I have mentioned in a previous post that I am considering a used BMW 5xx. From the little reading I have done on the 5xx series cars, there seem to be significant problems with the V8 in North American cars between years 93 and 95. Apparently the sulfur content in US gas deteriorates the cylinder walls eventually leading to poor compression, poor idle, and eventually a no start. Some cars only go about 30 000 miles before the block needs to be replaced. BMW has been replacing the block for free. A similar problem appeared in England in 98 and on but with the inline six. So the problem in getting a used 5xx car is akin to the porous block in the early 960s. I have not driven a 5xx but I would appreciate a comparison to a 960 if someone could illuminate me, I would appreciate it. Is this car as easy to maintain as the Volvos?


92-960, 190 000 km

I remeber seeing a link that someone posted about the rapid failure of the BMW M3, and BMW not admiting that there was a SERIOUS problem with there engine design.

check this link out

http://members.roadfly.org/jason/m3engines.htm

kevin
--
1980 244DL, 1982 245GL, 1987 744GLE, 1991 245SE, 1996 855GLT, 2001 V70

I kinda hate BMW's...

Everyone I have ever met on the road in one has been one of two types of driver..either about 70 and has read the unwritten rule that you cant drive around bends faster than 25 miles an hour..but accelerating down straights is fine..until you reach 45 then you stop...or has been a complete moron trying to kill me! (ammusing story about BMW cutting up undercover police car, then when it decloaked slamming his brakes on..but i digress....)

on the later cars (i.e anything still liekly to be around they have nasty electrics all the computers talk to each other and go (very expensively) wrong!

basically from my freinds in the car trade the low-down is...take it to a bmw dealer, bend over and be thankfull for the (expensive) 'service' you are abnout to recieve...

but then again I have never owned one (drove 318i on a racetrack and thought it stunk (underpowered, slow, didnt handle well.... and a 330 on the road and thought it was trying to kill me!)

just my prejudice talking i guess

BMW DID replace the "problem" engines some years ago but the recall also ended some years ago. Unlike Volvo's history with the 960 they recalled all the cars that "could" have been involved and replaced the V8 motors gratis. They no longer do so. If you've looked under the hood of a V8 BMW you REALLY don't want to own one on these things out of warranty. The E39 540i has worm-and-roller steering rather than the 525-528-530's rack-and-pinion because the rack won't fit with the V8 stuffed in there! The 6-speeds also have an appetite for devouring clutches, apparently they're "under clutched" for the power of the V8. (That, or BMW drivers don't know how to drive. Draw your own conclusions.) Also reflecting the mechanical nightmare that these V8 cars can be, look at the depreciation curve of the 7-Series. They're a real bargain on the used car lot until something breaks.

I'd suggest sticking to the 525-528-530 "classic" inline 6, at least you can see the motor!

The 525-528-530i BMW is NOT as easy to maintain as the Volvo 740/940 from all I've heard, but the BMW 6 has a timing CHAIN and the engine breaks a lot less frequently than the Volvo 6.

-Punxsutawney Phil

Most of the affected v8's were replaced, and those that weren't arent really affected by the sulfur anymore since the us gas has decreased in sulfur content over the past few years. I'd heartilly agree that the steering is ancient on the 540 and 740. You really cant maintain these yourself without a lot of specialized tools and patience. But they are a great car.....I'm personally looking for a classic 535i or 735i, but the good ones are tough to find with a low price. Also the auto tranny typically has some issues if its the HP GM trans, it eats the clutch pack if its ever revved in neutral or park.

Well if you're looking for a "classic" 735i I've got one for sale. 88 735i w/160k, white/blue, owned since 1993. Bought wife a "new" 94 945 because she needed a little extra hauling room. She's not exactly thrilled having to switch to a Volvo but a Bimmer wagon is a little too steep for me. We've got two BMWs and two Volvo wagons. Unfortunately, the Volvos aren't near the quality of the Bimmers but who can argue with the practicality of the Volvo wagon. Now if there was some way I could shoehorn that big six from my 735i into one of the wagons.....

Actually I'm a BMW tech so I know all about the V8 problems with premature cylinder wear. The sixes are hard to beat. Wife wants a newer E38 7 series bad but I won't have one in my driveway. There's just too much to go wrong on older cars. It's the niggly little things like the radio display, instrument cluster, general module (controls everything), etc., not to mention the V8 problems, that get you crazy. I'm not getting any younger and don't want to be a weekend worker trying to keep a Bimmer on the road.

My 735i has been a very reliable car but not exactly cheap to own. I've got about an inch of receipts for repair parts. But, I've owned it long enough to have done the brakes three times, the exhaust system three times, the A/C twice, not to mention all that other minor stuff that doesn't seem minor when it happens. It's been a good car and I wouldn't be afraid to drive anywhere but it's ready for another muffler and could stand paint but it still rides better than either of my Volvos.

Paul