As one of the most popular luxury sedans on the market, the BMW 5 series is known for its performance, style, and comfort.
However, BMWs have a reputation for poor reliability, so If you’re thinking about buying a used BMW 5 series with some serious mileage on the clock, you’re probably wondering how long you can expect it to last, and what kind of repairs you can expect.
How Long Do BMW 5 Series Last?
With proper care and maintenance, a BMW 5 Series can easily reach 150k miles before it needs any major repairs. That said, many BMW 5 Series owners have upwards of 200-300k miles on the clock without experiencing any major issues.
Factors That Effect how Long Your BMW 5 Series WIll Last
Maintence
However, the question is how much you’ll spend on maintenance it to get it to that point.
Nathan (from Nathans BMW Workshop) is a BMW expert and explains that to get any BMW to 200,000+ miles is pretty easy, but getting a BMW to 200,00 miles without doing regular maintenance and repairs is impossible.
He says that you should only buy a used BMW with the aim of taking it past 100k miles if you have some knowledge or want to learn how to maintain and fix it yourself. If you don’t, the cost of maintaining a BMW after 100k miles will get expensive very quickly if you have to ask someone else to do all the work for you.
This is why you hear many people claim that you should ditch BMW once it hits 100k miles.
Doing repairs and maintenance yourself is much easier than you might think. There are loads of great tutorials on YouTube that show you how to make simple repairs. You simply need to type in the error code or issue that you’re facing, and you’ll get a step-by-step video on how to repair it.
Should You Buy A BMW 5 Series With 100k Miles on The Clock?
There’s no reason why you can’t buy a 5 series with 100k miles on the clock. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Firstly, make sure that you’re buying the car from someone who took care of it and serviced it regularly. 85% of new BMW owners buy them and run them into the ground before selling them for a new model. If you’re buying a used BMW with 100k miles on the clock, you want to be buying from someone from the remaining 25%, who was meticulous about servicing and maintenance. You should be able to tell this by looking at the service history and cross-checking it against the recommended servicing schedule. Of course, you can also ask the owner.
Secondly, if you don’t want to spend a fortune on maintenance, you need to be prepared to perform some of the maintenance yourself. Again, most of this can be easily learned via YouTube.
If you’re not willing or able to do the maintenance yourself, check out my article on the cheapest BMWs to maintain.
How To Make Your BMW 5 Series Last Longer
Regular preventative maintenance is key to ensuring your BMW 5 Series lasts well beyond the 100k miles mark.
The BMW Fanatic YouTube channel does an excellent job of explaining what is required here. The presenter owns a 2008 BMW 335i with 155k miles on the clock which he bought with 92k on the clock.
BMW Fanatic YouTube BMW Maintenance Tips
He recommends giving your BMW a thorough “tune-up” when it hits the 100k miles mark to prevent wear and tear leading to more serious issues. This includes changing the spark plugs, air filter, and fuel filter.
Of course, you should always look at the service schedule of your particular model, but here are the general recommendations for BMWs:
1. Change the oil and filter every 5k-7k miles using a high-quality synthetic oil
2. Change the spark plugs every 60k miles
3. Inspect the brakes and rotors every 25,000 miles and replace them as necessary
4. Keep an eye on the tire pressure and alignment
5. Replace the air filters every 12,000 miles or once a year
5. Replace the fuel filters every 30k miles
7. Adjust the valves every 15-20k miles where applicable
8. Replace the timing belt every 50k miles (5 years)
9. Use only approved BMW parts and fluids for repairs and maintenance
10. Keep your car clean inside and out to prevent rust corrosion
11. Use OEM parts rather than aftermarket parts
12. Make sure your maintenance is up to date before you add any modifications
13. Change the brake fluid every year
Keeping on top of maintenance and doing regular preventative before a part fails is key to keeping your BMW 5 Series running like new.
How Long Do BMW 5 Series Parts Last?
Battery
BMW 5 series batteries are designed to last for the lifetime of the vehicle. However, like all car batteries, they will eventually need to be replaced. The average lifespan of a BMW 5 series battery is around 8 years. However, this can vary depending on a number of factors, including driving habits and weather conditions. In general, though, you can expect your BMW 5 series battery to last for many years to come.
Engine
On average, a BMW 5 series engine will last for between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. However, some engines may last much longer, while others may need to be replaced sooner. The best way to extend the life of your engine is to keep up with regular maintenance, such as oil changes and tune-ups.
Brakes
BMW 5 Series brakes are designed to last for the life of the vehicle. However, the pads and rotors may need to be replaced after approximately 70,000 miles. With proper maintenance, however, the brakes can last much longer. Regularly inspect the pads and rotors for wear and tear, and have them replaced as needed.
In addition, keep the brake system clean and free of debris. This will help to prevent premature wear and extend the life of the brakes. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your BMW 5 Series brakes will last for many miles to come.
Tires
BMW tire warranties usually last between 2 and 4 years. BMW recommends that drivers check their tires every 10,000 miles and replace them when they reach the minimum tread depth of 4/32″. If you keep your tires inflated to the correct pressure, it’s not uncommon for BMW 5 Series tires to last 50,000 miles or more. Of course, several factors can shorten the lifespan of your 5 Series tires, including regularly driving in extreme conditions, driving aggressively, or w
Conclusion
If you’re thinking about buying a new or used 5 series, you can expect it to last for 100k miles without too many major issues. At 100k miles, it’s likely that the car will have endured significant wear and tear, so you’ll want to give it a good check-over and perform preventive maintenance to ensure that it lasts until 200k miles without any issues.
If you are planning on buying a used BMW with a few thousand miles on the clock, make sure that you are buying from someone who has treated it well. Most people will buy a new BMW, do absolutely no maintenance whatsoever, and then sell it at 40-60k miles when they’re bored with it. That’s why it’s so important to look at the service history of the car before buying it.