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by bshattucknh
Apr 24, 2011 (Not Yet Rated)
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes 
Pros: Options, heated steering wheel, motorized tilt steering, LOW used prices, reasonably priced parts (DIY)
Cons: Expensive to hire a mechanic, parts that fail because of design nonsense.
The Bottom Line: WORTH EVERY PENNY! Don't miss an opportunity to own a BMW 5 Series!
Well, I waited 20 years to get a BMW and shopped for value and options. I decided on the 1997 BMW 528i because of the upper class luxury compared to the 3 Series without the bulk and gas guzzling 7 series. The car is EVERYTHING I could want! I have no ... read more
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by mitch1340
Nov 3, 2007 (A Helpful review)
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes
Pros: performance, comfort, quietness (radio off), styling,
Cons: dealer service, fussy little glitches, sound system
The Bottom Line: As with Harley Davidsons, if i have to explain, you wouldn't understand.
This is my first BMW and although I have driven may cars before, I have not owned that many because both my wife and I seem to get somehow attached to vehicles and keep them for many years more then the average folks. I actually had an opportunity to ... read more
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by jonster
Oct 22, 2006 - Updated Feb 19, 2008 (A Helpful review)
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes
Pros: Silky engine and transmission; elegant looks that outclass anything in the category.
Cons: Electrical things like headlights keep needing replacement; cup-holder, a common complaint; BMW dealerships.
The Bottom Line: I recommend that you buy this model. It's the first year of the redesign and looks better than the newer cars.
I am updating this review after having owned my '97 BMW 528i for four years in order to give you an idea of the kind of pleasures and problems I have experienced with it during that time. The car is now over 10 years old and has 108,500 on it. When I ... read more
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by kurbs
Nov 12, 2003 - Updated Dec 5, 2003 (A Helpful review)
Author's Product Rating: 40 Recommended: Yes
Pros: Sharp looking, sleek, fun, and comfortable.
Cons: Cupholders and stock stereo not the best quality.
The Bottom Line: Cannot go wrong with this car. Just don't use the dealer for service.
The 5 series was discontinued in 1995, with a fully re-engineered 528/540 series car. Since I have owned other BMW cars, I had something to compare it to. My last BMW was a 1995 325i that was a joy to drive anywhere and surprisingly roomy. My first ... read more
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by vjgtrybno1
Dec 8, 2001 (A Somewhat Helpful review)
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes
Pros: Awesome driving experience...safety features... braking... holds its value
Cons: Expensive to maintain... cupholders are pathetic...
The Bottom Line: A car with marvelous performance that is a pain in the neck sometimes. I love to drive, this car is the best I've ever had. I'll live with the cupholders!!
I guess I always wanted a great touring sedan. I had a 1983 Pontiac 6000 STE, which I loved and I was suckered into a 1993 Eagle Vision, which I hated. It didn't take long to settle on the BMW 5 car. The German cars feel distinctly different from the ... read more
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by thedentist
Aug 7, 2001 (A Very Helpful review)
Author's Product Rating: 10 Recommended: No 
Pros: The car is a bmw, it will impress the neighbors
Cons: Your wallet better be thick for repairs
The Bottom Line: The 97 5 series is at its best when standing perfectly still, don't ruin it and drive it somewhere.
Let me start by saying my last car was a honda prelude. It was at 100000 miles and was a good car. Now my 97 BMW 5 series is not doing so well. Let me begin by listing the repairs since owning it:
Alarm system too sensitive, picked up motion of dust ... read more
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by trbovich
Nov 30, 2000 (A Somewhat Helpful review)
Author's Product Rating: 20 Recommended: No
Pros: Handling
Cons: Faulty electrical system, safety hazards
My wife and I bought this vehicle as a result of the "BMW Challenge" event wherein we test drove 4 roughly equivalent cars around a test track. Clearly the 528 handled better and had better power than the others: Mercedes, Acura and Volvo. Had ... read more
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by mduckie
Nov 8, 2000 (A Helpful review)
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes
Pros: Great safety, handling, interior
Cons: Not really any cons that I can think of
INTRO
I absolutely love my BMW 528i. It is one of the best cars I have ever been in. It handles like a dream, has a comfortable and spacious interior, and also looks magnificent. The V6 engine gives it quite a bit of acceleration.
... read more
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by dbw001
Jul 18, 2000 (A Very Helpful review)
Author's Product Rating: 30 Recommended: No
Pros: Drives beautifully
Cons: Poor reliability and customer service experience
The 528 is a beautiful car, but mine was a lemon. It drives extremely well, is very comfortable and is solid. But...it was in the shop 20 times in 2 years for a host of mostly minor but extraordinarily irritating problems. What was most galling was ... read more
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by jimhaley
Apr 5, 2000 (A Helpful review)
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes
Pros: handling and quiet ride
Cons: none
I bought a 1997 5.28 i and I find every excuse in the world to drive it. It handles like a gem and has great pick-up. Very quiet ride. Many a time I have glanced down at the speedometer and been shocked at how fast I was going. Very luxurious. You ... read more
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by cha2568636
Mar 27, 2000 (A Very Helpful review)
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes
Pros: Superior safety in an accident
Cons: nothing worth mentioning
Unfortunately, we were recently involved in an auto accident. The lucky part is that we were in a 540. After having gone through what we did, I can't say enough positives about this car.
As far as the accident went, we were rear ended on one ... read more
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by TDC
Mar 23, 2000 - Updated Mar 7, 2001 (A Very Helpful review)
Author's Product Rating: 10 Recommended: No
Pros: Great Drive
Cons: Hyundai has better quality
The Bottom Line: A major disappointment to a four time BMW owner. A very poor quality product. Believe it may be the trend of BMW. Stay Away, save yourself some money.
Why did I buy this vehicle, simple, I was a three time BMW owner; a 1982 320i driven to 150k miles, 1988 325is driven to 100k miles, and a 1990 525ia driven to 110k miles. All were great rides and great cars with minimum issues. The 525ia was a little ... read more
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by Stephen_K
Feb 4, 2000 (A Helpful review)
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes
Pros: An exhilerating experience
Cons: reasonably expensive
Well, I can not really complain about this sedan. If you have ever driven a BMW or a Mercedes, then you probably have a good idea what it feels like to drive this car. This car handles like a German sedan, and, well, nothing else that I have ever ... read more
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by mjsmith3
Dec 31, 1999 (A Very Helpful review)
Author's Product Rating: 50 Recommended: Yes
Pros: phenomenal acceleration, handling
Cons: back seat room
The BMW 540i 6-speed is all the reviews said it would be. The label “ultimate luxury sports sedan” is hard to live up to but after driving one for over two years I can attest that it is a true statement.
BMW’s appeal to those who enjoy the ... read more
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by rajanwadhwani
Sep 8, 1999 - Updated Sep 10, 1999 (A Very Helpful review)
Author's Product Rating: 40 Recommended: Yes
Pros: Driving it gets me aroused
Cons: Too many small problems, expensive to maintain
I love:
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Driving this car gets me aroused! Before buying, I test drove the Mercedes E320 which is a great car. The 528i made me feel 25 yrs. old, the Mercedes 50!
Watch the speedometer though. I got a $150 speeding ticket 2 ... read more
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| Epinions Express Reviews |
528i : A fabulous piece of machinery
by stephen29
Oct 14, 2008 (Show)
Author's Product Rating: 50
Recommended: Yes
Pros: Good off the line acceleration
Excellant handling and braking
Will top out at 134 mph
Cons: - Need to change the hydrolic brake lines to the woven metal material
This car is my second car. Before it I drove a pontiac bonniville SSEi and wow. The BMW is by far the ultimate driving machine. Even with that small 190 hp engine your in for the ride of your life. It has superb handling in corners and with the 4-wheel
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This BMW will make you fall in love!
by jeffalemay
Mar 4, 2005 (Show)
Author's Product Rating: 50
Recommended: Yes
Pros: Handling, speed, and clean look.
Cons: None to report yet.
I've owned cars, trucks, and classics and nothing compares to my 97' BMW 528. It not only looks sexy inside and out but the handling is unbelievable. I recently purchased Michellins and the ride is unmatched to anything I have ever driven. It isn't
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You will love the car until the repair bills drive you crazy!
by lightyear
Jan 28, 2004 (Show)
Author's Product Rating: 30
Recommended: No
Pros: Smooth Power, quiet ride, solid feel
Cons: Maintenance cost, standard stereo on a $52000 car that is pitiful
I purchased a used 540ia in 2001 with 48k miles. The ride and power is great and I felt like I owned the best car made, then, the water pump needed to be replaced at 53k miles. Next, the radiator at 58k, the trunk actuator (release mechanism) at 61k,
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