1995 530, V8 manual what to look for

[geoff1]

Hi can anybody surgest the what to look for on a 530 v8, the tappets are a bit noisy but the rest of the car looks ok. it will need a mot very soon and 2 front tyres.
The guy is asking £600 does that sound a fair price.
Thanks for any advice......

[geoff1]

Has any body know how much it would cost to do the tappets ???????????????

[Huff]

The tappets are hydraulic, all 32 of them, there's nothing to adjust.

Tappy noises can be caused in the M60B30 or B40 engine by old oil needing a change or, possibly, by the oil pump coming loose in the sump (google M60 oil pump bolts) casuing low oild pressure initailly; either way they should mostly shut up in a minute or two froma cold start. If not, walk...

BTW the M60 engine has a duplex chain cam drive, and I've never seen a problem reported on that front online.

[Huff]

Sorry, hit send before checking the spelling.

A loose oil pump (it can't actually fall off) can be fixed by dropping the sump and refitting/tightening 3 or 4 bolts; easy, and little/no damage done. But the real answer to your question is probably 'look for a 540': the fuel consumption is no worse, the engine vastly lustier. Double that budget might get you in the door; 3x would find you a nice one. Lots of info on this forum on buying E34s in general - try a search.

But frankly, a complex V8 for £600 is going to end in tears, or the scrapyard.

Edited by Huff on Monday 8th March 20:46

[Wilseus]

The trouble with the 530 V8 is it's a LOT slower than the 540 V8 but with the same running costs, and is no quicker than the 535 of the time which is an S6. That's not to say it's a bad car, it isn't. I guess you've bought it now though, and £600 for the car would seem reasonable!