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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  Great Vehicle - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By kaja222 - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding car experience all around. Of course the cup holders suck, and the middle arm rest is ridiculous, and they put the horn in the front bumper so it gets smacked easily, and its a guzzler. BUT: it is simply amazing to drive in every respect.

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  Amazing! - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By coop540 - July 7 - 2:00 am

  Wow. Thats all I keep saying everyday I drive this car. After years of lumbering around in SUVs of all sizes I started looking at BMW wagons on the strong advice of two good friends. Now I am forever indebted to them! This car is an absolute dream to drive and I really dont feel that I have lost much (if any) cargo space. The power delivery is powerfully smooth and seemingly never ending. The car is very quite and handles like its on rails! You will want to drive everywhere! If you have the opportunity to pick up the 540i rather than the 528i or 525i, do it! This car has put the fun back into driving for me!

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  525i - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By jrwest - July 4 - 7:10 am

  This is my third 5 series. I have driven many luxury cars including the S class and consider this car the best combination of size, performance, ride and comfort currently on the road. Also, the cars brakes are terrific. The 525 engine lacks a bit of power but the 5 speed automatic (with manual mode) makes the drive lively. The 530 more than makes up for this "issue" and the 540 is a Porche killer.

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  bmw top notch - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By Dr.. Frank - July 3 - 10:00 am

  My previous car was a Acura its so much diffrance.BMW terrific car,top of the line sedan. So far, I like everything about it. The I-drive is fine I do not see any problems. It should be a bit cheaper and have more standard features.

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  Lovin It - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By Johnny JK - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I really love this call, except for the fact that lately, some iDrive features are acting a little funky (need to take it into the dealership)

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  Be Your Own Judge - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By E60_90024 - July 3 - 10:00 am

  You must drive this car to appreciate the blend of sporty performance and luxury. The full size appearance belies actual performance characteristics. The handling and performance are nothing short of awesome. iDrive takes a little time to master, but you soon realize that you have ultimate control over systems and have access to information that in any other car, youd have to rely on the dealer service department for. The ability to create custom settings for the steeing wheel control buttons is a great feature. And Bangle bashing aside - The styling is both sporty and elegant, and unlike anything in its class.

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  My BMW 530i - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By James Cheek - July 3 - 10:00 am

  My 2004 BMW 530i has fulfilled all my expectations. It is quiet,smooth, powerful, good looking, easy to handle and fun to drive. The I-Drive is sometimes a pain and at times one yearns for the simpler, digitial dash controls, especially for climate--the radio and CD controls may acutally be better on the I-Drive. I had a defective airbag warning light (most apparently did) but BMW promptly replaced the defective computer causing it.

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  Love this BMW!!! - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By hawks97 - July 3 - 10:00 am

  Only had this for two months, but I love it! Car is very comfortable, and fun to drive. iDrive system is OK, but dont like the need to "accept" BMWs disclosure every time you start the car ("dont mess with this while you drive"). Also, for radio use, you cant simply push a button to get to a station, you have to scroll through every preset. Poor storage space. For a 2004 luxury sedan, it baffles me why BMW still has a place between the front seats for an installed cell phone. What little space is available is mostly taken up by that holder. Even with very limited drawbacks, this car is amazing.

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  Love the car, hate service experience - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By 530i Owner - July 2 - 2:00 am

  This is my second E39 and I must say the 530i is a huge improvement over the 528i it replaced. Its a blast to drive hard and at its limits. Its comfortable for 5 adults. Its rock solid engine and transmission are a delight. My sales experience was the best, but I have a personal relationship with the business manager at the dealership I chose. I had to go 350 miles away from home to get treated like a human being, but it was worth it. On the negative, my service experience at local dealers has been less than acceptable. I have a recurring problem with my driver seat that has been reported on 4 visits and still not resolved. Sad.

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  2000 540i 6-spd. - 2000 BMW 5-Series
  By El Jefe - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Fantastic, fantastic car. Elegant and luxurious, but crack the whip and you can get places in a hurry. Doesnt handle or feel like a 3,800 lb. car. I had a 99 M3 for three years and loved that rig, but this one can essentially do everything that car could, while offering more room and many more standard features. Too bad BMW lost focus and is now turning out hideous designs and chasing after segments they should never bother touching.