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BMW 5-Series Sedans

12737 messages,  Last post on Feb 16, 2013 at 11:05 PM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 1260 of 1274

#12590 of 12737 Valve Cover Gasket by ca_karen

Jan 05, 2009 (7:22 pm)

I have a 2001 BMW 525i with 45000 miles, mostly highway, on it. I bought it new and have had very little problems with it until now (of course, the warranty both manuf. and extended have expired)....stalling problems were diagnosed by the dealer as needing a new cam sensor. He also said I needed a valve cover gasket as it was beginning to leak. With only 45M miles?? Am I being shammed??? I haven't seen any evidence of oil on the garage floor.....I retired last year and probably only drive the car once a week....should I believe them and have it replaced or hang tight and see what happens? Thanks for any advice you can give.

#12591 of 12737 Re: Valve Cover Gasket [ca_karen] by vanalder

Jan 06, 2009 (10:34 am)

Replying to: ca_karen (Jan 05, 2009 7:22 pm)
We have the same car w/ ~ 60K on i t.
 
Had to have both front and rear (as I remember the description) cam sensors replaced. Unfortunately, the man who generally works on the car did/could not get it across to me that being prudent I'd have had him put in both at once.
Labor about same + cost of 2nd sensor earlier, vs. two complete labor jobs.
 
Can't imagine a leak around the valve cover which does not
produce visible oil.
 
Daan

#12592 of 12737 Re: Valve Cover Gasket [ca_karen] by andys120

Jan 06, 2009 (11:34 am)

Replying to: ca_karen (Jan 05, 2009 7:22 pm)
If the stalling problems are not severe and don't endanger your safety you might just try to ride them out but I suggest you got a second opinion from a good independent BMW specialist. You can probably find one in your area at www.bimers.org.
 
It sounds to me like it could be a faulty fuel pump.

#12593 of 12737 Re: Valve Cover Gasket [vanalder] by ca_karen

Jan 08, 2009 (7:22 am)

Replying to: vanalder (Jan 06, 2009 10:34 am)
Thanks for your input......the sensor was installed before I received your reply, so had no opportunity to ask about it or have it done at the same time, darn it...the technician was thorough enough, tho, that when I questioned him about the valve cover gasket, he took me outside and showed me the build up of gunk at a couple of places around the head cover.....having been around cars and men that worked on them in the 60's, I wasn't completely dumb about what I was seeing.....I cleaned the 'gunk' off and will keep a watch on the condition but I think I have a couple of thousand miles left before I have to face this additional expense......and I'll be alert to the other sensor going bad as well.....thanks

#12594 of 12737 First Time BMWer by bavarian08

Jan 21, 2009 (11:27 am)

Hi there..I am planning to buy/lease a BMW 5 Series 2008. Any useful advice would be appreciated. I saw a 2008 528i with 10k miles ( I was told this was a loaner car) and so technically still owned by the dealership. They are doing a 2.9% APR thru BMW financing.
 
MSRP: $ 45,425.00
Discount: $ 5,694.00
Selling price: $ 39,731.00
 
with 5k downpayment, for a 60 month term, monthly payments are $650.00, all taxes and misc included.
Do I negotiate further? Thx.

#12595 of 12737 '04 525i - Sound good? by atodd3

Jan 30, 2009 (8:45 am)

Posted this on 'Buying' forum but doing so here, as well as I'm trying to benefit from as much collective wisdom as possible...thanks for replies...
 
Looking for some advice and appreciative of your comments...my very faithful 10 yr old Maxima SE with 205k miles on it has, finally, come to the end of its roadlife. Looking for a used entry level luxury...I drive 30k mi per year to and from the office so want something reliable but at same time, something I want to spend time in. Pretty focused on an '06 3series but, in shopping, have come across an '04 525i at a highly rated BMW dealer. Black w/beige leather, manual, prem and cold pkg's, 35k miles...priced at $20,995, have negotiated to $19,995 but hoping I can get it for $19k. Comes w/extended warranty of 100k mi or thru Nov 2011.
  
I am nervous about lack of awd here in New England...would appreciate thoughts on that, too.
  
Any/all comments are greatly appreciated as I need to pull the trigger on something this weekend...thanks in advance.

#12596 of 12737 Re: '04 525i - Sound good? [atodd3] by ponytrekker

Jan 30, 2009 (5:59 pm)

Replying to: atodd3 (Jan 30, 2009 8:45 am)
That's the first year of the new style (E60 is the model) and so, more likely to have problems than the previous model 5 series -- the E39.
 
I know someone who has a 2002 530 (E39) and he has 205k on the clock. The car looks brand new and he's very happy with it so far.
 
I'd focus on an '02 or 03 5 series if I were you. That model is incredibly durable.

#12597 of 12737 Re: '04 525i - Sound good? [ponytrekker] by roadburner

Jan 31, 2009 (12:58 pm)

Replying to: ponytrekker (Jan 30, 2009 5:59 pm)
I'd focus on an '02 or 03 5 series if I were you. That model is incredibly durable.
 
That's correct. As a matter of fact, I'm probably going to dump my 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 in favor of a 2003 540i 6 speed.
Can't wait!!!

#12598 of 12737 Re: '04 525i - Sound good? [atodd3] by carnaught

Jan 31, 2009 (3:36 pm)

Replying to: atodd3 (Jan 30, 2009 8:45 am)
I'd focus on an '02 or 03 5 series if I were you. That model is incredibly durable.
 
I had an '03 5 Series (an E39), and now the newer E60 (2004+) 5 Series. While I agree that the first model year of a redsigned car line can be troublesome, I find the E60 much improved over the older E39 series. The E60's ride, handling, driveability, ergonomics and gas mileage are far superior. The looks of the E60 are not universally loved (especially by BMW purists) but this is purely subjective.

#12599 of 12737 Doesn't the '04 525i.... by kyfdx HOST

Feb 01, 2009 (6:33 am)

..come with the old 2.5 litre engine from the E39/E46?
 
If so, that's a lot of weight for that engine to lug around, with only 184 HP... It's a great little engine when mated with the right vehicle, but I don't think the E60 is it..
 
I wouldn't be scared of the first-year model, considering anyone you find is already 5 years old, and should be in working order.. But, that car might be a tad slow..
 
regards,
kyfdx

Messages Page 1260 of 1274

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