1998 BMW 5 Series Consumer Reviews

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.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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Shame on BMW

Written by: No More BMW on 07/08/2006

Vehicle

1998 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 540i Sedan

Review

What an expensive piece of junk! At 55000 miles, this garbage had nothing but problem after problem. The catalytic converters went (luckily covered under warranty), the engine had multiple oil leaks at different times, the power steering hoses leaked, the front control arms had to be replaced. On the inside, the power tilt stopped working, the driver's power seat stopped working, the electronic dash lights burned out to the point of being of the messages being illegible and the back cup holders wouldn't open. All of this happened while I pampered the car. I am somewhat of a fanantic about caring for my cars. I gave poor performance and fun to drive scores because I was afraid to drive it!

Favorite Features

When the thing was running right (rarely), it had a lot of power and handled well.

Suggested Improvements

A little quality would be nice. Besides for the constant repairs, the other notable improvement needed was the radio. It got terrible reception and the sound quality was below average. I had to give low comfort scores because the power tilt and driver's seat rarely worked, so I could not adjust them.

6 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Should not have bought new

Written by: Jim on 08/31/2005

Vehicle

1998 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 528i Sedan

Review

I bought this new in '98 -- mistake, I should have bought used and saved some depreciation. The vehicle is trouble free. Below normal wear and tear-no real system failures. I still love driving the car and it looks great. The seats wear like iron-even with my considerable weight. At 121,000 miles it is tighter than my wife's Acura was new. I do agree that the cup holders are junk. I make several long trips a year and average over 30 mpg at speeds well in excess of posted. The braking and handling have saved my bacon several times in Atlanta traffic.

Favorite Features

Acceleration, hanling, brakes. The car feels solid and looks great inside and out.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders. CD player in trunk. Tail lamps burn out too often.

10 out 11 people found this review helpful

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The best of all worlds

Written by: j528i on 07/16/2005

Vehicle

1998 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 528i Sedan

Review

A classic vehicle that offers a truly sporty ride, with excellent highway handling, while comporting itself with that slow lingering class often found in high-tea cosmopolitan settings. Refined, elegant but full of secret agent type surprises.

Favorite Features

Sport package! Wonderful driving machine, especially at speeds which fall well north of the 64MPH signs. Fantastic steering/manuevering characteristics.

Suggested Improvements

Would benefit little else. Already the complete package.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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BMW 540i The Ultimate Dream Machine

Written by: Jud on 07/05/2005

Vehicle

1998 BMW 5 Series 4 Dr 540i Sedan

Review

Sold my low mile 95 M3 and kept old Porsche SC Cabiolet. Bought used 540i thinking comfort but did not expect comfort and FUN. Corrected usual bugs in cooling system for peace of mind. Great acceleration, not as quick as M3 but easier on these old bones. As fast as P-car but not through corners. Don't understand knock on stereo as premium unit is terrific once you read directions. Added homelink via ebay (very simple install). Will buy another when - and if - I wear this one out. Rock solid at > 100 mph (so wife tells me).

Favorite Features

Performance in a 3800lb 4 door sedan. Wonderful touring car. Acceptable mpg for the beast that it is. Great seats. Heated seats are better than those in M3. Safety in mutliple air bag system. Over 60000 miles and tight. Makes it tough choice to take old Porsche out for a spin.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders are designed for aluminum cans, are fragile and silly... no, make that just plain stupid.

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