BMW 5 Series - reliability?

[SlinkyMike]

I'm shopping for a new car and keen on a 2006 + model 525. I like the larger sedan, especially when it has a solid amount of performance. Grunt and luxury is 100% my bag so please don't make suggestions about hot hatches and Hondas, etc.

Here's the thing: I'm constantly hearing horror stories about the reliability of 'modern' Bimmers. Most recently a friend of a friend who runs a towing service who reckons that 90% of his flatbed call outs are BMWs that just stopped next to the road or wouldn't start in the driveway one day. That's a pretty good source of information IMHO and honestly, the heart wants what the heart wants but my head says nope.

I'm aware that driving an older luxury sedan means you need to keep about R20k handy should something go wrong. I have experience in this area with the Audi A6 and I've had one bad scene that was in part due to a shifty mechanic but that's another story-what I'm saying is that I understand the implications of driving out of motor plan and I'm convinced its the better deal, what I don't need is a money-pit that just never damn well runs and I'm getting the impression that older Bimmers tend toward this.

Does anyone have an informed opinion on this that they would like to share?

P.S.: Rouxentator-look, no VAG!

 

[satanboy]

I hardly ever see BMW's, Mercs or any new car standing next to the road.


Normally old jalopies and Opels.

 

[froot]

What she said ^^

Make sure it's got a FSH and that it was issue-free or at least that it didn't have 20 owners.
It's not a turbo model which is a good thing for having a smaller chance of having issues, and it's a good car anyways.

I'd buy it if I had need for it

 

[Diplos]

Bought a 2004 320 Sport pack in 2008. At the time had around 90k on the clock - I decided against extending the motor plan as it was over R20k for a year's extension.

Currently the car's ODO is just under 190k and it's been very reliable. I'm looking to sell her now only because a sports suspension and SA roads don't go well together.

I think if you do your homework you should be very happy - I will say the short trip consumption will probably not be great though.

 

[spiderz]

Bought a 2004 320 Sport pack in 2008. At the time had around 90k on the clock - I decided against extending the motor plan as it was over R20k for a year's extension.

Currently the car's ODO is just under 190k and it's been very reliable. I'm looking to sell her now only because a sports suspension and SA roads don't go well together.

I think if you do your homework you should be very happy - I will say the short trip consumption will probably not be great though.

Comparing a 3-series to a 5-series is like comparing a golf to a passat.
They 5-series are good cars.

 

[F1 Fan]

All BMW's are good cars, no denying that. But it all depends on how the car was looking after.

Also, on germans cars, the car does not break down, but little thing wear off (bearings switches etc). And those cost a lot of money.

 

[Rickster]

2005-2007 E60 525i - 160kW N52 Engine, not bad but it might be a bit of a fuel guzzler with that 2.5L straight 6. If money isnt an issue no problem.

Also the problem with most BMW's is that blimming Valvetronic, a bit expensive if it has to be replaced, servicing isnt cheap either but if you dont mind using After Market parts it will be cheaper.

 

[SlinkyMike]

Thanks for the comments so far.

On fuel consumption: this ain't my first rodeo, I'm well aware of what to expect from a higher performance, heavier motor car. I'm ok with it.

I'm hearing that in general people are not having issues with the Bimmers, this surprises me-I've heard lots of complaints outside of this forum.

A little confused now :-/

 

[Fuma]

How about a LEXUS GS300?

 

[Rickster]

Thanks for the comments so far.

On fuel consumption: this ain't my first rodeo, I'm well aware of what to expect from a higher performance, heavier motor car. I'm ok with it.

I'm hearing that in general people are not having issues with the Bimmers, this surprises me-I've heard lots of complaints outside of this forum.

A little confused now :-/

I suggest you ask the Pros.

 

[MartyMarts]

On fuel consumption: this ain't my first rodeo, I'm well aware of what to expect from a higher performance, heavier motor car. I'm ok with it.

If fuel consumption isn't an issue then get a 540 :twisted:

If you can find one in good nick that is...

 

[rorz0r]

You might want a bit more than 20k handy but otherwise it's an awesome car with no major issues.
You can call pretty much any dealership and quote the last 6(I think) numbers on the VIN and they will give you the cars history but obviously there will be a portion missing as that car probably went out of motorplan 2 years ago.
I have an E60 and two friends with them and no major issues. (04 525i, 04 530d, 08 530d).

 

[froot]

There will only be a missing history section in its servicing if it wasn't serviced by BMW.

 

[SlinkyMike]

You might want a bit more than 20k handy but otherwise it's an awesome car with no major issues.
You can call pretty much any dealership and quote the last 6(I think) numbers on the VIN and they will give you the cars history but obviously there will be a portion missing as that car probably went out of motorplan 2 years ago.
I have an E60 and two friends with them and no major issues. (04 525i, 04 530d, 08 530d).

Great, first hand experience!

Three quick questions:

How much more than R20k in your opinion?

What is your current reading for litres per 100km on the computer?

Do you now a good mechanic in Cape Town should I decide to go for it?

 

[froot]

Ag 20k is enough. It's pretty rare, if you take care of the car in terms of maintenance, to have any out of service suprises. In 195'000km on my Merc only the oxygen sensors went, and that might have been from a speedbump suprise.

 

[Vohligh]

Best you find a reputable mechanic / bmw car shop, because I can tell you from experience, BMW service repair shops are NOT reliable. I took my car to three BMW delearships (whilst in motorplan), and none of them could fix my problem. Did a bit of research once I was out of motorplan, and found a reputable repair shop which fixed the problem in a matter of hours.

 

[rorz0r]

Great, first hand experience!

Three quick questions:

How much more than R20k in your opinion?

What is your current reading for litres per 100km on the computer?

Do you now a good mechanic in Cape Town should I decide to go for it?

Look if you've got 20k in the bank and could scrape together another 10k from credit card or something if you need it then you should be fine. I got an extended warranty on mine (was 14k) which might help a bit should anything really go wrong.
My average consumption is 12l/100km (530d) but I drive like a 530d and my home/work route is 10km on backroads. Highway driving is about 7l/100km.

Tyres are 3.5k each (245/40/R18 RFT).

I don't know about cape town but I would say in general dealerships are useless so rather find a good mechanic or bmw specialist servicing place.

 

[Gaz{M}]

You will always hear stories about any car model.

That said, a friend of mine (here we go...) has a 525i and loves it, but has spent a lot of money repairing little things over the past few years. But I think most of them were as a result of poor repairs after an accident. He loves his car and refuses to get rid of it even with well over 150 000kms on the clock. It is a little thirsty though, but you seem fine with that. He also takes it to an independent specialist for repairs/services. There are plenty of BMW experts in the aftermarket industry due to the car's popularity, plus that 6 cylinder engine has been in 10 000's of BMW models so it is very common.

Don't be fooled by the 160kw though. The torque on that engine is low, at 250NM, so it isn't that fast. But it does sound glorious at high revs.

 

[Grant]

I owned one between 1996 to 1999.
Bought it having done about 25k km on the clock, sold it at around 80k.
The car was probably one of the most reliable I have ever had, requiring nothing but the usual servicing.
The car performed pretty well given it's size / mass & engine size.
It was sometimes used to tow a speedboat with a 200hp motor & full fuel tanks this all the bits and pieces in the boat along with 4 people in the car - it did this without any effort, despite the total mass ( having said that, the road was pretty level to the dam most used, hazelmere).
On one occasion it was given a free weekend at the palace at sun city, drove from durban. It cruised effortlessly & was a comfortable drive.
On the way back, I filled up fuel in pretoria, and then stopped in ladysmith to fill up again.
When we arrived home in dbn, while unpacking the car I noticed a pool of water under the car. Turns out, the petrol attendant had forgotten to replace the water cap back after checking the water / coolant level. I have driven from ladysmith to dbn at various speeds upwards of 120 without ill effect - only when the car was switched off & pressure changed did it spit some water out.

It was a great car, seems they dont hold resale value too well which makes them a nice buy if you find one in good condition that has been maintained properly.

 

[ponder]

I hardly ever see BMW's, Mercs or any new car standing next to the road.

You generally see way less old 'luxury' german sedans on the roads than toyotas, vw's, hondas etc because they are probably to expensive to maintain. Merc use to be an exception but that is no longer the case with their post W202 models.