Hello, new owner of E34

Hello, I am in the process of purchasing a 1995 540i..

Now the bad.
It has had the oil pan replaced because the previous owner cracked it.

I have the carfax's on the vehicle, no accidents just the cracked oil pan.

It has since been replaced, obvious (now i'm just repeating myself), this is my first BMW, "oil pressure check" is showing up on the self diagnostic, could this just be the plug, or a lot more serious?

Is it still worth 3500?

the car is MINT.

Carfax is a load of crap. Tons of mechanics wont even submit that stuff.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Bimmer App

The M60 engine (530 and 540) have known problems with the oil pump bolts coming loose. It is possible that this happened and that is what cracked the previous oil pan. Did the prior owner tell you how he cracked it? Also, there is no real way to know how much oil may have leaked out before the prior owner realized that there was a problem

I HIGHLY recommend a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) by a reputable BMW mechanic. It will likely cost $75-$100, but would be money very well spent in this particular situation.

I would make sure that the mechanic measures the actual oil pressure to ensure that the oil pump is not bad. Ideally, the mechanic would have tightened up/replaced any loose oil pump bolts when the oil pan was replaced.

As Elmer Fudd would say .... Be vewy wewwy ....

Originally Posted by BMR_LVR

The M60 engine (530 and 540) have known problems with the oil pump bolts coming loose. It is possible that this happened and that is what cracked the previous oil pan. Did the prior owner tell you how he cracked it? Also, there is no real way to know how much oil may have leaked out before the prior owner realized that there was a problem

I HIGHLY recommend a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) by a reputable BMW mechanic. It will likely cost $75-$100, but would be money very well spent in this particular situation.

I would make sure that the mechanic measures the actual oil pressure to ensure that the oil pump is not bad. Ideally, the mechanic would have tightened up/replaced any loose oil pump bolts when the oil pan was replaced.

As Elmer Fudd would say .... Be vewy wewwy ....

Agreed, a pre-purcahase inspection is definitely in order. Lubrication is one of the most important parts of an engine, not something to be overlooked. My BMW owners manual states that if the low oil pressure light comes on at any time the car should be turned off as quickly as possible and be towed to a shop.

Originally Posted by BMR_LVR

The M60 engine (530 and 540) have known problems with the oil pump bolts coming loose. It is possible that this happened and that is what cracked the previous oil pan. Did the prior owner tell you how he cracked it? Also, there is no real way to know how much oil may have leaked out before the prior owner realized that there was a problem

I HIGHLY recommend a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) by a reputable BMW mechanic. It will likely cost $75-$100, but would be money very well spent in this particular situation.

I would make sure that the mechanic measures the actual oil pressure to ensure that the oil pump is not bad. Ideally, the mechanic would have tightened up/replaced any loose oil pump bolts when the oil pan was replaced.

As Elmer Fudd would say .... Be vewy wewwy ....

I asked the same question, he stated clearly the error came after the oil pan, The oil pan was cracked by going over one of the pump stations at a gas station (where they refill the gas tanks). and I believe it is in need of oil as it sat for about a year.
The car runs GREAT, it does idle SLIGHTLY rough, does not spit nor stutter.

My recommendation still stands. You need to know what the actual oil pressure is. Also, I would see if you can get the name/number of the mechanic that replaced the oil pan to see if he addressed the oil pump bolts.

is the car lowered? how would driving over one of those gas things crack a pan? my Pan is 3.5" from the ground and it's never scraped any of that. A cracked pan driving through a gas station points to some drive-it-like-you-stole-it behaviors = no bueno.



I would take this car with a grain of salt... in theory. In reality, it's a 540i so i'd make whatever excuses i wanted and have that sumbitch in my garage ASAP.

But do as i say not as i do and so on and so forth...

here in florida they're raised high and make your car bounce, but I want it.

I think personally it's worth it..
If it's the oil pump bolts I can inspect this.

I'll change the oil three times, and see where that leads me.

Originally Posted by zfxpE34

..... If it's the oil pump bolts I can inspect this....

Unless I am mistaken, you will have to remove the oil pan to do this.

Good luck with it and ..... pics are mandatory

Originally Posted by BMR_LVR

You will have to remove the oil pan to do this.

This is true.

Also, even if you're pulling pans and pumps, still have a mech take a manual pressure test.

Both of you guys are absolutely amazing.

I have never joined a forum and had so much support. I'll post pics tonight!

But i'm aware it'll be a second car to be honest with you, so i'll take whatever time is required.

Sounds like you already pulled the trigger

Looking forward to the pics.

Originally Posted by BMR_LVR

Sounds like you already pulled the trigger

Looking forward to the pics.

+1

Cant wait to get this one road worthy with you. i <3 540s soooo much.

Some day i'll have my Hellrot 540i/6

, and yeah I pulled the trigger, took (drove) it to Ferman, had it tested, came out to be just needed a reset because the stock radio is missing and it wouldn't allow it to reset, the only thing wrong with it is that it needs new spark plugs!

you win.

I should just go ahead and do spark plugs and coil packs right?

are those confirmed bad? if they are, then yes.

No, not confirmed but at 108k shouldn't I do it?
or for now should I go on that "if it ain't broke don't fix it" method?

Originally Posted by zfxpE34

No, not confirmed but at 108k shouldn't I do it?
or for now should I go on that "if it ain't broke don't fix it" method?

aint broke dont fix it.

does she come with service records? anyway to know when and what was maintained last?

No.

Not that I was given or shown.

oh well. we're wingin it. If it runs fine, no smoke, no smell, no rough anything, leave it be. when* that stuff happens we'll tackle it.



*as in not "if".

Like I said "slight" rough idle

Inspect the plugs if they're not good then change them. Rough idol isn't too big of a deal.

That looks a lot like my car! It originally came from Florida too. It's in great shape as yours is. Enjoy!

I drove her today for quite some time..

THE POWER.