Overview & Reviews

This year a standard CD player, climate control and power seats. The 4.4-liter V8 of the 540 now makes 290 horsepower, up 8 from last year. Rear side-impact airbags are now a no-charge option, rather than standard.

• Thrilling to drive, luxurious ride quality, clean exterior styling.

• Confusing interior markings, demanding manual transmission, high-end models are pricey.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 147.00

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  A Keeper... - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By RolandP - October 26 - 8:37 am

  This has been a remarkable car since the day I purchased it. Great car for long trips. It still delivers 29+ mpg with premium fuel. The manual transmission provides everything I expected. The car is steady and responsive.

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  Open your wallet - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By loberant - October 5 - 2:40 pm

  Love the car, but it breaks every 3000 miles. Both power seats needed new wiring, radiator, alarm sensor, bushings?, brake sensors, trans went into fail safe, glove box broke, oil leaks, and some other things I cant remember. This all happened in the last 15,000 miles. My vehicle currently has 75,000 miles on it. Drives great though, cannot compare. Love the look and its true class. But THIS IS NOT a reliable car. Purchase a Honda/Acura/Lexus/Toyota/Subaru if you want reliable.

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  Thanks Consumer Reports - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By bmwfan - October 2 - 10:00 am

  I was really close to buying a Mercedes CLK until I read Consumer Reports review on the 530i. This car is a dream come true - fun to drive, comfortable, fabulous looking and fast with decent fuel economy. The sport package adds icing to the cake. The 5-speed can be challenging at first, but it is so responsive that it is fun to shift. The buying experience was great. I cant say enough good about this car.

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  Wondering which way to go??? - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By Mark Shaw - August 31 - 6:02 pm

  Ive owned my BMW for 4 years now - grey with sport pkg. Love the drive as I used to own a 1988 535i. After the mechanic called me today with a radiator/fan bearing replacement bill, I almost went out to trade it in. I have had a series of small issues with the car: dash pixels, xenon light failure, oil leaks, rubber dipstick boot oil leak, and more...I have 102K miles on the car but wondering if I should cut my losses and move on to newer...positive is that it has ALWAYS started like a charm...maybe Ive replaced most of the parts that can wear over time...

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  Fun car - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By Me - August 16 - 10:49 am

  I bought this car with the six speed manual and it is fun to drive. Shell go 140 before you know it. On road trips I can break 30 mpg on the highway but city is closer to 15 mpg. However BMW quality is gone. Ive had replace the water pump, radiator, a few parts in the drivers seat, sunroof, and lately the battery keeps dying and no one can figure out why.

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  My last BMW - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By Jordan - July 21 - 6:13 pm

  Great experience up to the time the warranty ran out. Purchased my car new in October of 2002. After the warranty expired at 50K it was in the shop about every month and each trip was about $700, after my $200 sympathy discount. I by-passed the $1200 front passenger seat dual motor replacement and had them just lock the seat and disconnect the motors. It was one thing after another. The only way I would ever have another BMW is on a 3 year lease and get rid of it as soon as it is over 50,000 miles. Otherwise I loved it.

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  Too much fun!? - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By No. 1 bmw fan - July 9 - 10:00 am

  Heres what I can offer to anyone looking to buy: The car phone reception is so-so and the installed easthetic is less you expect. Pass on it. Expect alot of looks. It doesnt scream expensive like a Mercedes, but people in the know know what theyre looking at. The back seats are more comfortable than the fronts of most vehicles. The front seats are the most comfortable youll ever experience. Self-levelling headlamps, lowering mirror when reversing, window shades and beeping when the car has something it wants to make you aware of. A big cash outlay and the feeling it was worth every penny.

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  525i Sport Premium Package - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By Spine Doc - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought my first BMW in December 2001, a 2002 525i sedan 5 speed with Sport Package (M-technic suspension, 17 inch rims, 3 spoke steering wheel with controls)Premium interior leather seats, cold weather package, 6 CD player in trunk, tinted windows, M- spoiler on trunk. Silver exterior on Black interior. Look no further, this car does it all... Its elegant lines turns heads everywhere I go, its very quick, handles incredibly and is built like a tank. Highway speeds cant satiate this cars desire to go fast! If only my friends would stop asking to take it for the weekend!

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  My 1st and probably last BMW - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By Steve - May 17 - 1:24 am

  I bought my silver beauty (All German cars should be silver) "Certified Used" it had 36000 miles on the clock (Let me think for a sec... Hey! It’s a lease return) Came with full warranty to 50K. All Ive had done to it is regularly scheduled maintenance it looks, runs, and feels brand new. I said its my last BMW because Im 63 and itll probably outlive me... LOL.

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  Excellent car - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By alan147 - May 14 - 7:40 am

  This is by far the most exciting vehicle to drive. The acceleration is exceptional and clean crisp handling. I own both infiniti and honda, and reliability was a big concern. But after 10,000 miles, I can safely said the BMW has improved its build quality comparable to the Japanese car makers.