BMW 5 Series 2011 Problems

NEWThere's no doubt that the BMW badge is holding its own despite a number of other makes muscling in on the territory once occupied only by the Bavarian carmaker and its cross-country rival Mercedes-Benz.For some, the BMW badge became a little passé when the 3-Series became the car of choice for those wanting to be seen driving a more upmarket machine and they mostly turned to other marques such as Audi and Lexus, but by the number of BMWs on the road the German brand is still one to aspire to.Getting on-board the BMW prestige train, however, requires a sizable bank account. They're not only an expensive purchase, but can cost a pretty penny to maintain.One way to reduce the cost of purchasing one of these luxury machines is to buy used. If you're somewhat impoverished and can't afford the more exotic models BMW offers then an entry-level model like the 528i is a way in.Lookswise the F10 528i that appeared in showrooms in 2010 was a handsome machine, particularly compared to some of the edgy designs that have come from BMW over the past few years. It was smooth, nicely proportioned and with flowing lines that looked the goods from all angles.Inside there was plenty of accommodation for four adults, although squeezing a fifth in somewhat compromised the comfort.Power for the 528i comes from a 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine delivering 190 kW and 310 Nm, and like all BMW sixes is happy to sing for its supper. It's not a fire-breathing monster, rather it's a silky smooth unit perfectly suited to the task at hand, while still delivering decent fuel economy.An eight-speed auto works well in tandem with the six to get the most out of the engine in all situations, and the final drive happens through the rear wheels.While most carmakers have moved to front-wheel drive, mostly for efficient packaging, BMW has steadfastly stuck with rear-wheel drive, which is a blessing for anyone who really likes driving. There's little to compare to the feel and response of a rear-wheel drive car and BMW is right up there with the best.NOWThe 528i is packed with technology, which is fine and dandy when it's working as intended, but no so endearing when it's not. When things go wrong, with things like the eight-speed transmission or any of the myriad electronic systems, the cost of repair can be horrific.While it's nice to experience the glitz that comes with taking your BMW to a factory dealership it comes at a cost, so before buying into the brand you need to weigh up the cost of repairs and maintenance and consider who you might use to keep your machine ticking over at its best.If it's under warranty, no question, use the dealer for servicing, if it's out of warranty consider the option of using an independent service agent who can generally maintain and repair your car at a much reduced rate.Another thing to consider is the cost of tyres. The 528i runs on expensive low-profile run-flat tyres that are likely to come up for replacement while in the hands of the second owner.If those things don't deter you then the good news is that there is little complaint from F10 owners. With the earliest examples having now done around 30,000 km it's still early days, but anyone considering buying a used 528i as they come off lease can do so with good confidence that they will get a good run out of the car.SMITHY SAYSGreat driving, well built, fully featured prestige sedan. Can't go wrong.BMW 528i 2010-2011Price new: $99,900Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cylinderTransmission: 8-speed automatic, RWDEconomy: 8 L/100 kmBody: 4-door sedanVariants: 528iSafety: 5-star ANCAPCOMING UPDo you own a Holden Barina? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010.

The BMW 5 Series is a medium-large German machine that’s aimed as much at the sports sedan market as at the buyers of luxury saloons.Older 5 Series are rather smaller inside than you might expect. That’s chiefly because it has rear-wheel drive and the engine is set well back in the bay, meaning the gearbox is beside your feet. Recent cars, since about 2004, are better off in this respect, but it’s still wise to try all seats for size.Handling is enhanced by the near-perfect weight distribution that’s the result of rear-wheel drive and the engine’s position. This is a car that feels just wonderful; seemingly the harder you drive at a bend the better it feels and responds.The really clever thing is that this sports handling is achieved without upsetting comfort. Some of the worst of Australian roads may catch it out at times, but it generally makes light work of rough surfaces.The great majority of BMW 5 Series sold in Australia are four-door sedans, but in recent years we seem to be joining our European cousins in choosing station wagons. Called ‘Touring’ wagons in BMW speak, these have a reasonable carrying capacity, though, as is often the way in the boutique-wagon class the slope of the rear end does restrict the entry of bulky objects.Engine performance is good, even from the models with relatively small capacity. The non-turbo straight-six with a relatively small size of 2.0 litres, but has enough performance for many owners. The silky smooth nature of the straight sixes is excellent.Big capacity BMW straight-sixes are some of our all-time favourite powerplants, providing effortless performance and a willingness to rev that’s delightful.Many recent BMWs have turbocharged four-cylinder units that have plenty of torque. Though the engineering to minimise turbo lag is impressive, they still don’t provide the near instantaneous response we have loved in BMW non-turbo engines for many decades.Rounding out the petrol engine range are superb V8 units. Big on power and torque they are much loved by enthusiastic drives. Their fuel consumption isn’t as high as you might anticipate as they are an excellent design.BMW Australia was one of the early adopters of turbo-diesel technology downunder. These have become increasingly popular over the years. Turbo lag is better than average, but can still be a pain at times. But once that lag has gone and you’re into the big-torque midrange, you will love the endless grunt they provide.Insurance can be expensive due to the cost of parts and the high status of trained repairers. So if you are moving up from a more mundane car to a BMW for the first time, shop around on premiums before becoming over-committed to the dream car.Spare parts and repairs are about average in price for a vehicle of this type and prestige rating.BMW is well represented in most major areas in Australia. Some factory-trained BMW mechanics have since left the company and set up independent repair shops. They don’t have the same factory contacts as the official dealers, but are often highly regarded by owners. This is certainly not a car for the amateur mechanic to attempt to work on.WHAT TO LOOK FORCheck on the insides of the front wheels and brake callipers for excessive brake-pad dust. That may be a sign of a hard driver.Make sure all electronic and electrical items are operating correctly. Use the owner’s handbook to make sure you find everything as these are among the most complex cars on the planet.Look over the car for body damage and previous repairs.Be sure the engine starts virtually immediately and idles smoothly from the moment it fires up, even when it’s stone cold.The engine should accelerate without hesitation and not blow smoke from the exhaust, no matter how hard it is worked.Automatic transmissions should change smoothly and, except for some changes on big throttle openings, should be all but impossible to feel.CAR BUYING TIPIf moving upmarket to a European car after a series of sensible low-cost Asian models make sure you budget for the high cost of servicing and repairs. 

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2000, 2003, 2010 and 2015 BMW 5 Series sedan and wagon as a used buy.