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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  Is it a Lemon? - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By 1stBMWLastBMW? - April 20 - 11:20 am

  Took ownership end of Feb. Less than 12 hours later the car said I had a flat. Had to wait 1/2 day to diagnose myself and reset. A week later the computer reboots while doing the voice commands. A week or two after that Navigation tells me Im driving in the ocean. Took it in and a week later its fixed but after the s/w upgrade the computer rebooted twice (after it went to sleep a 2 days). Locking the car doesnt blink the lights nor chimes (intermitent). Going up the hill, it feels like it wants to stall (but doesnt). And now the latest: Steering wheel is pointing right. I feel like Im driving a very expensive, very poorly designed car. Current mileage (1700)

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  The Dream Wedding of Vehicles... - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Blondeinabmw - December 4 - 2:02 am

  Every time you take this car in for service, it costs $1,000...except for when it costs far more than $1,000. Bought my gorgeous 535i (with the sport package and premium sound) as a special order, and it arrived with 3 miles on the odometer. Since I bought it, I have been plagued with problems. Admittedly, the first 4+ years were pretty much covered under free maintenance with the warranty, but since it went off the maintenance agreement, it has more than made up for the savings. My car is 8 years old and has 107K miles. During the time Ive owned it, it has required: - Three complete sets of tires plus two sets of rear tires (roughly every 20-30K miles) - A valve replaced in the engine (towed) - All six fuel injectors (limped in to the shop) - Walnut blasting of the intakes - A water pump (towed) - Computer software reinstalled (twice, took more than a week each time at the dealership for the reinstall to "stick") (towed) - Three fuel pumps (towed) - And now, the CCC is bad. This is a fancy acronym for the iDrive computer system that includes navigation, radio, bluetooth and all the cars controls. It also needs the hydraulics in the hood replaced, the xenon headlight has a malfunction (which requires the entire headlight assembly to be removed from the body of the car to change a LIGHTBULB, and if god forbid the ballast is bad, the bumper must be removed as well). For a change, it is actually driving fairly well, but this repair is gonna cost more than all the others yet! Ive not added it up, but I think this car has cost me at least $1,800 a year in maintenance costs since it went off warranty in 2012, sometimes more. I will say that the cupholders in this car are the stupidest thing ever designed. It also does not hold car seats very well - infant carriers have to go in the middle back seat or the passenger seat will have to be on the dash, and convertible front-facing seats dont leave a ton of room either. It drives beautifully. Handles like a dream. Is so comfortable. Feels like a beast when you want it to. Rides gracefully. Looks pretty. Has an amazing sound system. Gets pretty good gas mileage all things considered. SUCKS THE LIFE OUT OF ME.

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  Air Conditioning odors - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By jag - November 1 - 2:00 am

  There is a terrible odor which is created by mold growing from condensation on the air conditioner. BMW has not been able to fix it. After futhur research I have found that this is a common problem on the 5 series. If you read the owners manual carefully you will see that BMW is aware of this problem, and has choosen to address the problem by saying that condenstion is normal. What a joke!

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  PRESTIGE DOES NOT A CAR MAKE! - 1994 BMW 5-Series
  By IGEG - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE A 94 540 AND 97 328.THE TRANS AND DOOR RUBBER HAVE FAILED ON BOTH MAINTENANCE IS INCREDIBLY HIGH ON BOTH AND IT SEEMS THEY BOTH NEED IT OFTEN I DONT SPARE EXPENSE TO KEEP THEM RUNNING YET I AM GETTING TIRED OF THE $ HOWEVER THEY ARE BOTH FUUUUN TO RUN AND STILL TURN HEADS

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  bmw 541 - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By yd - October 21 - 2:00 am

  this car is fun to drive but takes a lot of gas.

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  528s Are BAD NEWS - 1997 BMW 5-Series
  By felgar - August 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car as a lease return with an after market warranty. It has constantly been in the shop. The last major problem was a blown head gasket and warped head - BMW took no ownerhship in the problem and cost me $5K. These are very unreliable cars and I will never purchase a BMW again. Great looks but Big Money Wasted

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  I might have gotten a lemon, but a money pit - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By DHecker - January 19 - 1:35 am

  The most telling example of the problems Ive had with this car is the following. The BMW has warning signals for many different things, including that the outside temperature is now 37°. However, it does not have a warning signal to say that for whatever reason a seal in the transmission has blown and all of the fluid is leaking out. Leading to the need for a new transmission. I have had innumerable problems with the engine, electronics, lights, you name it. There is now once again an engine warning light on. I bought the car in 2011 with only 25,000 miles on it. If I have not spent $15,000 in repairs since then, I would be shocked. Dont waste your money. On the positive side, when it is working and especially on the highway it is a lot of fun to drive. It gets mediocre mileage around town (it is quite heavy). But it gets somewheres around 33 miles per gallon on the highway.

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  HUGE disappointment - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By jw - October 23 - 1:06 am

  This car is highly overrated and Im very sorry I purchased it. I will never purchase a BMW again. Its not comfortable, and even at 3000 miles hasnt been reliable. I intend to sell it and purchase a true luxury car. The ride and drive arent smooth or what you should be able to expect from a car at this price. Most disappointing is that it isnt fun to drive. It feels like my fathers car with a little more hp. The cup holders are hysterical---the drivers and passengers are both on the passenger side---very uncomfortable to access and dangerous to use lean over to use when driving. The leg room is worse than most cars this size. My first and last BMW.

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  The 528I is definitely not a sports sedan - 2016 BMW 5-Series
  By Gary - July 5 - 12:04 pm

  Build quality was fine; but it is sluggish and slow and lacks the exciting driving feel youd expect in a BMW. The Turbo 4 is inadequate and leaves it under powered and wanting. Ive had that engine before and it starts to burn oil between changes at about 20,000 miles so be warned. The navigation system still requires a PHD and a lot of patience. Its not intuitive. Unfortunately, the car drives like a Buick. If Id wanted a Buick I would have bought one for $20,000 less. Very disappointed. Ive owned six BMWs and this is the worst. Believe the new redesign in 17 is intended to remedy some of its faults.