Do E39 97ish 528's suffer from Nikaseal (sp)?

[andy g bmth]

About to but one tomorrow but the dealer said its only the 530 & 535 that only suffer from it. is that true? Its done 88k if that helps

cheers

andy

[mustard]

Cobblers!

All six cylinder cars are effected too, my source says late '98 onwards cars had the problem resolved, but most pre 98 cars should have been fixed by now, worth speaking to your local main agent to see if the cars already had a replacment engine fitted under warranty

[andy g bmth]

Is there anyway to check whether it has been done apart from the dealer?

[mustard]

andy g bmth said:

Is there anyway to check whether it has been done apart from the dealer?

BMW's central system will show it regardless of which (main)dealer actually did the work, so why do you need to check elsewhere?

[andy g bmth]

Its not a BMW dealer, how to you contact BMW central - sorry to sound stupid, but i'm going there at 8.30am tomorrow!!

[mustard]

Just speak to your local dealer, they will be able to access the system and advise (if the wont or cant, you know who to avoid in the future!)

Failing that PH member 'Donut' maybe able to assist

[HarryW]

Alternatively give BMW (UK) customer services a ring they will tell you 1. if its in the affect lot by engine serial number/registration. 2. Whether remedial work has been carried out.

[andy g bmth]

do you knw their number?

cheers

Andy

[off_again]

yep 6 cylinder models...

E39 V8's are not affected. E34 V8's were

Its rare with a 6 cylinder E39 since it affected only a very limited production run. Affected 3's more.

[andy g bmth]

So it should be ok then as its a 97 (p) with 88k?

Either its had it done or not affected?

[HarryW]

andy g bmth said:

do you knw their number? cheers Andy

Not sure now, do a google there is quiet a good website with email address as well.

[mustard]

bmw5.co.uk said:

The cars/engines affected were: E34 530i (V8) E34 540i E39 520i E39 523i E39 528i All cars built from Week 10 (March 1998) had a new block and were not affected by Nikasil

a 97P is bang in the effected range

[silverback mike]

I have found BMW very helpful in answering whether the nicasil problem has been dealt with on their cars.
With my 528i (also a p) I rang the dealer that has serviced it, who told me not only when the engine had been changed, but at what mileage. They also ran through the service history with me verbally as I was being nosy as to what it had had done to it.

They need the last 7 of the chassis number and the index number.

I would always check before buying, and as peace of mind I suppose you could ring from the garage where you are buying the car. Any BMW dealer will help. My local one is dick lovett, 01179070000.

[andy g bmth]

great advice thank you.

It had block & pistons replaced in 2003 due to excessive bore wear. So that should mean all is ok now, yes?

[silverback mike]

andy g bmth said:

great advice thank you. It had block & pistons replaced in 2003 due to excessive bore wear. So that should mean all is ok now, yes?

Yes, that's all sorted. The rest of it should be plain sailing. The only thing else the E39's suffer from are pixels on the dashboard go a bit mad, and the climate buttons tend to crack.....that's about it.

[andy g bmth]

Put a deposit down on it this morning, It had the block & pistons changed at 64,000, so its only done 24,000 on the new engine which is a result.

Just need to add a few things to change it to the spec i want.

1: CD Changer - all the wiring & cradle are in place so its just the changer from ebay, yes?
2: PDC - any ideas on cost and is it a BMW only job or an Indy?
3: Angel eyes & clear indicators front & back - straight forward?
4: Steering Wheel - it has the multi function one but the 4 spoke one which feels like a barge - how easy is it to change to a newer 3 spoke one? Can i reuse the existing airbag or do i need to replace that as well. any idea on labour costs?
5: Alloys Wheels - straight forward - replace current alloys with new ones.
6: Sport front bumper & boot lip spoiler - straight forward.

Sorry for all the questions but take delivery next Tuesday and want to start ordering parts.

Andy.

[silverback mike]

andy g bmth said:

Put a deposit down on it this morning, It had the block & pistons changed at 64,000, so its only done 24,000 on the new engine which is a result. Just need to add a few things to change it to the spec i want. 1: CD Changer - all the wiring & cradle are in place so its just the changer from ebay, yes? 2: PDC - any ideas on cost and is it a BMW only job or an Indy? 3: Angel eyes & clear indicators front & back - straight forward? 4: Steering Wheel - it has the multi function one but the 4 spoke one which feels like a barge - how easy is it to change to a newer 3 spoke one? Can i reuse the existing airbag or do i need to replace that as well. any idea on labour costs? 5: Alloys Wheels - straight forward - replace current alloys with new ones. 6: Sport front bumper & boot lip spoiler - straight forward. Sorry for all the questions but take delivery next Tuesday and want to start ordering parts. Andy.

Well....
1. wiring and cradle are present in the left hand side recess in the boot.
2. PDC, you can buy aftermarket jobbies, Bmw would charge a fortune. (or use your mirrors )
3. Angel eyes - about £300 for hella originals, lots of nasty copies around. Rears, about £200 I think. Clear indicators about £20
4. Steering wheel, I'm not sure about that one...
5. Alloys, imo alpina 18" look good.
6. Sport bumpers, yes they fit, but will be expensive to buy and spray to correct colour.



>> Edited by silverback mike on Wednesday 29th March 15:49

[andy g bmth]

1: Yes it is all present, so just need to buy the actual changer, is there any additional brackets needed?
2: It's for the missus to drive!!
3: I've seen some which looks like they include the indicators as well, they look nice in the picturs but how do they look oncew installed & in real life?

>> Edited by andy g bmth on Wednesday 29th March 16:15

[silverback mike]

andy g bmth said:

1: Yes it is all present, so just need to buy the actual changer, is there any additional brackets needed? 2: It's for the missus to drive!! 3: I've seen some which looks like they include the indicators as well, they look nice in the picturs but how do they look oncew installed & in real life? >> Edited by andy g bmth on Wednesday 29th March 16:15

No further brackets required....if you need a part number, I have a 97 528ise touring so they will be the same, I'll have a gander for you if you need it.
The hella lights include the indicators, and in my opinion look much better than the original yellow ones. But, if you are doing the fronts, do the side and rear lenses as well, so they all match.

[andy g bmth]

I will be getting the hella ones.

if you could get the part number it would be much appreciated