Overview & Reviews

The 2008 BMW 5 Series receives a number of significant changes, most notably a pair of new six-cylinder engines. The base 5 Series is now the 528i and features a 230-horsepower inline-6, while the 535i is powered by the same twin-turbo 300-hp inline-6 found in the 3 Series. There are a number of high-tech standard and optional additions to the 5 Series that allow it to keep pace and, in a few instances, surpass the rapidly advancing competition. To spot the updated 5 Series, look for a barely noticeable redesigned front airdam, new headlight lenses and LED taillights.

• Exceptional ride and handling dynamics, smooth and vigorous engines, premium cabin furnishings, precision build quality, strong resale value.

• More expensive than most competitors, iDrive system is still a pain in the Bangle butt.

User Reviews:

Showing 161 through 170 of 206.00

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  I FLY 535i - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Gurman - August 14 - 6:00 pm

  Our 2008 535i is a rocket ship! The new twin turbo I-6 cranks out 300 hp and 300 lb ft of torque. Matched to a 6 speed sport automatic with paddle shifters, this car hauls! The design is appealingly unique and avoids the cookie cutter quad headlights and triangular taillamps of the Mercedes lineup. The interior is an ode to minimalism but with practical secondary HVAC and stereo controls to compliment the iDrive package. This car provides tremendous performance, the utility of a 5 seater, aggressive style, top notch build quality and solid value. We Came, We Saw, We Bought.

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  Wunderbar! - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Ed - April 1 - 3:23 am

  535i Sapphire Black/Black with Sport & Premium. Simply awesome. Very well built, comfortable, fun to drive, quiet inside and bloody fast. Test drove an A6 3.2 Quattro and an E350 Sport. The Audi was really nice but felt a little underpowered (after driving the 535i). The E350 is a great passengers car, not that great a drivers car.

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  Best 5 series ever - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Bert - March 16 - 2:52 am

  Ive owned a lot of Bimmers. The E60 5-series 550i is my absolute favorite. Very composed and agile for its size, it comes with a screaming 4.8l V8 good for 360HP (or about 500HP if you put an ESS supercharger on it like I did). I have owned mine for three or so years now, and the only issue I have had is with an intermittent clock reset due to a failing comfort access door handle. It is roomy, smooth, and comfortable for those long highway drives, but one must constantly be aware that the car tends to want to cruise at its comfort zone of around 85MPH - i have had many occasions where I am doing the 65MPH limit, get distracted talking or listening to music, and then find myself at close to 90 when I look at the speedo again. The car is near silent and rock solid, so you really dont get the normal cues that you are speeding. Gas mileage is the Achilles heel of this car, though. I averaged about 15-16MPG in normal combined driving, which would drop to 10-12 if driven hard.

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  2008 528i - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Ronald Bussey - March 11 - 2:48 pm

  Well maintained outstanding vehicle

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  The Dream Wedding of Vehicles... - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Blondeinabmw - December 4 - 2:02 am

  Every time you take this car in for service, it costs $1,000...except for when it costs far more than $1,000. Bought my gorgeous 535i (with the sport package and premium sound) as a special order, and it arrived with 3 miles on the odometer. Since I bought it, I have been plagued with problems. Admittedly, the first 4+ years were pretty much covered under free maintenance with the warranty, but since it went off the maintenance agreement, it has more than made up for the savings. My car is 8 years old and has 107K miles. During the time Ive owned it, it has required: - Three complete sets of tires plus two sets of rear tires (roughly every 20-30K miles) - A valve replaced in the engine (towed) - All six fuel injectors (limped in to the shop) - Walnut blasting of the intakes - A water pump (towed) - Computer software reinstalled (twice, took more than a week each time at the dealership for the reinstall to "stick") (towed) - Three fuel pumps (towed) - And now, the CCC is bad. This is a fancy acronym for the iDrive computer system that includes navigation, radio, bluetooth and all the cars controls. It also needs the hydraulics in the hood replaced, the xenon headlight has a malfunction (which requires the entire headlight assembly to be removed from the body of the car to change a LIGHTBULB, and if god forbid the ballast is bad, the bumper must be removed as well). For a change, it is actually driving fairly well, but this repair is gonna cost more than all the others yet! Ive not added it up, but I think this car has cost me at least $1,800 a year in maintenance costs since it went off warranty in 2012, sometimes more. I will say that the cupholders in this car are the stupidest thing ever designed. It also does not hold car seats very well - infant carriers have to go in the middle back seat or the passenger seat will have to be on the dash, and convertible front-facing seats dont leave a ton of room either. It drives beautifully. Handles like a dream. Is so comfortable. Feels like a beast when you want it to. Rides gracefully. Looks pretty. Has an amazing sound system. Gets pretty good gas mileage all things considered. SUCKS THE LIFE OUT OF ME.

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  New to the BMW family - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Joy - November 6 - 1:26 pm

  My husband and I own a Lexus and a BMW. They both drive very good, but I look so forward to driving my BMW. This is my first BMW, I really cant say enough about it. The car really holds the road, and it is extremely comfortable. The interior space is very good, in both the front and the rear. The sleek look and design provides for outstanding apperance and the ultimate driving experience. It drives like a dream on the highway and on bumpy roads. While the car is supposed to be for me, I cant keep my husband out of it! I have only had it for 4 days, but I would highly recommend it!!

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  Great Classic Cruiser - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By C Patterson - August 13 - 1:47 am

  Maintenance expenses are steep but necessary. Technology is now dated but the car is smooth, fast and stable.

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  2008 BMW 535xi - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By magic frog - July 22 - 12:03 pm

  I owned a 2007 BMW 530xi so I can tell you from experience that the new car is light years above the previous year in all areas. It out-performs it, it is built better, it handles better, and although most of the changes were subtle, they were in the right place, such as the window controls on the dirvers side. This vehicle is a veritable rocket for a 6 cylinder car this is amazing. I also own a late model Mercedes with a 382hp 8 cyl that can barely stay in the same room with the BMW performance wise.

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  Almost Perfect - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Bagwhan - July 21 - 4:56 am

  This is an unbelievable car. I test drove the 535 with the twin turbo, but its no match for the smoothness and sheer grunt of the V8. I had a Mustang GT before this and this is faster, smoother and more fun. Mine is optioned to the max, with HD radio, Satellite radio, HUD, sport package, cold weather package, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, Nav and so on. The 19 inch wheels look very cool! I also have the sport transmission, with paddle wheel shifters. So far, I have not used these that much. All in all a great car, that I highly recommend.

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  New car with defect parts - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Unlucky Owner - July 9 - 12:00 am

  I had a bad experience with 535xi purchased recently, which was customer ordered from BMW manufacturer. With less than 100 miles, the car has been found to have two defective parts: 1. failed tire presure sensor; 2. faulty engine cylinder injector. They showed up in this brand new car, and malfunction signal displayed on the panel. I am really disappointed with that. Having other new cars and I never have such bad experience. Maybe this just bad luck.