1998 BMW 5-Series Problems and Repair Histories
1998 BMW 5-Series problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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BMW 5-Series
1998 BMW 5-Series for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 1998 BMW 5-Series problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 1998 BMW 5-Series problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 1998 BMW 5-Series problems and repair histories that follow it.
BMW 5-Series Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 1998 | BMW 5-Series | 11 5-Series, 7.5 months of data per 5-Series, average 151900 miles Small sample size. Join or 11 5-Series, 7.5 months of data per 5-Series, average 151900 miles Small sample size. sign in to view |
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Non-members can see only ten 1998 BMW 5-Series problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
1998 BMW 5-Series
Engine not specified
| BMW in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2013 | 134000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2013 | 134000 | 120 | ignition coil on cylinder 1 malfunctioned, causing misfire. |
| BMW in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 81000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2011 | 82500 | 320 | Thermostat housing was leaking according to the independent mechanic shop i brought my car too. Thermostat housing was replaced with an aluminum one, original was plastic valve cover gasket appeared to be leaking at 82,000 miles, not sure how well mechanic fixed the issue |
| Sep | 2012 | 86000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2011 | 243000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2012 | 245000 | 50 | Had an oil leak from the vanos line. |
| Feb | 2012 | 245000 | 150 | a bolt holding the hydraulic tensioner failed. |
| BMW in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2010 | 117800 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2010 | 119040 | 800 | exhaust manifold has to be replaced. Spark plugs were also replaced |
| Jan | 2011 | 120280 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2011 | 115940 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 116560 | 1600 | Replace leaking valve cover gaskets Replace front upper control arms. Worn bushings caused front end vibration at speed. Replace worn out front brake pads and rotors. Replace spark plugs. Replace broken rear left sway bar drop link. |
| Jun | 2012 | 118420 | 0 | Coolant leak to outside. Replaced leaking gaskets around valley pan and rear coolant accumulator. Also replace all heater hoses and o-rings. Air intake leak causing long cranks to start and occasional rough idle. Replaced intake manifold gaskets and fasteners, rear manifold cover (oil diaphragm), TB gaskets. Clean intake manifold, ICV, MAF, fuel injectors. Replace blower motor resistor (FSU) Power steering fluid leak. Replace hose clamps at PS reservoir. |
| Oct | 2012 | 120880 | 600 | Replace malfunctioning starter Replace leaking lower oil pan gasket Diagnose rough 2-1 downshift Diagnose slight steering wheel shimmy at speed and under braking |
| Jan | 2013 | 122140 | 100 | High idle speed condition. Replace accelerator cable and idle control valve. |
| May | 2013 | 122140 | 150 | Engine oil leak. Replace valve cover gaskets and upper timing cover gaskets. |
| BMW in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 203000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2013 | 221700 | 140 | Left front lower control arm replaced due to wear. |
| Apr | 2013 | 223000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
1998 BMW 5-Series 4-door
6-cylinder manual 2WD
| BMW in Nova Scotia, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2010 | 190340 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2012 | 202740 | 0 | Driver side door brake broke when caught by wind gust Residual heat waterpump/valve has intermittent failures, need to replace it, purchased replacement still need to install it. |
| Jun | 2012 | 207700 | 200 | part 3332677742 RR suspension link replaced due to wear and tear, was getting a bit loose in the joints |
| Jul | 2012 | 208940 | 40 | Muffler hanger broke, and replaced. |
| Oct | 2012 | 212040 | 120 | Battery is over 7 yrs old (AC Delco) and since car is no longer driven everyday and no longer stored in garage, playing it safe and make my winterbeater reliable. |
| Mar | 2013 | 213280 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2010 | 120000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2010 | 120000 | 3000 | My water pump seized (pump was only 3 years old) and fried the accessory drive system, including the entire AC system and thermostat. |
| Jan | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2010 | 184000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2011 | 185000 | 162 | The engine overheated recently, called the repair facility to schedule an appointment. They replaced the thermostat, thermostat housing, coolant hose and the a/c belt. |
1998 BMW 5-Series 4-door
6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| BMW in Belgium | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2010 | 120900 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2010 | 121520 | 0 | Dealer had to change the light bulb. Otherwise no problems at all. |
| Dec | 2010 | 121520 | 200 | The dealer had to replace the sensor that permits the working of the crankcase. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2010 | 129000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2010 | 129000 | 600 | The vehicle started out with the water temperature gauge malfunctioning which they went away after 10 minutes of driving. The temperature gauge continue to malfunction until the radiator started leaking coolant. Radiator was then replaced. |
| May | 2011 | 135000 | 227 | Vehicle had three leaks: One Power Steering Leak and Two Oil Leaks. The power steering leak was fixed temporarily but the two oil leaks were too expensive to fix. |
| Jul | 2011 | 136000 | 0 | Oil leaks when sold. |
| BMW in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2010 | 107000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2010 | 109000 | 120 | Radiator hose broken. Replace broken hose & another noted old & flush coolant. |
| Feb | 2011 | 106000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW in New Caledonia | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 50220 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2011 | 67580 | 230 | Rear rhd window lift failure, (iron cable). Fix it the day, with the replacement of the window lift. |
| Aug | 2012 | 72540 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
1998 BMW 5-Series 2-door
6-cylinder manual 2WD
| BMW in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 176700 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2011 | 177320 | 11000 | clutch fan seized and exploded: new clutch fan installed new fan installed, new radiator installed, new fan shroud installed dent to hood (from exploding fan) not repaired |
| Mar | 2013 | 191580 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
Expert 1998 BMW 5-Series Repair Advice
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