528 Tourer

[toecutter666]

Morning all,

Having just had another sprog the family has grown too big for my car and the missus doesn't want to get rid of her motoring abortion so i was looking at getting a 528 tourer just to do the family outings and keep my pride and joy tucked snuggly in the garage.

What should i look out for when buying one of these, will try and get as low a mileage one as i can and in manual so the drivetrain can be transplanted in to my e30 when i've finished with it.

Cheers

[DanThe]

If you are thinking about reusing the engine in your E30 you need to buy an early one, im not sure they did a single vanos touring but either way, the early ones are the bad ones

[toecutter666]

Would only be able to afford an older one, whats bad about them, whats a vanos and how do i identify it. Any other suggestions on engines/models bearing in mind i need to sit 5 and a dog and all the gubbins that go with kids.

Cheers

[Blitz]

I think he means Nikasil, which is irrelevant these days.

[Andyboy]

Well, it's not irrelevant if it starts to gallop through oil. But plenty have had block swaps. The issue with old E39's is the cooling system in old age - If I were to buy one (or an E38/E46 etc) I'd be fitting a new rad, water pump and top/bottom hoses straight away.
To be honest, you're better off with a late E34 525i Touring, 5 speed manual with no sunroof. They're practically unbreakable.

[toecutter666]

Ok, thanks for the info, will have to start scouring the sale adds for a E34 tourer then.

[DanThe]

Most early E39's ive known have had elec problems also, especially on the dash, I was considering an E39 540 touring recently but with no room in the wheel well for an LPG tank my Cat C E34 touring will be staying put