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Go Back   Pelican Parts Forums > BMW Forums > BMW Technical Forums > BMW 5-Series E28/E34/E39/E60/F10/GT


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cycling has-been
 
bkreigsr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Jersey Shore
Posts: 7,241
5-Series BMW - any high-mileage users here?

Looking to get out of track events with my 85 911. This will entail sale of the Carrera, trailer, and Touareg tow vehicle.

Looking to get into a 5 Series and keep it forever. (no joke)

Anyone have any good experiences with buying an off-lease, certified, and putting 100,000 (or more) miles on it? What maintenance should I expect?

Which engine should I be looking for. Wife and I will be using it for vacations and road trips up and down the east coast Florida to Maine. I know that any of the powertrains will be 'adequate', but which is the preferred?

Thanks
Bill K

(45 years Porsche owner)

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73 911T MFI, 76 912E, 77 Turbo Carrera
Old 05-28-2016, 10:37 AM
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Decolliber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,020
In 2004 I bought a BMW 530i with 25k miles. It now has 110K miles and has been virtually trouble free the whole time I have had it. The only repairs needed have been normal wear and tear items (eg, alternator, water pump, valve cover gasket). My previous car was an Audi A6 and it was a ghastly money pit. I was amazed at the difference in reliability between the BMW and the Audi (I would never again own an Audi past the warranty!!) [dataset n=2].

"Bimmer" magazine periodically has had good buying guides to the e39 series, with explanations of some of the common weaknesses of the e39 (eg, radiator, automatic transmission). These guides caused me to avoid the 540 due to a more repair prone engine. Regular maintenance beyond BMW guidelines is important. For example, around 1998 BMW started saying BMW transmission fluid never needs to be changed ("lifetime fill"), but I change mine every 40k miles or so, since BMW auto transmissions start to fail around 100K if not treated carefully. Same for differential oil and power steering fluid.

I have an extra set of wheels with winter tires (Blizzaks), but snow and ice handling still not very good. That is the one area where the Audi was superior.

If you want the Bimmer guide to e39s and cannot find it, PM me and I will scan and send to you. Also see this recent article:
Top Gear’s greatest ever car? A BMW banger that cost £1500
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John C
1988 911 Carrera coupe
2002 BMW 530
Old 06-01-2016, 12:20 PM
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cycling has-been
 
bkreigsr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Jersey Shore
Posts: 7,241
Thanks John. The Audi is an attractive package, but my research backs up your experiences. All the execs at work had one at one time, but none ever bought/leased another. I've pretty much settled on searching out a 530i with 20-30,000 miles.
Bill K

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73 911T MFI, 76 912E, 77 Turbo Carrera
Old 06-01-2016, 05:37 PM
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