528i Buying Advice

[sairam313]

Hi,

I am planning to buy a 97 528i for about 10 K. Its got 90K miles on it. Does any one know about any particular issue with this model that I should check out? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

[rsn48]

I have the same car and I love it. I have three Bimmers - 94 318i, 2002 330xi, and a 97 528i. Of the three, the 528i is my personal favourite. Most bugs should be out of the car by now, with some well known issues - but not that big a deal -listed somewhere in one of the many forums here.

My one recommendation that I think you will enjoy is to get your software Dinan'd. Some BMW dealers are authorized Dinan dealers as well. For some reason my Bimmer wouldn't take the Conforti shark, after trying many many times. It was sent back to Turner and they couldn't figure it out either. The shark absorbed all the car data, but wouldn't download, so I Dinan'd it instead.

What surprised me was the performance at the lower end of the RPM's when the car is just starting out. The Dinan'd software also remaps your transmission and this is noticeable from the first moment you hit the accelerator when you pick your car up with the new software. I was burning premium gas (92 in Canada) and if you Dinan your car, you will need to burn 91 at least. I thought if I'm burning premium gas I might as well have the software set up to take advantage of it.

Sharking your car is when you download new software into the car; chipping your car is when you replace the chip with another performance one. The 97 528i needs to be sharked. Oh yes, you will feel the extra horse power added as well.

In reviews of this car, back in 97 - you can find them on the net - you will find the 97 528i to be considered the finest luxury sports sedan available in the world. So don't sweat the small stuff (known issues).

[billB]

Oh yes, you will feel the extra horse power added as well.

How much of a gain? HP? Any Idea

[rsn48]

Part #:

Price:
D900-285
$399.00

Labor Units: 5.0
Emission Status: 50 State Emission Legal
Special Notes: Various Stages of Performance Engine Software are available for specific product configurations.
Peak Horsepower Gain: 9 @ 6000 rpm
Peak Torque Gain: 9 lb/ft @ 5000 rpm
Point Value: 2



Dinan Performance Engine Software unleashes more power by re-programming the fuel mixture and ignition timing parameters of the engine management system. Furthermore, the software safely raises the rev-limit, giving your BMW a broader power band and greater road speed potential in each gear. Significant gains are also achieved at part throttle, making extra power available where you spend the bulk of the time driving. The top speed governor has also been eliminated, enabling the vehicle to achieve it's "natural" top speed.

[rsn48]

Here is a link you might enjoy:

http://bmwtips.com/

[sairam313]

Great.. Thanks for the replies everyone. I am really excited about this buy. I have never owned a bimmer before and so I am totally ignorant about these terminologies (sharked, chipped, dinan'd etc).. I guess I need to read through this forum to gain more knowlege. Do redirect me to links about 528i..

Thanks again

[rsn48]

Here's a link to a review of the car:

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/r...75/article.html

[FunYun]

Originally posted by rsn48@Mar 27 2005, 12:54 PM
Here's a link to a review of the car:

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/r...75/article.html

[snapback]319440[/snapback]

I am looking into getting a '98 528i 5 speed. Does this mod effect the mileage?

[rsn48]

If you are refering to the software upgrade (also called "sharking"), it is suppose to increase your mileage a bit. But as a friend of mine, and the parts guy at one of the local dealers said, it works only if you don't have a heavy foot... lol.