1984 BMW 5 Series 528e review from North America
"Not high performance, but built like a tank"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Most repairs have been the standard kinds of things that all cars require replacing.
Changed original clutch at 220,000.
Replaced struts at 275,000.
Replaced starter at 275,000.
Replaced electrical switches for power windows at around 300,000.
General comments?
Without a doubt, the best car I have ever owned. Purchased it for $3200 in 1995 and have been driving it nearly every day since. The engine has never failed to start. Never. It is a tank. While it is not as comfortable a ride as it once was, it is a great, reliable means of transportation and still is good for a bit of fun every now and then. I don't beat it up, change the oil every 3,000 miles, and pretty much pay attention to it when something is up (like the other day one of the antifreeze hose had a slight leak, I replaced it in minutes). Two mechanics I know say this engine in the 528e was the most bullet-proof of all the BMW cars. I have to agree. I mean, the car is sitting out in my driveway ready to go. And, if you can believe it, it has very little rust (some underneath) showing! My goal right now is to hit 400,000 miles.
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| 1984 - 5 Series 533i 3.4 Litre It's the most fun, most reliable classic car I've ever owned. And I've owned and worked on a few! |
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| Great car for very little money |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1984 |
| First year of ownership | 1995 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.8 Manual |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 195000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 343500 miles |
| Previous car | Chevrolet Beretta |
| Date of Entry | 25th January, 2003 |