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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  Pure Bliss - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By genie2k1 - March 1 - 2:00 am

  This car provides the most satisfying driving experience u can get from family car with four doors. Sufficiently fast, excellent build quality (except for a few minor glitches), superb handling and performance. This car is just great. Get a feeling of euphoria when driving it, so much that I find myself looking for excuses to drive it. Pure confidence. Engine has nice muted growl, gets ur adrenaline pumping. Acceleratoin is great, even with auto. Cant believe there is only 2.5 liters under there, feels more like 3.5. Styling is timeless. THIS IS THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE.

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  Superb Euro Sedan - 1997 BMW 5-Series
  By Blondebeard - February 19 - 2:00 am

  The ’97 E39 540i Sport is a study in contradictions, completely in-line with expectations. I’ve had mine about a year, and just crossed 72K miles. On the whole, the car has been a splendid purchase. They stop on a dime, handle well, and start to really shine where other cars sign off. With the right tires and fresh clutch, they’re a blast at track days, too. Imagine that: a family sedan that performs well at the track. Short of an M5, I cannot recall another sedan that can make this claim.

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  Massive Torque BMW 540 - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By Big Bad BMW - February 11 - 2:00 am

  This is the car for those who enjoy driving and driving fast and this is important...under CONTROL!!

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  A Dream - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By tlffxhouston - January 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is a joy to drive and has an exterior design that is plainly beautiful. The interiors design is average and the comfort is average. However, the driving the 530 is pure fun and comfort, with a stronge feeling of safety.

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  My 5-Speed Wagon - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By Sharkey - January 13 - 2:00 am

  Apparently a stick-shift BMW 5-series is a tough sell in Los Angeles. So, I landed a good deal on the car. It is equipped with both the Sport and Premium package, Xenon headlights, and Park Distance Control. After owning Japanese luxury cars, you notice the lack of amenities like a center console, extra sunvisors with extensions (the 5-series sunvisors cant really be utilized to shade the drivers side window), an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and an in-dash CD changer. The sport seats can be tough on your left thigh when clutching. All that aside, its the best-handling, highest quality wagon Ive ever owned.

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  This puppy flies - 1990 BMW 5-Series
  By Thomas E - January 10 - 2:00 am

  Im the third owner to this vehicle. I recently purchased it from a friend for a few grands. Besides the fact that its a BMW, I was blessed with its color- electric red. This puppy has over 170k miles on it and still drives super smooth. Friends who drive 2002 non-bmw cars immediately feel the difference when they get into my 90 BMW. If treated right, these engines can gracefully acquire 250k- 300k miles. Ive yet to spend a dime on it. It honestly feels like a $25k dollar car, which isnt even a fraction for its current retail value.

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  How not to design a navigation system - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By ashwini - January 9 - 2:00 am

  If another car (Lexus) in the class offered manual transmission with almost 300 horses then this would be the wrong choice. Lots of little things keep going wrong with the car. Sometimes the service engine soon light with turn-on and gone after 15-20 miles. The electronic key will stop working. But once it starts to move, this is awsome. I live with the minor annoyances since I really want a manual transmission in my car.

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  Too late to turn back - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By uncleg - December 21 - 2:00 am

  When we first bought this car for my wife she was in love wthi the style power and performance. I loved the the features. But little did i know it would be the beginning of the end. Not soon after we bought the car we had to replace all the head lights and break lights under warranty. Buy the 3rd yr we have replaced allexterior lights at least 3 times. Called BMW and they state, it is a common problem up until I started to experience more expensive items like the ASC and the transmision relay.etc.etc.etc. The BMW dealers will only provide a loaner if yuo bought it there? Not lexus or mercedes. I will never buy another, I go back to Mercedes and lexus.

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  Best mid-size sport sedan out now - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By GER_545SMG - December 20 - 5:36 am

  This car has delivered...and more. I have never enjoyed a car as much as this. Everything is just great. Sure the cupholders could be better, but this is otherwise German engineering at its finest.

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  Very clean - 1997 BMW 5-Series
  By johnnybadboy - December 7 - 2:00 am

  the best car i ever had