94 530i - BMW Forum

Rugged530i · 01-10-2005, 11:30 PM

Hey everyone, I just bought a 94 530i, first I would like to ask if $5,000.00 is a good deal?
Next ( hope Five grand was a good deal ) can anyone with this car comment on power, handling & anything else the car has to offer or not offer. I’m 23 years old, I bought this car cause my engine went on me in my 98 Mustang GT. Will I be happy coming from a Mustang to this BMW.
I had the car shipped to me, so I have to wait for it…. In the mean time I would like to hear what you guys have to say…. Thanks…

Saggis · 01-11-2005, 07:17 AM

$50k is a pretty normal price for that car from what ive seen in germany...although my 520 is worth about $30k-40k here in sweden, also a 94.

Hehe i guess you'll find the BMW a bit quieter than the american beast

but thats not someting you can't arrange

:P*just-add-exahust.com*

sp0rky · 01-12-2005, 01:13 AM

with its 280 hp im sure you'll be pleased.
The area that you will really appreciate most is the suspension. It will outhandle your old mustang by far and then some.

Thats a decent price depending on mileage and condition. What condition is it in, whats the mileage and is the engine block alusil or nikasil? If the engine block is nikasil, it may need replacement soon, and it may not. But if it has been replaced and is now an alusil block you should be good to go.

Weak points on the car are the front control arms and the cooling system. This is a BMW and will give you quite a few headaches if it is not properly maintained and you should expect to pay $2,000 to $3,000 per year on maintenance, unless you do the work your self then it may just be a few hu ndred $$ per year. Tell us more and we can tell you more. Good luck and enjoy

BTW - If mileage is low and condition is good, $5k is a steal!

edit : sorry, I thought that said 540... the 280 hp is wrong then it's actually 225. The 540 would have been the same, if not quicker than a stang GT, but the 530 will be significantly slower, especially in auto trim. Not a slouch, but not a SUPER FAST car, either.

Rugged530i · 01-12-2005, 03:03 AM

Thanks for the reply's, sorry I didn't give more info...
152,000+ miles w/ a 5 speed ( yes a lot, I know ).
The car looks great inside & out, California raised.
I'm really into modifying my cars, mostly 4 bangers.
I'm new to BMW's, but if all is good I hope to ether upgrade
this car or upgrade to a newer less mileage BMW.
I'm gathering that handling & replacement parts may be a good
way to start on this car....
I'm currently working on my MazdaSpeed Protégé, so any modifying
on the 530i would be slow, but progressive ( I hope )......

Oh, how can I find out if it's a alusil or nikasil?

The Deuce · 01-12-2005, 09:58 AM

I'm confident you will enjoy driving the car.

Don't get your hopes up about how much better the car will handle then the Mustang. I currently have a 5 and a Mustang that are both of the same generations that you have. The BMW is definately and easier drive than the GT, but that doesn't mean its faster.

When pushed to the limit, my 5 understeers, and with the puny 2.5 throttle induced oversteer is not an option. This is unfortunately exactly what I was hoping to avoid by getting another RWD car. Unlike you Protoge the car is so heavy that throttle lift won't bring the rear around either.

The 530 should prove to be a nice car that is fun to drive. Just be careful.

superdeadman · 01-12-2005, 01:42 PM

wanted to get 01-02 stang gt, but my bro got a 528... honestly- couldn't be happier! sat in it, drove it, found what it's like to feel prestige, and decided that stang is for ricer boys, and once you are out of this stage, bmw is definitely the right choice

The Deuce · 01-12-2005, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by superdeadman@Jan 12 2005, 03:42 PM
wanted to get 01-02 stang gt, but my bro got a 528... honestly- couldn't be happier! sat in it, drove it, found what it's like to feel prestige, and decided that stang is for ricer boys, and once you are out of this stage, bmw is definitely the right choice

[snapback]269925[/snapback]

:

That's just about the funniest thing I've heard in a very long time. You should look up "ricer" if you think a small block, rwd, american performance car qualifies.

Sorry to hear that you are so concerned with what you think other people will think about your car. I haul lumber, people, food, etc and camp with my 5 series. Oh yeah, it's lovingly referred to as my "beater" car.

...and I thought people who drove Chevy's were closed minded.

Scotty Dangles · 01-12-2005, 09:22 PM

Congrats on the purchase, I also just purchased a 94 530i about a month ago! I got mine
for $9,900 Canadian with 170,000KM, M5 bucket seats, Dynamic Racing package, 5 speed manual. So far the car has been amazing for me, I love this thing and it gets a lot of looks especially the fact that I'm a 22 year old student with a Beemer. Girls love this shit too!

As far as performance goes, I think it kicks ass, but I now I know I'm going to have to find myself a 540 with a 6 speed in a couple of years for sure! The car will get you to 100MPH in short order, the handling depending on your tires is awesome, I have the Fuzion ZR1 tires and they are fantastic!

The only problem I have encountered and one in which I will set-up a new topic on is the opening mechanism for the trunk. It wants to stick and I have noticed a tinge of rust, I will remedy that this summer for sure. The previous owner also mentioned the control arms, he has replaced two sets in the vehicles life, so that is a weak point in the car. As far as the block goes, the mechanics up here tell me the V8 didn't have the same problems with the block as the other models, and they have yet to see one wtih that problem, so I wouldn't worry about that too much!

Otherwise enjoy this thing and really baby it, afterall it is 10 years old now! Here are some pics of my car let me know what you think. If your looking for a cheap upgrade to your lights, visit coolbulbs.com and check out the Shining wizards, I put them on and they look awesome!

Cheers

Scott

Rugged530i · 01-12-2005, 09:33 PM

Thanks for all your reply's, Scotty Dangles your 530 looks great. It's nice to see a young guy like me happy with the car...
So I guess $5000 was a good deal? I haven't heard anyone say other wise.....

Scotty Dangles · 01-12-2005, 09:44 PM

$5000 is a great price! But that all depends on the condition of the vehicle, was the motor clean and was the maintenance schedule followed? From what I saw in your pic your car looks great and clean, and I believe its the same colour as my car, great choice! I'm assuming the interior is black, does the entire look clean as well? If you answered yes to all these questions I have no doubt you paid a great price for your car, much less then I did!

My car was going to go on the yard at $14,000 CDN, but I wheeled and dealed! haha

If your looking to do a minor upgrade to the stereo system look to Clarion for a good solution, I changed the tape deck in mine and put in this deck by Clarion: http://www.clarioncanada.com/en/products/2...s/DXZ845MC.html. I picked this deck because of its look, it matched the interior perfectly, it fit in the tape decks slot so tight it looks as if it was an OEM option, and you can change the colour of the display to match the colour of the BMW's interior display lights. The stock speakers are great, but I'm thinking of adding a custom enclosure in the back for two 10inch subs, that will be done in the summer.

Cheers

Scott

Rugged530i · 01-13-2005, 01:31 AM

Nice find on the clarion, I'm going to do lots of upgrades.
This car seams to look great in & out, the interior is tan, I really wish it
was black like yours....
I love your rims, I'm thinking of going that direction also....

sp0rky · 01-13-2005, 10:50 AM

Rims really make the car, you'll enjoy a good set if you get them.

Thats my 1990 525

Anyway, I'm also a young guy (20) and I have driven some faster cars (mine is an absolute turtle) but the car is still somehow so much fun to drive. Hope you enjoy yours the same.

Scotty Dangles · 01-13-2005, 01:49 PM

If your looking for information on the rims and body kit you'll need to call Racing Dynamics, they have a website but do not currently offer any support on older BMW models. I do not believe they have an office in North America, don't quote me on that though??

The first owner had this package ordered when he got the car. Apparently it was a very pricey upgrade, when I mean pricey it was about $12,000 CDN at the time. But the rims look great and the package is a rare one! I can get you some better pictures of the rims and the body kit if you'd like. I have to get my rims rebuilt cause the previous owner had no clue how to park!!!! Its going to cost me $700.00 to get those guys redone. The package also included sport seats taken off of the M5, the seats are great at keeping you from moving around when driving aggressively! Lastly the exhaust was upgraded.

I'll take a pic of the clarion deack inside the car, its amazing how well this thing actually integrated with the car. The installer was really impressed with the look of this deck in the BMW and with the stock system, he said all it needs is a pair of subs to complete it.

Ayight I gotta get back to work.

Cheers
Scott

Sporky - great looking car man! I wish I had a 525 at the age of 20!! haha