BMW 528i

[Parihaka]

Anybody owned one of these/can give me the rundown on any faults they might have?
It's been a while since I've owned a European car, the electrics always used to be a problem, is this still the case?

[Doktor]

Anybody owned one of these/can give me the rundown on any faults they might have?
It's been a while since I've owned a European car, the electrics always used to be a problem, is this still the case?

Year of production?

For European standards 2.8 l engine would be thirsty beast.

Also, what kind of road combo you use (open roads/city), what's your average trip distance?

[YellowFever]

Don't know that particular model but I have many friends still experiencing electrical/mehanical problems with the BMW.

Hell, spend a bit more and go with the Mercedes.....

[gunnut]

Buy a Japanese car and use the savings for other toys.

[Parihaka]

Year of production?

For European standards 2.8 l engine would be thirsty beast.

Also, what kind of road combo you use (open roads/city), what's your average trip distance?

1996, very much second hand but only 122,000k on the clock. Looks and runs beautifully.

Average 40k a day, mostly on motorway with about 20 +500k trips a year.

[Parihaka]

Don't know that particular model but I have many friends still experiencing electrical/mehanical problems with the BMW.

Hell, spend a bit more and go with the Mercedes.....

bugger, didn't want to hear that....

[Parihaka]

Buy a Japanese car and use the savings for other toys.

Because of their reliability 2nd hand Japanese cars are a lot more expensive than European ones here. For a comparable Japanese car I'd be paying $3,000 more.
The car is $4,500.

[Parihaka]

BTW, economy is not a problem. An M3 gets better economy than a Prius if driven carefully and the prius driven hard. It's not the car you drive, it's the way you drive it.

Jeremy Clarkson makes the point here, start in about 3m 20s in

[Doktor]

1996, very much second hand but only 122,000k on the clock. Looks and runs beautifully.

Average 40k a day, mostly on motorway with about 20 +500k trips a year.

Hmmm...

Since it's border year between models, guess it is E34:


Well, the engine and the handling should be tip top (guess that's what you are looking for), the electronics could be a problem, but more likely a hassle or a niggle, luckily they didn't have that much back then as today's models.

The E-34 performed well on JD Power surveys, but wasn't 15 years old

Watch for the interior assembly, too.

122,000k on the clock? Some slacker had that car

[Parihaka]

Hmmm...

Since it's border year between models, guess it is E34:


Well, the engine and the handling should be tip top (guess that's what you are looking for), the electronics could be a problem, but more likely a hassle or a niggle, luckily they didn't have that much back then as today's models.

The E-34 performed well on JD Power surveys, but wasn't 15 years old

Watch for the interior assembly, too.

122,000k on the clock? Some slacker had that car

That's the fella, the e34. Seems a beast as long as I don't always have it in the shop. Previously owned by two retirees in succession, guess it'll need a good blowout but it's got a full BMW approved service history since new.

[Parihaka]

BTW it's a manual gearbox, haven't had one of them in years

[Doktor]

I almost forgot, have an inspection on ALL rubber parts.
The rubber they use for hoses, belts, etc shelf life is 5 years (or less).

Since it is 15 years old car, it's about time

Manual gearbox? Is there any other kind

[gunnut]

122,000 km I assume. Even I drive more than that, and I don't go many places.

[USSWisconsin]

I was still an auto tech in 1990's, part time putting myself through school. The Mercedes and BMW's were fine cars, no serious or abnormal issues that I saw or heard of, VW's were alright too. It was the Audi's that I dreaded working on - they were not fine - not a mechanic/technition friendly car (sure they were fun to drive). If you can find a mechanic who you trust - who services this kind of car (it will need service, all cars do, particularly older ones). You could pay him to inspect it - if you get a green light - you have already paid a "retainer" to your service person. If he tells you to avoid it (with reasons) you will still be better off. The main thing you don't want is a car with hard to repair issues - parts are expensive and hard to get, special tools may be involved = BMW dealer and lots of money. You should try all the electrical things yourself too - climate control, wipers, stereo, lights, horn, gauges, power locks, windows. You need to know if something is broken.

[BD1]

can´t you just let the local BMW dealership to check it out before you buy and give you a list of things that need to be replaced/repaired? they will give you a repair/details price assesment too, but then you can just check on some bmw-fan club pages for friendlier prices/or even B-spares. but the dealership at least will inspect it thoroughly and will give you a diagnosis. over here this will cost something like 30-60 euros, and IMO is worth every penny.