Everything WRONG with my E39 528i (The Most Reliable BMW?)

Today, we're throwing my 1998 528i on the lift to inspect and diagnose what some of these common E39 issues are! We've got noises, rust, and warnings to take care of! Watch until the end to see an estimate of all the parts we need to buy!
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[@christersundin773]

This brings back memories! My father had a '98 528i that he claimed was the best car he ever had (and I think he was right). Sadly, it was totalled in an accident.

[@crucifixxfilms]

Same here my dad had a 98 528i, he was the reason I have a passion for the e39’s.

[@ИванИванов-л3ы7в]

Also brings back memories about Sezam street:D

[@erniearambula3525]

I just drove my 98 528i 386 miles to Vegas and I averaged 35 miles per gallon, a soild ride no wind noise no shimmy shaking average speed 85 - 90 it's a great car no major or minor repairs although the auto trans needs fluid and filter change.

[@metinquliyev666]

Man i have BMW E39 too, but it's reliable and works great, go to the service fix all those problems and your car will be okay They are great cars and I know that car will be a monster when you keep taking care of it

[@TheBimmerBarn]

My favorite car too! It's like a German crown vic! (but more luxurious obviously)

[@andrewrodriguez7678]

as a previous e46 owner of (4) im looking for another bmw and im leaning towards e39 528i always had a soft spot for them and i think now that im “finally out” of the coupe era im gonna scoop one of these up this week

[@LogicIsDumb]

As for the seat height twist issue, there's actually two motors that have 4 cables that can twist. One controls the seatback which is common however the other motor controls that rear height adjustment. If the gears were bad you'd hear clicking. Its the exact same repair as the seatback however it is a bit tighter to get at. When you reassemble it, make sure the seat lies flat on some good level concrete/hard surface. I did mine on carpet and it took a couple tries so the seat rails didn't sit askew.

[@captainLoknar]

what do you do if gears are bad? I'm stuck with this repair (twisting back rest) for a month

[@LogicIsDumb]

@@captainLoknar you can pull the gearbox and replace individual gears with ones from a junked seat

[@tonychamoun2970]

I would keep the rear trunk spoiler

[@SkittleNutz77]

6:05 Motors are fine. The lining of the cable expands over the years and the actual metal cable that is supposed to spin in the motor is no longer connected due to the sheath expansion. There are 2 motors under the seat, one that controls the up/down and the other that controls the backrest. Remove the seat, the cable running to the motor all the way on top will be the gear that controls up/down. Cut about 1 inch of sheathing somewhere in the middle, to accommodate room to allow the metal to enter the groove -- this way you do not have to take out where it is connected... which I did and was the long way. But if it is twisted... you may have to take it out from the motor to straighten it out before placing your seat back. I used my e-drill connected the the wire and made everything level. DM me if you want bro!

[@clausfkvist]

Just bought a 528i e39 sedan with air suspension awesome car. 345000 km know all problems regards to e39 great car

[@TomPatching]

I had a similar issue with my keys. Turned out that someone had used the emergency fuel flap release in the boot of the car, but hadn't reset the cable properly. I reset the cable and then re-synced the keys to the car and it's worked fine since!

[@TheBimmerBarn]

Thanks for sharing, I hope this helps someone!

[@ENERGYCORP]

Wow it's so rare to see E39 with no rust.

[@KC97220]

Funny my e39 has been the least reliable. I did only buy it for $1400 but with 150,000miles. Finally getting it running great, but the drivers side window regulator and mpg leave more to be desired. Still love it!

[@Justin-ld6jz]

I'm pretty sure that is an aftermarket new rack and pinion from Atlantic automotive. I have one on my e39 and it has been doing well. I also spoke with a parts distributor and they said of the 30 something units they sold that year they haven't had any issues.

[@reinikesretro]

Just found your videos. Nice. I've had a 1998 528i for a few years and quit driving it when it wouldn't start. Lately, I've been getting it road worthy again. Fuel pump was replaced and replaced all of the window regulators, too much to list but am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel here. The odo reads 194K but it still runs like a top. Serviced the trans also as when I bought it, it wasn't shifting right. Which is probably why it was $800. But hey, fun car. The only thing I don't like is that it's automatic. Lol

[@TheBimmerBarn]

These cars are timeless 👌 good luck with your resto!

[@zaurkomachkov520]

Great video! I really enjoyed this longer less edited style. I vote for no spoiler, it just doesn't really match the iconic e39 styling. Also, if you don't have a use for that wood trim panel @ 22:55 and if it's from the driver's side, I would love to buy it from you.

[@TheBimmerBarn]

DM/email me! I think I have all the front pieces

[@PBrooksSawyer]

Oh man, that exhaust job..... was rough...

[@jw200]

Im looking to buy E39. Owned 5 E36s. I still love E36 but i would like to try E39. They say it's like BMWs best car ever made. Comfy and reliable if taken care. Never drove E39. But I have few ads I found that are worth to look. Im in EU, good car prices start at 2500€ and up. All lower of this price are pretty much garbage.

[@rayray3009]

Great car. just curious have you ever recovered a steering wheel? for $50, a fresh cover on the steering wheel would really dress up that interior

[@TheBimmerBarn]

I may have found one at the junkyard recently... ;)

[@pugs1377]

Zero to 60 did a recover vid on his e92. Turned out good. I think mewant is the brand he got.

[@JP212nyc]

very chaotic this guy, a great car deserves better.

[@kimkimpa5150]

I know next to nothing about car repair and maintenance, but the... things... in the upper left hand corner at 21:41 looks to be cracked. What is that, and why is it cracked? Otherwise, very informative video! I'm getting my drivers license in a few months hopefully, and my first car will definitely be an E39, probably one of the entry models.

[@TheBimmerBarn]

Good eye! That's the foam insulation for the secondary air pump system hose! It dries up and disintegrates as you see, but there's a more robust plastic hose underneath, so it stills functions as originally intended. Thanks for watching, Kim! I wish you the best luck finding a good E39, it would definitely make a good first car :)

[@bbkingwasthegreatest711]

Looks like you need a new valve cover I think they crack and warp and it opens up when the engine gets hot, replaced my gasket three times and used lots and lots of silicone which never worked finally put a new cover on and no more leaking burning and foul smell. If you have that leak, oil burning and foul smell do yourself a favour and change the valve cover it happens to every BMW with these engines, it is simply a design flaw.

[@VWRICH23]

ALSO MINI COOPERS LOL... SAME PROBLEM WITH ONE I OWNED

[@youngchromosome4828]

Dope video bro I like this

[@Bchara-Knio]

keep up the hard work👍

[@hunterswanson-yo2pe]

My passenger side seat does that I also have a E 39

[@michaelnelson9140]

Lose the spoiler!

[@bonperal]

I sort of like the spoiler....QUESTION...what service manual do you use? Do you have a favorite?

[@TheBimmerBarn]

If you're looking for something that's well organized, and you can physically hold/own it, I'd look at the Bentley Service Manuals. If you want more technical jargon available online, I use newtis (you have to make an account but its free). Hope that helps, Von :)

[@LukaJebo]

where did u order new parts from for ur e39?

[@TheBimmerBarn]

FCP Euro or RM European

[@tonychamoun2970]

Nice video

[@markwilliamson4834]

Where do you sell these cars?

[@TheBimmerBarn]

Facebook Marketplace! Gets the most amount of eyes, and it's easy to share to the relevant groups where the bmw enthusiasts hang out.

[@rnldmanuel88]

Bolts that hold steering column could be loose

[@TheBimmerBarn]

I hope that's the problem 😄

[@Sankara-Setu-Mutanda-75]

Yes its the bolt. Mine had that issue

[@timcronin8308]

So how much did you sell this car for. I hav a 99 in a little better condition.

[@TheBimmerBarn]

I think it was 4k, hope that helps!

[@timcronin8308]

@@TheBimmerBarn Thanks!

[@iiplaya]

where do you find an e39

[@TheBimmerBarn]

Craigslist, Facebook marketplace for the good deals! I like to buy the fixer uppers, but if you want something in better condition you should join your local facebook BMW groups because enthusiasts usually list their cars there first, and you'll probably find something taken care of (for more money of course).

[@iiplaya]

@@TheBimmerBarn agh it burns because the fixer uppers cost unnecessary amounts of money just to buy them off someone. I’ll just stick to fixing the free 545 and see what happens

[@VWRICH23]

DID IT SELL ?

[@TheBimmerBarn]

It SOLD! haha

[@bernardoomar]

Change the vanos

[@markc3884]

Those keys are a pain in the ass

[@GrigorKaza]

There’s an easy solution to an unreliable e39: get a 530i

[@arikschaeffler2864]

My e39 got 281k 😂 with no cel

[@hanzkranz1319]

523i is the reliable one

[@maikelnait4495]

Interesting, why is that? Better than 525 and 528 ?

[@WhiteWizzard]

Lol 97/98 528 with single vanos and iron block is the king of reliability on BMW. All will have some things here and there over time in the electrical and things like window regulators etc … but the drivetrain is tops, A pre sept 97 manual has the better clutch and will go forever. Bullet proof drivetrain and iron block.

[@RobertDooley-sl7cp]

These are total garbage. Really small engine and very slow. I used to jump mine for fun when my GS400 was being worked on. These suck as do E30's, do not waste your money on them. They are cheap for a reason.

[@WhiteWizzard]

You are so wrong lol …the 5 speed version is fantastic. The auto was a little sluggish but not 5 speed. The 97/98 drivetrain is bullet proof and these chassis have the best feel of any luxury car from any era. The 540/6 and M5 are also tops,

[@RobertDooley-sl7cp]

@@WhiteWizzard Yeah, bullet proof because they have no power. I had a 52i as a hand me down for a year before I got my GS400. It was a nothing car. And it was new at the time, you are talking about these pieces of crap that is 25 years old. LOL, get an M5 bud.

[@GregNJP]

I'd smack u up

[@myeditedhandle]

these are luxury sedans, especially the ones that aren’t 540i or M5s Don’t expect it to be amazing when you don’t change any of it.

[@jacobrodriguez9022]

I don't know man my 528i has like 297,000 miles on it and no check engine light 😂 I think you're probably mistaken cuz ive had it for five years and everytime I drive it I'm going at least 95 only thing ive done is brakes coils and an ignition switch