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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  Ultimate not considering the run flats - 2009 BMW 5-Series
  By dinodad - April 4 - 8:31 am

  Leased on 535i with 6 spd, premium, sports and cod weather package. Took off the run flats and am storing them until the end of the lease. This is the 2nd BMW I have followed this ritual. Car handles like it is on rails. Performance is sooo sweet. Previously had a 530i with manual. The extra ponies - 45 or so are noticeable and the torque comes on just above idle at 1400 and stays flat until about redline. I commute about 45 miles to work and this beemer makes going to work fun! Have had beemers since 2000 and they are the utmost fun to drive but run flats stink big time. BMW- please hear this = run flats belong on a Lexus for those who dont want to change a tire in the rain.

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  Sorry to have purchased this car - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By LongTimeBMWOwner - April 3 - 9:32 pm

  Car is very nice except for a problematic idling issue. Been to the dealer over 6 times (lost count thereafter), talked with BMW of North America several times. No satisfaction even though the car is under warranty. If you are looking to own a BMW hope that you get a good one and not a lemon as I have. I have owned several BMWs over a 15 year period and feel completely let down by the situation. Two more observations: sound system is average, very average. Wind noise from the sunroof is annoying.

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  Lots of Features - Love this car - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By AHGuest - April 2 - 11:42 am

  This is really a great car. It has so many features - even after having it for a couple of months, Im still finding new features all the time. I just found that there are 2 compartments in the arm-rest. Ive been told the lower compartment is to keep drinks cool. This car drives great, is very comfortable and smooth, and with all its function, it looks great too. Ive driven a 3 series before but with 2 kids and car seats, the 5 series is definitely the right size.

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  Great balance of luxury and sport - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By ronbham - April 2 - 6:34 am

  Just got a CPO with 28K miles. Drives like a dream. I opted for the sport pkg with no regrets. The only glaring disappointment was the Logic 7 Sound system which leaves a lot to be desired. My Civic SI factory upgrade system was better! For a lux car that retails for 60k new the Logics 7 system should rival Acura but falls far short on fidelity plus a boomy bass. Too bad for such a quiet car.

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  Not that bad! - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By josh37 - March 29 - 2:02 pm

  I bought this car in October of 2008 and I must say Im not ashamed of my BMW. I get a lot of compliments all the time. It gets good gas mileage and has a lot of get up and go. I had a 2003 Nissan Maxima SE before this car and the BMW is as good as it. Im only 16 also. I recently had to replace the alternator and Im having to get new tires and rims because of a roaring noise but I was gonna get new tires and rims anyways so that is not a real big deal. Overall I LOVE THIS CAR!!!

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  Good car - 2001 BMW 5-Series
  By Dutch in Texas - March 27 - 9:06 am

  The 540iA with Sport Package is great to drive. The car is rock solid on the road, but I have had a number of parts replaced. My one gripe with the car is it sits too low to the ground. My front bumper cover and front air spoiler were torn off by objects. The car is solid to speeds up to 145 mph (yes, we drove it that fast once as per the speedometer). There is likely some small amount of speedometer error. I purchased the extended warranty, and it was a wise investment. The extended warranty cost ~$3,300, but it got me a new factory radio, radiator, radiator expansion tank, power steering pump, and several thousand dollars of replacement suspension parts (plus service).

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  Too Good To Be True - 2009 BMW 5-Series
  By DonRay - March 26 - 6:31 pm

  Traded in my E46 M3 after 6 years. Purchased a white 550i with Sport & Cold Weather packages & lots of other goodies. The car looks fabulous the LED side & rear lights and Angel Eye DRLs make the car unique and very attractive. The acceleration, handling and fuel economy are comparable to my old M3 but without the "nervousness". Ive never purchased a car that gave me the satisfaction of ownership that I receive from my 550i. The whole automobile is a work of art, from the anthracite tailpipes to the black front air intake a study in black and white. The Sport Package makes the current 550i better and more modern looking than the 2010 version.

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  I Love Going Fast - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By Slicrazy06 - March 26 - 10:38 am

  The 2005 BMW styling is great. All avid 5 series owners fall in love with it sooner or later. My favorite aspect of the car is its reliability, Ive had to fix nothing! Pretty fast with the V8, does 0-60 in 5.5 sec and is wonderfully smooth through the transitions. Great fuel economy for a V8 at 18 city and 26 hwy The sports suspension with active steering does wonders and the interior is really well done. BMW continues to be a leader in the auto industry.

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  Dont make em like this any more :) - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By K Johnstone - March 24 - 11:08 pm

  Every once in a while things come together and result in a special product. The BMW E39 is an example of such. - The 540iA Sport Package is a near ideal blend of sports sedan and luxury cruiser. Build quality is superior to modern BMWs with thicker body work metal and orange peel free paint. Hoping that the new F60 will match it - somehow I doubt it. The E39 is I think that special.

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  2003 BMW 525i Sedan - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By MD - March 24 - 2:00 pm

  This is our first BMW which we bought new with 4 miles on the odometer and its still going strong after 6 years and 135,000 miles. We average 500 miles per week on it back/forth to work. Highway gas mileage averages 26 mpg. My wife loves the car and I hope it lasts another 100K miles. Weve had no engine problems, but regular maintenance is expensive. Our dealer had to repair the moon roof 3 times due to the guide rails - kept breaking. Fortunately those repairs were under warranty and we solved that problem by not using the moon roof anymore. The LED dash display burns out and is very expensive to replace - my mechanic tells me this is a known defect that BMW will not acknowledge.