8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,000
Average Mileage:
81,700 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. new oil drive chain (3 reports)
  2. engine needs to be replaced (1 reports)
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problem #4

May 312019

528 LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,050 miles

This was a car I leased and then bought. I have always had issues with car stalling. The problem has worsened and anytime I took it to the dealership they said they could find no issues. I have been stalled out on roads and freeway. In May the issue was worsening and I took it to another dealership. They said the oil was sludge-like. They accused me of not changing the oil frequently enough. They said there was shards of metal in the oil filter. I then had the car towed to a private shop that works on BMW and Mercedes. They changed the oil twice and found no shards of metal, no nothing. Then I took it in to the dealership in Beaverton OR where I bought the vehicle because they have been calling and sending letters asking me to trade the car in.

I took it on 9/24/2019 and they called me and said the oil was like sludge. I questioned how could this be as it has not been 3000 miles since the oil was changed last, so what the heck. They then called and said it was the VANOS system. I have had the car towed to the dealership for years and they have blown the issue off. I do medicine, ie: OBGYN, and cannot afford to be stuck on the road in the middle of the night nor should anyone for that matter. I had a third market warranty bought through the dealership which will not cover the expense to repair the car. This is absurd. I need help. The problem is I have bought BMWs for years and this is upsetting. Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

Nan Macy

- Nancy M., Newberg, OR, US

problem #3

Apr 052022

528 I

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,600 miles

Took vehicle to BMW dealership in McAllen, Texas, for oil leak. They identified it as a leaking oil pan gasket. As a good consumer, I shopped my prices and found a certified BMW mechanic at significantly less cost. Had the work done there - and in the process, shop owner found timing chain guard clips loose in oil pan. He indicated that he could not safely put the oil pan back on with the timing chain broken. In the process he mentioned there was a class action lawsuit on the issue with the A20 Motor and Oil pump.

I contacted BMW North America in Columbus. They said if I were to ask BMW to pay for the service, I would have to do it at a dealership. I contacted BMW again and asked for them to escalate my issue. Based on your experience, will BMW reimburse me for work completed at a certified BMW mechanic from the lawsuit directive? Thank you. Tom Gresback 469-585-4543

- Thomas G., Dallas, US

problem #2

Apr 192019

528

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

Drivetrain Malfunction warning light appeared, took to Herrin-Gear dealership where purchased, the code was checked, oil serviced and cleared for release.

10 weeks later, same light appeared and car died/stopped in 5 o'clock traffic. Had car towed to dealership and was told the engine needed to be replaced due to timing chain failure, metal shavings, etc. $12,500. I now know that this is an extremely common issue, which BMW N America has acknowledged per the extended warranty offered on this and related parts.

Unfortunately, the extension is 7 yrs or 70k miles, which seems to be the magic number favorable to BMW. My car was at 74k miles, which seems to be the case with most folks....all over 70k miles. The Service Mgr appealed to BMW NA, but after reviewing my case, it was denied. The reason noted was that one of my oil changes was just past the 10k miles. All others were under the 10k miles, but for this one, I must've waited till the light came on. Dealerships are already challenged enough escaping the car sales stigma, but BMW is forcing their service departments into disappointing their local customer base and drive away repeat business.

This could've resulted in a serious accident. In addition to the enormous amount of issues just like mine reported here and all over the web, there is a class action lawsuit in progress for the same.

I purchased this CPO vehicle as my first and LAST BMW. The company should be embarrassed and ashamed of this negligence.

- Brad O., Madison, MS, US

problem #1

Mar 082019

528

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

The car was pre-owned and certified with 50,000 when I bought it. I had just pulled out of my driveway when I got a drive chain malfunction alert, and to stop the engine immediately and don't drive. While the car sat waiting for tow truck, it was very difficult then to get into neutral and took many tries to start it so that we could get it onto the tow truck. Found out the oil drive train that basically provides oil to the engine broke. The cost is at least $5000 to fix it. From reading many similar stories about this problem, this has happened to many 528i owners, and for some, they were in much more dangerous situations when the car stopped. At least I was only in my driveway. We are asking our local BMW dealer if they will consider my case and cut back on repair costs since I'm out of warranty..

- NR B., Santa Fe, NM, US