When you’re in the market for a new or used BMW, or any other car for that matter, you likely do some research before making your purchase. From my personal car buying experience, I research everything from trim packages to drivetrain options, but most importantly I want to know that what I’m buying isn’t going to drive me to the poor house in repairs. That is why I decided to see which is the most reliable BMW available.
For this search, we’re leaving out the options that you’ll find on the floor of your local dealer showroom. We’re going to look at a BMW from the past that has stood the test of time and is still running around on the streets. This model was sold by the thousands and have plenty of miles, and some multiple owners, to show that they were built with quality to last for years. Here is what we feel is the most reliable BMW, the E39.
BMW 5 Series (E39)
![1031990]( "1031990")
A few weeks ago, we ran a story on What is The Best Used BMW to Buy and received feedback from forum members that we left a favorite off the list. The ’95-’04 BMW 5 series Sedan (E39) was highly praised by quite a few in our comments, so we did some more research and found that this vehicle has quite the following and for good reason. For starters, it’s a 5 Series so you’ll appreciate the roomy interior and creature comforts that you’d come to expect from an executive car produced by BMWs. As an executive sedan, the E39 generation was and is still considered to be the best in its class. Let’s be real though; roominess and comfort don’t have anything to do with reliability and that’s what we’re here to discuss.
Available with different drivetrain packages, you’ve got some terrific variants for one of the most reliable BMW model options. Depending on the year, the E39 530i was available with different inline-six powerplants, the most popular being the naturally aspirated 3.0L M54 engine that cranked out an impressive 228 hp. When mated to either manual or automatic transmissions (both 5-speed), you’ve got a car that will surprise you with its performance while still having a reliable BMW engine.
![1031991]( "1031991")
If you crave more performance than a straight-six engine can provide, the E39 540i might be more to your liking. This model came with BMWs naturally aspirated M62 4.4L V-8 engine which, in its most powerful year, cranked out just under 300 hp and 325 ft.-lbs of torque. Putting the power to the ground as handled through the Getrag 420g 6-speed manual transmission or the alternative ZF 5HP24 or ZF 5HP30 5-speed automatic transmissions. Both offering solid performance with no stand-out flaws when maintained properly
The most powerful of the E39 family would be the BMW M5 that had the S62 high-performance variant of the M62 engine. Considered to be a V-8 Super Sedan, the M5 could reach speeds of 60 MPH in under 5-seconds because of the power produced by the 4.9L naturally aspirated V-8 engine. To keep this one of the most reliable BMW engines, engineers designed it with a dry-sump lubrication system and higher-capacity water pump to protect and minimize wear. The six-speed Getrag 420G transmission easily handles the near 400hp produced by the S62 engine, to deliver adrenaline pumping performance, while still allowing you to feel confident that you don’t have to do F-1 engine maintenance to keep it living for the long term.
![1031992]( "1031992")
Searching for a most reliable anything means that you need to look for the flaws or problem areas, and with the E39 that was minimal. In many autos you’ll find that engines and transmissions are what people find as the weak points, but that isn’t the case here. What we were able to dig up for engine issues was fairly minimal. Owners commonly found the engines to run rough, which isn’t serious but a great annoyance. A common fix for this is performing maintenance to the Idle Control Valve (ICV). This doesn’t mean replacing it, but simply cleaning and checking the proper performance to ensure it’s opening and closing as it should.
As for the chassis, we suggest inspecting the suspension bushings, which in my opinion would be a standard maintenance item on a nearly 20-year-old car, at its latest production date.
![1031993]( "1031993")
Of course, you may find some electrical gremlins when dealing with the interior of the vehicle, but again that is expected for a vehicle of its age. The main thing is that when considering the purchase of an E39, if the vehicle has been maintained properly you are making a solid investment that likely won’t nickel and dime you to death in repairs after you buy it.
Thank you to the forum members who shared their opinions on a great used BMW to purchase, which we found out to be one of the most reliable BMW model options. If you have any suggestions or input, feel free to drop a comment below.
For this search, we’re leaving out the options that you’ll find on the floor of your local dealer showroom. We’re going to look at a BMW from the past that has stood the test of time and is still running around on the streets. This model was sold by the thousands and have plenty of miles, and some multiple owners, to show that they were built with quality to last for years. Here is what we feel is the most reliable BMW, the E39.
BMW 5 Series (E39)
A few weeks ago, we ran a story on What is The Best Used BMW to Buy and received feedback from forum members that we left a favorite off the list. The ’95-’04 BMW 5 series Sedan (E39) was highly praised by quite a few in our comments, so we did some more research and found that this vehicle has quite the following and for good reason. For starters, it’s a 5 Series so you’ll appreciate the roomy interior and creature comforts that you’d come to expect from an executive car produced by BMWs. As an executive sedan, the E39 generation was and is still considered to be the best in its class. Let’s be real though; roominess and comfort don’t have anything to do with reliability and that’s what we’re here to discuss.
Available with different drivetrain packages, you’ve got some terrific variants for one of the most reliable BMW model options. Depending on the year, the E39 530i was available with different inline-six powerplants, the most popular being the naturally aspirated 3.0L M54 engine that cranked out an impressive 228 hp. When mated to either manual or automatic transmissions (both 5-speed), you’ve got a car that will surprise you with its performance while still having a reliable BMW engine.
If you crave more performance than a straight-six engine can provide, the E39 540i might be more to your liking. This model came with BMWs naturally aspirated M62 4.4L V-8 engine which, in its most powerful year, cranked out just under 300 hp and 325 ft.-lbs of torque. Putting the power to the ground as handled through the Getrag 420g 6-speed manual transmission or the alternative ZF 5HP24 or ZF 5HP30 5-speed automatic transmissions. Both offering solid performance with no stand-out flaws when maintained properly
The most powerful of the E39 family would be the BMW M5 that had the S62 high-performance variant of the M62 engine. Considered to be a V-8 Super Sedan, the M5 could reach speeds of 60 MPH in under 5-seconds because of the power produced by the 4.9L naturally aspirated V-8 engine. To keep this one of the most reliable BMW engines, engineers designed it with a dry-sump lubrication system and higher-capacity water pump to protect and minimize wear. The six-speed Getrag 420G transmission easily handles the near 400hp produced by the S62 engine, to deliver adrenaline pumping performance, while still allowing you to feel confident that you don’t have to do F-1 engine maintenance to keep it living for the long term.
Searching for a most reliable anything means that you need to look for the flaws or problem areas, and with the E39 that was minimal. In many autos you’ll find that engines and transmissions are what people find as the weak points, but that isn’t the case here. What we were able to dig up for engine issues was fairly minimal. Owners commonly found the engines to run rough, which isn’t serious but a great annoyance. A common fix for this is performing maintenance to the Idle Control Valve (ICV). This doesn’t mean replacing it, but simply cleaning and checking the proper performance to ensure it’s opening and closing as it should.
As for the chassis, we suggest inspecting the suspension bushings, which in my opinion would be a standard maintenance item on a nearly 20-year-old car, at its latest production date.
Of course, you may find some electrical gremlins when dealing with the interior of the vehicle, but again that is expected for a vehicle of its age. The main thing is that when considering the purchase of an E39, if the vehicle has been maintained properly you are making a solid investment that likely won’t nickel and dime you to death in repairs after you buy it.
Thank you to the forum members who shared their opinions on a great used BMW to purchase, which we found out to be one of the most reliable BMW model options. If you have any suggestions or input, feel free to drop a comment below.
R, all of the filters, vacuum system, cooling system components need to be “as new”. Some of the fuel supply components need to be “new” all of the time. Change the oil every 5-7K miles. Don’t expect a 5 year old battery to satisfy. Just stay on top of things, it’s not a disposable commodity. (After 2007 they might be)
