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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  528i can go a long time - 1997 BMW 5-Series
  By budokan - March 14 - 2:00 am

  needed new cat conv at 135K, various bulbs, trunk release, interior lighting, headlight bulb, minor oil leak seal housing. fun to drive. safe. fast. got 147k now going for 200.

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  Best Sedan Ive Ever Driven - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By SemiNo.1e - March 13 - 2:00 am

  It responds to your will. I smile every time I drive it.

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  I cant part with it. - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By TimC - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned a 99 540 iA w/ Sport Pkg. for 4 years now. Had a 95 540 before that. Ive been looking hard for the last couple of months for a new car replacement. I cant find anything I like better...except a 2003 BMW 540. So the decision was made...Im keeping the 99 for my wife...ordered a new 2003 for myself. I couldnt be happier...I just wish Id kept my 95 too. Theyve all been exceptional rides in every detail.

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  Solid engine, solid tranny, solid car! - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By PTS - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Paid $32,000, 2 years old and 29,000mi. Drives like a dream, especially love the engine together with the Steptronic, so willing to take RPMs and shift. Adaptive feature great in mountains, better than normal auto tranny. Manual shifting is great for downhill control. Interior feels solid and luxurious. Wagon has some nice features with the bar that allows you to close off the trunk, put up a net to prevents pets from using leather seats, even when rear seats are down, the bar can be moved in front of the rear seat and still have preventive net, great engineering.

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  I love my wagon!! - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By rbud - March 12 - 2:00 am

  Other than lousy cupholders, this car is the best I have ever had. Solid, safe, reliable and fun to drive. Great visability. Lots of cargo room (I haul our two labs from time to time). Snappy features, such as tool kit hidden in the hatch panel, red safety lights on doors & hatch. Quality fit and finish. Airbags, side bags and head curtain ahad of anybody.

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  A Corvette for the family - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By booger - March 10 - 2:00 am

  It is way better in the snow than most front wheel drives. It handles and rides like a luxury car but when challenged can perform like a sports car. The best car I ever owned.

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  Fair Assessment - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By C Krebs - March 7 - 2:00 am

  This is the third BMW 5 Series that I have owned, and I have bought all of them used about 2 years old. My specs for buying each of them have been to get a black 4-door, 6 cylinder, manual transmission with less than 50,000 miles on it. When I sold my first two BMWs, each had more than 200,000 miles on it, got great mileage (27+ MPG on the road, and both were running extremely well. Current model(1999)feels heavier, but gets better mileage, and a BMW is fun to drive.

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  Out of control - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By Hong Kong - March 7 - 2:00 am

  I dont know what it is. When I decided to get a grown-up car, it was between a beemer or a benz. The Beemer won because I was only a grown-up, not yet a geeser. Im in Hong Kong where there is a 120% tax on cars so my 3 year old 523i came in at US$30k after I beat the dealer down (who had it on consignment) by about 5 grand. But its been a dream. During the 1st couple of months, I couldnt wait for Sunday mornings when I would take it out on the hilly back roads here to push the envolope on the corners. Its great. Theres no other feeling. Oh, BTW, the 5 has room for the wife & kids.

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  Daily Exhilaration, > Fun Than Imagined - 1997 BMW 5-Series
  By my540aye - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Fantastic response in power,braking and handling. Watch maint. issues: 1. Cat. Converters (8yr/80K from BMW) 2. Radiator & Overheating Issues 3. Vacuum Plate & Crankcase Valve. PURE SPORT LUXURY. Insur. Class is high 23 for automatic and a 24 for the 6- speed. The 540i is the wonderfully fun and still functional. A longtime car salesman told me the 540i (vs. 528i) was for people who really want a Porsche, not a BMW I now have perspective of his reference, yet disagree. I recommend the 540i for anyone over 21 years old. There is a reason the 540i resale is greater than the 740s. Drive one for yourself.

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  Pure Bliss - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By genie2k1 - March 1 - 2:00 am

  This car provides the most satisfying driving experience u can get from family car with four doors. Sufficiently fast, excellent build quality (except for a few minor glitches), superb handling and performance. This car is just great. Get a feeling of euphoria when driving it, so much that I find myself looking for excuses to drive it. Pure confidence. Engine has nice muted growl, gets ur adrenaline pumping. Acceleratoin is great, even with auto. Cant believe there is only 2.5 liters under there, feels more like 3.5. Styling is timeless. THIS IS THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE.