🏷️ Basic Information Identification Make: BMW Model: 528i Chassis Code: E39 Model Years Covered: 1997-2002 Codes Engine Code Primary: M52B28 👋 Introduction Market Position Positioning: The BMW E39 528i was positioned as a mid-size luxury sport sedan, competing against rivals like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, and Lexus GS. Competitive Analysis Key Competitors: Mercedes-Benz W210 E-Class, Audi C5 A6, Lexus GS S160. Key Features Driving Dynamics: Renowned for its balanced chassis, precise steering, and refined ride quality, characteristic of BMW's 'Ultimate Driving Machine' philosophy. Powertrain: The M52 inline-six engine offered a smooth and powerful delivery, contributing to the car's strong performance credentials. Interior Comfort: Premium interior materials, ergonomic design, and advanced features for its time contributed to a luxurious and comfortable cabin experience. 📋 Manual Details Coverage Areas Primary Coverage: Service and Repair Secondary Coverage: Maintenance, Diagnostics, Troubleshooting Page Count Estimated Page Count: 1000+ Manual Type Manual Type: Comprehensive Service and Repair Manual Language Language: English Format Format: PDF 📖 Manual Coverage Systems Covered Engine Mechanical: Full engine overhaul, component replacement (pistons, rings, bearings, valves, camshafts, crankshaft), timing system, lubrication system, cooling system. Engine Electrical: Ignition system, fuel injection system (DME), sensor diagnostics, starter, alternator, battery, ECU troubleshooting. Transmission Manual: Gears, clutch, shift mechanism, seals, fluid changes, common repairs. Transmission Automatic: Gearbox operation, hydraulic system, valve body, torque converter, electrical controls, fluid and filter replacement, common repairs. Suspension: Front and rear suspension components, shock absorbers, springs, control arms, bushings, wheel alignment specifications. Steering: Power steering system, steering rack, tie rods, linkages, troubleshooting, fluid maintenance. Brakes: Brake system components (calipers, rotors, pads, lines, master cylinder), ABS system, DSC system, brake fluid specifications and bleeding procedures. Electrical System: Wiring diagrams for all vehicle systems, fuse box locations and functions, lighting, power windows, central locking, instrument cluster, onboard computer (OBD-II). HVAC: Climate control system operation, refrigerant, compressor, blower motor, actuators, troubleshooting. Bodywork: Body panel removal and installation, door mechanisms, interior trim, seals, basic body repair procedures. Procedures Included Maintenance Procedures: Oil and filter changes, air filter replacement, spark plug replacement, coolant flush, brake fluid flush, transmission fluid service. Diagnostic Procedures: Fault code retrieval and interpretation (OBD-II), live data analysis, component testing, troubleshooting flowcharts. Repair Procedures: Step-by-step instructions for major component overhauls, system repairs, and part replacements. Troubleshooting Guides: Systematic approaches to diagnosing common and uncommon issues with detailed symptom-to-cause mappings. Torque Specifications: Detailed torque values for all critical fasteners throughout the vehicle. Technical Depth Depth: Extremely High - Covers everything from routine maintenance to complete engine and transmission rebuilds, including advanced electrical diagnostics. Detail Level: Includes detailed diagrams, exploded views, specifications, and step-by-step instructions. 📊 Manual Specifications File Format File Type: PDF Searchability: Likely searchable text (OCR'd or native PDF). Print Quality Print Readability: High - Designed for clear viewing and printing of diagrams and text. Binding Type Binding Type: N/A (Digital PDF) Paper Type Paper Type: N/A (Digital PDF) ⚙️ Engine Specifications Primary Engine Engine Type: Inline-6, DOHC, 24 valves Engine Code: M52B28TU (Technical Update for later models) Displacement: 2.8 Liters (2793 cc) Performance Horsepower Est: 190-193 hp @ 5300-5500 rpm Torque Est: 206-214 lb-ft @ 3950-4200 rpm Fuel System Fuel Delivery: Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (Bosch Motronic ME 7.2 or similar) Fuel Type: Premium Unleaded (91+ octane recommended) Engine Management Engine Control Unit: DME (Digital Motor Electronics) Engine Features Vanos: Double VANOS (Variable Valve Timing) 🔧 Transmission Standard Transmission Type Std: 5-Speed Manual Getrag S5D 250G Optional Transmission Type Opt: 5-Speed Automatic Steptronic (GM A5S 325Z) Features Steptronic Functionality: Allows manual selection of gears via shifter or steering wheel buttons (on some models). Fluid Specifications Manual Transmission Fluid: BMW MTF-LT-1 or equivalent (e.g., Pentosin MTF2) Automatic Transmission Fluid: Dexron III or equivalent (e.g., Pentosin ATF1) 📐 Dimensions Exterior Length Est: 188.0 in (4775 mm) Width Est: 71.0 in (1803 mm) Height Est: 56.6 in (1438 mm) Wheelbase Est: 111.4 in (2830 mm) Weights Curb Weight Est: 3500-3700 lbs (1588-1678 kg) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Est: 4500-4700 lbs (2041-2132 kg) 🛡️ Safety Features Ratings NHTSA Front Impact Driver: Likely 4-star or 5-star (NHTSA ratings varied by year and specific test). NHTSA Front Impact Passenger: Likely 4-star or 5-star. Active Features ABS: Standard Anti-lock Braking System Dsc: Optional or Standard Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Traction Control: Standard Traction Control System (ASR) Passive Features Airbags: Frontal airbags for driver and passenger, optional side airbags. Seatbelts: Three-point inertia-reel seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters. 💡 Technology Features Infotainment Infotainment System: BMW Business CD or Professional CD radios, optional CD changer, optional navigation system (Mk II or Mk III). Display Type: Central dashboard display for radio, climate control, and navigation information. Driver Assistance Parking Sensors: Optional Park Distance Control (PDC). Cruise Control: Standard electronic cruise control. Connectivity Phone Integration: Optional Bluetooth hands-free system and CD changer. Diagnostics OBD Ii Port: Standard OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics II) port...
Gears, clutch, shift mechanism, seals, fluid changes, common repairs.
Transmission Automatic:
Gearbox operation, hydraulic system, valve body, torque converter, electrical controls, fluid and filter replacement, common repairs.
Suspension:
Front and rear suspension components, shock absorbers, springs, control arms, bushings, wheel alignment specifications.
Steering:
Power steering system, steering rack, tie rods, linkages, troubleshooting, fluid maintenance.
Brakes:
Brake system components (calipers, rotors, pads, lines, master cylinder), ABS system, DSC system, brake fluid specifications and bleeding procedures.
Electrical System:
Wiring diagrams for all vehicle systems, fuse box locations and functions, lighting, power windows, central locking, instrument cluster, onboard computer (OBD-II).
HVAC:
Climate control system operation, refrigerant, compressor, blower motor, actuators, troubleshooting.
Bodywork:
Body panel removal and installation, door mechanisms, interior trim, seals, basic body repair procedures.
Procedures Included
Maintenance Procedures:
Oil and filter changes, air filter replacement, spark plug replacement, coolant flush, brake fluid flush, transmission fluid service.
Diagnostic Procedures:
Fault code retrieval and interpretation (OBD-II), live data analysis, component testing, troubleshooting flowcharts.
Repair Procedures:
Step-by-step instructions for major component overhauls, system repairs, and part replacements.
Troubleshooting Guides:
Systematic approaches to diagnosing common and uncommon issues with detailed symptom-to-cause mappings.
Torque Specifications:
Detailed torque values for all critical fasteners throughout the vehicle.
Technical Depth
Depth:
Extremely High - Covers everything from routine maintenance to complete engine and transmission rebuilds, including advanced electrical diagnostics.
Detail Level:
Includes detailed diagrams, exploded views, specifications, and step-by-step instructions.
📊 Manual Specifications
File Format
File Type:
PDF
Searchability:
Likely searchable text (OCR'd or native PDF).
Print Quality
Print Readability:
High - Designed for clear viewing and printing of diagrams and text.
Binding Type
Binding Type:
N/A (Digital PDF)
Paper Type
Paper Type:
N/A (Digital PDF)
⚙️ Engine Specifications
Primary Engine
Engine Type:
Inline-6, DOHC, 24 valves
Engine Code:
M52B28TU (Technical Update for later models)
Displacement:
2.8 Liters (2793 cc)
Performance
Horsepower Est:
190-193 hp @ 5300-5500 rpm
Torque Est:
206-214 lb-ft @ 3950-4200 rpm
Fuel System
Fuel Delivery:
Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (Bosch Motronic ME 7.2 or similar)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded (91+ octane recommended)
Engine Management
Engine Control Unit:
DME (Digital Motor Electronics)
Engine Features
Vanos:
Double VANOS (Variable Valve Timing)
🔧 Transmission
Standard
Transmission Type Std:
5-Speed Manual Getrag S5D 250G
Optional
Transmission Type Opt:
5-Speed Automatic Steptronic (GM A5S 325Z)
Features
Steptronic Functionality:
Allows manual selection of gears via shifter or steering wheel buttons (on some models).
Fluid Specifications
Manual Transmission Fluid:
BMW MTF-LT-1 or equivalent (e.g., Pentosin MTF2)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Dexron III or equivalent (e.g., Pentosin ATF1)
📐 Dimensions
Exterior
Length Est:
188.0 in (4775 mm)
Width Est:
71.0 in (1803 mm)
Height Est:
56.6 in (1438 mm)
Wheelbase Est:
111.4 in (2830 mm)
Weights
Curb Weight Est:
3500-3700 lbs (1588-1678 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Est:
4500-4700 lbs (2041-2132 kg)
🛡️ Safety Features
Ratings
NHTSA Front Impact Driver:
Likely 4-star or 5-star (NHTSA ratings varied by year and specific test).
NHTSA Front Impact Passenger:
Likely 4-star or 5-star.
Active Features
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System
Dsc:
Optional or Standard Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Traction Control:
Standard Traction Control System (ASR)
Passive Features
Airbags:
Frontal airbags for driver and passenger, optional side airbags.
Seatbelts:
Three-point inertia-reel seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters.
💡 Technology Features
Infotainment
Infotainment System:
BMW Business CD or Professional CD radios, optional CD changer, optional navigation system (Mk II or Mk III).
Display Type:
Central dashboard display for radio, climate control, and navigation information.
Driver Assistance
Parking Sensors:
Optional Park Distance Control (PDC).
Cruise Control:
Standard electronic cruise control.
Connectivity
Phone Integration:
Optional Bluetooth hands-free system and CD changer.
Diagnostics
OBD Ii Port:
Standard OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics II) port located under the dashboard for emissions and engine diagnostics.
🔧 Maintenance
Service Intervals
Oil Change Interval:
BMW Condition Based Service (CBS) system typically recommends oil changes every 10,000-15,000 miles or annually, depending on driving conditions. Consult the manual for specific CBS reset procedures.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Typically around 60,000 miles for standard spark plugs (e.g., NGK BKR6EK or BMW equivalent).
Coolant Flush Interval:
Every 2-4 years or 30,000-50,000 miles.
Transmission Fluid Interval Auto:
BMW officially stated 'lifetime' fluid, but many experts recommend a fluid and filter change every 50,000-70,000 miles for longevity.
Transmission Fluid Interval Manual:
Every 60,000-100,000 miles.
Fluid Specifications
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 5W-30 Synthetic (BMW LL-01 or LL-04 approved, check specific model year recommendations)
Engine Oil Capacity:
Approx. 6.5 US quarts (6.2 Liters) with filter.
Coolant Type:
BMW Blue Antifreeze/Coolant (G48 or equivalent)
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 4 (BMW recommends DOT 4 HP or equivalent)
Known Issues
Cooling System:
Plastic cooling system components (expansion tank, hoses, water pump) are prone to cracking and leaks with age. Thermostat housing also a common failure point.
Oil Leaks:
Valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket are common sources of oil leaks.
ABS Wheel Speed Sensors:
Frequent failure of ABS wheel speed sensors, leading to ABS and traction control warnings.
Ccv System:
Crankcase Ventilation (CCV) system failure can lead to oil consumption, rough idle, and vacuum leaks.
Window Regulators:
Plastic components in window regulators can break, causing windows to fall into the door.
Pixel Display Failure:
LCD displays in the instrument cluster and/or navigation system can fail, showing 'dead' pixels.
📚 Vehicle History
Brand Heritage
Bmw Legacy:
BMW has a long-standing reputation for producing driver-focused, high-performance vehicles with sophisticated engineering.
Model Evolution
E39 Introduction:
The E39 generation replaced the E34 5 Series and was introduced in 1995 (for the 1996 model year) in Europe and later in North America. It represented a significant advancement in technology and refinement over its predecessor.
E39 Facelift:
A significant facelift occurred in 2000, introducing updated headlights (angel eyes), taillights, bumpers, and interior revisions, along with engine updates (e.g., M54 for later models, though 528i retained M52TU for its run).
Production
Production Years:
1996-2003 (E39 generation)
Manufacturing Locations:
Primary assembly in Dingolfing, Germany; some assembly also occurred in other BMW facilities.
🏆 Awards & Recognition
Recognitions
Car And Driver 10Best:
The E39 5 Series, including variants like the 528i, was a frequent recipient of Car and Driver's '10Best' awards, lauded for its driving dynamics and overall excellence.
Ratings
Consumer Reports:
Generally rated well by consumer publications for performance and luxury, though maintenance costs could be higher than some competitors.
Certifications
Euro Ncap:
The E39 5 Series achieved strong safety ratings in Euro NCAP crash tests for its era.