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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  still a great car - 1995 BMW 5-Series
  By jeepguy - November 5 - 1:13 am

  Bought the car with 140K and drove it home (eBay...1000 miles away) getting 28 MPG all the way. I thought I wanted a 540i till I saw the MPG. Kept it mainly as a road trip vehicle for a year, then started driving it daily. Here we are 2 years and 25000 miles later. My only monetary investment has been tires, brakes, a/c compressor, spark plugs and a radiator. Not bad for a car with 166,000 miles. Still runs very strong, corners like a dream, great curb appeal. My wife tries to trade vehicles with me on an almost daily basis (Grand Cherokee Overland). The valets all ask me to let them know when I may be selling it!

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  E39 best 5 series of all time! - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By DMO - November 4 - 6:12 pm

  Bought it with 30K on it after trading in my 328i. Still have it with 100K and its been the best drive I ever had. Also own a 03 330 convertible and still like the solid, smooth ride and power curve of the 98. Its as tight as a drum, no rattles. All E39s need an aftermarket water pump at 50K due to the plastic impellar, thermostats every 30k, and a better cupholder which can be retrofitted in the change holder. Im thinking of getting a new 3xi series, but cant bear parting with the 98. Oh yeah, no iDrive!!!

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  A Beautiful Classic, But Handling Could be Tighter - 2016 BMW 5-Series
  By Jeff Fancher - October 13 - 8:41 am

  I Purchased my new 535I one month ago with most of the bells and whistles and from a technology, beauty, and build perspective this car can not be beat. The interior is amazing and all the electronics work like a charm. The navigation, voice system, and radio interface is awesome and the heads up display system is crazy good. The way the heads up display integrates everything, you really never have to look down. The biggest downside so far is that the car does drive like a large sedan and even in sport mode it does not hold the road as well as I expected. Acceleration in the 535I is excellent, but it feels like it is floating more than i would like when cruising on the highway. The run flat tires make the ride somewhat rough i think and generate extra road noise. I will have to consider changing those out for traditional all season tires and just hope for no flat tire. The Jaguar XF felt like a sportier ride and also has great electronics, but in my case it had some other drawbacks such as the low ground clearance and interior color selection. The BMW is a great car, but as in all things there is some room for improvement in the ride.

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  Great to Drive, If it is not in the Shop - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By Dave - October 12 - 6:00 pm

  This is my second 5 series, the previous was a 540. The vehicle is pure pleasure to drive, acceleration, braking and handling are awesome! That said, it is the poorest quality vehicle I have ever had. 5 visits in 5 weeks in the shop for failing iDrive. I blame BMW service more than the vehicle, they would not replace the failing unit and kept reprogramming the computer. The iDrive itself is tedious and cumbersome, the nav system is worthless 50% of the time. I cannot count how many rattles and noises the vehicle possesses. Sunroof replaced, window gaskets squeaking, etc etc etc. BMW, the driver’s machine - when you get to drive it!

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  BMWs are not Maytags! - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By Rick - September 30 - 9:20 am

  Ive had three 5 series in a row over the past 10 years. I love the cars, but would recommend a BMW extended warranty. Repairs can run in the thousands of dollars and these cars do require repairs, particularly when they get to be 5 or 6 years old. Otherwise, I find them to be nearly the perfect car for me. I am 511" and 185 lbs and fit nicely in the car. If you are 62" and 250 lbs, This isnt your car.

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  Oldie but a Goodie - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By MKnight - September 27 - 2:36 pm

  For an older car with 100,000 miles on it this car is superb. However, I would not recommend this car unless you can get a warranty or you have cash to blow. All of the car problems have been little (sensors, fuses, etc.) issues. But if I didnt have a warranty I would be out a good chunk of money.

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  Executive Ride - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By Chris - September 27 - 1:44 pm

  Found myself wanting a sporty, high-end sedan and the 2001 530 with Sport and Premium is most definitely it. Took some time to find a manual, and silver wasnt my first color choice but found one with less that 50K miles. Car is beautiful inside and out, will enjoy for a long time. Sport suspension makes you really feel the road yet nothing jarring, acceleration is surprising with a relatively big car with a six cylinder, and the engine is incredibly quiet. Time will tell re reliability, disappointed that a week after purchase the alternator went out on me. Rec - dont take to dealer, find a good indie mechanic and get to know him.

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  Hitt yourself in the head with a hammer - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By stevee500 - September 15 - 11:40 pm

  TRADED MY E320-AFTER 6MOS TRADED RIGHT BACK TO AN E500. MY 530 HAD AN MSRP OF 63 K W/ EVERY POSSIBLE OPTION. DRIVING THIS CAR WAS LIKE HITTING MYSLEF IN THE HEAD WITH A HAMMER - IT FEELS SO GOOD WHEN YOU QUIT! I DRIVE IS EASY, BUT STILL A NEEDLESS HASSLE AND VERY DISTRACTING. ALSO FAR LESS COMFORT THAN THE BENZ. LOUSY INTERIOR, POOR STORAGE, CHEAP LOOKING ORANGE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS. EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS ARE SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN THE MERC YET THE MERC IS SO MUCH MORE ROOMY! BUT THE I DRIVE IN THE ISSUE - IT MAKES THIS CAR FAR MORE COMPLEX TO OPERATE THAN IT NEED BE. MY BENZ HAS ALL THE SAME BELLS AND WHISTLES YET IS EASY AND INTUITIVE TO OPERATE. BMW WILL DROP I DRIVE!!

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  Awesome German Engineering - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By mtaylo3 - September 14 - 11:32 am

  Ive been trained in and conducted vehicle pursuits as well as driven for performance. I didnt know how incredible a normal road car could be until I found this car used. Yes I miss cup holders but the Germans build cars to drive, not eat and drink in. The power can almost be scary and the knowledge that you can dust just about everything else on the road is comforting. Do your own maintenance and you can afford driving the car. Change your oil (on your own its $35-40 not $150) every 2500 miles and youll do well. Keep your wheels balanced and aligned. If they are out ever so slightly youll know it and think your brakes are having problems.

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  Bugs Still Not Worked Out - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By Paul - August 26 - 7:09 pm

  First, the good things: the 528i drives like the 3 series and is larger and heavier. Corners like a dream and is solid as a rock. As much as I hate to say it, BMW really over-engineered this car in many respects. So many unnecessary saftety features used. My 3-series had one thing go bad in 3 years-the oxygen sensor, thats it. My 528i has 130,000 miles on it and here is a list of things on the car that dont work: cruise control, rear window, sunroof, e-brake, catalytic converter broke and o2 sensor went out. Yes, it is true parts for BMWs are expensive, probably 2-3 times that of even other luxury cars. I feel betrayed. I hope this travesty is never allowed by BMW again.