1998 BMW 5 Series Consumer Reviews

540i 6-speed

Written by: pdxzen on 06/04/2008

Vehicle

1998 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 540i Sedan

Review

The 540i is a fine & fun car. The acceleration is better then most cars on the road with the HP and good torque. Mine is black, w/ black leather interior, and chrome 18in Hamann deep dish rims, w/ 40 series tires, lowered about 1.5 inches, w/ angel eyes conversion, cone air intake, & custom exhaust. It looks pretty good for a 10 year old car. It handles well in corners, but you can tell that it is a little bit nose heavy due to the V-8 in the front as you can break the rear loose when coming around a corner.

Favorite Features

Acceleration, exterior style,dual-zone temp control, brakes work really well.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage, cup holders break all the time (just glue then shut with some black foam & don't use them if it breaks), sunroof motor won't tilt roof, door handles will break as they are made of hard plastic, engine valve gaskets will need to be redone, pixels underneath speedo will burn out.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Beautiful and classy, but temperamental

Written by: Zack on 05/14/2008

Vehicle

1998 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 528i Sedan

Review

This is a car that is rewarding to drive and own, but it won't be cheap. My sport package 5-speed 2.8 I6 is a beautiful, well-handling, sporty and overall solid machine. I love it, but when something breaks, it is expensive to fix. Very expensive. Potential owners: be wary of the cooling system around 90k+ miles. Replace it before it goes. It will go bad and that's bad times.

Favorite Features

Interior design and quality. Absolutely no squeaks, rattles, or anything after 100,000+ miles. THE classiest interior on the road in my opinion. The I6 is smooth and powerful, and the tech features are plentiful.

Suggested Improvements

Better cooling system. Fewer plastic parts where metal parts should be used. Less complicated OBC. Fewer triggers for Check Engine Light.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Buy One if You Can

Written by: Ciplex on 05/08/2008

Vehicle

1998 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 540i Sedan

Review

There always lemons and people who cannot be pleased and I would say those are anybody who does not love this car. The 540i is the car to own for fun. Mine is fully loaded with more gadgets than I can ever remember how to operate. The radio went out, I purchased one off e-bay, and self- installed with little effort. The radiator blew out and I replaced that also with no trouble, in fact only needed a screwdriver. Nevertheless, who has not had issues with a use car, this car rocks! I love the body style and the dark red color is the best ever when washed and waxed. In city or on highway this car is so much fun to drive plenty of power waiting to respond and comfort to sit back and relax.

Favorite Features

Ride and comfort

Suggested Improvements

Add XM radio and iPod plug in, lower the body, add rear spoiler and LED taillights. Look through e-bay and you’ll find all sorts of cool stuff to play with.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Best car I've ever driven!

Written by: Sadas on 05/07/2008

Vehicle

1998 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 540i Sedan

Review

I bought this car with 156000 miles. Drives like new. Everything works perfect! All electronics work perfectly. A lot of people complain about replacing BMW parts. It's really not that hard; takes a little effort and time. I change my own oil air filters, radiators, pumps, and bunch of other stuff. This is a really nice car! I have owned Lexus and Acura this car beats them all!

Favorite Features

Performance, style, power, handling, interior, premium sound is awesome! Easy fix! Reliability! 160 mph!

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

My horrible BMW 528i ordeal

Written by: millineumlaura on 04/05/2008

Vehicle

1998 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 528i Sedan

Review

I bought my 1998 BMW used in 2000 with it being certified pre-owned. My car first overheated and the passenger side window stopped working within the 1st year that I bought it,but I only had to pay $50 to get it fixed under warranty. My car overheated so many times it's stupid. I was so scared that my eyes were always fixed to the temperature gage. I replaced the radiator, many hoses, reservoir tank, water pumps, plus the sunroof is stuck, trunk only opens with the key due to the inside buttons not working. This would be a great car if it worked half the time but it was so unreliable that I had to give up on it.

Favorite Features

When it did work the speed of it going to the speed of 80 in seconds was impressive.

Suggested Improvements

I was told after spending thousands of dollars into the car that my engine had many leaks and needed to be replaced. This car was parked outside of my home until I paid it off and gave it to charity. Junk yard said it would give me $700 for it.

4 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

E39 best 5 series of all time!

Written by: DMO on 11/04/2007

Vehicle

1998 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 528i Sedan

Review

Bought it with 30K on it after trading in my 328i. Still have it with 100K and it's been the best drive I ever had. Also own a 03 330 convertible and still like the solid, smooth ride and power curve of the 98. It's as tight as a drum, no rattles. All E39s need an aftermarket water pump at 50K due to the plastic impellar, thermostats every 30k, and a better cupholder which can be retrofitted in the change holder. I'm thinking of getting a new 3xi series, but can't bear parting with the 98. Oh yeah, no iDrive!!!

Favorite Features

Ride, suspension, brakes, power curve, transmission, large trunk, great seats, heated seats, and heated steering wheel, finish.

Suggested Improvements

Cupholders, waterpump.

Report inappropriate post

Oldie but a Goodie

Written by: MKnight on 09/27/2007

Vehicle

1998 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 540i Sedan

Review

For an older car with 100,000 miles on it this car is superb. However, I would not recommend this car unless you can get a warranty or you have cash to blow. All of the car problems have been little (sensors, fuses, etc.) issues. But if I didn't have a warranty I would be out a good chunk of money.

Favorite Features

This car makes what used to be a chore fun. I never thought I would come to enjoy commuting! The car is responsive and hugs the road.

Suggested Improvements

The cup holders are truly useless. I made the mistake of using them for my morning coffee and ended up having to turn around to go home and change. Also the stereo has room for improvement.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Bugs Still Not Worked Out

Written by: Paul on 08/26/2007

Vehicle

1998 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 528i Sedan

Review

First, the good things: the 528i drives like the 3 series and is larger and heavier. Corners like a dream and is solid as a rock. As much as I hate to say it, BMW really over-engineered this car in many respects. So many unnecessary saftety features used. My 3-series had one thing go bad in 3 years-the oxygen sensor, thats it. My 528i has 130,000 miles on it and here is a list of things on the car that don't work: cruise control, rear window, sunroof, e-brake, catalytic converter broke and o2 sensor went out. Yes, it is true parts for BMWs are expensive, probably 2-3 times that of even other luxury cars. I feel betrayed. I hope this travesty is never allowed by BMW again.

Favorite Features

Handling, heated seats, 6 disc changer, memory and power seats, ASC, brakes, engine, essentially everything.

Suggested Improvements

The seat setup is wrong, the pedals should be adjustable, steering wheel doesn't come out far enough, engine seems to be lacking torque, not going to mention cupholders, reliability of acessories and integrated systems is horrible. From what I've heard much of this was fixed after 1999 however.

Report inappropriate post

Update from previous review.

Written by: SLW on 11/23/2006

Vehicle

1998 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 540i Sedan

Review

Now have 72,000 miles on car. Have replaced the radiator, water pump (left me stranded) valve cover gaskets, power steering hoses. Down to one functioning cup holder. Replaced one catalytic converter for a thousand bucks and the other one sounds like it's rattling (I hope it's the other one!). Blowing fuses on remote locking system and had to unplug the gas filler door actuator to stop it. Headlight adjusters broke. Still love the car though. Fun car but not Lexus reliability by any means.

Favorite Features

Peformance. Luxury interior and features.

Suggested Improvements

Better exhaust and cooling system. Cup holder design of course. Also headlight adjusters are incredible cheap plastic which break easily.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great Car, when not in the shop

Written by: Bob on 07/12/2006

Vehicle

1998 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 528i Sedan

Review

Have owned the car for a couple of years and seem to have a major (>$500) repair about every 6 months. Most of the previous posts highlight the poor quality cooling system parts (replaced) and window mechanism (twice replaced). I have also replaced the steering and a/c fan,. That said, it handles perfectly on the road. I am considering either a CPO 5-series or a Porsche now - both are always in the shop anyways.

Favorite Features

Exterior, handling, comfort

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders, reliability, headlamps fog over time

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post