1992 E32 730i

[darkchild]

Went and had a look at a very nice E32 730i today. Immaculate bodywork, very clean interior, excellent spec (heated electric leather seats, air-con, sunroof, cruise, obc etc, etc...) and decent service history. Car has done below average miles (100K) but I was surprised to see a V8 nestling under the bonnet rather than the M30 (so was the salesman as he had it advertised as a 6 cylinder )

How reliable are the 3.0 V8's as I've heard a few horror stories in relation to the 4.0 and 4.4 litres? Also, I assume these are one of BMW's "sealed for life" auto gearboxes?

Unfortunately I didn't get the opportunity to test it due to the usual second hand car dealer tradition of a flat battery, but its as tidy an E32 as I've seen in a long time. Looked lovely in silver and the paintwork was like glass.

[nickso]

what was the price?

dealers tend to mark these up for some bizzarre reason, hes probably added £1k since you pointed out its a v8.

i had a nightmare with my 540 with the 4litre v8 but i stupidly walked in eyes firmy shut and got bitten hard. a decent history and lowish miles may make it a good buy. the only problem i can see is the 3.0 v8 isnt as popular as the bigger ones so scrappys wont be as good with bits for them.....if there is even that much of a difference. before i broke it my engine was an ultra smooth drive.

the gearboxes are not really sealed for life though, isnt there a feature in TBMW this month on this very issue? havent had time to read it properly yet.

[Andyboy]

They're a pretty reliable car and don't seem to suffer from headgaskets like the later 4.4 M62. The gearbox would benefit from a fresh filter and some clean oil (fully synthetic on these depending on box).
A nice one is worth maybe £1200 if EVERYTHING works including air con. I'd be happier with a tidy £600 example though.

[darkchild]

It was up for £1700 which is probably a lot of money for a car that nobody particularly wants, but like I said its as good an example as I've seen.

I know the oil can be changed but I wouldn't trust myself to do it! I've got a feeling the V8's use some fancy gearbox oil as well which is the equivalent of liquid gold

[darkchild]

They're a pretty reliable car and don't seem to suffer from headgaskets like the later 4.4 M62. The gearbox would benefit from a fresh filter and some clean oil (fully synthetic on these depending on box).
A nice one is worth maybe £1200 if EVERYTHING works including air con. I'd be happier with a tidy £600 example though.

Cheers Andyboy. A mate of mine has a 530i touring and thats been ultra reliable. Its a bit overpriced then? I've been assured everything functions perfectly (I'll test this myself when they get a battery on it!) and its got a 6 month warranty. It had a recent £500 invoice for electrics and coils

[B7]

The M60 3.0 and 4.0 were the ones with the nicosil issues. It may have been changed out though with a replacement Alusill under warranty.

the later 3.5 and 4.4 m62's were fine.

However, I'm sure any nicosil M60 would have shown signs by now if it was ever going to. And at £1700 it's a f*ckin lot of car for the money and if you ran it for 2 year and it then went pete tong on you, it's cheap motoring.

[B7]

The M60 3.0 and 4.0 were the ones with the nicosil issues. It may have been changed out though with a replacement Alusill under warranty.

the later 3.5 and 4.4 m62's were fine.

However, I'm sure any nicosil M60 would have shown signs by now if it was ever going to. And at £1700 it's a f*ckin lot of car for the money and if you ran it for 2 year and it then went pete tong on you, it's cheap motoring.

[B7]

The M60 3.0 and 4.0 were the ones with the nicosil issues. It may have been changed out though with a replacement Alusill under warranty.

the later 3.5 and 4.4 m62's were fine.

However, I'm sure any nicosil M60 would have shown signs by now if it was ever going to. And at £1700 it's a f*ckin lot of car for the money and if you ran it for 2 year and it then went pete tong on you, it's cheap motoring.

[cliffybabe]

get a check done via bm and see if it was recalled for the nicsill issue they changed the thermo and update the ecu aswell

good lump though my 5 series one was wicked

[darkchild]

Cheers for the advice peeps. I'll be giving it a spin tomorrow so will see how it drives. Will be giving BMW a call regarding nikasil but, as previously mentioned, if its got to 15 years old without it developing I expect its safe.

It really did look a lovely old smoker and I can't imagine its any worse on juice than my 320i

Cliffy - I know what you mean about the engine. I've driven a 530i V8 touring and it was supidly smooth with really nice power delivery. Quick enough for me anyway.

[cliffybabe]

best way to check so i was told was to look at the front door whilst open and and ensure there is not excese vibration in it

[B7]

Sorry about the multiple posts there guys. Not sure what happened?

As you say the best bet is to take the chassis number and call BMW U.K. and see if it ever got a new lump.

There is a way to tell externally. Something to do with a blanking plate on one engine and just a casting the same shape as the blanking plugs on the other. I read about it years ago so it's a bit vague I'm afraid.

Try the e34 forums and ask what the best way to tell a nicosil to an alusil visually. May help you out.

[pacerpete]

Sounds like £500 of trouble to me !