1986 Bmw 528 problems

Common 1986 Bmw 528 problems

The BMW E28 528, produced in 1986, is known for its reliability, but like any car, it can have certain common problems. Here are some of the issues that owners have reported:

• Intermittent Stalling: One of the biggest causes of intermittent stalling in old BMWs is dying relays or dirty wiring. For peace of mind, it's advisable to replace the aging main, fuel pump, and unloader relays. Cleaning all wiring connections and body grounds can also help prevent this issue.

• Poor Idling: Poor idling can be caused by a sticking idle control valve or vacuum leaks. A sticking idle control valve can be cured with white spirit and a toothbrush, while vacuum leaks are harder to find but can be caused by small hoses such as the one to the top of the fuel pressure regulator.

• Camshaft Wear: M30 engines in the E28 528 have a slightly exaggerated reputation for eating camshafts. This isn't the case unless oil changes have been neglected or the "banjo" bolts on the oil spray bar have worked loose. However, if a ticking noise is heard, it's worth checking whether it's due to the need for manual valve adjustment every 30,000 miles.

• Electrical Issues: The E28 528 can have various electrical issues, such as the heater fan only working on full speed due to a shot transistor, or the A/C having a separate fan behind the center console, which adds about 50kg to the car's weight and removes the center storage bin. Seat mountings can also crack slightly around the bolts and need welding. The back light on the onboard computer often dies, and the heating can go haywire due to the aging heater control valve. If the tachometer doesn't work or the service indicator lights are all screwed up, it's time for repairs.

• Front End Shimmy: E28 cars, including the 528e, often have a front end shimmy, which can be caused by bad upper control arms (UCAs) or UCA bushings, front rotors, or other suspension components. This issue can be more pronounced if the car hasn't had recent work.

• Manifold Studs and Cracked Manifolds: Broken manifold studs are quite common and can be hard to remove, while cracked manifolds lead to a noticeable 'chuffing' noise. These issues are more prevalent in 525e and 535i cars that use Bosch Motronic, the 1.1 system.

• Automatic Transmission Issues: The four-speed 4HP22 automatic transmission isn't as reliable as the three-speed automatic and can be killed by revving it in neutral or park due to an age- and wear-related cross-leak from the oil pump onto the forward clutch, partially engaging it. Revving the engine can burn out the clutch plates, leading to no forward drive.

• Suspension, Steering, and Brake Issues: Shaking under braking and the infamous 55 mph wobble can be caused by tired upper control arm bushes, sticky front calipers, or other suspension components. It's essential to check these components during an inspection.

• Rust: Rust is a significant issue affecting the E28, especially in cars that have been exposed to the British weather for more than 20 years. Areas prone to rust include the front and rear arches, sills, sunroofs, doors, and any areas with drainage holes. It's crucial to check these areas thoroughly during an inspection.

Are BMW 528e reliable?

They are VERY reliable as daily drivers but like "a" said, they do have common problem areas, as noted. Given all the other cars you have listed in your siggy, you should be pleasantly surprised by your experiences with an e28.

How many miles per gallon does a BMW 528e get?

Based on data from 10 vehicles, 172 fuel-ups and 41,626 miles of driving, the 1988 BMW 528e gets a combined Avg MPG of 21.52 with a 0.59 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 6 outliers (3.37%) removed.

How much horsepower does a 1987 BMW 528e have?

Power for this 528e comes from a 2.7-liter straight-6 engine, which produces 121 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. It spins the rear wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Is the 2016 BMW 5 Series reliable?

The 2016 BMW 5 Series has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of five from J.D. Power. This is above average for the industry, but it's average for the luxury midsize car segment.

How much horsepower does a 1987 BMW 528e have?

Power for this 528e comes from a 2.7-liter straight-6 engine, which produces 121 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. It spins the rear wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Are BMW 528e reliable?

They are VERY reliable as daily drivers but like "a" said, they do have common problem areas, as noted. Given all the other cars you have listed in your siggy, you should be pleasantly surprised by your experiences with an e28.

What engine is in the 528e?

Petrol

Model	Engine	Torque
525e, 528e	2.7 L (2,693 cc) M20B27 I6	240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft) at 3250 rpm
528i	2.8 L (2,788 cc) M30 I6	240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft) at 4200 rpm
533i	3.2 L (3,210 cc) M30 I6	265 N⋅m (195 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm
535i, M535i	3.4 L (3,430 cc) M30 I6	310 N⋅m (229 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm

What is the difference between 528i and 528e?

Re: 528i vs 528e

The 528i has an M 30 engine and is a Euro car. The 528e has a 2.7L M 20 engine. they are completely different designs. The 528e is much more common in the states.

1986 Bmw 528 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Bmw 528 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Seats problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Bmw 528 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.