BMW 530 reviews

This was my first BMW bought second hand in 2006 with 150 000 kms on the clock (approx 93750 miles) for 18 500€. It is left hand drive. Third owner from new and 193 BHP. I used this vehicle for my work as a sales rep for 6 years and racked up 495 000 kms (approx 309 375 miles) on the clock by the end of 2012. the vehicle was now 10 years old. I had to renew the turbo and fuel injection pump at 275 000 kms (approx 171 875 miles) for 2500€ and recondition the General Motors ! automatic gearbox at around 325 000 kms (approx 203 125 miles) for 4000€ when the 5th gear failed.(this is the standard auto gearbox fitted to the E39 that is 'lubricated for life'. Had I known it was a GM automatic gearbox I would have changed the gearbox oil before 100 000 kms for sure. From an economic perspective if we take the initial cost of 18500€ and add the major repair costs of 6500€ this totals 25 000€. The car, even today, has a resale value around 1500€ so the car has cost me in repairs and depreciation 23 500€, which when divided by the total number of kilometers I have driven with it - namely 495 000 minus 150 000 = 345 000 kms (approx 215625 miles) works out at less than 7 cents per km or if you prefer £19550 divided by 215625 miles = just over 9p / mile. Hence from my standpoint very economical. Add that to a car that consumes just 7,3 litres of diesel for 100 kms or 39 miles / gallon. I've been very satisfied with this car and would seriously consider buying the latest generation BMW.

I have had my car for 2 1/2 years, it has proved to be a comfortable long distance car, which has been reasonably reliable - the only time it caused any real problem was when a garage didn't do a very good job of fitting a new starter motor. The economy has not been as good as I was led to believe, but the performance has been excellent, and the car is clearly well put together - no sign of any rust - apart from on some brake pipes. This is my third 5 Series, and I have been pleased with all of them. They were all bought secondhand, and have all proved good value for money in my view.

Does everything I ask of it. Sporty when required, comfortable & quiet on long journeys. Reasonably economical (44mpg on long runs). Generally reliable - one torque converter replaced under warranty, one turbocharger replaced, one air inlet manifold replaced, all in 94000 miles. Car has never let me down (still driveable with above faults) and has had no irritating minor problems. Very large boot space. All systems (climate control, Bluetooth, sat nav etc) work well. Powerful headlights.

Great car and engine, horrible steering though, not sure if just this car but always been the only bug bear of four years of ownership. I don't think there is anything wrong with it. It just lacks feel. Love the car otherwise and the power for overtaking is great. It is a great tow car as well. I've towed a big Chevy Truck behind it on a twin axle trailer. Had no problems. Watch out for turbo going on older cars. Ours went and it cost £2000.00. Still it's a lot less than buying a new car for £41,000. I'd have another...

Yes, indeed the ultimate . Wonderful performance, great comfort, quiet and luxurious. I cannot fault this car - it has only covered 10,000 miles in the 3 years I have had it since new, but it has never given a moments concern. It also feels very safe.

Adaptive suspension excellent even on 19inch runflats. HUD a must have if budget allows.

I bought this car when it was 3 years old and had done 25,000 miles. I have had it now for 9 years and it has 103,000 miles on the clock now. It is the best car I've ever had. It looks good (still), is really nice and comfortable inside, is fun to drive, great on long journeys, and it has been very reliable. One day I will be sad to see it go

I've had the car from new; it was the last E39 model before they changed the 5 series shape.Quite simply it has been the best car I have ever owned. Not the fastest, but extremely quiet, comfortable, easy to drive and uber-reliable. With 110,000 miles on the clock it has always been serviced appropriately, but has never had to be repaired, is still returning 32mpg and there is not even hint of a rattle from engine/bodywok/interior. It must be one of the most over-engineered models ever made.If it falls apart tomorrow, I'll just say 'thank you, for such fantastic service'.

I bought this car 2 years ago with 48000 miles and full main dealer service history. It had 12 months warranty and in this time it had a new sunroof mechanism,rear suspension air compressor and passenger seat occupancy pad replaced. At 59000 miles the turbocharger failed. After expensive repairs at the local BMW dealers the exhaust manifold cracked 2 months later. The car has now developed an electrical fault that causes the (1 year old) battery to sometimes go flat over night. This has been the best car I have owned for all round performance but it is the worst one I have owned for reliability in over 40 years. I am changing the car in the near future and it will not be a BMW.

Best car I've ever owned kept it longer than any other, almost 9 years & still doing a great job.

Comfortable spacious, with good performance. Main dealer prices for servicing are excessive. Dpf's are a pain if you have problems and run-flat tyres are expensive. Usually get about 32-34mpg but up to 47mpg on a motorway run. Not bad when you consider the size and performance.

This is the best car I have ever had and I have covered 139,000 miles since it was delivered in November 2000.It is easy to drive, very comfortable and has a surprisingly roomy boot. It has proved pretty reliable over the years but when things do go wrong they are apt to be expensive to put right.

excellent car, Since having one I love it. I was particularly surprised at 46 mpg i get. The one downside is that maintenace is expensive if you need any work to be done

A safe, reliable car. Makes driving much more of a pleasure.

There are over 210,000 miles on the clock and 120,000 of those miles are mine clocked up over past 6 years. Apart from cosmetic deterioration the car drives really well.

Owned for the last nine years and purchased at three years old. Very reliable, a flat battery being my only reason to call out the AA. Despite 105000 miles on the clock still has 'umph' to get me into 'clean air' on motorways when I need to. Previously all my driving was in Fords, but after a BMW I wouldnt go back to them, so I will be sticking with BMW, unless I win the lottery and buy an Aston Martin!!

I alwats thought BMWs, while excellent cars, were not value for money. Since having one I love it. I was particularly surprised at how much mpg you get. The one downside is that maintenace is expensive if any work needs to be done.

Comfortable spacious, with good performance. Main dealer prices for servicing are excessive. Dpf's are a pain if you have problems and run-flat tyres are expensive. Usually get about 32-34mpg but up to 47mpg on a motorway run. Not bad when you consider the size and performance.

Great tow car,loads of room inside,super drive,easy to service. love it.