1999 BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series 1999

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1999 BMW 5-Series repairs by problem area

Engine (49%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (0%)

Brakes and Traction Control (7%)

Suspension and Steering (17%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (22%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (2%)

Chart based on 89 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 1999 BMW 5-Series.

1999 BMW 5-Series engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (8%)

$1000 - $2499 (26%)

$500 - $999 (26%)

$100 - $499 (21%)

< $100 (21%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 39 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

1999 BMW 5-Series

Engine not specified

187000 mi

US $200
Cam position sensor was bad. Replaced both. 
91200 mi

US $1200
replaced radiator and airflow meter. 
69020 mi

C $2000
Engine oil leaks 
139000 mi

US $250
Radiator replaced due to leak. Coolant replaced.  
150000 mi

US $1100
Replace valley pan gasket 
151500 mi

US $3400
timing chain guide broke 
166700 mi

US $150
Leaky radiateur 
167700 mi

US $50
Coolant hose 
154000 mi

US $30
Check engine light came on - replaced fuel cap 
97000 mi

US $50
Expansion Tank leaking, replaced Expansion Cap. 
119000 mi

US $2000
Cooling system failed. 
178000 mi

US $75
Replaced spark plugs and coil 
206000 mi

US $2394
Replaced cooling system hoses, valley cover/manifold, and thermostat. 
206000 mi cooling leak cracked piston 

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1999 BMW 5-Series 4-door

supercharged 8-cylinder manual 2WD

193000 mi

US $240
Camshaft position sensor replacement. 
213800 mi

US $150
MAF replaced due to common failure. 
245000 mi

US $4350
Secondary air pump dead. Replaced. 
222300 mi

US $60
Upper radiator coolant hose burst 

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1999 BMW 5-Series 4-door

8-cylinder manual 2WD

205000 mi

US $650
Replaced cracked radiator and thermostat. 
207000 mi

US $405
Water pump, thermostat, pullies 
225000 mi

US $958
Replaced the expansion tank,  valve cover gasket  and repaired a secondary air pump pile in the front of the engine. 
80000 mi

US $440
Coil and spark plugs 
92000 mi

US $1500
bracket holding power-steering fluid pump broke, causing belt to fall off, radiator overheated and popped. 
94000 mi

US $1100
Water pump 
67580 mi

C $800
Mass Air sensor failed. Replaced. 
120000 mi

US $2100
Timing chain guides are made of an exceptionally brittle plastic, as is the oil separator (PCV valve). Both disintegrate with age, causing the engine to run terribly and smoke, as well as allow the cams to jump time. 

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1999 BMW 5-Series 4-door

8-cylinder automatic 2WD

125000 mi

US $97
Broken electrical thermostat replaced.  
112000 mi

US $525
Mass Airflow Sensor 
214000 mi

US $4200
Timing chain and tensioner, plugs and other misc. 
38000 mi

US $970
Valve Cover gaskets were leaking slightly 
52000 mi

US $1000
Replaced entire cooling system including radiator, belts, fan clutch, coolant pump, thermostat and hoses 
50700 mi

US $1100
Replace radiator 
64000 mi

US $760
Valve cover gaskets replaced 
130000 mi

US $1200
radiator and hoses.  Also needed a new fuel pump. 

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1999 BMW 5-Series 4-door

6-cylinder manual 2WD

149000 mi

US $400
Radiator cracked where upper radiator hose attaches. 
152000 mi

US $850
Fitting at back of engine block was leaking coolant. Repair was expensive because it required removing the intake manifold. When shop removed intake manifold, they loosened banjo bolt on high pressure oil line to VANOS unit and forgot to re-tighten, resulting in complete loss of ALL engine oil. 

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1999 BMW 5-Series 4-door

6-cylinder automatic 2WD

132680 mi

C $9
Bleed screw on expansion tank broke and caused car to overheat. 
173000 mi

US $950
Crankcase valve went bad. 
177000 mi

US $500
radiator was leaking and needed replacement (replaced original).  

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1999 BMW 5-Series Engine Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 1999 BMW 5-Series problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.