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http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/SyntheticEngineOils.aspx
There are alternative solutions.
The post refers to Winfred @ E34 forums.
also try Search on E34 Seat Cables Fix
rob walton
-- The 1999 528i is a wonderful car (although I prefer it with a 5-Speed)
-- This car has proven to be rather reliable and affordable assuming you either do the work yourself or find a good independent mechanic.
-- I had a 2002 530i, and with the factory Sport Package tires, the car was all but undrivable with even an eighth of an inch of white stuff on the roads.
-- Once I purchased a set of winter wheels and tires (for all four corners), my 5er was all but unstoppable in snow so deep the car was starting to play snow plow.
-- Nine thousand dollars sounds pretty pricy, even if the car is in excellent condition.
If not... Issues:
1998: computer display losses clarity (some LED dots quit lighting up) but still readable). Both of my cars experienced this problem.
AC compressor failed at 120k - expensive part and labor is at a premium at the dealerships.
Just call a dealer for an estimate on a few things to get an idea of typical repair costs, like the 60k check-up.
headlight adjusters disintegrated inside one headlight but I was able to buy the parts cheap from a BMW forum online.
Driver side door handle s both broke off during a freezing rain. They are cast from cheap pot metal. $125 each and then have to be painted! Instal is a pain.
The drivers side door lever (inside) broke loose from its cable. Part was about $40 from the dealer. Install took about 2 hours.
Electronic trunk latch failed at 80k. Part cost $100. Labor=1 hour.
2003: upper water hose quick connector rotted at 105k. Part is only available from BMW and cot $100! It wasn't"t in stock. Easy to replace in about 1.5 hours (the first time).
Thermostat costs $250! (aftermarke). Fortunately mine was not bad & I returned the part.
The electric seat controls have speedomteter like cables connecting the left and right side mechanical adjusters. These cables shrink over time and must be repaired. Follow my thread to learn more.
The instrument panel computer display has about 12 different items it.can display one at a time. Mine only displays the second MPG average in all 12 positions. Irritating, but the main computer screen still shows all messages correctly.
It is very important to keep the wheels properly aligned to avoid accelerated wear on the rear tires. Just paid $115 at NTB and they did not follow the procedures prescribed by BMW for loading the seats with weights (150# for driver seat, etc.) before service.
Great driving machines. Reliable engines. Costly to maintain.
You could buy a 2002 5-series for that kind of money.
I am looking at a 2008 535xit with 6 speed manual. Is the HPFP issue resolved now? This car was a BMW lemon law buyback (for the HPFP), but is still under the original warranty. Am I crazy to consider it?
2021 Toyota Venza Limited Hybrid, 2022 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.4 Hemi, 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT
The BMW E39 series are known to be actually quite reliable supposedly as long as you take good care of it. The maintenance costs can be high but tolerable. As everyone has said in the forum that if you can afford the expenses and if you know a very good mechanic with BMW experience then you should be alright. These machines are wonderful to drive. I have been taking very good care of my car since I have the experience of a mechanic.
The price that you mentioned is absolutely bargain (although other's opinions may differ, not at least in my view). I am doing the monthly payments but the total cost of my car is actually $11k. Did you take it for a thorough test drive (city/highway driving)? Because that would be the first thing to do, check the exterior/interior lightings, check every buttons and switches, and how good are the brakes and the tyres? Check for any fluid leaks in the engine compartment. It is widely known with these engines that water leaks presumably from the ends of the hoses. I am probably asking too much for you to perform these tasks but If you are willing to purchase it then you should do it, as how I did it with mine.
I wish the best for your car purchase (and be it a BMW!)
That 1999 BMW with only 57k mi and only for 9 grand is very surprising and much more cheaper than any BMW I have seen. I suppose this is my reason.
I think $9000 is full dealer retail for the car and while no harm in paying that, I think it is overpriced by about $1000. I would certainly negotiate it, as well as have it thoroughly checked out prior to purchase.
Low miles is not always a good thing. Also years are years...cars age not only by miles but by time. And once you start using the car at the "normal" 12,000 miles a year, the premium you paid for low miles is instantly lost in depreciation.
So I'd base my offer on what the car *needs*, not just on assuming that because the miles are low, the car is perfect.
Personally, I would never pay a premium for a preowned vehicle unless I had direct information warranting the premium, such as always garaged, expertly maintained, etc.
Years ago, I found a 1959 Chevrolet Belair that matched those parameters. This was in 1984 and the owner was a neighbor of my parents. The car had 13,000 miles and looked as it was driven straight from the showroom. I wish I still had that car today.
Even then, I paid somewhere between loan valuation and retail.
There's just too many cars available for one to pay a premium price, unless there's something really rare or unique to the specific car.
I am looking at a 2008 535xit with 6 speed manual. Is the High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) issue resolved now? This car was a BMW lemon law buyback (for the HPFP), but is still under the original warranty. Am I crazy to consider it? Has there been a "permanent" fix?
2021 Toyota Venza Limited Hybrid, 2022 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.4 Hemi, 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT
I have a 2009 535i. While changing out the both cabin filters, I noticed that inside the compartment is what appears to be another filter. There is one on each side. It looks like it can only be accessed from under the dash board but I did not remove anything to find out. Can anyone advise if in fact is a filter and how can it be changed.
Thanks
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Share your vehicle reviews
Does it take "normal" fluid and some special formulation ?
Thank you.
ESSO LT71141
I have checked this from Alldata (a popular web source for vehicle repair and maintenance used by technicians). You can get it from www.bavauto.com and I believe that if you were to flush the fluid completely then you should get the 20 litre bottle of this fluid. You have to flush not once but few/several times to completely remove the old fluid.
I think you can get this from a VW dealer cause it is cheap.
I have to replace battery which is under back seat.
What makes you think the battery is under the rear seat?
enen tires.
I never changed battery since I bought.
recently battery dead.
if so, how old this battery? 18-19 years old, is it possible ?
I don't know.
An 18 year old battery is unlikely. Usually 5-8 years is about optimum life span.
If you can avoid it, don't jump start a 90s 5-series car. Remember, if you remove the battery under the seat, you're going to lose your presets for radio, fault memories, etc. So if your radio has an access code, and you don't know it, you could be in deep doo-doo on that.
installed with small plastic cover on cushion.
When I left cushion up, cushion attached with plastic cover and female buckle together on frame under the cushion.
please advise me
thank you
If you don't mind, I can take a pic what happen in rear seat with safe belt buckle installed.
in order to show you.
other hand, I will check other battery in truck.
I finally stopped trying, as I was afraid I was going to do more harm than good. He was able to get a mechanic from a local shop that services BMW's to stop by after work a few days later to remove the seat. It was easy for him, because he knew exactly where to apply force, and how much force to apply.
I never was able to decode the sequence correctly, and since it wasn't a car of mine (or one I will ever own. probably), I never went the extra mile to figure it out...
Like you I was very concerned about buying a "lemon" but after researching and calling BMW North America I was comfortable. The car is also eligable for the CPO program, but I declined. A gamble I am willing to take. My '08 535xi Touring is fantastic and has been flawless for six months now and the factory warranty is over so I am on my own so to speak!
even when I turn off the car. What can I do.