nikasil issue on a 155k 540i

[david106]

I'm looking at a 540i with 155k on the clock is it safe to say if its got this far it should'nt have any major nikasil problems.
seller says its not perfectly smooth on tickover but not too bad?

[robbo86]

i thought nickasil only affected m50 and m52 engines

i prepare to stand to be corrected

[Alex]

i thought nickasil only affected m50 and m52 engines

i prepare to stand to be corrected

thats what i thought but iirc there is something that effects the v8's

[Simon13]

what year is the chariot? at a guess it's probably ok, there are 1000's of bmw's out there with nikasil engines going nicely.

if the idle is rough and she's using out then i'd be concerned. But a check at bmw customer services with the chassis number will tell you if it's been done. Also you can tell off the engine block i'm not sure on how to tell.

Also V8's suffer and idle problem than seems like nikasil but is something far more simple!

just tread carefully

[robbo86]

try a bit of injector cleaner, that would be my first call

[pacerpete]

try a bit of injector cleaner, that would be my first call

Try a copy of the bible and a rosary beads, that would be my first call !

[Andyboy]

I have a 1994 530i V8 with the original Nikasil engine, 132'000 miles, whisper smooth idle and uses no oil. Basically, an E34 540i is an old car that's not worth much (i.e £500) and if it's got this far and still goes well, forget about it. If it uses oil, put oil in. If it idles roughly it could be the cyclone valve, but unless it's scrap money I wouldn't bother. When it's dead, sell a few useable bits and weigh it in, job done.
The Nikasil issue just doesn't matter anymore. It's near enough forgotten now and the cars affected aren't valuable enough to affect what little resale value they possess.

[B7]

If this is an e39 540i then it should be okay. IIRC only the e34 v8s were affected. I've always believed that all the 6's in the e34 are fine but the v8's could be affected but with the e39's it's the opposite. i.e. the 6's could be affected but the 8's are fine.

I'm sure someone will confirm either way

[fingerman]

Check out the service history or contact BMW Bracknell - they should be able to tell you if the work's been done

I did this on my K reg 530, had 155k on the clock so checked with them and all was good

BTW this is the same engine as the E32 730 so it wasn't just the E34's affected with the issue.

Quote from the below web site "This is 8-cylinder models with the M60 engine made from approximately 1993 to 1996, and 6-cylinder models with the M52 engine made between 1995 and 1998"

http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/nikasil.htm

[zimmerbimmer1]

If it is running rough on idle then there is a chance it has the problem let me know the chassis number and I'll check the history for you.

[david106]

decided not to go and view it in the end i woke up and realised i dont need a 4litre bmw
thanks for the replies

[fingerman]

Boo Hiss - a 4 litre bmw V8

If one of these came up round my way I'd be very tempted - I still miss my 530 as it really did go and the 540 will go like stink and you should still get over 30mpg

[cliffybabe]

I had a 540i v8, When purchasing it i was concerned of the nikasil issues and found alot of write up about what to look for, for example is the drivers door shaking alot whilst open with the engine running etc.

I also got the plate checked/ chass checked out as BMW recalled alot of cars and reprogramed the ECU and fitted a new thermo as a nikasil preventive

I do miss the V8 but i made a good profit on it bought for 300 sold for 1500

[Jon_Bmw]

There is an e39 540i in the autotrader near me for £1295. Tempting, oh and its a manual!

I had to physically go do something else, or i'd be down there. Keep telling myself, no no no, you really can't afford to run one properly.

Did the early e39 540 still get the 4.0litre block or were they all the newer 4.4?

[B7]

There is an e39 540i in the autotrader near me for £1295. Tempting, oh and its a manual!

I had to physically go do something else, or i'd be down there. Keep telling myself, no no no, you really can't afford to run one properly.

Did the early e39 540 still get the 4.0litre block or were they all the newer 4.4?

I'm sure all the e39's got the later 4.4 jon.

[oze30]

E39 = 4.4

Mines an 4.0, but sounds wicked! Shame. 540 manual is a wicked car!

[Morat]

Jon, you owe it to yourself to go and drive that thing at least. They're an amazing beast of a drive. You floor it, think "hey, this is pretty smooth" and then look at the speedo and have a near heart attack. The front end IS slightly less involving/responsive than a 6 cylinder with rack and pinion but if you're brave enough to bully it, it will stick and grip way beyond what you're expecting. Stonking brakes too

You won't see another manual for a good long time. 4.4litres of creamy 290bhp goodness. You know you want it

[Jon_Bmw]

Thankfully it sold almost straight away! Phew. One more temptation resisted. Some cars are like that, you don't really realise how quickly you are going until you either 1) Look and the speedo or 2) suddenly need to brake
The linear power delivery in a NA engine always makes cars feel slower than what they are.

[Morat]

I bet it did at that price! Lets hope it wasn't waiting to dump its coolant on the fast lane and frag its motor ;)