Any 5 series BMW owners here?

[dtw]

If so, how do you like your cars? Wife and I are considering buying a 2-4 year old 530i. Would love to hear some real-world accounts of maintenance costs, tire life, and average fuel mileage. Is the sport package worth getting, or should I look to aftermarket parts?

Did I mention I wanted to hear about real-world average fuel mileage?

I glanced into the 5 series BMW forum here but it looks pretty dead...

[84porsche]

My brother has a 98 528i and he loves the car. Saved his life once, he just got it back after 6 months in the body shop. No sports package but premium package. As far as fuel mileage, I will get more details from him.

[RANDY P]

all I can say is, do it.

Sport package is the only way to go. the only real faults are cracked radiators above 50K, and although the manual says plugs at 100k and tranny fluid never, do both around 60K - especially if it's the 5 speed auto. They also typically suffer from suspension control arm bushings and ball joint failures around 70-80K, problems with resistor pack failure (HVAC controls - not a big deal to fix) and burned out pixel dash displays (on board computer) Other than that, they're pretty reliable cars.

Mine's been great. Rock solid, built like a bank vault.

Edit - mine's been in my posession for 3 weeks now, *2k miles bought at 52K and now at 54k and i'm still tracking oil consumption (none!) - haven't bothered with mileage yet. It's better than 20 MPG average though - even the way I drive.

I love the Forged BBS wheels the sport comes with...Full size spare too.

rjp

[RANDY P]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=428489

active 5 series board here. Lots of info. They got guys with E39s driving around over 200K still in tip top shape.

[gprsh924]

my dad has a 93 525i- the thing is a tank, over 100K still in perfect shape, i drive it when i take the tollway and get 20 mpg doing 90 mph, just a great car

[Halm]

Dave, Stay with the 3.0 six. I keep hearing comments that the V8's from that time period don't hold up well.

[ken_xman]

Had a 530i with sport, premium, and nav. Seal grey & black.
Rock solid, great car, handles very well, but horrible in the snow even with blizzaks. If you are not planning snow driving... go 4 it.
Sticker was 56k, and these can be found 2-3 yrs old for 30k. Lots of car for the money.

[dtw]

No snow driving. 20-25 mpg preferred. Surfing eBay and visiting the local dealerships, there are some amazing deals - 2-4 year old cars anywhere from 22 to 30k. Thanks for the link to the forum!

I would definitely be into the 530 - don't want or need the 540. My parents picked up a 2002 530 new and I've been in love with the car ever since. They are really built like battleships.

[Leader]

We bought a 2001 530i as a CPO (returned 3-year lease car) from a BMW dealer. It had 32k miles on it and was quite reasonably priced compared to a new one.

We've been driving it as my wife's primary vehicle for over a year and it still has not asked for service (the computer tells you when to go in for oil changes based on how the car's being used). Additionally, she gets a consistent 18 mpg (75% city/25% freeway) day-to-day. When it goes on trips (all freeway speeds), the car gets 24-26 mpg. It's an automatic.

We love the car. It's got a huge trunk, decent backseat, and it goes pretty good for a six. I'd get another one.

[RANDY P]

In those circles, it's generally considered that the 530I sport is the best overall of the bunch. Still has big brakes, has the aluminum front subframe and better steering, and the reliability / cost of operation of the 6. Lots of power and not much heavier than the previous e-34

the v-8 cars have heavier steel subframes and different steering racks, they are considered less desirable. Don't get me wrong, the 540 isn't an outcast, just not as well balanced. Some claim the v-8 isn't nearly as reliable but it's tough to say since there's no accurate data supporting either one. As a driver though the 530 is plenty strong - and agile. It stops like you hit a brick wall.

in 2001 the 530 sport recieved the highest score EVER in Consumer Reports history - for whatever that's worth..

rjp

[krichard]

My wife drives a 2003 530i we bought new. She drive 50 miles round trip to work and back and averages 22.5 mpg. We use it as our main going to the store/dinner/getting around town car. So far at 40k miles we have replace the tires and that's it for maitenance cost. It's our 5th BMW and probably the best so far.

-Kerry

[Staylo]

The wifes DD is a 2000 528. She beats is pretty hard and it consistently gets 22-25 mpg. Slightly underpowered in the low end for my taste, but makes an awesome hwy cruiser.
70k miles now with only minor electrical issues, all warranty covered. Sport package and steptronic trans are the only way to go. Opt for premium sound, stock sucks. Two thumbs up.

[wludavid]

I have a '97 528i/5spd - wonderful car. The 2.8L Six (M52) like 89 octance and I've seen 31 mpg highway and more like 26 mixed. The 2.5 and 3.0 L Sixes (M54) are at least as good but like 91 octane. If you're interested in reliability and fuel mileage, stick with the I6's. The V8s are thirsty and trouble-prone.

Like all BMWs of this era, you've got to watch the cooling system. Apparently rads are "wear parts" now. Window regulators fail occasionally, the front upper control arms (commonly called "thrust arms) wear out and make the front end squirrely under braking.

Overall, I love the car. Stylish, comfy, and sporty and somewhat economical.

[CarreraLvr]

I bought a 1997 528i, sport and premium options in 2000, as a lease return, Factory Certified used car. Got a great deal on it, and it was under warranty for another 2 years. We drove it all over the west coast, and got 18-20 in the city, and up to 30 mpg on all freeway trips. Loved the car. Sold it with 89,000 miles, no troubles at all.

Bought a new 2005 525i sport and premium again in Oct of 2004, and love it also. Maintenance is 100% covered while under warranty, that's what made me jump to a new car instead of another factory certified used. This one has electrical gremlins though, windows will auto-reverse open when closing, and the sat radio will still play when the car is shut off, but their working on it... sigh...

Would I buy another one? yea... it's was a BLAST to drive (until I bought my 911), and covers long distances easily. Wife loves it and has claimed it as hers...

[dtw]

There's some great deals out there on some '02 and even '03 530i cars. We've found a few beautiful cars. There's also a black on black '99 528i with 70k miles on it at the local BMW dealer - it has a few cosmetic issues and is listed at $22k. KBB.com would indicate that I can get it for significantly below $20k. While we can afford more, I'm actually drawn to this car...I like the idea of opening up more slack in our disposable income with this car. On the other hand, I'm concerned about the car delivering (mostly) worry free service for another several years. Some close friends have a '92 5 series that has been soldiering on faithfully forever. Any thoughts on the 2.8 versus the 3.0? Seems they should be pretty similar and I'm not out for max HP/fun factor...that's what the 911 is for.

Thank you very much for the responses thus far, great info.

[RANDY P]

My 02 I got into with 52K miles for $26K flat. Has sport, premium and cold weather pkgs.

The 2.8 doesn't have as much torque, and smaller brakes are fitted. There isn't a major difference between reliability between the two, so if the power isn't a big deal to you then it's an issue of cost - which one is the better deal? Also, make sure you try out the sport - you may regret it down the road.

Future value -the 530 may hold it's value a bit better -it's already starting to show between the 528 and 530.

I'd seek out a similar 530 sport.

rjp

[dtw]

Randy,
Good info, especially if there are deals out there this good - see ebay #4580551550.

I'm not afraid of that kind of mileage, esp. on a CA car...

[RANDY P]

$16.3K - stole it! and it's fully loaded for the area. At that price it's below wholesale.

wow...

rjp

[dtw]

Yes -- and frankly a 530 sport w/manual trans is one of my dream cars. Thoughts on this one? eBay #4582473359

I've never done eBay for a car - ok I've never done eBay for an expensive car. Won my '72T there but that was $1,600 - do dealers usually allow an independent pre-purchase inspection before purchase?

[RANDY P]

Wow - not bad, but those seats don't look right. There's no adjustable thigh support, - they're like standard seats.

They could be the top of the line "comfort seats" supposedly 16 way adjustable with massage? but, the controls look like standard ones. I'll check the owner's manual.

Spare looks like it has a bend too...