5 Series (E39)
1995–2004 · Saloon, Touring · 11 engines
Problems, reviews and reliability for every engine in the 5 Series (E39). Pick an engine below to see common faults, fault codes and what to check before buying.
323i / 523i 2.5 (M52 / M52TU)1995–2000 · petrol
Maint. Sensitive
320i / 520i 2.0 (M52 / M52TU)1995–2000 · petrol
Maint. Sensitive
328i / 528i 2.8 (M52 / M52TU)1995–2000 · petrol
Maint. Sensitive
320i / 520i 2.2 (M54)2000–2003 · petrol
Maint. Sensitive
2.5i / 3.0i (M54 / N52)2000–2003 · petrol
Maint. Sensitive
325i / 525i 2.5 (M54)2000–2003 · petrol
Maint. Sensitive
540i 4.4 V8 (M62 / M62TU)1996–2003 · petrol
Expensive
320d / 520d 2.0d (M47, VP44)2000–2003 · diesel
History-Dependent
525d 2.5d (M57)2000–2003 · diesel
History-Dependent
330d / 530d 3.0d (M57)1998–2000 · diesel
History-Dependent
530d 3.0d (M57)2000–2003 · diesel
History-Dependent