Anyone own/drive a 97-03 BMW 5 Series?
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,240
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From: California
Anyone own/drive a 97-03 BMW 5 Series?
Looking at these for a friend, seem like solid cars, never drove one though. Im guessing it's a plusher 3 series in terms of handling/accel.
Anyone with some non-biased expierence? They good high mileage cars? Fairly reliable for a german car?
Models in question are the inline-6 engines.
Anyone with some non-biased expierence? They good high mileage cars? Fairly reliable for a german car?
Models in question are the inline-6 engines.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,001
Likes: 1
From: D2'sville
I know this may not be a direct answer, but everytime we do a e39 5series, I want to buy one, they get HUGE lips!! lol 20x8.5 3" front / 20x10 4" lip normal forging! Ok got that out of my system.
Honestly, I think these are great cars all around. I'm trying to remember based on my research when I was thinking of picking one up years ago, but from a simplicity standpoint the 528 would probably be a easy one. I cant really remember hearing anything bad about them.
The powertrain is stout, I would be leary about the electronics. The e39 was one of the first to have the electo-party in the center console (lol). So I would recommend a warranty.
good luck
Honestly, I think these are great cars all around. I'm trying to remember based on my research when I was thinking of picking one up years ago, but from a simplicity standpoint the 528 would probably be a easy one. I cant really remember hearing anything bad about them.
The powertrain is stout, I would be leary about the electronics. The e39 was one of the first to have the electo-party in the center console (lol). So I would recommend a warranty.
good luck
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 261
Likes: 12
From: ca
Originally Posted by Cannonbear
Looking at these for a friend, seem like solid cars, never drove one though. Im guessing it's a plusher 3 series in terms of handling/accel.
Anyone with some non-biased expierence? They good high mileage cars? Fairly reliable for a german car?
Models in question are the inline-6 engines.
Anyone with some non-biased expierence? They good high mileage cars? Fairly reliable for a german car?
Models in question are the inline-6 engines.
If you are looking to buy one i will look for 02 or later E39. The earlier E39 has radiator issues.
Also the higher the mileage, you need to check for suspension arm stress cracks.
Click on this link below. Has a lot of good information about the E39. Over all, they do have some issues but mostly easy to fix. Things like the bushings and such going out at 50K miles is not too different than the Lexus cars like the SC/LS so it is not that out of line for larger luxury cars of that era. The E39 is still a car I'm seriously considering buying. The other one is aMercedes CLK. Those two cars too me are just awsome and I can live with any issues it may have 
http://www.540i6.com/probsfixes.html
http://www.540i6.com/probsfixes.html
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,854
Likes: 0
From: IL
BMW auto transmissions tend to only last about 80-90K - at least this is what I get from Roundel. My 2000 540 was perfect but as a guy I know says "When they ask how long I want lease my BMW, I ask them how long the warranty is and then tell them that's how long I want to lease it for".
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