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Hi I am new to the 5 series forum but not new to BMW. My wife has driven several 2-E29's an E34, 2-E39'S and currently an E60. The current car is an 04 525I with the M54B25 motor. Needless to say my wife likes the 5 series cars, she feels safe. I am thinking about buying a 2008 528i any suggestions or warnings.
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My Ride: E60 550i (LCI), G12 740Li, F02 750Li (LCI) (sold), E60 520d (LCI) (sold), E39 540i (sold), E34 535i (sold), E28 520i (sold)
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Hi I am new to the 5 series forum but not new to BMW. My wife has driven several 2-E29's an E34, 2-E39'S and currently an E60. The current car is an 04 525I with the M54B25 motor. Needless to say my wife likes the 5 series cars, she feels safe. I am thinking about buying a 2008 528i any suggestions or warnings.
The E60 is a much more modern and refined car. Sure, it may lack the 'connectedness' that you got with the E39, but given the right specification/condition - it can be just as fun to drive. Definitely get an LCI. The straight 6s are generally reliable. In terms of overall performance and reliability, the 528i is a good choice. If you're in a country where diesel cars are used, the 530d is a great choice as well. The 520d is very good but you should get one with the M47 instead of the N47 (to avoid timing chain issues - you can get a mid 2007 car that's essentially a hybrid - an LCI but with an M47 motor (as I owned). Very reliable engine as long as it's serviced regularly (has some minor known issues that are easily rectifiable - e.g. swirl flaps etc.)).
In terms of the 6 cylinder petrol turbo models (e.g. 535i) - there are known problems (e.g. HPFP etc) - and I would generally avoid them if reliability is your main concern. Same goes with the 550i - I currently own one and regularly maintain it, but the N62 is known to have some common problems. The M5 is a whole different story - rod bearings, throttle actuators etc - lots of known issues with the V10 and it's not great from a maintenance/reliability perspective.
it's safe to say that age related issues may crop up on the E60 as well (albeit less frequently) - and I would therefore recommend one of the later LCI models (on the whole). Furthermore, being a BMW owner yourself, you know that service history is essential to any used BMW.
Make to take it for a good spin. When I bought the E60 550i, I performed a comprehensive inspection and all looked to be okay - however, driving the car home, I immediately experienced transmission failure and had to replace/refurbish the Mechatronic unit in the gearbox (at a significant expense).
In conclusion, can't go wrong with a well maintained, LCI 528i.
![](https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series.net-vbulletin/720x1600/img_20210704_wa0053_5492e5ee9c184e9f13234ce615d7139331d41945.jpg)
E39 Sold. 550i on the right.
![](https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series.net-vbulletin/1500x2000/img_1276_c96fb31eb9c3ab9feeb5575b5a04124267bd98dd.jpg)
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Sold
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Sold.
![](https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series.net-vbulletin/1500x2000/img_2717_1c4bdd2c2ac7bf2fe64fdb15feec30d67435a3e3.jpg)
Sold. Great car.
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