Firstfives.org

Am I doomed if I purchase a barn find that has the original engine set up with EGR or do any of the 530's ever make it?

Mines in good shape still runs thermal reactors with 60K I have two sets of early non reactor manifolds to swap soon.

Thanks Jeff. Gives me hope.

Also excellent mileage! It appears I will be lucky also with 90K original owner.

You don't happen to have an idea of what our 530i's are worth?

Welcome!
I HIGHLY recommend that you get rid of the thermal reactor!
They have a major propensity to overheat & crack the head!
Just run a straight pipe instead; with a muffler, of course.
Are you concerned with smog control in your (whatever) state?
You should investigate that issue before buying. Is he selling because the head is cracked???? It's a major problem!!!
Greg
Ps,,Notice that Jeff said he's ready to swap soon? Just do it now!
The 530i is a great car, except for the thermal reactor! I hope it's at least a
4spd?

Well I am probably committing a cardinal sin - but I am purchasing without checking it out with a mechanic. Not too much money that I will faint if it is bad - trusting (or trying to) have faith in folks.

I know I am an honest seller - and I just hope this guy is. He may or may not even know if anything is or isn't wrong.

Gonna take a chance and hope at 90K and one lady owner (like myself!) who passed and it has set up for 10 years or so that the new addition to my BMW family will be fine.

Thankfully this isn't the e31 I spend thousands on it seems to repair!

I can't wait to get her back and driving though.

I see you all recommend the 735i engine swap. Seems affordable?


Saddest note - I am in California so my smog laws are KILLER!

I begin praying now.

shebuilt wrote:Well I am probably committing a cardinal sin - but I am purchasing without checking it out with a mechanic. Not too much money that I will faint if it is bad - trusting (or trying to) have faith in folks.

Don't worry - I did the same thing and it turned out well. There are still some genuine folks out there!

No offense intended and I'm not being flippant. Anything is worth what you are willing to pay for it, and not one penny more. Or, whatever anyone else is willing to pay you,...for your 530i.

Off to the races. Google search, Craigslists nationwide, Ebay, used auto sites, Roadfly. If you manage to find any, most likely they'll be in snow (salt) free cities. Tough to visit to inspect, expensive to transport, exciting to fly and trust to turn the key for home.

Thirty four years is very old for a car. Any rust at all (says me) makes them junk, scrap iron. No way to fix the shock towers or floors, and one rust spot anywhere makes those places highly suspect.

Ten, fifteen years ago a few nice family grocery mobiles showed up for $1500 here or there. Now, hardly any. If somebody has a very nice, clean, well maintained 528i these days,...maybe $3,000 to (nuts) $12,000.

T-Hanson is correct; but, check the "For Sale" section at the introductory page
of this website.
Smog exempt makes a HUGE differance!! And 1975 IS smog exempt!!!!
From what I see, that Silver car is more than very nice! Smog exempt and a 5spd!!
Look down at my signature!

What year is the car!! I wish you had waited!!

Thanks for helpful input guys. Unfortunately I don't want a MT. I have a MT e60 and boy oh boy I have had enough of a daily driver MT!

I wanted something I could jump in and drive to my local grocery store.

I did video tape it and see it first. I also heard it run. It is very clean. I will post photos when I get her home.

Going out today to transport home!

I hope to have no smog issues.

Appreciate the opinions and help.

Also I scoured these classifieds and lived craigslist daily. I would have transported the right priced right car home to CA.

GripGreg wrote:What year is the car!! I wish you had waited!!

It is a 78 530i Greg with 90K documented.

I hope it was already registered in Cal. It seems to be a MAJOR headache plus quite a few bucks
to register an out of state car here.
I've read about two horror stories on this website!
Again, I'm not sure where the thermal reactor is, but, please get rid of it if it's still there!
BMW had a recall, that's how serious it was, but, some didn't show up.
It's just after the exhaust header I think.
Watch the Temp gauge, too.
Good luck,,,,Greg
Ps,,Being a '78, it HAS to be smogged by the seller, by law, before the sale!

My 530i runs great but yes I do believe I have a head gasket issue (i hope) that someday I hope to get to the bottom of. Im glad to hear you bought the car and are going to get it on the road again. With cars this old you will always have something that needs attention but seeing them and driving them makes all the work worth it. Good luck and I look forward to seeing pictures.

Got her home yesterday guys! I am so excited. I have an accelerator issue to tackle first, but drove it on the trailer and off!

It has been a CA car all her life - so all one can do is hope.

The pedal presses down but then won't come up by itself...

I am excited to be a part of the family.

Try lubing all the linkage elbows. Maybe WD-40 to clean & then a silicone lubricant? Your choice, of course.
I suggest you go to Office Depot to get some canned air to blow out the WD-40?
Did you get a very recent smog certificate with the pink slip?
I think it has to be within 90 days of the sale?? I could be wrong about the time frame.
Also, check on the thermal reactor issue?
Good luck,,,,Greg