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 191 through 200 of 206.00

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  Fantastic - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By ajm2727 - July 9 - 2:06 am

  Car is a dream. The ride is like that of any luxury sedan, yet the car feels tight and responsive instead of much like others. Power, even in my 528 is good, and the engine is seamless. Seats are comfortable and every button is where is should be - even iDrive, which is not the problem it is rumored to be. I have no problems using it at all and 10 minutes of instruction from my salesman was all it took. The car looks great. Sit it next to a Benz E, Lexus ES, Infinity M, or Audi A6, and it beauty prize goes to the BMW. It is the best of the bunch. Wonderful car!!

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  Too much for average quality - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By tv550 - April 8 - 6:20 am

  Poor storage space for little items like sunglasses, wallets, change, phones. Ride position is very low with the sport package. Transmission and brakes make for poor stop and go traffic comfort. Rough shifts in the mornings. Handles and drives like no other sedan above 70 mph. Horrible car for speeds below 30 mph. Large turning radius and bad blind spots. I bought this car with much regret and cant wait to get out of it. Nice looks and performance at high speeds but worthless in every day traffic. IDrive is plain horrid and after 6 software flashes it crashes randomly for 2-3 days at a time. Techs cant figure out why. Bluetooth works great, nav is the worst I have seen. Not worth price.

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  BMW 535xi - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By JeffM - March 18 - 11:00 pm

  I previously owned a Lexus GS which was a rattle trap. I was originally concerned that the BMW would ride too rough for me since I have some pretty severe back problems. The 535 far exceeds my hopes and expectations. Not only are the comfort seats the most comfortable Ive ever owned, but the ride is superb. It is a bit firmer than the Lexus, but the support the seats provide make the BMW a much more comfortable car for me. And this thing is rock solid - no rattles. Plus the fun factor is out of this world.This car is a rocket on rails. My wife always disliked the looks of BMW, but I cant get her out of this car. The iDrive is a piece of cake, nav system is great, and the prem stereo rocks.

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  Dream Car for People Who Like to Drive! - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By New BMW Fan - February 8 - 4:36 pm

  This is one awesome car. Some of the other reviews say "fun to drive"; what an understatement! Even the 528 is fast, agile and responsive. The controls are in just the right place. This car fits like a glove. The seats are the best I have ever encountered in an automobile. I had read reviews stating the iDrive was too complicated prior to my purchase and was very concerned. Forget about it. The iDrive takes no appreciable time to get comfortable with and then you wonder why everyone doesnt use it. The sound and climate systems are terrific!

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  Read My Review - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Bizm - December 16 - 3:06 pm

  My friend said it great "BMW drives as if its on rails, other cars just swim all over the place". This is so true. I test drove Benz CLS550, E350, Infiniti M35, Lexus GS350. No car can compare to the overall performance of BMW 5 series. On a turn that I took with Lexus GS350 while it was squicking and felt as if it was about to skid, BMW didnt even lean. Amazing car. If you want a couch on wheels buy a Lexus. If you want comfort and at the same time an "Ultimate Driving Machine" go with BMW 5 series. Dont waste money on Logic7 sound . We compared standard sound system to Logic7. There was very little difference in sound. Dont waste money there.

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  Simply Awesome! - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Greg - November 26 - 4:36 pm

  This is truly an amazing vehicle to drive. Excellent handling, super fast, acceleration is as smooth as silk, very little cabin noise. The iDrive takes no more than 1 hour to learn. Hands down the best sedan in its class. Bravo BMW!

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  BMW 550i Sport - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Peter B - October 15 - 6:26 pm

  Just traded my 2005 545i for the 2008 550i and it feels like a completely different car. Interior is more luxurious and the car handles much better than the 2005. Automatic transmission is much smoother. This is my fourth BMW and it is by far the best one I have owned.

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  Huge Upgrade - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Seattle Boat-R - August 3 - 12:06 pm

  Traded in my 02 325 - wow!!! What a difference! Even though this is a larger car it handles superbly. Tight steering, good acceleration, smooth braking. Quality, fit and finish are all outstanding with top grade materials. The iDrive has a steep learning curve but very useful once you have it mastered.

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  The Ultimate Driving Machine - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Omar - June 19 - 4:56 pm

  Before I bought the BMW I test drove Lexus, Audi and Infiniti. All of them are good cars. BMW is the the ultimate car. It is extremely confortable and drives like a sport car. The combination between luxury, handling and acceleration cannot be said about any other car in its class or in any other class for that matter.

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  Fun to drive, but unreliable - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By lindy62 - April 22 - 5:44 am

  I have owned many German AWD cars, after the Audi S4, this is the most fun to drive. That being said, it is not the most fun to own. I have had numerous mechanical issues and even more electronic issues. I have heard a few complain about the battery. I have switched to an Optima battery, which is cheaper and lasts longer. I have heard that BMW knew about his battery draining issue before they release it, but decided to replace the batteries instead of fixing the issue. The VANOS system had a glitch out east, oiling system out west, sparkplug in the Midwest, and a constant brake issue. I am afraid to open the sunroof for fear that it will not close properly and I’ll have to take it apart and manually close it. The parking assist doesn’t work at all and when it had worked it was over sensitive. Our front windshield was replaced and I still can’t get the intermittent wipers to work properly. The transmission seems to be slipping and I am not willing to spend the money to replace it. If it was repaired at a BMW dealer, it would total the car. Nothing is cheap to replace on the car and local shop don’t have the tools or electronics to work on it, so I have to drive 6 hours to fix something and spend big money on labor and parts. On the bright side, it gets good mileage for the performance. It rides well, but I feel it is too soft. The backend wiggles on slick roads when it hits a bump at speed and that can be a bit unnerving. There is a lot of room in the back with the seats folded down and have used it as a makeshift tent in bad weather (as long as the sunroof doesn’t leak). The interior has held up well and the body hasn’t rusted. Would not buy one again, because of the reliability issues.