Overview & Reviews

The 2011 BMW 5 Series has been completely redesigned. Highlights include less adventurous styling than in years past, more powerful engines and new technology features. The wagon model has been discontinued. All-wheel drive is not available currently but will return later in the model year.

• Respectable fuel economy.
• Clean interior design with high-quality materials
• Plenty of high-tech features
• Strong turbocharged engines
• Capable handling

• Feels a bit bulky on tight roads.
• Smaller trunk than rivals

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 88.00

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  Battery - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By father4girls - September 2 - 9:43 am

  I bought my 2011 BMW 535IX back in Oct 2010 and have loved it since day one. The car is great and the dealership is great, I am just concerned that they replaced my battery for the 2nd time in just under 3 years. I am on my 3rd battery and my concern is what happens when the free service contract expires next year? Is it just my car or does BMW have an electrical issue here?

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  Disappointment city - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By nomore528s - June 22 - 10:22 pm

  I have had two 528 sedans in my life. The first was a 2000, and the second was a 2011. I picked both of them up at the facility in SC and drove both them to CA Lotsa fun was had both times. The 2000 over the time I owned it was great... not a lick of trouble. The 2011 was more disappointing than my first wife. The first issue was those useless tires, one of which failed 3000 miles from home causing me to have to spend three nights in a hotel while a dealer ordered a replacement. Unacceptable! The next issue was the computer telling the power steering to stop working. Another computer glitch finished me. I traded for a 2011 Crown Vic. Im much happier. Hitler was Bavarian too.

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  The End of a Beautiful Relationship - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By nashvegasbmw - January 21 - 7:42 am

  I have owned at least one BMW since 1974, when I bought my first - a 2002tii sedan. A 528, 530, a 330i, and a 325xi later. I considered myself a devotee. This 535xi wagon is the single-most unreliable car of any make that I have ever owned (and Ive owned Jaguars and MGs). The drive-by-wire-electronically-controlled everything just doesnt work. Furthermore, the word is out on this defective car line and the resale value has PLUMMETED. And, unlike the old days, BMW Customer Service could care less. I will never buy another. I feel like a scorned lover.

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  2011 528 lag machine - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By jkmj9999 - January 5 - 12:12 am

  it sucks !! dont buy it .. maybe for your grand parents .. step on the gas.. either lags or burst into speed (sport mode) from time to time.

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  Lots of Smiles - Update - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By chasman9 - November 1 - 11:29 pm

  Just turned 40,000 miles. After reading other reviews, Im surprised. Not a fan of Run Flats, but the rears went 30,000 miles and I just changed the fronts, yep - 40,000 miles. Also, I have not had the car in for anything other than an Oil Change. The car has had zero defects. Still looks and handles like new and is a blast to drive (6spd Manual). If a single thing bugs me it is the phone book. Lets say you pull up a name and dial the house and there is no answer. If you want to dial the same person, only the cell, you have to start from scratch imputting the name etc.. Wish the back button worked just to take you to the other numbers for this same person.

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  Please read this if you are even considering buying a 535 - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By geomed - May 1 - 12:49 am

  This is our 7th BMW over a 28 year time span. It is our LAST BMW. The car shifts very poorly from a rolling stop and just poorly from a dead stop. When I contacted BMW of NA they were very defensive and did NOTHING. This car was over $ 60,000.00 and should shift without hesitation. Let the Buyer Beware this is a car I would not buy again and it is the last car I will buy from BMW.

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  why a 535 M - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By fpk1952 - April 20 - 9:33 pm

  I have owned many 5 series, this new model is way ahead of anything I tested, Audi A6, Mercedes Benz, Lexus, it handles and drives better than all sedans I tested, I was seriously considering an Audi but after driving the Audi, Lexus, Mercedes there was no doubt that the new 535 M is a far better car in all respects and more fun to drive than the others. you can set the car on Eco mode on the hwy and get 34 mpg at 80 miles an hour, quite good for this size car, the the comfort seats are by far the most comfortable and it has a superb sound system. This car has excellent features and the Idrive is much improved and easier to use as is the Navigation system.

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  BMW Run-Flat Tires, Less Than Optimal - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By teerific - February 20 - 11:04 pm

  Run-flat tires installed on BMWs 2011 5-series vehicles are less than optimal - creating a high level of concern for consumer safety. I purchased my brand new BMW on September 1, 2011. On October 3, 2011, I returned to the dealership for installation of wheel locks. The service tech identified a bubble in the wall of the front passenger tire. I replaced the damaged tire at the cost of $550+ dollars (including labor). During a more recent, unrelated service appointment, (February, 2012), bubbles were identified in both front tires. This would account for the second replacement of the front passenger tire within 4 months and my vehicle has less than 6,000 miles.

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  My first BMW - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By jason60051 - December 30 - 1:32 pm

  This is my first BMW and I am very impressed with the vehicle overall. I researched vehicles in the luxury midsize class and always came back to the BMW 5 series. Found a dealer with a brand new leftover 2011 and was able to negotiate almost $14k off sticker. Reading some of the reviews about the automatic transmission made me decide to go with the manual and I havent looked back. The slick short throws make the driving experience top notch.

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  No BMW USA Service Support - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By blunt1 - September 14 - 9:55 am

  While my salesman was one of the most knowledgeable salesman I have ever encountered, I was reassured that this very expensive investment would receive any service and support it needed. I drove the car off of the lot with a warning message regarding the electrical system. Two trips back to the dealer I finally get a new battery. Second trip back I explained that the road noise and pulling to the right was excessive. Their response was, "well its just the sports suspension", and nothing we can do. Third trip was concern about a quart of oil added every 7,000 miles. Nothing they can do. Now I need $2200 in tires, and the car leaks. No support for this lemon of a car.