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BMW 5-Series Maintenance and Repair

2734 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2013 at 4:00 PM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Electrical, Engine, Sedan, Wagon

    
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Messages Page 273 of 275

#2713 of 2734 Why are BMW radio antennas so bad by wantequus2012

Feb 21, 2012 (9:56 pm)

I'm in the market for the BMW 550i(2011). I test drove several BMW's and this is my favorite, however, some of the FM stations don't come in that well(static and noise), not just on this model but on all of them. 70-70 k car and they can't get a top of the line antenna. The radio overall sounds ok not great. Any ideas?

#2714 of 2734 Re: Why are BMW radio antennas so bad [wantequus2012] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Feb 21, 2012 (10:49 pm)

Replying to: wantequus2012 (Feb 21, 2012 9:56 pm)
Could be where you live maybe? some stations in some cities with lots of hills or obstructions are just bad. I have this problem in parts of the San Francisco Bay Area.

#2715 of 2734 2008-2009 5 series manual by jodar96

Jun 17, 2012 (4:45 am)

I am looking to buy a 2008-2009 5 Series manual. I feel the 528 is too heavy for its 225hp engine. Does anyone agree with this? I had a 92 325i and loved its inline six but that was a 185hp engine and was in a lighter 3 series body.
 
The 535 appears to be a good choice but I am hesitant to deal with its twin turbo...Didn't 2005-2007 have issues with Turbos. I know 2008-up are new engines, but any issues? I have never owned a turbo car. I know on time oil changes are a must, but do they rev themselves to destruction by 100K or that is not true?
 
How is the 550i engine and electrical reliability? How does the clutch hold up in this engine? how is the gas mileage if driven under 75 on the hwy. I had a 2001 MB E430 that got 28.8mpg on the hwy. That was the only V-8 I ever owned and were impressed with its smooth engine and seamless 5 speed auto.
 
Are there any real or on going nagging issues with any one them in 2008-2009 style to stay away from?
 
Thank you,
Joe

#2716 of 2734 Clunk sound at start up by dansa2

Jun 22, 2012 (7:17 am)

2008 528i 40,000 miles. A couple seconds after starting car, in park, hear a clunk sound from under car. Dealer cannot give answer to why this happens. Car drives and transmission shifts fine.

#2717 of 2734 Re: 2008-2009 5 series manual [jodar96] by james27

Jun 22, 2012 (1:14 pm)

Replying to: jodar96 (Jun 17, 2012 4:45 am)
Back when turbos were first being installed in cars, they were often oil cooled and you had to be quite careful after driving to let things spool down and cool off before you shut the engine off. If you didn't you'd burn the oil and ruin the bearings. All modern tubo engined cars now use liquid (system antifreeze) to cool them, and that problem has gone away. I'd expect you'd get a lot more miles than 100K, but then, there's always the exception.
 
The way BMW does their turbos, they make an insane amount of torque at low rpm. Torque is what really moves the vehicle...generally, top speed is limited by max horsepower. In the USA, you can't legally drive anywhere near the top speed of the vehicle. 225Hp is a decent amount. I'd try it before I wrote it off as too little. There's something to be said about using a manual and the available horsepower - it takes more skill with a lower powered vehicle, but it can be quite fast.
 
BMW generally uses the computer to decide when the vehicle needs an oil change...it is not strictly a rigid mileage thing. It could be anywhere from in the order of 4K to 20K miles, or one year, whichever comes first. You'd want to use BMW's filter and one of their approved oils, but if you do, it should be reliable. The V8 tends to use more oil than the 6's (the 4 is realtively new to the states). My 535gt went about 11K in the first year and never used any, or at least the computer said it was still full. The computer said the oil change was still 7K miles off (i.e., at 18K) based on my driving, but the one year was up so they did it for free under the new vehicle service plan.
 
There are some people that have had issues with the head bolts on some models, but it didn't affect my model year or engine...you may wish to search on that.

#2718 of 2734 Re: 2008-2009 5 series manual [jodar96] by bschmidt25

Jul 21, 2012 (10:11 pm)

Replying to: jodar96 (Jun 17, 2012 4:45 am)
Hi Joe,
 
There were no turbos in the 5 series until the 535 in 2008. If I remember correctly, the engine in the 525 from 2006-07 is the same as the 528 from '08 on (N52). The 530 preceded the 535 and it has 255 HP. Both the 525 and 530 were naturally aspirated. As far as the 535 goes, the big issue with them is the high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) and fuel injectors. BMW ended up recalling the HPFP because there were so many issues with them and I believe they are now covered for 6 years and 110K miles. Supposedly, 2008s are much more affected than the others. I also hear that some are having problems with the wastegate on the turbo. I don't think it necessitates replacement, but it still could be expensive. There's no doubt a 535 will cost more to maintain than a 528 because of the added complexity and heat generated by the turbos. Proper maintenance is a must for the 535.
 
The 550 is said to be very reliable. I have driven them a number of times and they are pretty thirsty - around 15-16 in town and 23-24 on the freeway. It's an amazing car, but I personally wouldn't be able to justify the fuel costs. That's just my opinion though...
 
Hope this helps!
 
Bryan

#2719 of 2734 Oil Change Question by milner007

Jul 24, 2012 (9:21 pm)

I bot a 2011 535- in November 2011- it had 9 miles on it- the computer says I can go till July 2013 (!!!) to change the oil. Should I do this? I had a 2000 528 before this car and changed the oil every year whether the computer said to or not- I think I should change it and not reset the computer- what do ya'll think?? I cant imagine not changing it till 7/13

#2720 of 2734 Re: Oil Change Question [milner007] by james27

Jul 25, 2012 (7:15 am)

Replying to: milner007 (Jul 24, 2012 9:21 pm)
Change the oil and filter at the time the computer suggests OR one year, whichever comes first. ANd, use the recommended oil. At least at my dealership, they'll do this under warranty for free.

#2721 of 2734 Re: Oil Change Question [james27] by milner007

Jul 25, 2012 (2:17 pm)

Replying to: james27 (Jul 25, 2012 7:15 am)
Thanks- I'll try that at my dealership but I am not optimistic- they never do anything for free!

#2722 of 2734 Re: Oil Change Question [milner007] by busiris

Jul 30, 2012 (5:56 pm)

Replying to: milner007 (Jul 25, 2012 2:17 pm)
Thanks- I'll try that at my dealership but I am not optimistic- they never do anything for free!
 
I agree with James27... Change the oil at a minimum once each year.
 
Also, my dealership (Greenville, SC) provides the annual oil change at no fee.

Messages Page 273 of 275

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