1997 528i, 5 speed

[Al Gray]

I am looking to buy another 5 series BMW. At this time I am considering a 1997 528i, dark green paint with tan interior that has 76,825 miles. It is a 5 speed manual with a load of options and in great condition. It comes carfax certified and warranties included. The Auto Outlet dealer is asking $11,995 for the car and I am interested because I have just given my 1992 525i to my son who recently totaled his 1996 Mitsubishi 3000 GT.

This 1997 528i seems like it has potential. The 6 cylinder engine is similar to the M50 which still runs strong. Have any of you out there had any experience or know anyone who owns a 1997 528i? I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the matter. I need this car for my business and I need to do something soon.

Al Gray

[angrypancake]

My father has a 1998 528i 5 speed. He won't even let me look at it.

"Dad, can I..."
"Hell no."
"It didn't have anything to do with the car!"
"I don't care, it was just in case."

I've gotten to drive it a couple of times, with him in the car and obviously yelling at me for EVERYTHING. Anyways. With recent gas prices basically sucking, we've been playing around with the on board computer's ability to track gas mileage. With the cruise control set around 64ish, he gets around 35mpg for his usual commute from our house to Dirty Jersey, which is about 40 miles each way, with a couple of semi decent hills in there. It'g got some power behind it when needed, and nice torque. The one time I actually got to "drive" it, I had to make a few sudden lane changes and quick downshifts and accelerations, and wow, no complaints here. Handles and drives awesome.

[Al Gray]

My father has a 1998 528i 5 speed. He won't even let me look at it.

"Dad, can I..."
"Hell no."
"It didn't have anything to do with the car!"
"I don't care, it was just in case."

I've gotten to drive it a couple of times, with him in the car and obviously yelling at me for EVERYTHING. Anyways. With recent gas prices basically sucking, we've been playing around with the on board computer's ability to track gas mileage. With the cruise control set around 64ish, he gets around 35mpg for his usual commute from our house to Dirty Jersey, which is about 40 miles each way, with a couple of semi decent hills in there. It'g got some power behind it when needed, and nice torque. The one time I actually got to "drive" it, I had to make a few sudden lane changes and quick downshifts and accelerations, and wow, no complaints here. Handles and drives awesome.


I was more concerned about how the car holds up. If it is close to the E34 and is well maintained it should last a while.

[angrypancake]

Yeah it's got like 79,xxx on it and nothing major at all. Minor things, but thats to be expected. I can't say I remember it being in the shop overnight except for scheduled maintenence. I'll ask the old man tomorrow and PM you what he says. However, I am only 19 and by no means an expert. Maybe some of the elder members of the forum would be better suited. Either way, I'll ask for you.

[Chip]

On my wife's 97 528iA we have had some AC issues, MAF, idle regulating valve, transmission and suspension issues. And just this week both rear window regulators broke. The transmission turned out to be a software issue :D so that was nice. I replaced the whole front and rear suspension with the Sachs kit which greatly improved overall handling and the car sits even lower than my e34. I'll replace the window stuff this weekend if I get the parts in time. Then there's the standard cup holder problem, but you know that German's don't drink and drive. You can check the e39 board on roadflee, it's fairly active and there are some sites that list the different common issues with these cars. Overall, we have really enjoyed the car and these 'minor' problems are tolerable. The bentley book is almost 3 times the size of the e34- the second volume is basically wiring diagrams, so the car isn't as friendly as an e34. Our car has ~100k and we got it with ~40k. I wish we had the 5sp. Unless the car is priced right, I would recommend a newer model- say 98 or 99. The 97 was the first year and I believe you get some of those first year production problems- true for all manufacturers.

Good luck-

[DanDombrowski]

I don't know about the E39, but why does everyone say the E34 has no cupholder? Just about every cup I've ever had in the car jams nicely into the rectangular center console thing- coffee cups, all the fast food cups (as long as you don't get the ridiculously large one), starbucks, etc. Just have to wipe out the condensation from time to time. Sorry to hijack the thread.

As for the car, I don't know much about them, but if the dealer is asking 11,995, I'll bet you can get it for at least 11k. Don't let him lie to you about the 5 speeds being rare (and thats always a good thing to them). They're rare because no one drives them except for us few enthusiasts. Chances are you're the only one in the market for a car like that. I'm sorry, I'm sure I don't need to be telling you how to buy a car, I just hate it when dealers tell me that the 5 speeds 'sell fast'.

[Al Gray]

Yeah it's got like 79,xxx on it and nothing major at all. Minor things, but thats to be expected. I can't say I remember it being in the shop overnight except for scheduled maintenence. I'll ask the old man tomorrow and PM you what he says. However, I am only 19 and by no means an expert. Maybe some of the elder members of the forum would be better suited. Either way, I'll ask for you.

I just received a car fax on this particular 97 528i and it was in 2 accidents one with possible frame damage. I am way leary of this car. Gee, thanks Car Fax!

[Al Gray]

I don't know about the E39, but why does everyone say the E34 has no cupholder? Just about every cup I've ever had in the car jams nicely into the rectangular center console thing- coffee cups, all the fast food cups (as long as you don't get the ridiculously large one), starbucks, etc. Just have to wipe out the condensation from time to time. Sorry to hijack the thread.

As for the car, I don't know much about them, but if the dealer is asking 11,995, I'll bet you can get it for at least 11k. Don't let him lie to you about the 5 speeds being rare (and thats always a good thing to them). They're rare because no one drives them except for us few enthusiasts. Chances are you're the only one in the market for a car like that. I'm sorry, I'm sure I don't need to be telling you how to buy a car, I just hate it when dealers tell me that the 5 speeds 'sell fast'.

Yeah I do the same thing with that center console thing. Ya just gotta make sure its jammed in there or ya gotta big mess. Maybe you can even wipe out all the window buttons in the console. I hear that coffee isn't that good for electrical connections.

[DanDombrowski]

Leave the carfax report in the glovebox when he's not looking. That way the next person that comes and checks around, opens the glovebox...BAM!

I'd say offer him like 7k for it, but he'll probably be able to find a sucker that won't know and will give him 11.

[floac]

I have 1 1997 528i. I need to replace the serpentine belt but don't have an idea how to do it. Do I release the tensioner to replace the belt? Please advise.

Floyd

[uscharalph]

[QUOTE=DanDombrowski]
"I don't know about the E39, but why does everyone say the E34 has no cupholder? Just about every cup I've ever had in the car jams nicely into the rectangular center console thing- coffee cups, all the fast food cups (as long as you don't get the ridiculously large one), starbucks, etc. Just have to wipe out the condensation from time to time. Sorry to hijack the thread."

Where did that come from???????

[DanDombrowski]

The post I replied to was discussing the difference between the e39 and e34, and how the e34 had no cupholder.

[John in CT]

Floyd;

If it like my E34 I consider it a two man job. First, you may need to get the radiator fan out of the way, maybe not on your car. If you do need to remove the fan you need a 28mm wrench and a way to keep the hub from turning as you loosen the reverse thread. I made a tool from a large rusty screwdriver, basically sharpening it so you can wedge a couple of the fan hub bolts while you unscrew the wrong-threaded bolt.

Now, pop the plastic cover off the tensioner center, put your 8mm hex in there and get a serious breaker bar, like a 1/2" iron pipe a few feet long and have the helper release the tension while you remove and replace the belt from underneath the car. Force required to release tension is significant.

Job pretty easy but much better the second time around....