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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  Nice car - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By James - July 12 - 10:50 pm

  I bought the car used and had a little trepidation about the reliability of the car. The exterior design of this car is unbeatable bar none. I have the performance 17 inch wheels and the ride is harsh to say the least. The road noise from the tires are too loud. But the car looks and runs so well that I can overlook those few faults. Also I have to take into account that the car is six years old.

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  Wow - 1995 BMW 5-Series
  By DrFrank - July 12 - 7:20 pm

  Purchased a used Dinan 5, 540ia supercharged. I had owned a 1985 735ia before. Interior was very close to the 735. Power and handling was vastly better. 0-60 in under 5 sec and 60-0 makes your stomach turn. Corners are FUN. 90 degree corner at 60 kph and no problem staying in my lane and No tire squeal. Wow, I have driven many sports cars, but this defines sport.

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  Great Car, when not in the shop - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By Bob - July 12 - 12:40 pm

  Have owned the car for a couple of years and seem to have a major (>$500) repair about every 6 months. Most of the previous posts highlight the poor quality cooling system parts (replaced) and window mechanism (twice replaced). I have also replaced the steering and a/c fan,. That said, it handles perfectly on the road. I am considering either a CPO 5-series or a Porsche now - both are always in the shop anyways.

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  My 20th BMW since 1972! - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By P.Y. Maida - June 28 - 11:54 am

  I love BMWs. And I love wagons. I always buy them used and usually with over 80K miles due to my budget. Had a 2006 530xi and loved it except for the lack of acceleration. The 2008 with the twin turbo 535xi is my perfect wagon except........there are a few issues which must be looked at or taken onto account when buying a used 535xi wagon. The original issues with the fuel pumps and turbos either showed up and were addressed somewhere before 50K miles or they will not show up (faults that is, normal wear and tear will always be an issue). Faulty comfort access on the 2006 530xi cost me $1400. but my 535xi is perfect. Rear hatch lift motor should be tested prior to purchase. Also the rear cargo window switch which has a habit of shorting due to lack of sealing. Easy fix but these things can mount up. I had a 540it 2003 with M package which was my favorite car of all time but my 535xi has more HP and get and go , is 4 wheel drive, all the tech goodies and gets much better MPG. Perrrrrfect! My new favorite.

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  TERRIBLE RELIABILITY - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By BMW Owner - May 25 - 5:28 pm

  I bought a "certified" BMW and had NOTHING but problems since I bought it. I have had three different severe problems with the cooling system alone and this is with a car with only 50,000 miles on it. All three cooling system problems happened three weeks after my "certified" maintenance expired and each cost approx $1000 to fix and left me stranded. This car drives nice and is fast and all but mechanically it is a nightmare and it totally unreliable. And again, it was a "certified" car when I bought it. BEWARE: BMW service like brakes and regular service is EXPENSIVE! $1000 just for front brakes which you need every 25,000 miles or so. I am not happy and getting rid of the car.

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  Great car - could use more hp & torque - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By interceptor - May 19 - 2:00 am

  Great handling car with the sports package. Responsive and precise. Although the interior is smaller than most of its competitors, its exterior is still the best in my mind. Aggressive, sporty and purposeful without being trendy and tacky.

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  BMWs Colossal Blunder - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By Shifty - May 7 - 8:23 pm

  Great car, fun to drive... but impractical! The sports package comes with run flat tires and a donut. No room to put in full sized tire in the well. But I am better off than those with a 2006 or later 3 series who have no spare at all.. Get a flat wiith these babies and you can go 150 miles. You can put on the donut and go about the same distance. Get a flat tire over the weekend like I did and you are out of pocket for 2 days. Nobody, I repeat nobody stocks the odd ball tires. This is a MAJOR flaw in the BMW. Hear that Edmunds? BTW, the run flats are not repairable, so you are looking at over $300 a pop for a flat. Also they ride terribly and have 15,000 mile tread life.

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  Great Sedan - 1997 BMW 5-Series
  By petepeter - May 4 - 11:11 am

  Purchased my 528i new & have driven 84000 miles. Great road & @town performance. Just had a wreck, a total loss. Doors still open and no injuries. I was in control to swerve & miss a head-on collision & was hit on the drivers door and to the rear. Great safety for its age. Cant find a comparable to replace it.

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  Bring Back the Drivers Car - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By wanger - April 26 - 9:23 pm

  After having a 528 and a 330 convertible, I purchased the new 530. It is so stiff that you do not feel you are driving a BMW...more like a Lexus. The former model felt like you were truly driving a sports sedan. This has no feeling to it. No life. BMW also made the door panels too tall, hence smaller windows like the Chrysler. The back seat passenger can hardly see out of the window. I also miss having the 6 buttons to get a specific radio channel. The iDrive radio just does not cut it. Bottom line: rock solid care with no excitement.

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  Looks can be decieving - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By Melina - April 25 - 6:54 am

  I bought the car in Germany and couldnt wait to get it back to the states. The same week it arrived I had to turn it into the dealership because, the monitor said I was out of oil. They fixed that problem. A couple of months past and one night the car went crazy. Windshield wipers wouldnt turn off, headlights, radio, interior lights were all flashing. BMW claimed to fix the problem. 2 weeks later I was at the dealership again for another "software" issue. My vehicle had been in the shop 7 times and was less than a year old. I was really disappointed with the way BMW Corporate handled the situation. I could have purchased a Neon and had less problems. I wont be purchasing another BMW.