting
The interior fan resistor packs up which means the blower has a mind of its own or doesn't work at all - £60 for the part 15mins to fit
The drivers door seals squeak like an old wooden ship... dunno how expensive...
ABS sensors esp on the rear wheels can pack up, £50 part + 1 hr to fit
From then onwards just check the usual stuff. Overspray, hidden damage, all the windows and switches, tyres wear eveningly, no smoke yadda yadda yadda - years of happy motoring. Oh yeah, make sure there isn't a dot after the mileage on the odomoter - that means its been clocked badly....
Most of the obvious stuff already covered, but airbag lights are another common one.... if its on and doesnt go off then be cautious. In many cases its nothing, but the wiring loom for the seat sensors can fail or even the pre-tensioners for the belts too. Looking at around £200 to fix these (tensioners are about £300). Check the electrics and make sure everything works - anything that doesnt then get some money knocked off.
Also, check any clonking while driving - normally just the bushes and pretty cheap to replace, but 5's eat bushes and usually on the back suspension.
But other than that they are pretty solid cars. Check out below for a definitive backgroud on Nikasil issues:
www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/nikasil.htm
Also, check any clonking while driving - normally just the bushes and pretty cheap to replace, but 5's eat bushes and usually on the back suspension.
But other than that they are pretty solid cars. Check out below for a definitive backgroud on Nikasil issues:
www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/nikasil.htm
OK, all the above checked, the friend it was for bought it.
Spent an hour looking over it carefully and the only faults I could find were 2/3 worn rear tyres, front brake discs will need doing sooner rather than later and a few light key scratches around the boot lock.
Other than that it's smooth, quiet and clearly very wel taken care of. All the options boxes ticked when new and all still working now.
Cheers for the advice!
Spent an hour looking over it carefully and the only faults I could find were 2/3 worn rear tyres, front brake discs will need doing sooner rather than later and a few light key scratches around the boot lock.
Other than that it's smooth, quiet and clearly very wel taken care of. All the options boxes ticked when new and all still working now.
Cheers for the advice!
Oh, on the brakes thing - dont assume that the people like GSF and Eurocarparts are cheaper than a BMW main dealer. Strange as it might sound, you might find that your local dealer is extremely competitive. Be aware that the pattern parts are often not quite as good as a BMW specific part. Just a recommendation...
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