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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  Great Car, but not Cheap to maintain - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By amg0507 - December 17 - 12:47 am

  Ive had my car for a few years now and put a good bit of miles on it. Ive got 120,000 miles. Ive changed the battery, tires, oil, spark plugs, all the regular maintenance and it drives great. But its a BMW and parts are not cheap. . . its also not cheap to have someone put them in for you. If you want a car that is Cheaper to keep going, drive a Toyota or a Honda. If you want to enjoy driving your car get a BMW. Previously Ive had an Rx-8, MiniCooper Sport, Lexus SC430 and a Honda Accord.

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  Luxury! - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By hand77 - December 14 - 5:51 am

  This is the first of many BMWs that I will own! This cars interior is amazing for a 2004! Heated everything, power everything! The iDrive wasnt too hard to figure out after a few weeks of owning. It doesnt save my presets to my radio, but thats fine I use my phone. There is no performance to this car, it is VERY slow, but the luxury makes up for it.

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  Loved it - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By alxislife - November 5 - 8:27 pm

  Bought the car with 40k miles and sold it with 75k miles. The car didnt give me any problems whatsoever and ran perfectly. The only maintenance required was tires, brakes and rotors. No problems with the fuel pump at all. Loved the exterior design and the interior as well. To me the car was the perfect size not to big and not to small. Would definitely recommend! I miss the car but got a great deal on an Infiniti and I needed a change.

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  I love my 5 Series but not the major issue - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By ddsbmw - October 2 - 4:47 pm

  I love to drive my 525i, but it would be a lot more enjoyable with some sort of stereo. CCC module went out and is $1700 to replace. Out of my budget and almost inevitable to go out in this model. This controls navigation and all the service lights so I love my car a lot less than I could have. How I wish BMW would recall their obvious faulty CCC module so this car could be the great car it was meant to be.

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  Still love it after 3 years of driving... - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By bmwwilly - July 28 - 8:41 am

  Drove Nissan products for 20 years... CVT transmission is a joke!!! Decided to test drive my 5 and fell in love... yes, service / parts are not cheap, but buy a Kia if you cannot live with it... love it and would buy it again!!!

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  still lovin it - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By bmw125 - July 9 - 9:09 pm

  ive owed this car for five years and im still loving it! Its a great car!

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  Love my M Sport 535i - 2012 BMW 5-Series
  By desertking - May 27 - 12:55 am

  Dont know why Edmunds have only manual 6-speed option for 535i, but this car with auto sport shifter is very responsive and quick. It feels heavy when you start driving but you cant feel the speed unless you look at your speedometer. I like the comfy feel of this car. I like the damper control that you can choose the mode. I dont know why ppl criticize the interior, to me, this interior is far better than Audis cheap plastic feel interiors. Overall space is good as well and at this point, i cant say anything about reliability since I just got the car for 2 days. I will update of course in the future.

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  My 3rd BMW in 6 years - 2012 BMW 5-Series
  By luvinmybmw - May 23 - 8:50 pm

  I had a 2007 BMW 530i, a 2009 BMW 328i and now a 2012 BMW 528i. My favorite was the 2007. My second favorite is the 2012 528i. The 3 Series, which was a 2 door coupe, was nice, but way too small. Im not a big guy...not over weight and im only 5-9. The 2007 was really sporty and in my opinion drove like it was a train on rails! The 328i drove the same, but again...too small. The 2012 528i is absolutely beautiful. It looks like a small 7 series. Only problem, is it just doesnt "feel" like a BMW to me. It is not the "ultimate driving machine" Im used to. However, in sport mode, it feels much better and sportier, but it is bulky like a Lexus (which i have owned). Interior is nice.

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  Are you willing to trade the good for the bad? - 2009 BMW 5-Series
  By subdsgnr - April 30 - 6:48 pm

  My 535i came with the sport package, which does improve handling--especially the active roll bar in the rear. This car rides almost like an Avalon in a straight line, but has almost ZERO body roll on a turn. Really amazing handling. The turbo engine is very impressive as well. HOWEVER, you cannot change your battery on your own. The dealer MUST do it. Seriously--Im a DIY car guy. Also, I just had two injectors replaced at 20K MILES. BMW forum people act like the injectors are SUPPOSED to go out because theyre just such "high performance", but Ive had 3 Lexuses with direct inject and had ZERO problems. On top of reliability being spotty, the dealer treated me like a pariah.

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  Reliable - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By josh37 - March 15 - 8:20 am

  I bought my 2001 BMW 530i with about 80,000 miles on it. It now has 140,000 on it. I have not had any MAJOR problem, but little ones here and there.. For a while, the car would just cut off at a stop light or in the drive way or anywhere when you hit the gas. It always started right back up, but it started getting worse and worse.. Nobody could tell me what was wrong with it because it didnt have any engine lights on... One day it cut off and the service engine soon light came on... It turned out to be the Camshaft posision sensor.. Now it runs like its brand new. Had a bad oil leak but only cost me $30 to get fixed. Cup holders are broke, and the wheels get break dust on them pretty bad...