1997 BMW 5 Series 540i review from North America
"Great cars but be prepared to pay the price in continual problems and expense that comes with them"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
There are many areas of these cars that see continual failure of the same parts over and over as a result of poor design and/or materials.
Window actuators, radiators and all other plastic components in the cooling system, various sensors, ABS sensors, fuel senders, MID and cluster LEDs, etc., etc. I don't mind too much fixing things that break, but it gets tiresome replacing the same parts over again and in multiple cars across model years with parts that you can see have not been modified to correct the source of the problem.
General comments?
I've had 3 E39s of various model years and they've all been the same. Talk to long-time owners and we'll all say the same thing - Great cars but be prepared to pay the price in continual problems and expense that comes with the territory.
Recommended Reviews:
  | 1997 - 5 Series 540i 4.4 liter gas Could not be happier |
| The 540i is the ultimate grocery getter |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model Year | 1997 |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 4.4 Manual |
| Performance marks | 9/10 |
| Reliability marks | 3/10 |
| Comfort marks | 7/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 2/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 20000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 70000 miles |
| Previous car | BMW 5 Series |
| Date of Entry | 1st April, 2008 |