M60 V8 have a history of problems.. you can actually still find ones with old blocks running around.

1991 BMW 5-Series 10th Anniversary Motorsport Edition Sedan E34 - Langley Cars For Sale - Kijiji Langley Canada.

I think this suits your criterion almost perfectly.

I had emailed him already, but thanks. No traction control is a backbreaker. At that price point, I'd rather import one myself and save a few thousand.

@guy who said to bring it from Europe: I considered that.

But it would be ~2-3000 to ship to Montreal, then I'd have to ship it here. Way more expensive than Japan.

I've found that people for some reason think they are entitled to a 50-60% markup when selling a car imported from Japan. Yeah right.

that statement is false:

the nikasil engine blocks were mainly affected in the United States for their high sulfur content in gas (mainly california).

Canada hardly had that many engines failing.

majority of the cars have had their engine replaced under the BMW extended warrenty (10 years/160,000kms).

You can tell the engine has been replaced just by the serial number located on the 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


Even if the engine is still the original Nikasil Block, if it runs good, and compression shows that the engine is in good health. It will not have any problems later down the road with loss of compression due to the cylinder lining. In fact, good running nikasil engines have been proven to provide better dyno results for better power compared to a alusil engine.

The M60 is a pretty bulletproof engine in my opinion. It was meant to basically not be open and last in the ballpark of 300,000-500,000kms.

You want an automatic car, well with a 525 or a 535 you are bound to need an automatic transmission rebuilt down the road. The GM 525i transmissions are known to be garbage, as well as the 4hp22 535i transmission. The 5hp18 in the 530i is the reliable of the bunch in the E34 chassic. The 5hp30 in the 540i is also a decent transmission, but is likely to a valve body flaw.

The way I see it, is the M60 engine is no different to an i6 engine in terms of reliability. They all need a coolant system overhaul to be done, thats for sure.

I've owned both and would only consider a 535 5 speed again or the very rare 540 5 speed. the 535 is notably faster then the 525 and parts are no more difficult to obtain nor are they more expensive.
Tell your missus its time to learn how to drive. All the cool girls can handle stick.

What do you think you've got here a 500hp drift machine? Throw some pilots on there and good luck breaking traction in that old boat.

I agree.

Traction control rarely comes on anyways unless you're driving your car in the snow. However, if you drive your car in the snow, I'd suggest winter tires anyways.

My understanding is the e34 import numbers are far higher in the US than Canada. We know places like Anacortes supplies gasoline to the Pacific NW region including BC. Hence less Canada cars failing can probably be due to sampling more than anything else.

It is also my understanding that the OP is going for a JDM car. Japan uses low sulphur because their gas comes directly from the Middle East via Singapore.

BMW Extended warranty won't cover JDM cars.

I'm looking at a 535iA now. No traction control, but I'll just suck it up and learn how to drive in the snow, if it ever happens.

Best traction control in the winter is winter tires. Even the cheapest walmart brand is better than all seasons.

If you can spend a bit more ,get a quaife diff. I love mine in my e46.

I used to own a mint '92 JDM RHD E34 535iA. DiamantSchwarz-Metallic. It had 77,xxx KMs on it when I sold it. Belongs to a guy on the island now, he's on IVOAC. Damn I miss that car. Only wish it had a sunroof.

if you have traction control, then add winter tires.

if no traction control, get an LSD differential and snow tires.

With either of these combos, these cars are quite impressive in the snow. I personally have not driven much in the snow with my E34, but these cars are common in euro countrys. There is plenty of talk to how they are great in the snow with appropriate gear due to the very close to 50/50 weight distribution.

Good luck!

Lol, traction control.

Don't do it, I dealt with few imports of BMW outta Japan n boy did I get problems... Price is right but the safety inspection is gonna kill you, oh n they mostly come with blown head gasket n a sealer until u change the fkn oil
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Traction control = a smaller throttle body before the throttle body.
It doesn't do shit on snow. Please get LSD and snow tires

+infinity!

links? I suck at driving, and I'm having second thoughts. The one i'm looking at doesn't have an LSD. How would I go about swapping one in, and how much would it cost?

Buy a god damn volvo , suck at driving you`ll need it so the rest of us can spot u from a distance on the road.

At least I admit it. :rolleyes:

How many people, especially on here, admit they aren't good enough to drive a RWD car with no traction control nor LSD in the snow, even with proper tires?

I'll pass on the "god damn Volvo", unless it's a 1995 T5R on the cheap.

it needs no special skill to drive a E34, beside the car itself and the steering wheel are heavy, it's a good car to begin with.

mmmmm http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/9503/80320052.jpg

depending on the ratio you want (or preferred), and LSD differential is probably around $250-$400. Labour is about a few hours at a local shop.

I found a decent looking one for sale. A chipped 525i, looks decent, tons of upgrades. Won't look as nice, but I guess I can always pick up bits and pieces later.

Where should I go to get body kits painted and installed?

850R wagon is the way to go. Wife will love the extra room. :)