5 series maintenance cost?

dpachowicz · 06-17-2010, 05:35 PM

Whats the maintenance/insurance cost of owning a 5 series especially a 540i

jmack · 06-17-2010, 05:58 PM

Um, alot. You need to have some sort of cash flow to support the car, especially if you are mechanically retarded. Just by doing my own spark plugs, air filters and some other odds and ends I shaved $300 off an Inspection II. If you have a garage and tools you could do a lot better.

I'm kind of a new driver, so I was nailed for $250/mo for my 2001 540i insurance wise.

If the car is in need of work and hasn't had the proper maintenance performed, especially cooling system overhaul, you are in for major $$$. By now most of the engine seals would need to be replaced, and some attention to the suspension as well.

If you search around you will find a ton of threads about this stuff. Gas bills will also kill you if you are filling up every couple days.

Most people have differing opinions on what the maintenance costs would be, but starting at $2500 / year is realistic. Others would say less / more depending on the mechanical shape of the car and how much you can do yourself.

aspen540 · 06-17-2010, 06:12 PM

i'm upto $2000 this year in parts and labour. sometimes the problems don't seem end.

bmwm5lover · 06-17-2010, 06:59 PM

May not necessarily be comparable, but my 1991 BMW M5 cost me about 6K$ in maintenance/repairs in the 2 summers I drove it.

Kirk930 · 06-17-2010, 07:54 PM

I've been driving my '97 540 since March '09 with zero issues.

When I bought the car last year (92,000 km) I changed out the spark plugs, coolant, oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter, cabin filters, diff. oil.

Since then, only oil changes, and wiper blades.

No shop time - all done in my garage. One of the best, least costly cars (other than gas!) I have ever owned.

Dado 540 · 06-17-2010, 10:25 PM

Once the necessary wear and tear items are changed it's smooth sailing.

Untill then take out a loan or a line of credit

5style · 06-17-2010, 10:40 PM

its not that bad, just have to have a cushion for wear and tears IF you are not mechanically inclined. Otherwise, its fairly cheap part wise if you know where to go. KEYNOTE: NOT the dealer