E39 mileage ratings wanted...

[Robert K]

I've had my 1991 535i for about the past seven years and have really enjoyed it. However, I have been thinking lately about getting a 2000-2001 528i sport with automatic. I was wondering if anyone on the board had one of these cars and specifically what real world city and highway mileage you get out of it. If there are specific problems I need to look for, I'd appreciate that info as well.

Regards,

Robert K
1991 535i

[Hallmark]

Maintenance is very much like my '95 525, although the hood opens the wrong way :D You can reset the service lights the same as on an E34 but there is no stomp test. Overall I find the E39 a very nice upgrade to my E34 (I have one of each).

I get about 22 in town and 26 on the road.

Oh yeah, the Bentley's for an E39 is an arm and a leg. Two volumes, sheesh!

[Dave M]

Maintenance is very much like my '95 525

Oh yeah, the Bentley's for an E39 is an arm and a leg. Two volumes, sheesh!

Oxymoron'ic type statement? ;)

Cheers,

Dave

[DallasBill]

In 10 years of my '94 525iM, Skarked, I regularly got 18.9-19.5 MPG in 2/3 city 1/3 tollway driving. Probably because I always revved to 3500-4k before a shift!

I've had my 2003 530iA for 3 weeks now and am getting 21.5-22.8 in the daily commute. In Sport mode it's stays about the same, too.

[Hal]

Our 1999 528iT seems to get about 2 mpg better mileage overall than our 1994 530iT. As others have said before, it is a different driving experience than the E34, which I do not find unpleasant.

Hal

1994 530iT 165,000 mi Nikasil powered
1999 528iT 95,000 mi non-Nikasil powered

[bimmerd00d]

considering I have a 98 540i 6-spd and my mom has a 2000 528iA, I think i'll chime in.

540i = 17/26 - avg for me is about 18.5. This past weekend i got 28.2 at 72mph.
528i = 19/28 - avg for when i drive the car on trips is about 20.2, and the best i ever got was 32.8 at 75mph. There's a real sweet spot on the E39's for the best fuel economy. Stray a few mph above or below and it decreases a bit. My old 525i 5spd was the same way, 70mph yielded about 25mpg, where 78mph was around 28-29.

[bimmerd00d]

Oh yeah, the Bentley's for an E39 is an arm and a leg. Two volumes, sheesh!

it has an entire volume just for the electrics!!!! Ask me how i know :D

[Zeuk in Oz]

Given the extra power on tap compared to my 1988 M20 525i manual, my 1999 528iT (double vanos) auto with sports suspension gives a slightly broader range of fuel use.

Using 98 octane (RON) I find highway driving gets down to 9 litres per 100 km but mixed driving ( I live in a semi-rural area ) is about 11-12. My problem seems to be that I love the sound of the engine at 5,000 - 6,000 revs ! :D

In general, a much tighter feel with superior dynamics compared to my E34. Braking and handling are superior as well as performance. Passive and active safety features are also much better.

Build quality of the E34 is superior, I feel, with fewer rattles despite twice the mileage.

Ventilation is much better in the E 39 and it has cup holders but their quality is woeful.

[Hector]

The US government is VERY concerned about tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

Their records show that for
Man(5 speed)L: city/hwy = 21/29
Auto(4) = 18/26
Auto(5) = 18/26


I've had my 1991 535i for about the past seven years and have really enjoyed it. However, I have been thinking lately about getting a 2000-2001 528i sport with automatic. I was wondering if anyone on the board had one of these cars and specifically what real world city and highway mileage you get out of it. If there are specific problems I need to look for, I'd appreciate that info as well.

Regards,

Robert K
1991 535i

[Wyn]

My dad has a '98 528im, non-sport. On the highway i'll get 30-31 and a total combined average of 25.6.
Two years ago they went on a 5000 mile trip to the national parks out west and averaged 32.3 for the 5k.

[Jr ///M5]

Robert,

As you do your research, you'll find the 528i ended in '00. The 530i was reintroduced. There were significant changes in the '01-03 my 525-530, for the better.

At least look for the '01-03 model year, the side trim moldings are body color, xenon lights are a desireable option, the cold weather package is also nice when you need the buns toasted. The M54 engine in the 525i delivers about 28 mpg on the highway average and has about 186hp. It's peppy enough and when you want to play, there's the steptronic, unless you're looking for a manual. The 530i delivers about 225 hp and about the same mpg on the highway as the 525i, it's the 'round town driving that will consume a wee bit more fuel. Probably because of the low end torque, there is a noticeable difference between the two.

The interior is plush, isolated from the road as compared to the E34, more on the luxury end, very comfortable, very smooth ride, but with the familiar handling and braking.

We bought Lori's car as a CPO with 36k miles on it 2 1/2 years ago, it now has 121k miles on it. It's been a good car with minimal problems that I have taken care of without the $Bentley$ for the most part so far. Good documentation exists on other forums for the common stuff. I did spring for a Peak code reader and the adapter for the different OBD plug. Glad I did too.

When you shop, just try to remember that BMW payed for the oil changes on these cars and you should try to find one that someone actually took care of like they were supposed to with more frequent oil changes than the 15000 miler that BMW did. That was big of 'em...

Good luck with your search!

JR

[632 Regal]

grreat write up as usual. I just cant believe BMW fell to a low of a 15K mile oil change...what are they thinking? More sales/less maintenance?

[Mr. BILL]

I have a '97 528 and get an average of 23.5 mpg.

[dennyg]

I have an 03 525 sport. I think the tranny is geared a little lower in the sport model so mph may reflect that. The steering seems much heavier on the E39 but not bad just different. I wish I would have bought the 530 model but we all crave more power even those with the v8s I think. My mileage is about 19 town and 27 highway on the E39. I bought the 535 so I wouldn't put too many miles on the newer one. In three years Ive only put 15k on it. My mph on the E34 sucks

[Robert K]

The thing I hate most about my 1991 535i is the mileage. I probably get about 17-18 around town and only 23 mpg on the highway. I think a lot of it has to do with the low gearing. On the interstate at 70 mph, I think I turn around 3000 rpms, which is too much in my book. Anyway, I've always liked the body style of the E39s, and with gas prices staying up there, I'm looking for a replacement that gets better mileage. However, the 528i requires premium fuel, which offsets the better mpg. If I get one, I will probably try to find a quality midgrade fuel to put in it and see how it runs. They've got a knock sensor, so technically, it should run on the lower grade fuel. It probably wouldn't have quite the power though. Of course my wife wants an newer vehicle to replace her 1997 V6 Camry, which has been a wonderful car. We recently drove it to a town about 75 miles away, put about 50 in town miles on it, and still managed to average 28 mpg. I love that car!

Grace and peace,

Robert K
1991 535i