It cost me £63000 and had a lot of problems in the first month, which I see as unacceptable for such an up-market car! In the first month it got sent back 3 times because the satellite navigation screen would just randomly switch itself on and off! I don't know why I did this but I had a Mercedes S class, which had more electrics than the 5 series, and nothing ever went wrong in a year and a half! I bought it because my friend has one (quite a basic one) and I took it out and had great fun. But being me, I spent a fortune on the car and it's rubbish! Does noting for me and I just want rid of it! I think a good alternative is the Mercedes E class estate, which according to everyone I know who has one is great fun! Its comfy but not wort the hassle!

I bought the BMW 525d brand new and had a lot of problems during the first 2 years: twice the central locking system did not open, 3 times the original navigation system broke down, had to change the headlghts almost every month, the oil cooler leaked, the airbag system showed a malfunctioning due to bad connectors, the alarm lights could not be switched off after disarm the alarms ystem, radio still needs to be replaced and the extra heating system makes a strange noise and needs to be replaced. Currently one diesel injector of the engine is sometimes not working properly and therefore the engine does not run good statonary.
This was all repaired during the manufacturer guarantee, but gives a very bad feeling about the reliability of the BMW's.