2012 BMW 5 series
looking for a 528i, with a ZF8 auto gearbox and N52 3.0 naturally aspirated engine.
In terms of maintenance and repair costs, how reliable is the drivetrain and anything aside it?
i only care about serious possible failures that might leave me stranded or endanger the engine and internal components, and not added, high tech equipment and gizmos, such as vaccum doors aka soft close doors, i dont care if these go bad bacuse i can still drive as well.
i know the repairs are more expensive, but what specifically should i looks for when looking for a used one in good condition?
I owned a 2007 BMW X5, from 2016-2020. From 160K miles to 200K miles. Different model, but same engine.
They are amazing vehicles. But they are also expensive to maintain. Here are some of the things I had to do in the 4 years of ownership. Granted, I had a high mileage one.
The ones that left me stranded and needed a AAA/tow to be called:
- Battery needed to be replaced. (Normal maintenance)
- Electronic Brake got stuck, Emergency Pull wire wouldn’t detach. (Anomaly)
Other problems that didn’t leave me stuck:
- Catalytic Converter replacement
- AC Compressor replacement
- Fan was running constantly: Thermostat replacement
- Valve Cover gasket replacement (oil leak)
- PCV replacement which meant replacing the entire Valve Cover
- Misfires: Coils/spark plug replacement
- And that’s not counting the regular oil changes which are double that of a regular car.
Granted, many of these things may break or need repair on any other car. It just cost so much more on a BMW.
Long story short, I spent more on those 4 years on repairs and maintenance than I did on my 1999 Honda Accord in 21 years.
I loved the car. I just didn’t love all the maintenance costs. If you know you are in for added cost with basic maintenance, go for it.
I never ran into this problem myself, but I heard the timing chain guides may need to be replaced. Double check that though, it might be another model engine. Possibly the generation before.
I would search for Scotty's videos on the subject, he has a number of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40fKEBwXQ7k
No
Only if you have an endless amount of money to spend on repairing stupid things.
