Any Opinions on 1999 BMW 520i

DaveTheMus

colino wrote: »

BMWs poorly made? In literally hundreds of the things I've seen two with buttons from the heater that have fallen off. Both cars were megamilers and previous owners into double figures and the rest of the cars seriously neglected. BMWs might have had a reputation for making poor (cloth) seats, but the rest of them are well designed, well made and well put together.

I've owned two E39's and they both suffered from buttons falling off when they were only gently pressed....if you have a look at any of the forums you'll see it's a common problem....some of the car was poorly designed.

The wire to the boot lock that enables it to be opened from inside the cabin eventually stops working because when the boot opens and closes this wire passes through a small metal hole and over time it becomes damaged.

I've had a door handle come off in my hand because it's been poorly designed...common problem, exterior door handles breaking.

The last one I had, the fuel gauge was erratic as in it would tell me I had 128 miles fuel left then it would tel me I had 17 miles fuel left, this was very irritating.

My current e39 has a full service history, has just went over 100'000 miles and the interior buttons fall off whenever I use them, the clips are just too small




I've only owned 1 BMW E30 and 2 BMW E39's and I've encountered this poor build quality.

DaveTheMus

Here's a list I've copied from a BMW forum about the E39 specifically, which is what the OP is buying;

- COOLING SYSTEM CATASTROPHICALLY FAILS: brittle plastic expansion tank, radiator, & thermostat housings that blow up due to faulty plastic mostly at the upper hose neck and also faulty water pumps, hoses, and fan clutches that send whirling blades through the hood and quarter panels (1) & autopsy here (1)
- I6 VANOS SEALS DETERIORATE: they're made out of the wrong materials so that they harden and leak over time causing degraded performance (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) & how VANOS works (1) (2) (3) & what your options are (1) and vanos application table (1)
- V8 VALLEY PAN GASKETS LEAK: poorly designed V8 valley pan gaskets that leak coolant (1) (2) (3)
- CLUSTER PIXELS FAIL LINE BY LINE: press-fit pink connection tape lifts up over time on the instrument cluster causing dead pixels (1) [cluster removal instructions (1) (2)]
- MID PIXELS SLOWLY DIE: press-fit pink connection tape lifts up over time on MID causing dead pixels (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) [MID removal instructions (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)] [MID pixel test sequence (1) ]
- HEADLIGHT ADJUSTERS CRUMBLE: brittle PBT plastic headlight adjusters that simply crumble over time causing the lights to point downward (0) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) & a comprehensive list of all your available options, by price (1)
- FAN CONTROL GOES HAYWIRE: poorly ventilated final stage resistur/final stage unit (FSR/FSU) modules that are practically sure to go haywire due to poor heat-sink design (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) ... Autopsy (1) (2) often causing the battery to drain overnight (1) (2) (3)
- CCV FAILS: crankcase ventilation valve diaphragm tears, freezes (1), &/or clogs (1), necessitating CCV replacement (M54,M54,M54) (M52,M52) (M52TU) (M62,M62) ('99 528i) ('98 528i); raising pressures, often causing the OFH oil filter housing to leak (1) (2) (3); frequently blowing the VCG valve cover gasket (1); and sometimes the head gasket (1) (2); often causing vacuum leaks (1) (2) (3)
- AMBER ABS/DSC/BRAKE LIGHTS: tack-welded steel resistance-welded Bosch 5.x ABS control module power wires that break off their gold contact because of being too close to engine heat and vibration (1) ... Abs control module autopsy (1) (2) (3) (4) ... and explanations by 540iman as to why the fancy diagnostic tools fail (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
- REAR DOOR VAPOR BARRIER FAILS CAUSING WATER PUDDLES: improper adhesive used on rear door vapor barrier seals that allow rain water to fill the rear footwell (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
- FRONT SHOCKS FAIL PREMATURELY VIOLENT SHUDDER WHILE BRAKING: OEM Sachs shocks fail causing violent shudder upon front-wheel braking on bumps (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
- POWER WINDOWS SUDDENLY STOP WORKING: low-quality unreliable window regulator mechanisms (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) and a repair kit (1) (2) and for other models (1) (2) (3) (4)
- TRUNK WIRING FRAYS ATROCIOUSLY: a badly designed trunk loom wiring harness certain to chafe causing all sorts of light and fuse blowing and locking problems (1) (2)
- THRUST-ARM BUSHINGS TEAR: fluid-filled thrust arm bushings that crack and tear causing vibrations at speed (0) (1) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
- IGNITION SWITCH FAILS: ignition switch that fails causing electrical problems (0) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11)
- AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SENSOR BREAKS OFF: low mounted ambient temperature sensors in the passenger side front wheel well cover is practically designed to be ripped off on a parking curb (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
- SEAT & STEERING WHEEL CONTROLLER BREAK OFF: seat covers that don't protect switches for both the steering wheel tilt & driver's seat control (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
- SEAT CABLES BREAK: seat cables that fall out causing seat twist (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) & accidental airbag light fix (1) (2)
- WINDSHIELD WASHER LEAKS: windshield reservoirs prone to leaking due to an ill-fitting pump o-ring gasket (1) (2) or to hose disintegration (1) (2) or to leaks in the main reservoir (1) (2) (3) or leaks in the intensive wash system (1) (2) or the pump itself goes bad (1) (2) & debugging hints (1) & adjusting nozzles after repair (1) & windshield washer fluid (1) and intensive cleaning system fluid (1)
- POWER STEERING RESERVOIR CAP LEAKS OILY MIST: constantly wet power steering reservoirs due to poor O-ring design (1) (2)
- POWER STEERING HOSE DRIPS ATF ONTO ALTERNATOR: power steering hose clamps practically guaranteed to leak (1) (2)
- ALTERNATOR FAILS PREMATURELY: most say this premature failure is due to power steering leaks just above it so do a rebuild BEFORE your alternator fails catastrophically on you (1) (2) & how to prevent leaves in your alternator air-intake duct (1) (2)
- SAP CLOGS or FREEZES (1): the secondary air pump (SAP) valve (aka diverter valve) clogs, taking out the SAS (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
- MAF CLOGS: the mass air flow sensor (MAF) and idle control valve (ICV) require periodic cleaning (1) (2)
- DISA VALVE FLAP BREAKS: the DISA valve flap breaks, sometimes with parts sucked into the intake manifold (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) & recommended parts (1) (2) & brand selection (1)
- WINDSHIELD MOLDING CRUMBLES: heat labile rubber windshield & back window molding that crumbles in three years due to poor choice of recycled materials (1) (2)
- JACK PADS FALL OFF: plastic jack pads that fall off the underside of the frame due to poor latch design causing jack failures & wind noise (1) (2) (3) & good jack stands (1)
- AIR CONDITIONING ODORS: poorly designed cabin-filter housing drain hoses to clog which leaves causing gym-sock smells from the AC (1) (2) (3)
- BMW ROUNDEL PAINT CHIPS AWAY: cheaply painted BMW emblem roundels that wash away in the car wash over time (1)
- CUPHOLDERS BREAK EASILY: front and rear (nearly useless) cupholder replacement strategies (1)
- WOOD TRIM CRACKS SPONTANEOUSLY: wood trim whose varnish cracks and whose cd cover doors rattle (1) (2) (3)
- PLASTIC VENT TRIM CRACKS SPONTANEOUSLY: plastic trim around the air vents which invariably crack at the corners (1) (2) (3)

DaveTheMus

Notice that cheap plastic seems to be a problem.

Here's a link if the OP is interested

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=507799

Quote:
Originally Posted by thecushion
Just my .02 ----CHEAP PLASTIC through out the car.
Today a post of the problems experienced at "high mileage" piqued my interest.

There may be two sets of "common problems"
The score of idiotic problems that occur at fewer than ~100K miles
The more realistic repairs that occur at greater than ~150K miles
For the most part, "cheap plastic" style problems are in the first set (and have been covered in the posts preceding it).

This post today covered typical problem that happen after 150K miles.

Let's see if we can flesh these out.

Here's my modified version of that list (in miles):
Note: I combined redundant information & re-ordered by miles, & removed all but potentially common repairs, & made minor edits for re-usability.
oil filter housing (OFH), 110k
oil pan gasket, 110k
tires, 110k
power steering reservoir cap o-ring, 110k
spark plugs 115k
battery, 115k
complete cooling system overhaul, 115k
faulty alarm, 115k
disa valve failed in engine clicked gave CEL and was replaced, 120k
alternator, 120k
brakes, 120k
power steering hoses, 125k
thrust arm bushings, 125k
control arms, 125k
tie rods, 125k
water pump, 130k
cluster from ebay (matched VIN in IKE), 130k
windshield washer jet, 130k
sway bar links, 135k
welded exhaust console hanger above front sway bar, 135k
belt-drive system, tensioners, pulleys, & belts, 140k
thermostat, 140k
right thrust arm with HD bushing, 140k
complete cooling system overhaul, 140k
Besian vanos seals, 140k
valve cover gasket, 140k
fuel filter, 140k
side marker housing, 142k
oil and differential fluid change, 142k
Motor and transmission mounts, 142k
Bilstein HD struts mounts pad, 144k
Conti dws tires/alignment, 144k

Spare parts to keep on hand:
fsu spare, 140k
hd bushing spare, 140k
front & rear brake pad spares, 143k
O2 sensors spares, 9/13/10
H7 auto illumination and bulbs, 9/13/10
Expansion tank, cap spare, 9/30/10
Gatorback Belts spare, 10/12/10
Rotors spare, 10/12/10
CCV system spare, 12/24/2010
What I'd ask is whether we can improve this 150K mile list of repairs to expect, and spare parts to stock.

For example, I'd add an alternator set of spare bearings & pulleys to stock.

whitecloud663

Sons e46 CSL is well made. E46 build quality was very good and also had more of a 'raw' driving experience compared to the latter E90 and F30. Steering feedback and road feedback were excellent.

I once drove the E90 330i 272ps M Sport. With the right tyres (non run-flats) its steering feel and road feedback still had that inherent BMW 'feel' like the e36 and e30. Only thing missing that will make it a true driving machine is a limited slip differential, although this can be fitted at a BMW specialists

gazfocus

whitecloud663 wrote: »

OP how do you find the power of your new car? What car were you driving before?

Since posting at the weekend, the damp has sorted itself out (appears it was just condensation due to not being used for a few months). I also bought a dehumidifier bag so help out. The condensation on the rear window cleared but the glue used to apply the tint was wrecked so have taken the tint off and going to get some white spirits on my way home to remove the glue remnants.

Power wise, I can't complain. My previous car was a Ford Fiesta 1.4, so at the moment, the BMW seems like hard work as it's so heavy, but that's to be expected coming from a Fiesta. The BMW seems a little sluggish to start off, but that might be me getting used to the accelerator pedal because once it gets to 40(ish), it doesn't take long to get up to 70mph.

I did, however, experience an issue on the way to work this morning where I was accelerating on the motorway and the ASC light started to flash.

DaveTheMus wrote: »

I've got an BMW E39 525i 2003 and the engines are great but he cabins are so poorly made...

the buttons are terrible they just fall off...it's good and realiable for a runaround though...bit thirsty.

There is indeed a button missing of the AC so I've ordered a replacement off eBay for £6.95...hardly earth shattering.

I appreciate you taking the time to paste some lists of faults on the car, however, you're forgetting most cars don't make it to 100K, let alone have relatively minor issues at 140K+ but some of the issues in your second list aren't really 'issues' (eg tyres, battery, spark plugs).

As I say, so far, I'm happy with the car. I don't know if I will keep it long term as I may upgrade to something newer when my insurance is due for renewal in May, but it does seem to be a good car.

colino

Ice or wet road? Check your tyres and if no fault logged, just the 5s oversensitive stability control at work.

DaveTheMus

gazfocus wrote: »

Since posting at the weekend, the damp has sorted itself out (appears it was just condensation due to not being used for a few months). I also bought a dehumidifier bag so help out. The condensation on the rear window cleared but the glue used to apply the tint was wrecked so have taken the tint off and going to get some white spirits on my way home to remove the glue remnants.

Power wise, I can't complain. My previous car was a Ford Fiesta 1.4, so at the moment, the BMW seems like hard work as it's so heavy, but that's to be expected coming from a Fiesta. The BMW seems a little sluggish to start off, but that might be me getting used to the accelerator pedal because once it gets to 40(ish), it doesn't take long to get up to 70mph.

I did, however, experience an issue on the way to work this morning where I was accelerating on the motorway and the ASC light started to flash.



There is indeed a button missing of the AC so I've ordered a replacement off eBay for £6.95...hardly earth shattering.

I appreciate you taking the time to paste some lists of faults on the car, however, you're forgetting most cars don't make it to 100K, let alone have relatively minor issues at 140K+ but some of the issues in your second list aren't really 'issues' (eg tyres, battery, spark plugs).

As I say, so far, I'm happy with the car. I don't know if I will keep it long term as I may upgrade to something newer when my insurance is due for renewal in May, but it does seem to be a good car.

I wasn't trying to put you off the car....I really just posted the list so that if things go wrong somewhere down the line you can refer back to it and see if it corresponds....

colino

So the indiscriminate posting of a list, with a preposterous and expensive array of spare parts necessary to, "keep on hand" was an endorsement of the car?

albionrovers

I've had 1 x E34 and 2 x E39 520is, the latest a 2.2. 15 years for £15K in total and only wear and tear for bills.
Praise the lord. Good cars. I'd take another E39 in a heartbeat but they're getting a wee bit thin on the ground nowadays.
Was interested in buttons falling off comments above? Never had this.

DaveTheMus

colino wrote: »

So the indiscriminate posting of a list, with a preposterous and expensive array of spare parts necessary to, "keep on hand" was an endorsement of the car?

I don't know if you have a problem reading but I never said they should 'keep on hand' any parts. Read it again and you'll see that...let's be honest the OP has spent just over a grand so it'll be run into the ground then move on to something else.

The list was for your benefit as well as in 'literally'(there's that English problem again) hundreds of them you state they're well designed etc....the engine is well designed, excellent in fact, but the rest of it leaves a lot to be desired. Maybe I'm used to better than you and I expect better as well....do a bit of reading(if you can) and you'll see I'm not the only one.