The best-selling features of the BMW 523i model are its spacious cabin, comfortable seats, and stylish design. Despite its great appeal to many users, the BMW 523i also comes with a myriad of problems that interested buyers or users should familiarize themselves with.
The BMW 523i has timing chain problems, damaged tensioners, brakes lock up, faulty cooling system, engine failure, and air conditioning issues. Also, some models may have oil leaks, faulty sunroofs, and much more. Thus, before you acquire a 523i model of choice, find out which issues it is likely to have.
What are the common problems with BMW 523i?
Timing chain problem
When you acquire a used BMW 523i model, the first thing to look at is the timing chain guide. Most people don’t maintain properly the timing chain, which ends up snapping. Without proper maintenance, the timing chain will stretch because of internal parts wearing out.
Some of the signs of a bad tensioner are a misfiring engine, engine stalling, and rattling sound. If you notice one of these signs, take your car to a BMW service center for repair and replacement of the damaged timing chain.
Engine failure
The main cause of engine failure on BMW 523i is a faulty thermostat. If the thermostat is bad, it will prevent the coolant from reaching the radiator, making the engine overheat. So, before you buy a used BMW 523i, ensure that the thermostat is in good condition. If not, replace it.
An issue with cooling system
The cooling system maintains the engine temperature throughout for optimal performance. So, if one of the cooling parts is bad or damaged, it will make the engine overheat. In the BMW 523i, the thermostat and water pump wear out faster, affecting how the cooling system works. Find out which part is defective and fix or replace it.
Faulty fuel pump
A faulty fuel pump can lead to poor engine performance, rough idling, and low engine power. Note that most of the fuel pump problems on BMW 523i start after clocking 100,000 miles. Hence, if the car you intend to buy has over 100k miles, ensure to inspect the fuel pump before buying.
Damaged tensioners
Apart from the timing chain snapping, the chain tensioners or guides that are linked to the timing chain may as well as wear out if they are not maintained well. As a result, the tensioners may break down and also cause the timing chain to fail completely.
If you have a bad tensioner, you will hear tensioner noise, pulley ear, rust bleeds and cracks on the tensioner, and tensioner arm misalignment. Ensure to change a bad or damaged tensioner as fast as possible before it affects the timing chain.
Faulty sunroof
Another common problem that BMW 523i users experience is a faulty sunroof. These cars come with a faulty rubber seal that causes water to leak into the car trunk. This seems like a production error but it is fixable. Visit a certified BMW mechanic or technician to help you fix the problem.
Air conditioning problem
This is a very common problem in all BMW 5-Series models. Many users have complained about the fan changing speeds without the driver initiating anything. Besides, the system only blows out cold air on the lower settings.
Brake locks up
The braking system on the BMW 523i is also not very durable as many users have reported problems after clocking over 40,000 miles. Therefore, you should inspect the brake pads, brake calipers, and rotors after every 40,000 miles to ensure that they are replaced or repaired as needed.
FAQ
Is BMW 523i reliable?
No, the BMW 523i is not a reliable car. Many reliability rating agencies like J.D. Power rank it below average. This implies that it registers many more issues than most of its competitors. Besides, maintaining the BMW 523i is costlier than maintaining a Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
What is the high mileage for BMW 523i?
If you’re looking for a second-hand BMW 523i to invest in, looking at the mileage is very vital. This is because the BMW 523i is a luxury car and they tend to have many issues as they age. So, the higher the mileage, the riskier the car.
Therefore, if you want to buy a used BMW 523i, consider one with less than 150,000 miles. This is because the BMW 523i starts to develop serious and costly problems from 150,000 miles.
Is the BMW 523i expensive to maintain?
Yes, the BMW 523i is quite expensive to maintain. This is because it registers many problems that require the user to spend more time in the garage than most cars. What’s more, the cost of BMW spare parts is considerably high than average. As a result, the overall cost of repair and maintenance is also high.
What is BMW E39?
The BMW E39 is the fourth generation BMW 5-Series range of luxurious cars. It comprises a BMW sedan body style and a station wagon. These cars were produced between 1995 and 2004. Nonetheless, the sedan body style was introduced in 1995, while the wagon was introduced in 1996.
How can I prolong the lifespan of the BMW 523i?
The best way to prolong the lifespan of a BMW 523i is by adhering to the BMW scheduled maintenance service. What’s more, you should pay attention to the dashboard and visit a technician every time the check engine light comes on. Finally, exercise good driving habits.
Other ways to prolong the lifespan of your BMW 523i are through following the car’s user manual, listening to the engine, and changing the car’s fluids as needed.
Summary
The BMW 523i may be an exceptional car, but it also comes with multiple issues to deal with. Some of them include timing chain problems, faulty fuel pump, engine failure, faulty sunroof, and issues with the cooling system. If you want to avoid most of these problems, ensure to maintain your car properly.
Also, if you adhere to the BMW scheduled maintenance service, most of these problems will be past tense. Regardless of these issues, the BMW 523i is still a fantastic car with excellent features.
