A Few Questions On What I Should Do...

[ks0385]

ok, right now i have a 2002 Nissan Sentra GXE and i have to get a few things done to it so i can sell it. I am hoping to get at least $9000 for it. Its a bit slow for me, and its an automatic...

I've recently noticed the E34 BMW's and am lookin at maybe getting one of them instead of the 70's vette i was lookin at.

I had my eye on a couple of '94 530i's for sale close by. then recently i discovered that they can have a problem with the engine block... something about the nikasil problem. I was wondering how commen it would be now, and if it would be worth it to get a 530i. I would only have about $1000 at most to do work on it for the first few months. And if the nikasil would be a serious problem... then i dont know.

Also, I looked at the 525i, but its not much faster than my sentra to 60, only about 2 seconds quicker. My sentra does it in 10 seconds with an automatic tranny and stock engine of 126hp. I really like the 5 series and if there is a way to get it to at least 7 seconds, i'd be very happy. I've seen a computer chip for like $250 for 20 more HP. And i'd have a little more money to put into a paint job and a body kit.

So what do you guys think i should do? Buy a 530 and hope it doesnt die? or buy a 525 and just build up from there. And by the way, all the cars i looked at had about 90k to 110k miles. Also, im 19 and money would be pretty tight until about the summer.

Any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[billB]

KS0385
When looking at the specs below it paints a different picture of the 525i:
525I specs:
Standard Engine 2.5L I6
Cylinders 6
Horsepower @ RPM 184@6000
Number of Valves 24
Torque @ RPM 175@3500

Nissan Sentra GXE specs:
Standard Engine 1.8-litre dohc
Cylinders 4
Horsepower @RPM 126 @ 6000
Torque @ RPM 129@2400

You can NOT match the 525I until you reach the Limited Edition of the Nissan. Then you talking larger 2.5-litre dohc 4-cylinder engine which gets closer to the range of 165 hp at 6000 rpm, and 175 lbs-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. To be fair? It is an excellent engine for a small sedan pulling a range of 23/38 mpg. Also consider the weight of 525I. Example a Pontiac Grand Prix gets close to 6.5 on 0-60 while Mercedes Benz S500 get 6.1; Does this mean they are similar cars?

Regards
billb

[ks0385]

Originally posted by billB@Nov 13 2004, 12:37 PM
KS0385
* When looking at the specs below it paints a different picture of the 525i:
* 525I specs:
Standard Engine 2.5L I6
Cylinders 6
Horsepower @ RPM 184@6000
Number of Valves 24
Torque @ RPM 175@3500

Nissan Sentra GXE specs:
Standard Engine 1.8-litre dohc
Cylinders 4
Horsepower @RPM 126 @ 6000
Torque @ RPM 129@2400

You can NOT match the 525I until you reach the Limited Edition of the Nissan. Then you talking larger 2.5-litre dohc 4-cylinder engine which gets closer to the range of 165 hp at 6000 rpm, and 175 lbs-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. To be fair? It is an excellent engine for a small sedan pulling a range of 23/38 mpg. Also consider the weight of 525I. Example a Pontiac Grand Prix gets close to 6.5 on 0-60 while Mercedes Benz S500 get 6.1; Does this mean they are similar cars?*

Regards
billb

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yeah, but im getting rid of my nissan and i guess my main questions are

1. would a 525i be able to do 0-60 in 7 seconds?
2. should i buy a 525i or a 530i
3. if i do get the 530i, will the Nickasil be a big problem?

Also, heres a car thats close by to me and one that i can afford, would it have the Nickasil problem too?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=4503723862

[billB]

These are the options as I see it:
A.Whether to buy 525 or 530 depends on your personal preference.
B. 6 cyl vs. 8 cyl? other than the added power it will cost more to run and maintain the 8.
C. The car you showed me in the link is not 530; it is 4.4 540 with 8 cyl. They are fine cars; many members can testify to this.
D. Nickasil engine? I thought this was an old story which got burried in mid 90s but here a brief/quick review on the issue of Nickasil:
The Porsche 928 used it first in its engine and they did last for long time. BMW used it also in the 2.8 engines very early 1990s (don't remember the exact year) some expert BMW historian on the forum may help me on this one. The 8 cyl followed a year or two later using the Nichasil engine with similar block.

BMW engines did NOT stand up to the bore wear in many countries where high sulphur Fuel was used (gas and/or diesel) but BMW had changed the composition of these engines; and probably they are still making them. I was told they used silicone chips in the bonding process and Porsche did publish this while BMW did not. Among many other reasons; this is why BMW insists on GOOD GAS for their engines.

The problem did surface in countries which used too much sulphur in their fuel like England (in the past) while Germany did not. In sum: even if BMW decided to go back to the Nickasil technology; it would NOT be a problem since most if not all countries have zero tolerance policies towards "sulphur" in their fuel; thanks to the EPA.

P.S. Many members did many Mods to their cars; so let us wait and see further suggestions/answers (from other members) for the rest of your questions

Good luck
Regards
billb

[ks0385]

thank you by the way.

[WindowPro]

Originally posted by ks0385@Nov 13 2004, 10:47 PM
thank you by the way.

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BILL -- You Rock! B)

BTW -- Got the pics...talk to you and Eric when I return. Thanks!