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 Car Limted By Electrical Quirks - 1997 BMW 5-Series
  By mickt2 - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Mechanically, the only thing Ive had to do is replace the brakes once. Electrically, its been a nuisance. In the past 2 years its been in the shop for ignition failure, windshield wiper motor replacement (twice), window regulator failure, electronic trunk release failure, failure of sunroof, loss of sound to half the speakers. The heated seats keep blowing a fuse,and it cant be repaired without replacing both front seats. Each shop visit has run in the several hundred dollar range, and BMW dealers seem to think its nothing for you to wait 2 weeks for an appointment and then leave your car there for 2-3 days.

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  Great Car - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By Three Time BMW Owner - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Best of the three BMWs Ive owned. Tremendous road feel, braking and cornering. Great fun to drive. Have had no major problems.

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  My 545 - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By efin57 - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Great ride with so much power. Combines luxury with understated agressiveness. Spacious, comfortable, cool gadgets. Looking forward to the Bluetooth option.

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  Awesome Value - 1994 BMW 5-Series
  By KPitser - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This was my first BMW after many Hondas. Beside my sport bike, this is one of my lifes few true pleasures. Of course there are times when little piddly stuff breaks, but there are great web sites maintained by many loving fanatics like myself that help you navigate past the stealer. I love the fact that I can put my kids in the back seat but when I am alone can roll her up to 110 mph and feel nothing but confidence (unless observed by Hwy Patrol).

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  Love the bimmer - 1995 BMW 5-Series
  By Territory49 - May 23 - 2:00 am

  Just bought my first bimmer and Id have to say it is my favourite car to drive for luxury and comfort. I owned an rx-7 and a suped up, customized 65 karmann ghia both of which had power, but the 540ia now is my prized possession. I love all that it has, except for the maintenence costs. Its a bmw what do you expect though. Anyway for a 95 it is almost as nice as the new ones and a fraction of the cost. I get excited everytime i get in the drivers seat. Definitely has power. Just ask the cars next to me at the lights when I blow their doors off. If you can find a 540ia in good shape for a good price I recommend it. I am a true BMW fan.

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  Wonderful Ride - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By islander - May 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is a joy to drive - excellent handling and driving environment. The solid build quality gives you a feeling of safety as well. Perfect mix of fun to drive and comfort.

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  Low miles, great car. - 1995 BMW 5-Series
  By ken1 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  CA always had low sulfur, 2001 for all of US. Nikasil failures were small percent. Diagnose: Open front doors wide, start engine. Rough idle-doors bounce, compresion/leakdown test. These cars are now a GREAT buy since most failures are old news. 80 mph = 28 mpg!

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  Everything perfect so far... - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By Snow Queen - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Despite my reluctance to move from a Z3 to the 530i sedan, I feel like Ive sacrificed just a small amount of performance that is far outweighed by the luxuries and amenities of this outstanding car. I might beat others out of a light a little slower now, but not by much, and Im doing it in comfort. This is a grown-up, safe, well-built car that I can still view as a toy.

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  Some Practical Advice - 2000 BMW 5-Series
  By nycdoofus - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Great car, solidly built, nimble at high speeds. Monstrous brakes and the Stability system has saved me more than once - getting itself out of an understeer. There is only one real weakness - the tires. Once I upgraded the tires (wait for them to go on sale, $150s per tire every now and then, though i paid the full 200) i could not have been happier. Now I dont need to endanger all of my neighbors and strangers by driving a car-crash-incompatible SUV and menacing the roads in general. Last winter (a doozy of one on the East Coast), I drove 364 out of 365 days and that the vast majority of rolled-over and road-side crashed cars were trucks like the Explorer and Blazer.

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  The best car I ever have - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By dlee9612 - May 8 - 2:00 am

  This is the first German car I own. I totally like its performance and handling. Unlike any Japanese and American cars I had before, the BMW 5 is so fun to drive. It feels solid, comfortable, and excellent build quality. It is worth the money I paid.