Faults:

Many things went wrong during the 11 years and 200,000+ km I have driven it. But all minor. The most expensive things were the rear suspension, which broke twice, 5 years ago the compressor for this pneumatic suspension broke, and now the pillows of this suspension went too old and do not hold the air. Front suspension on the right side broke about 6 months ago and needed to be fixed. But I think it is OK for a 15-year old car which has run over 300,000 km.

General Comments:

I love this car. Simply it is the best possible car for me. Very pleasurable to drive and to ride in. Powerful enough (I have optimized it for 240 hp when I bought it via BSR), very economical - average on my odometer is 6.3 l/100km and I am almost always overspeeding. When driving normal 80-90 km/h it takes 5.0 l/100km. Which is excellent for such big and powerful car.

It is very spacious - it help us so much in our long driving trips with two kids, a dog and a cat. And again, it is really joy to ride in it - comfortable, sensitive, powerful, quiet, smooth.

I am now thinking to change it, but just because it requires quite some investment - rare suspension still needs to be fixed, some motor valves need to be replaced (it started to lose power), new winter tires are needed, oil needs to be changed in the transmission - albeit they say it is life-long, mechanics told me it is better to change after these many miles. Altogether maybe a 5,000$ investment needed.

One important thing - this car never let me down on a road during all the 200,000 km I have been driving it.

Faults:

When I'd just got this car, the ABS unit had gone so needed to change the ABS control unit, water pump, and the radiator (the old one was strangely deformed).

The new radiator is leaking now, there is a tiny hole in it, so the new radiator is needed.

The back wiper has gone, don't know what is wrong yet, the sun roof stopped working, and now the engine is leaking!

General Comments:

Great to drive, looks great, but terrible quality and extremely high costs to have it running.

Any time I need to use this car, I think "what will go wrong this time?"

Faults:

- 2 parking distance sensors needed changing (£100 each).

- Stabilizer in front suspension (£60).

- Passenger seat heating does not work.

General Comments:

I was very surprised that this would be the best car I have ever had. I have driven 60000 kilometers with this car since I acquired it, other than servicing it has needed little or no maintenance.

The performance is adequate, the comfort is good, the consumption not too high, and the face-lift E39 5-series still looks fairly fresh.

Faults:

Stereo died twice, replaced. Otherwise, nothing.

General Comments:

A very nice and comfortable car. The M equipment adds a sporty dimension to an otherwise rather dull looking car. I am VERY pleased with it.

Faults:

Strange very annoying noise emits from behind the dash even when fan is not switched on, sounds like some sort of valve/electric motor being opened & shut - continues all the time, BMW dealer has no explanation.

When started engine makes clicking noise, fan /water pump - even after service it came back.

General Comments:

Mostly wear & tear, although I thought that about £700 for a "Service II" was a lot of money. Lots of noise from underneath, suspension/ hocks beginning to get old perhaps. I have to agree the seats are very comfy, even better than the new BMW's.