my dad has owned two 5 series, these are are his experiances with them:
First one: Rough shape 97 528i base model with 40k, bought in early 2002 sold late 2005 with 140k on it. In that period of time he needed the a/c compressor replaced(was done at 51k under goodwill warranty), waterpump replaced, wiring harness replaced, and when was sold had a problem where if it was wet out it would not shift out of first gear.

Second: 2001 540i, bought with 30k on it, motor started smoking and burning coolant/ticking at 42k, motor replaced under warranty (17k worth of work). Radiator also went around 100k(common problem with this car), car chassis now has 120k. Oh, and the airbag light is on for some reason, probably a computer needs to be reset, but other than that has been very solid and reliable. He still has this one.

So, there are the facts from two of the 5 series, draw your own conclusions.
Ryan

The engine replacement part on the 540I is kind of disapointing to hear about. I thought BMW sorted out their V8's by 2000, guess not.

Facts for one experience. I have the same 4.4L motor, going strong. Same trans, same cooling system and many other shared parts. No probs. Those are my facts.

If you think about it the only people who complain online are those that have a ton of problems. So any information you get online is probably skewed a bit. Also they have to know how to use the computer and care enough to do so. Most people just don't care.


So for example since this is a Mercedes forum lets use 10 2000 S430's.

7 run perfectly fine and the owners are happy with them, they keep them for between 2 and 10 years and trade them in. One has a few issues but not to major, the owner is luke warm. Two have tons of problems, but one owner is 80 and doesn't know how to use a computer so they just trade it in. The last has a ton of problems but the owner knows how to use a computer goes on MBshop and complains to no end. 200 people read it, but only 10 post. Out of the 10 that post 8 have never driven an S430 and probably never will, but they chime in about how bad the new cars are. 2 have and they are in the same boat as this guy (go figure). Then all those people, plus the now 300 people who viewed the thread start talking about those troublesome S430's.

And it continues...:D

you are 100% correct hatterasguy, people are much more inclined to complain than praise, at least on the internet. The Swede, that is inspring for me to hear because i'd really like to purchase a 98-99 740i as a weekend car, in a little less than a year they will be in my price range. What kind of fuel mileage do you get with that thing? I also do think that my dad's motor failing was a fluke, the dealership stated they have never had that happen before. If you take that out of the equation one radiator in 100k miles isn't bad at all, especially since it seems every car i've ever owned the radiator fails on at some point. Similarly to a MB, i think it is all about how the car has previously been maintained.
Ryan

Name the ones that are happy once the vehicle goes off warranty.

And, although they might be "happy", I'd prefer to listen to the amount of money spent on repairs and maintenance every year to maintain that "happy" demeanor.

If spending $3K per year is going to keep 'em "happy" well..........OK then......

^^ Yes. If the owner is angry about dealer service or the amount of repairs, they're likely to exaggerate as well. Also, if the potential buyer is constantly fretting over repairs, he better move onto an appliance on wheels.

It get's about 17 around town, low 20's on the highway.

I'm sure that was a fluke. When I was in high school, my friend's Dad bought a 560SEC. Motor seized in the first week of ownership. They found a metal piece had lodged itself in the cylinder wall.

The radiator deal is the same for the 740i. A new one is $200 from the dealer.

or at least have an appliance on wheels as a daily driver/backup car, which is the exact reason why i'll be keeping my acura, that and its good on gas. Also, alot of people that complain about repair/maintenance costs don't do their own work, which makes a huge difference in the amount it costs to operate a car.

Perhaps Mercedes or BMW's get a lot of complaints because the experience compared to the cost is sub-par. What I'm saying is, I've driven both, and I couldn't justify the initial price of any newer model, let alone any money after the purchase. Luxury cars don't excite or inspire any emotion or real character, people get them because they're nice or smooth (boring). Specifically because they don't do anything flashy or exuberant, except look good. So, when anything goes wrong with a car was only bought to be luxurious, all they do is *****. Meanwhile, the guy that bought the Ferrari spent 5X as much with 5X more for maintenance and junk breaking, but he ain't *****ing. Best to get a car that you feel, or it just becomes a chore.

Good point. Sounds like you have a good system in place. As long as you're not breaking the bank in the car purchase, I say go for it. Plenty of decent 740's out there. Look at an '00 or '01 bec they have the larger nav screen and updated corner and rear lamps.

Edit: I just looked at your other post. They didn't make a sport model in '98. Just '99 - '01. You could find a decent '99 Sport in the low teens....

Thats why I keep 'logic-ing' myself down to a Kia Optima. It does almost everything almost as well, for thousands less. Throw in the 100K warranty and what's not to like? Oh yea, its a Kia. :sick3:

Obviously the fun side of my brain has a very tough time with the common sense side.

Sure, you could drive a KIA. Taking it for wty. work would be a PIA. They've improved over the years, but aren't upto Honda standards. Hyundai's are decent and have come a long way. Do they still offer a 100k mile wty?

We all suffer from that problem...........some can resist it............some can't............that's why M/B makes the S class and BMW makes the 7 series.........they appeal very strongly to that fun side..........;)

Nah if your going that route just buy a Toyota/Honda. We got a better warranty, on a better car for just about the same money. Plus Toyota's have great resale, you can sell it in a few years for almost what you paid, like $1k per year in depreciation for the first couple of years!