[JiggyBoo]

Hi all, I am new here and to the Bimmer world. I currently have a Ram 1500 Limited that I bought in March. i have been thinking about selling it and getting a 540i X drive. I know the B58 motor and ZF trans is very reliable, but my question is for the folks that have 60k+ miles on there's, hows the rest of the car been (electronics, cooling system, oil leaks, etc). I have been hearing the electronics are a hit/miss on german cars in general.

I just don't want to get something where once the warranty is out, I start getting random electrical issues (my current Ram) and major mechanical issues. I am not expecting Toyota reliability, but I want something I can drive peacefully and do maintenance on it for 100k-ish miles or 7-8 years. I have a Jaguar that I abused and daily drove (but kept well maintained) since 2016, the only things done on it were a water pump and the infamous timing chain issue. I do all the maintenance myself, besides extensive stuff that involves things like taking out the intake or maybe even valve cover.

You guys think it's a good idea to switch from my Ram to a 540? Or would I be better off driving the Ram for another while?

[AP]

Coolant leaks appear to be quite common , just search through these threads and you’ll find them

A car with mileage may well have had remediation work undertaken so you may be fine but it’s certainly one to watch out for

In my case it was the reservoirs.
The leaks are small so not obvious unless you really look closely in the engine bay. Symptoms are low coolant warnings which disappear when started again with a warm engine.

My car didn’t have the mileage you are asking about so can’t comment other than the coolant was the only issue I had in the 29000 miles that I used mine.

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by JiggyBoo

Hi all, I am new here and to the Bimmer world. I currently have a Ram 1500 Limited that I bought in March. i have been thinking about selling it and getting a 540i X drive. I know the B58 motor and ZF trans is very reliable, but my question is for the folks that have 60k+ miles on there's, hows the rest of the car been (electronics, cooling system, oil leaks, etc). I have been hearing the electronics are a hit/miss on german cars in general.

I just don't want to get something where once the warranty is out, I start getting random electrical issues (my current Ram) and major mechanical issues. I am not expecting Toyota reliability, but I want something I can drive peacefully and do maintenance on it for 100k-ish miles or 7-8 years. I have a Jaguar that I abused and daily drove (but kept well maintained) since 2016, the only things done on it were a water pump and the infamous timing chain issue. I do all the maintenance myself, besides extensive stuff that involves things like taking out the intake or maybe even valve cover.

You guys think it's a good idea to switch from my Ram to a 540? Or would I be better off driving the Ram for another while?

I have been a BMW owner for 20 years and currently have several, including a G30. In general I have had few problems with electronics, except for wheel speed sensors. I do believe, however, that the germans are incapable of building a car that doesn't develop oil leaks every four years. In light of that, I still keep buying them because I love how they drive.

[jsf721]

I have a 2019 x drive 540 M sport. It’s been great so far.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by ppointer

I have been a BMW owner for 20 years and currently have several, including a G30. In general I have had few problems with electronics, except for wheel speed sensors. I do believe, however, that the germans are incapable of building a car that doesn't develop oil leaks every four years. In light of that, I still keep buying them because I love how they drive.

I had read that about oil leaks but I really haven’t seen much about that with the G30. Has anyone else seen complaints of this or had this issue?

[Joe-BMW33]

I don't have the 540, but I have owned many BMW's. A BMW out of warranty will require maintenance and occasional repairs that will most certainly cost more and occur more often than on a RAM 1500. Pretty much the cost of ownership for any German car will be significantly more than a Japanese or American car. Just pointing this out to know going in. The BMW will put a much bigger smile on your face though.

Now that I am done with the tough love talk, the G30 has proven to be extremely reliable so far and the sample is big enough to make that claim. Search here for the common coolant and flex disc issues. I really can't think of anything else that has been a common ass ache with owners.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by ppointer

I still keep buying them because I love how they drive.

Yup, it can be a love hate relationship owning a BMW, but the Love far outweighs the Hate.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I don't have the 540, but I have owned many BMW's. A BMW out of warranty will require maintenance and occasional repairs that will most certainly cost more and occur more often than on a RAM 1500. Pretty much the cost of ownership for any German car will be significantly more than a Japanese or American car. Just pointing this out to know going in. The BMW will put a much bigger smile on your face though.

Now that I am done with the tough love talk, the G30 has proven to be extremely reliable so far and the sample is big enough to make that claim. Search here for the common coolant and flex disc issues. I really can't think of anything else that has been a common ass ache with owners.

And if you’re planning to own it for years out of warranty, there are extended warranties available both from BMW and 3rd party insurers.

[Warp Ten]

I have owned ten BMWs over many years and like them because of the way they drive as well. Also very much like the current iDrive system--much better than touch screens in my opinion. I currently own a 2019 540xi M Sport and I love it. It is out of warranty but so far no issues, although I do only have about 20,000 miles on it. (Drove my Corvette this year as a daily driver all summer). Prior to the 540 I owned a very similar 2010 535xi M Sport. Kept it for nine years and 45,000 miles without issues and sold it locally to an acquaintance who still has it. --Bob

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I don't have the 540, but I have owned many BMW's. A BMW out of warranty will require maintenance and occasional repairs that will most certainly cost more and occur more often than on a RAM 1500. Pretty much the cost of ownership for any German car will be significantly more than a Japanese or American car. Just pointing this out to know going in. The BMW will put a much bigger smile on your face though.

Now that I am done with the tough love talk, the G30 has proven to be extremely reliable so far and the sample is big enough to make that claim. Search here for the common coolant and flex disc issues. I really can't think of anything else that has been a common ass ache with owners.

Reliability is sometimes model dependent. I had an S204 C-Class that I drove about 250,000 kms and the only major issue was a failed water pump. The car never stranded us or caused any major damage to the wallet.

I recall that even my mechanic was amazed when we went in for a standard service and he found an almost fully disconnected turbo hose, a fuel filter that had grenaded and a few other issues that made him question how it was even possible that the car still ran, never mind it being nearly unnoticable.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Neusser

Reliablity is model dependent. I had an S204 C-Class that I drove about 250,000 kms and the only major issue was a failed water pump. The car never stranded us or caused any major damage to the wallet.

I recall that even my mechanic was amazed when we went in for a standard service and he found an almost fully disconnected turbo hose, a fuel filter that had grenaded and a few other issues that made him question how it was even possible that the car still ran, never mind us not noticing (and I typically notice everything).

There’s a unicorn in every model. On average and generally speaking, I stand by my assessment of German cars after owning so many. Pony up for maintenance and repairs.

[overcooked]

Mine has 54K miles now, RWD though. It's been rock solid. Only issue so far is that puddle light's cover has broken off. Otherwise as reliable as a Toyota

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

There’s a unicorn in every model. On average and generally speaking, I stand by my assessment of German cars after owning so many. Pony up for maintenance and repairs.

Outside of Audi/VW, my German cars have been quite good, TBH.

I would never buy another VW Group product, and have come to view the entire portfolio as an exercise in Kundenverarschung as the Germans would say.