Sorry to spoil the party :

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=25379&hl=

make sure you test drive the car first, like gwf545 mentioned, slight ticking when cold is normal, it's when warm and the ticking is pronounced that you should get worried.

btw, at least 4 members on this forum alone have experienced the joy of a new engine due to this - read the German forums as well: problem present there as well.

 

You can't renounce to get the 545i because some of them had a problem!

The B3 ... is only a 3 series.

Go with your 545i!

 

never had any problems with the car.

BMW 545i is a great car!

By the way bmw545ii, skylolow, and paneristi can ya'll put down your locations, to help out with understanding of where everyone is coming from.

 

Despite the good experience with this engine I am still worried about the bad experience with even engine replacements. Because of the fact that the car I want to buy will have much kilometers/miles and be some years old so it doesn't fall under warranties any more and I have to import the car so I can't go back to the dealer where I bought the car I must have a car with no problems. Due to the problems some experienced with the engine ticking I think it is to much of a risk to buy a 545i.

Other cars on my list where:

BMW M5 e39 (bit of worried about the fuel consumption)
BMW M3 e46 (not very rare, there are many cars for sale on the web)
Alpina B3S (hard to find)
Alpina B10 V8s (hard to find, bit of worried about the fuel consumption)

I also see many M-cars on the web for sale with a NEW engine. So have M-cars also common engine problems?

As you can see at the moment I don't have an idea which car is the best for me.

 

/me bored ... :thumbsdown:

 

+1

 

Every car you look at I can guarntee you'll find people who have had engine replacements in the car. Cars aren't maintance free items that never ever have issues. Remeber when looking on forums on the net you'll usually hear about the horror stories, thats how many start posting in the first place. By looking for answers for issues there having. Even Lexus, Toyota, Honda, and Acura who are generally all regarded as being "bullet proof" cars will seem like problem childs when you read through their respective forums.

Bottom line is there really isn't any wide spread problems with the 5 series. Earlier models had some issues that simple software updates fixed and that has been about it.