Fellow 545 owners,

My 05 545 (automatic with all options except Head up Display) is 700 miles shy of going out of factory warranty. I don't intend on buying an extended warranty (not original owner/bought it used with 28k miles) and may keep the car for another 2 years. I average about 10k miles a year and would like feedback from fellow owners on type of problems experienced between 50k and 80k.

Thank you...

Extensive maintenance:

- change Spark Plugs,
- Flush and change Tranny/Gear fluid,
- flush and change Oil Engine
- flush and change Diff fluid
- Check Steering fluid
- flush and change brake fluid and brake system
- flush and change the coolant fluid, thermostat and water pump.
- microfilters
- run Fuel cleaner/treatment (never use Oil engine additives/treatment!!!)

then your car will avoid any kind of problem.

And change that 4 y/o battery just for giggles peace o' mind :)

Ah yes! that too! thanks! :P

I agree on changing the sparks at 50k. It was a huge difference in smooth idle, smooth accel, etc. I just had it done last week.

goto have extended warranty for piece of mind, i had a number of repairs on my car with a small deductible at the dealer, while the person in front of the line is getting charged over $1,000 for his repairs.

but you have to be aware my warranty only covers REPAIRS and NOT MAINTENANCE SERVICE

Also, if you only drive 10,000 miles a year it is prob not worth buying the extended maintenance package which is about 1700 plus tax. I too am in the same boat except I do have the CPO warranty which is something to consider...repairs are very costly.

+1 on the battery. I also had the alternator go out just after 50,000

Thanks for the feedback... What I am gathering is to be proactive on the preventive maintenance. I would have considered the extended factory warranty but I am not the original owner. I've looked at after market products and they're quite expensive.

I would get the extended warranty, my 04 330ci started costing an arm and a leg after warranty went out. the car was fine until maybe 65k-70k miles then i probably paid 3-4k in expenses to fix the car until i finally got rid of it. I know it wasn't a 5 series but they all have the same engines.