E39 mileage ratings wanted...

[Robert K]

I've had my 1991 535i for about the past seven years and have really enjoyed it. However, I have been thinking lately about getting a 2000-2001 528i sport with automatic. I was wondering if anyone on the board had one of these cars and specifically what real world city and highway mileage you get out of it. If there are specific problems I need to look for, I'd appreciate that info as well.

Regards,

Robert K
1991 535i

[Hallmark]

Maintenance is very much like my '95 525, although the hood opens the wrong way You can reset the service lights the same as on an E34 but there is no stomp test. Overall I find the E39 a very nice upgrade to my E34 (I have one of each).

I get about 22 in town and 26 on the road.

Oh yeah, the Bentley's for an E39 is an arm and a leg. Two volumes, sheesh!

[Dave M]

Maintenance is very much like my '95 525

Oh yeah, the Bentley's for an E39 is an arm and a leg. Two volumes, sheesh!

Oxymoron'ic type statement?

Cheers,

Dave

[DallasBill]

In 10 years of my '94 525iM, Skarked, I regularly got 18.9-19.5 MPG in 2/3 city 1/3 tollway driving. Probably because I always revved to 3500-4k before a shift!

I've had my 2003 530iA for 3 weeks now and am getting 21.5-22.8 in the daily commute. In Sport mode it's stays about the same, too.

[Hal]

Our 1999 528iT seems to get about 2 mpg better mileage overall than our 1994 530iT. As others have said before, it is a different driving experience than the E34, which I do not find unpleasant.

Hal

1994 530iT 165,000 mi Nikasil powered
1999 528iT 95,000 mi non-Nikasil powered

[bimmerd00d]

considering I have a 98 540i 6-spd and my mom has a 2000 528iA, I think i'll chime in.

540i = 17/26 - avg for me is about 18.5. This past weekend i got 28.2 at 72mph.
528i = 19/28 - avg for when i drive the car on trips is about 20.2, and the best i ever got was 32.8 at 75mph. There's a real sweet spot on the E39's for the best fuel economy. Stray a few mph above or below and it decreases a bit. My old 525i 5spd was the same way, 70mph yielded about 25mpg, where 78mph was around 28-29.

[bimmerd00d]

Oh yeah, the Bentley's for an E39 is an arm and a leg. Two volumes, sheesh!

it has an entire volume just for the electrics!!!! Ask me how i know

[Zeuk in Oz]

Given the extra power on tap compared to my 1988 M20 525i manual, my 1999 528iT (double vanos) auto with sports suspension gives a slightly broader range of fuel use.

Using 98 octane (RON) I find highway driving gets down to 9 litres per 100 km but mixed driving ( I live in a semi-rural area ) is about 11-12. My problem seems to be that I love the sound of the engine at 5,000 - 6,000 revs !

In general, a much tighter feel with superior dynamics compared to my E34. Braking and handling are superior as well as performance. Passive and active safety features are also much better.

Build quality of the E34 is superior, I feel, with fewer rattles despite twice the mileage.

Ventilation is much better in the E 39 and it has cup holders but their quality is woeful.

[Hector]

The US government is VERY concerned about tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

Their records show that for
Man(5 speed)L: city/hwy = 21/29
Auto(4) = 18/26
Auto(5) = 18/26

I've had my 1991 535i for about the past seven years and have really enjoyed it. However, I have been thinking lately about getting a 2000-2001 528i sport with automatic. I was wondering if anyone on the board had one of these cars and specifically what real world city and highway mileage you get out of it. If there are specific problems I need to look for, I'd appreciate that info as well.

Regards,

Robert K
1991 535i

[Wyn]

My dad has a '98 528im, non-sport. On the highway i'll get 30-31 and a total combined average of 25.6.
Two years ago they went on a 5000 mile trip to the national parks out west and averaged 32.3 for the 5k.