Common Problems To Look For When Buying A Used 96-99 BMW E39 Or A 96-99 BMW E36 With The M52 Engine

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Common Problems To Look For When Buying A Used 96-99 BMW E39 Or A 96-99 BMW E36 With The M52 Engine,

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[mickiblueyesu]

Have owned a 97 528i since 2011. Now 2018. stay on top of Water pump & radiator & replacing periodically. replace your hoses. Only use OEM camshaft and crankshaft sensors. Use Bosch plugs. Doesn't like cheap gas. Use premium. Clean the O2 sensors. Common problems are power steering reservoir leak. 3rd brake light often goes out. Check wiring harness at trunk. Replace overflow reservoir. Hard cooling system to fill. (run and then turn off, fill more. repeat) Use a good quality water pump and thermostat. Use aluminum thermostat housing. replace hood latch cables. My next project is replacing wheel bearings, am at 240k. Love this car. Have a 97 and a 98 for parts. I don't have a car payment so I don't mind the repairs, fairly easy car to work on. Stay away from the stealership. Fuel pump replaced, watch the rubber seal. Replace your gas cap and overflow radiator cap. Still a better driving and performing car than many new cars. replace upper head gasket. Clean your MAF sensor. I also run 20-50 Wt. Oil. One of the first things to check is to see if aux fan comes on with AC. Fan is expensive to replace and will overheat without it. $250.

[alvaroramirez]

Excellent video and advice. I got a e39 523i 1998 with almost 200 k kms . No overheating, no suspension noises, it goes smoothly on my daily route to work and back. You should only check fluid levels (all) periodically. Unfortunately the headlight covers have dimmed and it looks like it suffered from cataracts. (rests in the open). I will make that change soon. It is a magnificent machine and its sporty executive design distinguishes it from today's disposable cars.

[retrocomputeruser]

I have owned my 1998 528i since 2005. Nine years ago it broke down as the crank sensor failed. I managed to get it home as it started again after a while. Six years ago it started to smoke oil when first started but that was just the oil return in the dipstick tube from the crankcase breather that had blocked. Compressed air cleared it after removing the dipstick tube. I have had no other issues and has passed all MOT's with a couple of very minor repairs needed (new wipers, tyres etc).
For a car that is now 22 years old, I am confident this will be the best car in my life.

[JiuJitsuLabs]

Great video and very thorough! Thank you.

A few more items to also check are:

1) Intake leaks
2) Fuel pressure regulator
3) Oil adjusters for camshaft
4) A/C temp sensor
5) 02 sensor

[jeffreykirton]

“Its not really a money thing..its more of a time consuming thing”

- a mechanic

[ferraripure]

BMW black man working I get up early because I'm addicted to working on my e39 it's something about the German engineering that calls me day and night I love it

[The_Touring_Jedi]

About Bosch plugs, I would personally use NGK better quality anyway.

[ernestdavis]

I'll never daily drive my bmw again. I have a Civic for commuting. and a mustang GT convertible as my weekend warrior. I'm going to buy my next bimmer just for driving to class twice a week. I think an E36 would be great for that!!!!

[scottregb]

Great video! I have gone thru just about all of those problems in our '97 Z3. Most recently the water pump failed causing the fan blades to break and ultimately tow truck city! The coolant pipes in the rear of the motor got us before that. There is a coolant pipe under the head that we went ahead and replaced at the same time. That is a night mare to replace. Thanks for the video!

[PaRtYir]

ok pause 0:21 IF YOU SEE THOSE UGLY AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHTS ON THE CAR turn around and never look back

[Tem]

I have had good luck with Hella brand sensors.

[niko]

Original ccv is the best, even works with turbo setup, just unplug it from manifold and connect to turbo inlet with rubber hose. Works like a champ 🤝

[melissat]

I have a BMW z3 2.2 with an m52 engine, I've spent a little over £3000 on repairs but I just love the car-it drives great and never fails to make me smile! It had to have all the tappets? replaced/the lifters, engine had to be pulled apart all 24 of them replaced that was £1500, needed 2 new sensors, serpentine belts replaced, collapsed crankshaft valve and a few other little niggles yet every garage tells me after repairs that the m52 is a great engine and reliable. I love the car to much to part with it which is why I haven't minded it being repaired but is this unusual, have I been really unlucky or are these a common problem at a certain amount of miles?

[dafugees]

Another great video, but especially with the e39 they're leaky cars especially when the sunroof doesn't work, drains back up, all types of electrical nightmares!

[RiddlerG]

It has been 8 years since I sold my e39, looking back I loved that car and poured a lot of money and love into it, but man was it always breaking down. All of these problems in the video + climate control spike piece + windshield wiper motor + death wobble for ages + window regulators + vanos rebuild + airbag faults constantly + the worst wear on tires ever etc. Nice car, but saying you drive a cheap BMW for almost no money is like saying you can gen a cheap Rolex for just 10.000$ but it is a Timex

[jobaser]

Bmw makes reliable cars.I have a E36 318i sedan 1992 first hand and i am very satisfied f using this car.As somebody said depends on how you treat your car...

[vicspeed]

Great Video and very informative!
I'm looking at a '97 528i with 71k miles.

At what point do these issues start showing up? Or is it more of an aging part problem and not so much a mileage/normal wear out issue.

[WoWRasse]

You say it like a cracked head is junk. My machine shop said that they could repair a cracked head. Will that work or what is your experience?
GOOD videos keep it up!

[badboyjose]

i know its fixable it deff not or fan its coming from under the motor by passengers side by exhaust and oil pan thats were i hear it on start up and when i rev motor somewhat over 3000 rpm i dont think its a lifter it would be ticking all the time and yes i work on cars too just need someone who knows these cars .

[Stian]

Change fuel pump, do cooling system and replace all 6 fluids you good to daily. Maybe sensors aswell