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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  Best Sports Sedan - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Rich2003 - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Used to drive an Acura NSX and traded in for a MB E320 sedan after starting a family. I did not think it was possible to ask for both sporty feel and luxury ride. Less than one minute into test driving a 2003 530i, I knew right away what I would give myself for Christmas this year :) (only question left was buying vs leasing).

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  Im in love - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By jlma - June 5 - 2:24 am

  I am delighted by my 530. It is a joy to drive it. I look for out of town trips in order to really feel the car. It has had no problem, other than a cracked windshield, caused by a stone that a truck tire sent flying into the glass.

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  Bmw performance - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By Mr.Bmw - June 4 - 2:29 pm

  This car is one of the best cars I ever driven. The styling is very terrific. I love my xenon lights and the rounded fog lamps. The leather seats can feel a little uncomfortable at times but if youre not going on long trips it should be just right. The thing I hate most is the reliability. I seem to find myself at my local Bmw dealership about every month for such things like noises, brakes etc.

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  2006 525i - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By cw - June 4 - 6:30 am

  The 3.0 liter engine provides plenty of power. This car is lots of fun to drive. However, everything is electronic. There is not even a oil dipstick; youll have to use iDrive to check oil level.

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  Enjoyable drive - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Don - June 3 - 1:51 am

  Check on maintenance costs before buying. A battery replacement cost me about $300. The covered maintenance program is great. Road noise is quiet. Its a great machine to drive. The electric seats are very comfortable once you figure out all the controls...

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  Could be better - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By JMZ - May 30 - 8:13 pm

  Like the looking and performance. Marked 225 hps but feels stronger than Infiniti G35 during the acceleration, which claimed 280 hps. Navigation system works better than my portable Garmin one, particularly the voice reminder, split screen: one for map and one for arrow direction. Parktronic and adaptive headlight are good features. The basic stereo sound is already better than the Bose in my previous Infiniti i30. Things I do not like: the interior looks cheaper than most of the same level cars in the market. IDrive is ok but not much advantages. No mp3 playable although the manual said so. No DVD playable in parking like Infiniti M Series.

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  good - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By anthony d 1927 - May 28 - 11:33 am

  i liked the car

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  Love it! - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By anthony Vecchione - May 24 - 9:55 pm

  Maybe I am biased but this is my fifth of my BMW. Three were 3 series (gave my last one to my daughter so the grandchildren were safe), and purchased a Z4 for my wife. I needed a larger sedan than the 3, so the 5 was a natural choice. I happen to like the looks and the I Drive. Yes, it takes some time, but it is worth it. We just got back from a 2000 mile trip and we were comortable and relaxed after doing quite a bit of exploring. It handled wonderfully on the switchbacks of the forest roads, great milage on the highway, and the navagation system was confused only once when new roads had been built. It even found a small hotel we had programmed in in a residental area of town,

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  Excellent choice ! - 1992 BMW 5-Series
  By Serega - May 22 - 6:00 pm

  Straight to the point: 1) Reliable car. Bought the car with 138K miles on it - not a single complaint during the first year. 2) The performance is awesome, just shift AT into S mode and you can outrun most of the cars. Handles corners like its glued to the ground. Definitely a fun to drive. 3) The only competitors at this price lack style and/or performance. 4) Comfort is superb: climate control, noice isolation, power everything. The list is unlimited. 5) Fuel economy: I get 20 mpg in mixed conditions with agressive driving. 6) Interior design: everything is where its supposed to be. 7) Exterior still turns heads. 8) Overall:has 50K$ car feel:)

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  Hi-tech is great - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By yeahim40 - May 18 - 12:33 am

  When I was shopping for a car, it was the technology that sold me on the 5-series. I was a little negative about iDrive, but Ive found it to be easy to live with. I love how integrated everything is - my iPod and phone are a part of the car. The heads up display is excellent, especially with directions from the navigation system on the windshield. The night vision camera is just plain cool. Its an easy car to drive with confidence. I recommend driving a sport vs. non- sport package car before buying the sport because the ride is pretty firm.