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BMW 5-Series Maintenance and Repair

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

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

    
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Messages Page 47 of 274

#455 of 2734 Please advise on 528i by viz

Dec 26, 2003 (2:37 pm)

Hi,
   I own a BMW 528i 1998 model. It has 67000 miles on it and after 4 year warranty I have already spent $4000 or more on it for replacement of parts and check ups. I have one more issue now- ball joint to be replaced for 1300. Please advise on the following:
 
1) Do you guys see any major problems with vehicle in next 20,000/30,000 miles or so ? What are the problems that would crop up during this phase and how much would they cost ?
 
2) If the repair costs are going to be exhorbitant, I would like to sell this car and lease a 2003-525 but I hate to get rid of my present car. Infact I lose around $3000 when I sell my car to the dealer.
3) 2003 -525 with 5000 miles is available for 40,000; cold weather package,leather etc. Is it a fair price ?
 
Thanks,
Viz

#456 of 2734 viz by div2

Dec 27, 2003 (10:06 am)

I take it that you are using the dealer for your service/repairs? No wonder you've spent over $4000. Are you using your CCA discount? My BMW independent shop performed the Inspection II on our 1997 528iA at 66476 miles and the cost was $441. That price also included front pads, one tie rod, an alignment, and a new fuel filter. I spent $963 over the next 31600 miles. I replaced the following parts: a trunk lock actuator($44), a radiator vent hose fitting($2), a P/S hose($140), a windscreen washer pump($31), the A/C belt($35), and several bulbs($30). Everything except the P/S hose was an extremely simple DIY procedure. I also replaced the front pads and rotors($350). Over the past 3.75 years and 52000 miles my service/repair costs have averaged $56 per month. That doesn't include the cost of my winter tire/wheel package($642 including BMW OEM wheel covers). I do plan to have the dealer replace my A/T fluid and final drive oil at 100000 miles, but the cost will be less than $300. By then I'll also need to replace the OEM Michelin all-seasons, but I don't anticipate spending over $400. Since my annual service/repair costs are running under $700 I simply can't justify buying a new BMW in order to "save" money on upkeep. We'll probably keep the sled until we can get a nice CPO X3-unless I can convince my wife that she REALLY needs an EVO VIII or an STi...

#457 of 2734 "E" Problems vs. "E60" Problems by bmiz

Dec 28, 2003 (6:27 pm)

I have been reading and comparing problems owners have reported on these cars. Though the BMW's are having their problems,it seems these are mostly maintenance issues and the usual new model year bugs.It seems minor compared to what MB owners are dealing with.Several have posted they are in litigation, trying to give their vehicles back due to SEVERE electrical problems.Does anybody know if these problems have been resolved, or would it be better to hold off on a Mercedes purchase? Are there any E60's with severe problems?

#458 of 2734 '03 - 525 Seat Belt issue and others. by syku

Dec 30, 2003 (8:45 am)

My 4 month old '03 525 is having some issues.
1. The passenger side seat belt gets stuck often. I have to cut the ignition and play with the belt to get it to work properly. Any solution to this?
 
2. The front passenger seat has a very noticeable vibration when it is empty. Any reason why?
 
3. The head rest on the front passenger seat is stuck in the high position and it won't come down. The switch is not working. Is there a way to bring it down manually for the time being?
 
4.The switch that makes the front passenger seat move forward and backward gets stuck too. You press the switch to make the seat move a bit forward or back and the seat keeps going. The switch needs a gentle tap in the opposite direction to stop this. Very annoying. My car pool buddy really got scared when it first happened. He thought he was going to be sandwiched between the dash board and the seat:)
 
5. The switch for the fan (heating/cooling) also gets stuck when I press on one end. It needs a gentle tap on the other end to stop it.
 
One of my friends suggested to spray the switches with W-40. Is this a good idea? Would it cause any damage? I'm taking it back to the dealer one of these days for sure.
 
It is a great driving machine. But I wish, BMW would pay a bit more attention to these kind of stuff too.

#459 of 2734 Sports Package by viz

Dec 31, 2003 (4:42 am)

Hello,
       How do we find out whether a BMW 1998 528i has a sports package ?
 
Thanks,
Viz

#460 of 2734 Any 740i Owners Clubs? by russe

Jan 01, 2004 (6:45 pm)

Is there an owners' club for the 740i somewhere on this web site?

#461 of 2734 Is my car a lemon? by russe

Jan 01, 2004 (7:00 pm)

My 1994 740i presently has about 118,000 miles on it. Over the 6 years that I have owned it, it has been in for repairs at least 20 times which has cost me more than $20,000 (including 2 transmission replacements)
 
Have any of you other 5 or 7 series drivers ever had bad luck such as this or is my car just a total lemon?

#463 of 2734 Is my car a lemon 2? by russe

Jan 01, 2004 (7:04 pm)

As a follow up to my previous post, other problems that I have had with my 740i include:
 
Transmission replaced (1st time at 64000 miles)
Transmission replaced (2nd time at 114,000 miles)
Tranny fluid replaced twice ($250 each time)
Air conditioning condenser replaced
Air conditioning evaporator replaced
Air conditioning line replaced
A/C coolant replaced 3 times and topped up twice
Radiator repaired several times
Radiator replaced
Radiator coolant replaced numerous times
Wiper motor replaced
Both front stabilizer rods and vanes replaced
Both valve cover gaskets replaced
Main Water pump replaced
All four brake rotors and pads (at least 4 times)
Tie rod end replaced
Both front body strut bars and bushings replaced
Wheel alignment (done twice)
Stereo repaired
Drive shaft centre bearing replaced
Drivers power seat motor and switches repaired
Electric auxilliary water pump replaced
Several heater hoses replaced
Transmission oil cooler replaced
Coolant hose to trans oil cooler replaced
Upper and lower rad hoses replaced
Oil filter bracket repaired (severe oil leak)
Thermostat housing replaced
Thermostat replaced twice
Both fuel filters replaced
Spark plugs replaced
Steering wheel locking mechanism replaced
Shifter linkage needed realignment
Windshield replaced
Extensive body work and painting done due to rust
Battery replaced
Air filter replaced twice
Microfilter replaced twice
Have bought 3 sets of new tires for car
Numerous problems with windshield wipers
Almost every light on car replaced at least once
Fuel gauge light doesn't work - not fixed yet
Hood latch always sticks so hood hard to open
Trunk lock sticks constantly - not fixed yet
Rear door handles don't retract in cold weather
Glove box opens by itself on bumps - not fixed
Exhaust system leak - not fixed yet
Centre link shot - not fixed yet
One ball joint needs replacing - not fixed yet
Drivers power seat broken again - not fixed yet
Air bag light on all the time - not fixed yet
Power lumbar supports on both seats broken
Rear seat fold down console hinges broken
Drivers seat armrest mechanism broken
Power steering wheel adj. works intermittently
 
Looking at the above litany of problems you might think that I am hard on the car and/or don't maintain it properly. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am 51 years old, the car is not driven hard, and every required BMW inspection and oil change has been performed at the required times since the car was new. The car has full documentation to verify this.
 
I also own an old 533i (that has had its share of problems too) but I really will think twice before ever buying another BMW (that's if I want to stay married!). They are terrific cars to drive but I'm starting to wonder whether the superiority of so-called "German engineering" is really just an often repeated myth! Have any of you other 5 or 7 series drivers ever had problems such as I have experienced or is my car just a total lemon? I await your thoughts on this.

#464 of 2734 russe by div2

Jan 02, 2004 (1:15 am)

Well, remember that you are dealing with a complex ten year old car that cost over $60K new. It also sounds like you use a dealer for service-your costs would likely be 40%-50% less if you used a good independent shop. As for your repair record, only a few things strike me as abnormal-the two A/T failures seem premature(they will usually go at least 100K miles), as does the A/C work, and the trans cooler. Most of the other work you listed I would consider normal for most any car of that age and mileage-brakes, exhaust, hoses, filters, suspension parts, and T-stats. Why did the windscreen need to be replaced? How long do you expect a battery to last? Spark plugs? Light bulbs? My Club Sport track rat is going on it's fourth set of tires at 84K, while my wife's 98K E39 is still rolling on the OEM Michelins(and BTW, it takes new pads every 25K and rotors every 50K. Sticking latches and door handles? Just tonight I set aside 10 minutes and lubed them myself. Loose glove box door? Adjust the latch, for gosh sakes. I also think that your dealer may be throwing parts at some problems rather than analyzing the actual cause of the failure or problem. The service/repair costs for my Club Sport have averaged less than $500/year over eight years, while the E39 costs are $1000/year over the past three years. 7er costs will be a bit more, but certainly not over $2000/year. Hint: Find a good independent, buy the Bentley manual- http://www.bentleypublishers.com/product.htm?code=B794&subjec- - t=4 -and fix the fiddly minor problems yourself.

Messages Page 47 of 274

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