Rear cup holders broken 5 or 6 times. (Young children's feet each time.)
Fuel sender unit failed (At 180,000 miles)
Drivers door handle snapped (At 90,000 miles)
Air Conditioning/Climate Control failed after 2 years.
I have owned my manual 523iSE from new and first registered in January 1998.
Previously owned Saab, Mercedes, Jaguar and with none of my previous cars have I felt confident to take past 80,000 miles.
The 523iSE is amazing. Have completed 185,000 miles with original engine, gearbox, suspension, exhaust system.
It still looks and drives like a 20,000 mile car, engine and gearbox are as sweet as ever. It uses no oil between services and there is not a rattle or a squeek to be heard.
I, m a big guy (18 stone+) and the interior is as new. Grey leather is unmarked and shows no sign of wear even on the drivers seat. (No sagging whatsoever)
All this and 32miles to the gallon!
The car handles superbly and my local dealer (BMW Col chester) are fantastic (nothing is too much trouble - but others might be finding out as the waiting time for servicing has become progressively longer.) If any dealer wants to know about customer service visit them!
I am about to buy a People Carrier (4 Children now and a large dog) but will keep the BMW as I couldn't bear to part with it!
I must say that the BMW 523i is one of the very few cars I have owned over a 20 year period that I am very impressed. Sure, there are a few things that could have been better, but then is it not that almost every the same after using it for a while? I love the way the car handles after all these years and still hardly any squeaks or rattles can be heard to date. The steering could have been more speed sensitive like for example the new Peugeot 407 or the BMW 545i. Overall, I still say this is one fine car that could still take on most of the Japanese cars anytime even today and some of the other new models!
Eddy- Malaysia.
I have owned the 523i se auto for 3 years and so far the only trouble I had are the cup holders at the back and a changed suspension link on my last service (65000 miles)
Still good as new. Owned an Audi A4 1.8T before, but the BMW is a class of its own. Will recommend to anybody.
This car has the whole package:
>It has all the power under the hood waiting to be unleashed (with three transmission options: automatic, tiptronic and sport)
>It has all the luxury you need (mine came with a built-in TV, a telephone and all the other options)
>It handles great and is very stable at high speeds (Drove it at 210km/h with no trouble!)
>Acceleration/deceleration are done very easily
>A real piece of art, made to be loved.
Though it has high fuel consumption, it is worth it!
I recommend at least driving if not owning one to every car lover.
Gus from Beirtu, Lebanon.
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