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Five keys to long-term reliability: (1) Luck. Hope they assembled your car right the first time and there aren't any ticking time bombs. (2) Maintenance. Follow the schedule religiously. Keep your fluids clean and at proper levels. And as #6603 points out, go beyond. Changing transmission and differential fluids is an overlooked area. Do a periodic 4-wheel alignment. Best thing you can do for you tires, esp. if you have staggered wheel. (3) Treat your car properly. Doing lots of high RPM drop-clutch smoky tire burnouts won't help reliability or longevity. Avoid potholes and curbs. Avoid bird excrement and bright sunlight. Wash & wax. (4) Use modern synthetic fluids. Synthetic oil highly recommended. Don't skimp on fluids! (5) Pray.
The Tech Q&A editor I mentioned at #6603 says that electronic gremlins are the likeliest problems for the E39 540i. There are a ton of complex electronic components. Everything seems to have an electronic control module these days. Along with some engine-related issues.
I bought my '98 540i6 CPO when she had 52K. She now has 75K. I haven't had any major problems. All the minor ones covered by CPO warranty. Biggest expense was a new set of ContiSportContract2 tires. There are some squeaks and rattles, but she is a blast to drive!
regards,
kyfdx
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..."After finally deciding that the '04 5-series looks like a collision between an '04 Pontiac Grand Prix and a Toyota Camry, I went down to the BMW dealer and traded my '98 528 for an '03 530. The '03 design is familiar and classic. Looks like BMW decided to create a new look just for the sake of looking new. Mechanical improvements, no doubt, but the '04 is a Japanese-inspired aesthetic mistake, IMO. "
one.
I concur with kyfdx. Haven't heard BMW NA offering any extended warranties. Their only program is CPO. All the other extended warranties I've seen or read about were 3rd party warranties. I'm not a big fan of these. Expensive and usually limited coverage. Might have hassles getting them to pay and BMW dealer might want payment up front from you or the company.
Hope this helps...JL
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Check out AutoSite's data in their Market Research Section. Here is the latest on SEDANS as of end of April:
Model 4/03 4/02 YTD 03 YTD 02
BMW 3 6394 6546 23597 21432
BMW 5 4240 3929 12827 13518
BMW 7 1753 2125 ..6385 ..6679
So total YTD sales of both 5 and 7 Series are down. Only 3 Series sedans up YTD. 5 Series sales up for month of April. But April sales down for both 3 and 7.
MB data much better.
MB C 4277 4133 15135 14568
MB E 4228 2614 16789 11057
MB S 2042 2002 ..7292 ..6640
April sales of C, E, and S classes up. Notice the huge increase in E Class, both in April and YTD. E Class Outselling C class YTD! MB E and S class outsell BMW 5 and 7, but 3 outsells C.
Is this true?
Thanks.
You should (1) check out BMW NA web site (which has info on the original factory 4/50 b-to-b warranty and the additional 2/50 CPO program (which is different in coverage than the 4/50 warranty) and (2) ask you local BMW dealer.
Check out posts 6628 & 6635 above.
At 100 mph in 6th gear (overdrive) my 540i6 turns over at about 3,000 RPMs. Since BMW speedometers are notoriously fast, she was likely only doing 95 mph or thereabouts. She rides on 235/45-17s up front and 255/40-17s in back, ContiSportContact2s.
I'd be amazed if a 530i5 can do 115 mph at or under 3000 RPMs. I doubt a 530i5 can that at or under 3500 RPMs. Maybe closer to 4K?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Source was a sales person who had worked for quite some time at a large Dallas BMW dealership.
I had also heard this might work with other car companies pushing CPO's like Lexus too.
Has anyone heard when BMW will stop taking orders for the '03 5ers. I'm desperately looking for a 5 speed with no sport package b/c I understand that the SP makes it significantly harder to drive in snow, even with snow tires. No dealership seems interested in letting me order a 525 or 530 with the manual tranny and no SP. Are they just trying to avoid placing the order or has BMW really stopped manufacturing the '03 MY already?
If production has in fact switched over to the '04 MY, has anyone heard any info on potential pricing? I ask b/c I fear that the '04 5er will be priced out of my reach, given the inclusion of this seemingly maddening iDrive boondoggle.
Thanks.
Jack
You might ask BMW dealer to compare this 3rd party warranty to BMW CPO warranty.
You wrote: "I doubt a BMW dealership would deal with them if they were not reasonably reputable." If a dealer sells 3rd party extended warranties, they do so to make money. Often these sorts of products can be very high profit for dealers. More likely they choose the carrier by how much profit they can make.
My question is WHERE IS SHIPO?? Maybe he is traveling...
I agree, Shipo is probably traveling. I've been to Taiwan 22 times -- perhaps he's back there.
The 330ci would be newer and faster. Any upside or downside to the 528i sport over the 330ci besides room. Resale, ride, handling, repairs, maintenance, etc.
Thanks.
I need some help on what wax to use? Is Zaino Z-5 and Z-2 a BMW wax, or are there special BMW waxes out there?
How often do you guys/gals really wax your car?
Hope this helps.....JL
http://www.cardomain.com/id/nyc530i
Concern: First time ever looking at a German car.
The BMW folks say as long as I start with low miles and get the extended warranty I should be OK maintenance wise. Just stick to the schedule.
The Acura lease people say the 528i will depreciate later this summer when the new 5 series comes out. Plus the annual maintenance for tires at 15k-20k miles, brakes (at 30k), rotors at (30k),inspection I and II, oil, hoses, belts, etc will add another $100 month to the 528i each year. Then in 5 years once I own it I'll be upside down. Even if I try to move it earlier I will be hit.
I like the BMW but since I have never owned one, I am concerned with these potential additional costs.
I don't want to spend another 1-2k year to drive the car, if the Acura people are correct.
Who is telling the truth and who is B.S.'ing.
It is up to you, I use to valet cars for two years and have changed my personal car every 2 to 3 years and I can freely say that my 528i is the best car I have ever driven in terms of balancing everything someone might want in a car.
Mark
Regarding waxing, I have continued my use of Maguire's Professional #26 on both my 1995 Maxima and 2002 Honda S2000. I washed and waxed both cars about a month ago in 2 1/2 hours total. I wax my cars about 3 times per year on average. Most of the time, the previous wax is still beading, but I prefer not to wait. My Maxima continues to get compliments that "it looks brand new" at 140,000 miles.
I have not tried the Zaino and Zymol products. It is my understanding that they may provide a better "wet look" shine immediately after use, but do not last as long as Maguires and take considerably more time to apply (multiple steps, I believe). Perhaps if my Honda S2000 were a Ferrari 360...but for now I am extremely pleased with Maguires.
Good luck with your 530i. That's still my top choice for my next sedan.