Hey guys, I am new here so thanks for any advice you can give me on this car.... I have just purchased a '98 528i with 140K mi.... seems to run good and have been well taken care of. Was wondering what you would recommend checking or replacing before putting it on road... Thanks!!

congtrats on the car
I would check oil level, fluids, air filter, etc. Do you have any records from the previous owner? At 140K mi I suspect parts like: spark plugs, o2 sensors, radiator, water pump, shocks and struts, suspension bushings, pulleys are need to be replaced.

thanks very much for your reply... I did the tranny fluid and oil yesterday...
It was a lot easier to get on jackstands than I thought it would be.

the tranny clunks into first gear going from a full stop such as at a stoplight... this car sat for a few years and the tranny fluid was definately NG...I'm hoping the new fluid filter and lucas will bring it back to health... if anyone else has had a similar tranny problem please reply... thanks!

the clunk might be a bad trans or motor mount, just an idea to look into.

Hi, thanks i'll check the motor mounts tonight... after surfing around I now suspect (ie: hope that's all it is) that i might not have filled it enough, didn't know about filling it while running... I had filled it run it and then filled it again but didn't have it running so hope it is just low on ATF... Next up is rear diff fluid change...thanks!

Hi, thanks i'll check the motor mounts tonight... after surfing around I now suspect (ie: hope that's all it is) that i might not have filled it enough, didn't know about filling it while running... I had filled it run it and then filled it again but didn't have it running so hope it is just low on ATF... Next up is rear diff fluid change...thanks!

oh yeah thats it!! the fluid has to be at a certain temp. make sure it's warm and running when you do it, be careful you don't burn yourself!

whaddup? bought the same thing 1 1/2 yrs ago. i love it...definitly replace radiator soon. about 180$$$ if u look for it,(i did). hug and talk nicely to it..significant other will be jealous soon....brad

Change the radiator and always always always keep an eye on that temperature gauge when you have the car on.

Shocks/Struts, well you should be able to tell by how it rides...

Ohh make sure to keep it clean.

Yes, that was it! after two more quarts of dextron 3 it is now shifting like a champ! Lessons learned: It's a GM tranny taking standard fluid and filter but no convenient way to fill or check it... new fluid, filter and Lucas tranny helper and it is good as new... tomorrow I'm going to check the cooling system and replace rear diff fluid... love the car, definately a good highway cruiser...what about the sound system... any recommendations on replacement speakers would also be appreciated..thanks again!

welcome fellow Rhode Islander!