Overview & Reviews

It's no exaggeration to say that the BMW 5 Series sets the standard for premium sport sedans. Introduced for the 1972 model year, the midsize 5 Series has long offered a near-perfect blend of performance, luxury and interior room. It's also highly regarded for its refined styling and innovative technology features.

Most BMW 5 Series models you'll come across will be rear-wheel-drive sedans, though you'll stumble upon the occasional 5 Series wagon on the used car market. In addition, all-wheel drive has been optional for some time, and many used sedans in colder climes will be so equipped. Traditionally, the 5 Series has featured an inline six-cylinder gasoline engine, but BMW has also offered V8 engines, turbocharged four-cylinders and even diesel-powered options. When people ask us to recommend luxury cars, the BMW 5 Series is invariably high on the list, new or used.

User Reviews:

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  2011 528 lag machine - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By jkmj9999 - January 5 - 12:12 am

  it sucks !! dont buy it .. maybe for your grand parents .. step on the gas.. either lags or burst into speed (sport mode) from time to time.

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  Great Car, but not Cheap to maintain - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By amg0507 - December 17 - 12:47 am

  Ive had my car for a few years now and put a good bit of miles on it. Ive got 120,000 miles. Ive changed the battery, tires, oil, spark plugs, all the regular maintenance and it drives great. But its a BMW and parts are not cheap. . . its also not cheap to have someone put them in for you. If you want a car that is Cheaper to keep going, drive a Toyota or a Honda. If you want to enjoy driving your car get a BMW. Previously Ive had an Rx-8, MiniCooper Sport, Lexus SC430 and a Honda Accord.

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  Merry Christmas to ME - 2013 BMW 5-Series
  By rickbmw - December 14 - 3:50 pm

  Ive owned a 550, 535 and a 328 and by far the 2013 528 is the best BMW Ive owned. You wont know youre driving a 4 cylinder turbo - it is faster than the previous regular 6 cylinder. Comparing it to my previous 5 series, it is an upgrade in luxury.

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  Luxury! - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By hand77 - December 14 - 5:51 am

  This is the first of many BMWs that I will own! This cars interior is amazing for a 2004! Heated everything, power everything! The iDrive wasnt too hard to figure out after a few weeks of owning. It doesnt save my presets to my radio, but thats fine I use my phone. There is no performance to this car, it is VERY slow, but the luxury makes up for it.

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  Big bucks German bad transmission cheap parts - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By wilczewm - November 23 - 1:12 pm

  Bought new. Minor problems while under warrantee. Since then, replaced rear wheel bearing at 40K. Transmission slam from second to first like getting hit from behind. BMW engineers created a computer work around for this common problem but will not fix this default and you must pay dealer whether it works or not. Many people being talked into replacing transmission for $5k. Cheap dash components like cup holders and ashtray flimsy, had to replace both two times. For the price paid, quality is severely lacking. Would not recommend buying a used one. Local dealer repair shop is horrible. Had vehicle 9 days on two occasions without fixing. BMW regional tech changed battery 2hrs.

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  Loved it - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By alxislife - November 5 - 8:27 pm

  Bought the car with 40k miles and sold it with 75k miles. The car didnt give me any problems whatsoever and ran perfectly. The only maintenance required was tires, brakes and rotors. No problems with the fuel pump at all. Loved the exterior design and the interior as well. To me the car was the perfect size not to big and not to small. Would definitely recommend! I miss the car but got a great deal on an Infiniti and I needed a change.

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  Im depressed - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By wjja47 - November 5 - 12:03 pm

  The Ultimate Driving Machine sucks in terms of reliability. I bought my first and last BMW 3.5 years ago while it was still under their their Warranty/Maintenance plan. However, I have had leak after leak before and after the warranty expired. I think I have replaced the whole cooling system and oil system. Every day before I drive my car, I have to check the undercarriage plate to see if I got another coolant or oil leak. Plus the "engine malfunction, increased emissions" light always come on and the engine start shaking and its always caused by a different part. Do not buy unless you plan to buy several extended warranties and pray the parts are covered.

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  Lots of Smiles - Update - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By chasman9 - November 1 - 11:29 pm

  Just turned 40,000 miles. After reading other reviews, Im surprised. Not a fan of Run Flats, but the rears went 30,000 miles and I just changed the fronts, yep - 40,000 miles. Also, I have not had the car in for anything other than an Oil Change. The car has had zero defects. Still looks and handles like new and is a blast to drive (6spd Manual). If a single thing bugs me it is the phone book. Lets say you pull up a name and dial the house and there is no answer. If you want to dial the same person, only the cell, you have to start from scratch imputting the name etc.. Wish the back button worked just to take you to the other numbers for this same person.

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  Unload it before the warranty expires ! - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By junkyard2 - October 21 - 2:04 pm

  I bought my 530i automatic with around 100K miles. First off DO NOT believe BMW that the Auto Trans fluid is "lifetime" fluid (mine was black in color) Theres no such thing. I used to do 100% of my maintenance until I bought this car. Had to have a shop do the trans ($840) I did the front brakes ($540) At around 115K it was one issue after another. At 117K at 75 mph the trans downshifts into 4th gear. The i-drive states that there is a trans malfunction code. Had the codes checked and the car was diagnosed with a bad trans. $4200 for a used one ! I loved driving the car and the mpg but WAY to expensive to maintain after warranty is out. I lost $4500 in the 7 months that I owned it !

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  Most boring BMW Ive ever owned... - 2012 BMW 5-Series
  By jwjusaf - October 17 - 8:49 pm

  Lets just say that Ive had the car for 3 weeks and am already looking for another car. Ive had 3 BMWs before this one, and none of them were this soul draining and boring. It lacks power, and handles more like a Cadillac than a BMW. The steering it far too soft as well. The X1 that I drove when it was in for a recall was more engaging and exciting to drive. I actually was hoping that the dealer would wreck it or that it would catch on fire to keep me from having to deal with a trade in. The car is almost as boring as my 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.