Faults:

Replaced a rear brake light bulb.

General Comments:

I finely got around to getting a 5 series and I couldn't be more pleased.

The driver and passenger comfort is superb.

The 528 has great performance from the silky smooth six. It can be sluggish off the line until the tacho gets up past three. On the open road tacho sits at around 1800 at 110 KPH while you drive in complete comfort.

Love the transmission, especially with the sport mode option. Very smooth auto-changes.

Good sound system complimented by minimal cabin noise at speed.

The best build quality I've had in a car. Very tight with no rattles yet.

I have just travelled 940 kilometres over a 48 hour period and feel like getting back into the car and doing it all again.

Faults:

From the first week I had the car, there were strong vibrations when air-condition was on, later even when air-condition was off. Gear-box was changed, but the fault continued. Two months ago the entire engine has been replaced with a new one. Both gear-box and engine replaced at no costs!

Car wouldn't start - and I had to get a new battery. Next time the car did not start - the entire CPU had to be replaced. All at no cost!

Heater in driver's seat did not operate properly, and was fixed by the dealer.

One aircondition vent was misaligned, and repaired by the dealer.

General Comments:

I owned a Camry 300sei, a Volvo S70 T5, and an Infinity Q45. I did have some troubles with those vehicles, but not as much as I had with my BMW.

Yet the dealer's service was outstanding, and I am deeply impressed by the way he took responsibility on all the faults. Eventually, I only paid 50% of the new battery cost, and nothing else.

As soon as the engine had been replaced the car is a dream: an incredible performer, the electric comfort-seats are the best I have ever experienced, the navigation-system is a wonder and everything is absulotly great! It is also a most elegant car, with its wood and leather trim.

I will definitely buy another BMW in the future - if not for the car, the service I recieved is good enough a reason.

Faults:

Electric radiator cooling fan (for A/C) failed, causing A/C to cut out occasionally. Replaced fan.

Car died on highway, diagnosed as failed "computer" (DME = Digital Motor Electronics). Replaced entire unit.

Electric window lift mechanisms for both front windows replaced (frayed steel cables).

Rough idle diagnosed as vacuum leak (vacuum-related part replaced).

Other small annoyances (boot release failed, ashtray broken).

Otherwise generally good reliability considering the high mileage.

General Comments:

Silky smooth 6-cylinder engine, but underpowered for the car; acceptable in city driving.

Refined ride, great handling, comfortable seats (great leather, holding up well). Excellent cabin ergonomics.

Average fuel economy in city driving, good on open roads.

Faults:

Two rear wheel bearings at about 98,000 miles.

Catalytic converter packed in at 100,000.

Shockers and springs front and rear.

Air conditioning compressor at 83,000.

General Comments:

I only bought this car because I had previously owned an e34. My previous car hardly cost me a penny, and I sold it with 365,000 miles on the clock. It was bullet proof.

The e39 gets fantastic reviews, but beware, this car will be OK under warranty, however, if you get one out of warranty be prepared to spend lots of money. The car is not as tough as the old 5 series, I have already spent £2,000 since last October that's around 6 months.

The car is more refined than the old model and is great to drive.

My advice is don't buy one with 80,000 or above.

Faults:

Airbag system fault. Occurred twice during my three year ownership. Rectified under used car warranty.

Heated washer jets failed and had to be replaced (not under warranty).

Boot (trunk) release switch failed. Covered under warranty.

Passenger-side heated mirrors stopped working. Covered under warranty.

The clutch starts juddering when the car is used in heavy traffic for more than 10 minutes.

The damping mechanism on the stereo 'flap' is broken.

General Comments:

Paintwork on this car is holding up very well. When washed and waxed, this car looks almost brand new!

Performance is also very good.

Fuel economy is excellent for such a big engine. I average about 33MPG.

The dealers (especially in London) do not seem to care at all about customer care. I have had many problems with my local dealer, including additional work carried out without asking.

Faults:

Airbag Wiring loom failed

Front ball joints worn

Front discs needed replacement (not pads)

Door seal driver side.

General Comments:

This car restimulated my interest in driving cars again. Quick, comfortable and surprisingly economic.

Returned 34MPG on a trip to Scotland recently which for is amazing for it's size.

Still feels like the same car I purchased 4 years ago.