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:
Showing 231 through 240 of 2,190.00-
Problematic 545 - 2005 BMW 5-Series
By mark levi - March 18 - 8:10 pmThe 545 is a beautiful car with speed and handling performance that is exceptional. However, the iDrive is very difficult to navigate and we had problems with error messages on our screen from the beginning. There was always at least one and sometimes as many as 3 warning displays. The dealer was never able to fix them and didnt respond to our continued complaints. We finally turned it in about 24 months into a 36 month lease.
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Electronically troubled - 2007 BMW 5-Series
By 530i owner - January 19 - 7:12 amNow in the shop for the fourth time to fix the (apparently) unfixable Sirius satellite radio entire radio failed once engine valve clatter and transmission "clunk" is annoying, but not yet troublesome. Great car otherwise, but clearly not up to manufacturing and reliability standards of Lexus, Acura and the other "Pacific Rim" manufacturers whose cars I have owned in the past. Even more troubelsome than the two Mercedes we recently owned.
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Sad to say - 2007 BMW 5-Series
By louis - December 15 - 11:49 pmLove the car when it is not in the shop.Purchased an 07 model in May 06. Car has 6000 mi and has been in the shop 40 days. First it had a steering angle sensor problem took 30 days for part to come in. Then a recall for shock absorbers. Then 3 trips for bluetooth problems and sunroof. After that had programming problem with air conditioner. Car is only 5 MONTHS OLD!
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Excellent.. BUT - 2001 BMW 5-Series
By MRF - December 13 - 2:47 pmWhile this is certainly the finest car Ive ever owned, I have been rather disappointed with a few items. Good stuff: This car has an amazing balance of handling prowess and ride quality. Its quiet (except for Dunlops) and feels planted at any speed. The sport seats are incredibly supportive and the controls are well-placed. Silver/black which is a stunning combination. No comparison to my Saab 9-5 in most ways. Main complaint comes from the seriously weak sound system (base system) and the creaks/rattles that come (Im told) from my fold down seats. Hey BMW, dont offer fold downs if you cant build them without resulting in rattles. Rust spots not covered by BMW (still fighting).
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My First was the Best - 2005 BMW 5-Series
By thewonger - November 28 - 3:17 pmMy 1st BMW was 1998 5-series that I regret not keeping. Im on my 3rd 5- series and seriously considering another brand. The gas tank has been replaced, passenger side window motor replaced, the trunk opened randomly (finally figured out it was a faulty switch), alarm went off in my garage and it wasnt even armed (from what Ive read, this was likely due to low battery drain), rt-rear passenger didnt always lock during drive-away, and passenger-side airbag sensor replaced. I like driving the car and the looks are great, but to have a $50k+ car in the shop so many times in 2 years is too much.
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What a car should be - 2000 BMW 5-Series
By grovesd - November 26 - 1:56 pmI have owned my BMW 528i since June, 2000. It has 85,000 miles and I have had only one significant repair - an electronic component affecting the transmissions performance. Other than that, this car has been a dream to own and drive. It has loads of safety features and drives like a car should drive. Its a solid, responsive, road- hugging blast. The inline 6 is throaty and powerful although you wont be pinned to your seat like the V8 540i. Two gripes for me - the bucket seats are not comfortable in long drives and the environmental controls require too much button mashing. What the heck is wrong with a knob? Still very happy and Ill own this car for at least another 50,000 miles.
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Update from previous review. - 1998 BMW 5-Series
By SLW - November 23 - 7:13 pmNow have 72,000 miles on car. Have replaced the radiator, water pump (left me stranded) valve cover gaskets, power steering hoses. Down to one functioning cup holder. Replaced one catalytic converter for a thousand bucks and the other one sounds like its rattling (I hope its the other one!). Blowing fuses on remote locking system and had to unplug the gas filler door actuator to stop it. Headlight adjusters broke. Still love the car though. Fun car but not Lexus reliability by any means.
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Excellent Value! - 2002 BMW 5-Series
By BTinDallas - November 14 - 9:08 pmI was in the market for a car after losing my company car. I looked at a lot of offerings and finally decided on the 530i. I bought it about 4 mos. ago and love it. This is my 2nd BMW (my other is a 1988 M6) and it is everything I thought it would be. I bought mine with 65K on the odo, but it is a CPO car with the 100K warranty. It is probably the best value out there. I got one of the best sport sedans made, with a factory warranty, for under 21 grand! Im glad I got the sport package, it really adds to the looks and handling!
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2006 530i Disappointment - 2006 BMW 5-Series
By helodrive - November 1 - 6:55 pmI have taken the car back 7 times in a little over a year for repairs. I am very disappointed with BMW and will not buy another. The day I picked the car up I had to return it because the SOS system was not working, iDrive went out, the sunroof had to be repaired to work correctly, warning for high battery drain (2 times), window anti-trap warning, rough idle.
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A Bad Year - 1992 BMW 5-Series
By Joe - November 1 - 11:53 amAmid the favorable reviews I must interject some objective facts. We purchased our 525IA on a lease turn-in and spent $9,000 repairing and maintaining it over the course of 3.7 years. Reliability was awful, having stranded my family four times. Once each for fuel pump, A/C compressor seizure, self-destructing water pump, and seized belt idler pulley. When asking BMW of North America, they apologized for my model year being one of the "Dark Ages" vehicles where they outsourced the offending parts and/or labor. When the question of service came up, they sent me a standard form letter. Stay away.
