Overview & Reviews
New 528i and 540i sport wagons debut, all 5 Series models achieve low emission vehicle (LEV) status, and consumers will find extensive new standard and optional equipment on the cars.
- Sport sedan and wagon in a luxury car package.
- Cheap plastic buttons for the power door lock switches are out of place in a car of this caliber, manual transmission in 540i difficult to modulate smoothly.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 81.00-
Worst car Ive ever had - 1999 BMW 5-Series
By hovious - June 17 - 7:53 pmDrives great when its not being repaired which is every other week, Ill take a Honda with all upgrades over an over priced over rated BMW. Sell before warranty expires or be ready to empty your wallet.
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High-maintenance - 1999 BMW 5-Series
By etc - March 20 - 1:11 amE39 doesnt age well. The cooling system is sure to fail by 100K - radiator, water pump and more. Front end likely shot by that mileage. Rear end suspension too. All kinds of leaks, power steering, transmission hoses. All the vacuum tubes get extremely brittle and disintegrate when you touch them. The VANOS system is likely shot by that mileage, decreasing MPG and power. Automatic tranny replaced at 80K Basically just ridiculous how such an expensive car can have reliability of a 1980s Ford. Its a true FORD car, Fix-Or-Repair-Daily.
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A Costly Mistake - 1999 BMW 5-Series
By Markscars16 - February 12 - 8:20 pmWhen I first purchased this car it looked great as far as paint, along with fit and finish. It also rode well but needed more power. But from 2004 which is when I purchased the car with about 42,000 miles on it from a one owner until now with 100000 miles on it, I have spent over $6500 dollars on brakes, power steering leaks, power window motors, head and tail lamp shorts, transmission problems, and other engine and electrical issues! These cars are over priced, over rated and you will pay bigtime after the 4 year new car warranty is gone! This car is a NO! NO! The Germans need to wake up as the Americans are doing now!
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High milage 528I - 1999 BMW 5-Series
By K.L.Denham - January 30 - 2:24 pmWe bought this car in 2004 for its styling and performance. Its the wifes primary driver and she puts on a lot of miles. All was well until about 120K. Both rear window regulators have been replaced, $160 ea. The water pump went out. The alternator went out and we replaced with a low mile used one for half the $260 for a new one. Three weeks after the alternator the radiator sprung a leak, $550 to have it replaced. Added with the expensive oil changes $60-$70 and the sport suspension that wears the inside of tire out in 25,000 miles if not constantly rotated and lack of good certified BMW mechanics outside of big city areas, you might think twice about a higher mileage beemer.
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Good commuter so far - 1999 BMW 5-Series
By Eric - March 6 - 8:16 pmIve always liked this body style- more so than the new 5 series. I found this grey one in fine shape at 88K miles. It handles very nicely and is so sneaky quiet Ive got to be careful not to speed too much. I got 29.5 mpg going to Florida over holidays and was so shocked I checked it again for 2 more tanks of gas. Same, over 29 mpg each time. Wow. Ive had to replace 2 power steering hoses and oil filter manifold gasket for $800. All else is good so far at 91,000 miles. Car alarm goes off sometimes needlessly which is annoying. Id like to to disable it. Motor on.
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Fun to drive, not to pay for - 1999 BMW 5-Series
By Mark - January 2 - 5:34 pmTorque out the kazoo, lots of grunt for passing, throw it in to corners as hard as you want. I regularly drove the car on 600-mi trips and was very comfortable at the end. However, exceptionally expensive maintenance has been a downer. I spent over $3500 (incl $650 to replace a window motor) in 8 mos and could be spending another $1500 as the car has >100K mi. Will not buy another BMW w/o warranty (and probably not with warranty until iDrive tumor is removed).
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Awesome German Engineering - 1999 BMW 5-Series
By mtaylo3 - September 14 - 11:32 amIve been trained in and conducted vehicle pursuits as well as driven for performance. I didnt know how incredible a normal road car could be until I found this car used. Yes I miss cup holders but the Germans build cars to drive, not eat and drink in. The power can almost be scary and the knowledge that you can dust just about everything else on the road is comforting. Do your own maintenance and you can afford driving the car. Change your oil (on your own its $35-40 not $150) every 2500 miles and youll do well. Keep your wheels balanced and aligned. If they are out ever so slightly youll know it and think your brakes are having problems.
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Texas BMER - 1999 BMW 5-Series
By dalworth55cars - September 6 - 9:50 pmThis car is tight and handles well and feels sturdy. The drivers leg room and seat adjustments are a little cramped. I am very pleased with the highway gas mileage, however the city miles are less.
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Nice car - 1999 BMW 5-Series
By James - July 12 - 10:50 pmI bought the car used and had a little trepidation about the reliability of the car. The exterior design of this car is unbeatable bar none. I have the performance 17 inch wheels and the ride is harsh to say the least. The road noise from the tires are too loud. But the car looks and runs so well that I can overlook those few faults. Also I have to take into account that the car is six years old.
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TERRIBLE RELIABILITY - 1999 BMW 5-Series
By BMW Owner - May 25 - 5:28 pmI bought a "certified" BMW and had NOTHING but problems since I bought it. I have had three different severe problems with the cooling system alone and this is with a car with only 50,000 miles on it. All three cooling system problems happened three weeks after my "certified" maintenance expired and each cost approx $1000 to fix and left me stranded. This car drives nice and is fast and all but mechanically it is a nightmare and it totally unreliable. And again, it was a "certified" car when I bought it. BEWARE: BMW service like brakes and regular service is EXPENSIVE! $1000 just for front brakes which you need every 25,000 miles or so. I am not happy and getting rid of the car.
