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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  bmw545 is a fantastic car - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By hotbasketball - August 8 - 2:00 am

  fantastic power, fantastic handling, corners like a dream,,very good pickup, I recommend the upgraded seats,,very comfortable with side electronic bolsters, and articulating upper half of back seat,,,cup holders are poorly positioned as usual, and the moon roof makes alot of wind noise due to the poorly designed wind dam that has teeth that howel,,im getting the new M5 in 05

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  Pretty close to perfect - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By panderse - August 8 - 2:00 am

  This is just an awesome vehicle. I drove other japanese cars claiming to be in the same class, and while they had impressive specs, none could come close to the driving experience of the 5. Plenty of power, flawless transmission with sport and manual modes, and impecible handling. I found immediately that i need to work on my driving skills because this car does exactly what you tell it to. I know people are complaining about iDrive, but I find it pretty easy to use. Althought i work with computers all day.

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  Now Im A Believer! - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By New Believer - August 6 - 11:33 pm

  This is my first BMW and Im extremely impressed. My next door neighbor sells BMWs and gave me a great deal on my new 06 530i. Ive come close to purchasing a BMW on 2 other occasions in the past 5 years but didnt do it. Id have to say that this is by far the best car Ive ever owned in my 55 years of living. I dont agree with the criticism this car has received regarding the iDrive and its exterior design. Driving this car is pure joy and like nothing Ive ever driven before. Power, handling and comfort are fantastic. If youre not sure about this car, a test drive or two will make you a believer.

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  Buyer beware!! - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By AJ - August 3 - 8:59 pm

  If youre considering buying this car, please look into the N64 customer care program for this car. There are about 20 engine components that were essentially recalled. Depending on when, or if, your 550i went through this program will determine the number of components you may have had replaced. Initially, BMW changed out these components, one at a time and each time you had a check engine light come on the would replace the next most commonly malfunctioning part. Eventually, they started flat out replacing all the components since they would eventually fail (I believe due to the heat and pressure they are placed under with the twin turbo. This added up to owners paying for their vehicle while they spent months in the shop. While BMW did cover the costs of the replacement and extend the warranty, having engine issue undoubtedly will lead to transmission issues. This was the case of the most recent 550i owner I met at an German auto shop while getting another vehicle pre purchase inspected. He said he spend over 10k on transmission work and eventual replacement while he owned the vehicle for only 6 months, 2 of those months was spent in the shop. These repair costs were not covered by BMW. Some sleazy owners, will not mention this program/issue at all to you when selling the car (which was what happened in my case). Luckily the deal fell through in the 11th hour at the bank when the vehicle failed state inspection (due to worn out tires and brakes in this case). Owner claimed that both tires and brakes were replaced within the last 6 months. Some owners and used car salesmen are doing whatever they can to u load these problematic vehicles. Buyer beware!!!

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  Executive Experss - 1997 BMW 5-Series
  By BrianB - August 3 - 5:49 pm

  Ive had the bimmer for a couple of years now, and it still thrills in the curves, coddles on the highway, and being all black, with tinted windows, with the 17" sport wheels, still turns heads. I perfer the looks of this 5 to the new one, but given that the 3 series started to look very much like the 5 it does make it look like you see it all over the place. Engine reliability has been good, but Ive been let down by the little, but expensive things... $400 rear window motor and attachments... Air pump, niggly electrical issues, battery, and ball joints that wearout too quickly for a high end car. But, overall, I buy another one in a minute! And thats the best review anyone can give a car.

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  One down, two to go - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By totalsystm - August 2 - 2:03 am

  545i 6-speed. Just an OK rating for a $60K+ car is sad. After a year, still not sold! Started off wrong. Ordered from the factory with, I thought, every option. Nope! At delivery and later through surprises, found out that if BMW builds it with the Navigation System (which frequently attempts to route us through Frankfurt) and the HUD (Heads up display which is great-unless you have polarized glasses, then it becomes invisible), you can not get satellite radio or simply see the names of songs or radio stations (Yes, this is with the high end Sound system option.) No MP3! BMW response, "Sorry". Custom power seats with lumbar support pretty good, but not at all good looking.

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  Amazing! - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By MarkJump - August 1 - 11:58 pm

  Amazing performance, synergy with driver, quality, features, completeness of design. The very definition of excitement, excellence, and elegance. A whole level beyond most anything else. Supercar capability combines with everyday utility. Why did I wait so long to go Bimmer?

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  Very Happy With This Vehicle - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By Jim White - July 31 - 11:31 pm

  I happened to really like both the interior and exterior styling and notice many who when I go into another lane check the car out as I pass on the highway. I had a Cadillac DTS prior to this and a Seville STS before that, neither car compared. I receive compliments from people I don"t know all the time, had two today, that makes you feel good as well. As was the case with the review writtten in this article SOME find the idrive system complicated, I dont. It took a little to get used to but it does so much, I dont know how it would have been simplified and still do as much. I ordered the car with PDC, Park Distance Control, dont overlook GPS! Both are exceptional!!

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  Surprise, its a 2008 - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Debbie - July 31 - 12:36 am

  Two months ago I ordered an 07 525xi for a lease replacement for my 2004 325xi. The dealer couldnt find what I wanted, so we placed an order with BMW. Eight weeks later, I went to pick up my new car and the salesman said they had a surprise. When it came off the truck, they said they all stood and stared. It was an 08 528xi! I have only driven it for a few days, but the styling and design is beautiful.

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  A Joy To Ride - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By mark - July 29 - 11:12 am

  Bought the 545 with SMG/ Sports package sight unseen on the recommendation of the salesman - glad I did. This car is an absolute joy to drive - I do ~60 miles each day and its a pleasure.