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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  Love this car! - 2015 BMW 5-Series
  By Jamie - September 10 - 2:32 pm

  This is my first BMW, though in the past I have owned an Audi and two Mercedes Benzes along with a host of lesser cars. Ive had the car for five months and to be honest I cant see ever buying any other make of car ever again. The dealership experience was among the best Ive ever had and their follow-up has been on point - helpful but not overbearing. The car handles beautifully and delivers all the driving experience anyone could want. Build quality appears excellent (no problems) and the materials used are first-rate. I have only one issue, which is that the infotainment system is overly complicated. You learn it eventually, but theres a lot of redundancy and more than a few answers to questions that, as far as I know, no one is asking. Still, I consider this car an unbeatable value, and can honestly say that in this class theres nothing else on the road Id rather be driving.

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  Looks/drives great for a 16 year old daily driver - 2000 BMW 5-Series
  By Rulrand Wiehl - September 7 - 9:22 am

  I have owned my 528i for almost five years and love it! Bought it with 43,000 miles on it and have driven it to 102,000 mostly commuting. Have had a few repairs ( radiator, nav system) but it has not been terrible as I use an indie shop. BMW even agreed to help me replace a bad nav unit and now that works great, and I saved about $3,000 dollars ( you read it right) installing a used part. As a road car it is really superb. Great ride and feels like a tank. Decent mpg overall ( 24).. Best of all mine is CLEAN. Looks new really and people are starting to comment as it is increasingly older. I took a risk buying a ten year old car, but its worked out great for me and I really respect the brand.

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  Run Flat Tires will disappoint! - 2012 BMW 5-Series
  By ZJ6 - September 1 - 12:04 pm

  Only four things you need to know about run-flat tires (RFT) First, they wear fast, dont last as long as stated (we got roughly 20K on first set). Second, they are more susceptible to flats! (weve had 3 flats in 3 years) Third, they are very, very expensive ($450 a piece for cheapest all-season). And fourth, though sold under the guise of safety and protection for the vulnerable driver upon flatting... driving to safety (insert image of wife or children stranded), in my experience they burst at the sidewall, which renders them undriveable, and therefore driver is subject to a massive inconvenience of waiting for a tow truck, and being driven to dealership (more on BWM assist later) or tire shop for the pleasure of spending more on a new run-flat tire. We have flatted twice in the last 4 months, both times in the middle lane of an interstate, in the flow of traffic. And three times total in the life of our 2012 BMW (and Ive been driving for over 30 years w/o a flat, until buying a BMW). Regarding BMW roadside assistance: It will be sold as a first class experience. Any issue and free tow to dealership. Truth: BMW needs this lifeline, and second, its not first class. Its run by All State, and requests for towing are farmed out to their network of towing vehicles. They state bids over 1.5 hours are rejected. But expect to remain stranded (regardless of location), and be held hostage to their queue. Weve used the service twice, both for RFT incidents. The first happened on a Friday after work, my wife managed to drive home on side streets under 50 mph. We decided not to get picked up that night (leaving BMW on a tow overnight in a random lot), and waited until the next day. It took ALL DAY to get picked up and have tire replaced. The second happened on I-70, in the middle of Denver. Waited over 2 hours (really, in a big city, on a major highway?)... Tow truck driver said BMWs (flat tires) and Hondas (electronics) keep him in business. Heres the deal... its a known issue! The company line is safety. If you dont like the all-season option, theyll sell you on the plan to have two sets of tires, one for winter the other for summer - paying them to store and change out the sets twice a year. After repeat visits, and getting the know the staff.. youll start to get the no comment response when inquiring if you are the only one with less-than-acceptable experiences. The staff can not speak to it, some holding firm... others will acknowledge the issue, quietly. We love the car, no other issues. We are not hard drivers and follow the book on maintenance suggestions... but I will not buy another car with fun flat tires.

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  Great looking car with performance that matches - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By Lawrence Katzenstein - August 19 - 12:47 pm

  I bought this car three years ago and Ive generally been quite satisfied. It gets decent mileage overall and over 30mpg on the road. New passengers not aware of the brand will often ask what kind of car it is because its so comfortable. Since the car has had very little wear its frequently confused with a newer car since the basic body design remained the same until 2010. It does have some flaws. One of these is that the I-Drive computer occasionally doesnt boot at start up and leaves me without a radio until it does. The radar detection often takes a while to shut off after leaving a parking space. However in the basics like comfort and performance the car is great. I did purchase an extended drive train warranty, but Ive recently had a large number of systems fail in short order including the water pump, purge valve, and transmission pan and filter. Theres also the standard German oil leak which is so minuscule that Ive chosen not to fix it. My mechanic and I both think that this bad period will pass and that the car will remain reliable so Im currently still positive about it. Its a great machine.

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  Seven in a row - 2015 BMW 5-Series
  By Joe - August 16 - 6:50 pm

  I have had seven BMWs ranging from a classic 1973 3.0 CS Coupe, to this new 528i. Cars in between included a 95 325is, 95 M3, another 95 325is, 2009 328i and my 2000 528i that i have driven every day for the last 15 years. My biggest skepticism was the 2.0 Liter engine. Initially, I had made up my mind that there would be no 5 Series in my garage with a 4 banger. I am a very traditional BMW guy that has always loved their turbine smooth inline sixes. I took one drive with the twin turbo 2 Liter Engine and 8-Speed Transmission combination. Sold! The performance is amazing. The attention to detail is incredible. I have not looked at a new car in 15 years, and this is by far the best I have had the pleasure of enjoying. BMW performance, luxury appointments and the bonus of incredible gas mileage for a car this size is a bonus no matter how you look at it.

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  By far best car so far - 2014 BMW 5-Series
  By Bode - August 13 - 11:06 pm

  Love this car. Its a 2014 535d M sport with several extras. Engine is amazing. Everything is designed right. First car i would label as perfect, and i am critical. Fuel economy is excellent (doing 28.3 mpg in mostly city driving) and with diesel here between midgrade and premium it is nice to spend liitle on fuel every month. The exterior is beautiful. Have the M sprt version in carbon black. Interior also beautiful and i drive now working really well. Navigation display is big showing traffic and will propose alternate routes. I drive button now allows to write destination. Works very good. Dashboard, steering wheel and instrument panel are just beautiful. Heads up display works great and shows nav instructions very clearly. My wife has a 2014 Audi Q7, looks nice outside but is inside nowhere near the 535d. Recommend you drive this car, in specific the diesel, when you are in the market for a luxury sport sedan. Would highly recommend buying one. Everyday this car puts a smile on my face, like driving a new car from the lot daily.

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  My First BMW - 2015 BMW 5-Series
  By debnmd@gmail.com - August 12 - 7:26 pm

  I treated myself after having an VW Passat, Acura TL, Acura RL, I decided to buy a BMW528i. It is by far absolutely the best car I have ever driven. I looked at the MB 350 and the Lexus 350 and came back to this sweet vehicle. My husband and I race to be first at the driver"s seat. He drives a old Toyota truck, now he is considering a BMW SUV. I am happy every time I look at or get in my vehicle. Add to that the awesome gas mileage and it is as close as you can get to perfection.

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  CPO Purchase Paid off. - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Mirquat - August 12 - 9:54 am

  Many visits to the dealership, all while under warranty. Repairs were done under both the original mfg warranty and the CPO warranty. Thankfully, since the warranty expired, there has been only one visit to the dealer in the past 2 yrs, approx 25K miles. All struts were replaced at 75K, and well worth maintaining a new car ride. They werent broken, just a bit worn. I find the combination of sport car performance and storage utility makes this car exceed any SUV on the road today. Unfortunately, import of the 5 series wagon ended, I believe, in 2010. Recently, I test drove the X5 as a replacement, but didnt find a discernible difference in ride, mpg, comfort or handling. Sooner or later........

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  unleash the kracken! - 2012 BMW 5-Series
  By kevin m. - August 9 - 8:54 pm

  If your looking for good gas mileage the automatic 550i 2012 is not your car! But if you want a mustang/ vette killer this is your car! The torque and speed is hair-raising! I timed my 0-60 @ 4.4 . The 550i paddle shifters launches you out the box so fast that no crappy rice burner or Mustang 5.0 will ever recover. I havent loss a street race yet. ( lol) The fit and finish is first class and the seat position feels custom fitted. You will never find a a better combo of performance and luxury for under 35k.

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  poor reliability & expensive to fix - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Mike - July 29 - 5:38 am

  Great car when it is work. 77 kmiles, second owner bought at 50 k. so far I replaced, water pump, turbo,shift assembly,, battery , one bearing , low pressure fuel pump. If you have the money for this buy it if not...no. The only way I will buy an other BMW will be only if has CPO warranty ...