BMW 523i

...This is now my third BMW but my first 5-series. If you read reports on the latest generation of 5-series (1996 onwards…….. model number E39!! - I just had to put that in!) it’s easy to see that just about every motoring journalist under the sun has huge regard for the car. It crushed the opposition back in 1996 and it was so good, that even now, the model is still good enough to teach offerings from Audi and Mercedes a lesson in ...
...the untrained eye, a bad BMW will still look good in comparison to the likes of a second hand mainstream car like the Vauxhall Vectra. The car was finished in Silver, had a full BMW service history, was equipped with very desirable black leather and the Steptronic gearbox, items that should make it so much easier to sell on in the future. I’ve read that Silver is the most desirable colour in the 5. The 535i V8 that I had out for a run first ...

aaron 06.01.2003 (18.03.2003) · Read full review
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Review of BMW 523i

...of tread all round. My BMW is very kind to its tyres even after using its handling potential. Insurance is the one area where I was surprised. All the talk was of premiums running at the £700 to £800 mark. The fully comprehensive premium with the Halifax cost me £385 I could not believe it either! Servicing My 5 Series is reasonably cheap to live with. The servicing requirements depend on how the car is driven and my experience of mostly motorway ...
...2 is the big one. BMW dealers offer 4Plus servicing on cars over 4 years old and it offers a discount of 10%. For my own part I always use main dealers for servicing as they know the car and carry most spares. Faults It’s a sad fact of life that all things mechanical will have faults. My 5 Series has done 67,000 miles, in that time, a rear wheel bearing has been changed, a occupancy sensor for the front passenger seat has been renewed and ...

Shekera 20.10.2001 · Read full review
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Review of BMW 523i

The silver one in the picture - thats mine! Quick review of probably the best driving machine on a Company Car list. The 523 SE is a very comfortable, quality bulit product. Interior layout is excelkent and cabin comfort is high. As with all BMWs, the SE pack is needed to get the extras that help driving - in this case I found the cruise control the best. I drive the manual version; the gearbox is slick and precise and the car is powerful enough ...
...noise is virtually invisible and it is a lovely smooth ride. Rear seat legroom is very poor though. performance wise, it returned about 32 - 33 mpg on mainly motorway cruising. It is not a quick beast though - say in comparison to a licence eating 328 - although much better than the 520 which is simply not enough engine for the car. If you can get one paid for by the company - even if you have to add some of your own money - do it... but think ...

APerfectGentleman 23.08.2000 · Read full review
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Review of BMW 523i