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:

• 

  Power Sedan - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By stingers - March 4 - 2:58 pm

  I disagree with the prior reviewer. I too came out of an Audio A6 3.2 into a 550i sport, but think the BMW is a better car in every respect. I have had no problems with my car after almost 2 years of daily use, hard use. I drive this car hard and it delivers! The engine is something to be reckoned with, from 0 to over 100 there is power to spare, just punch it and hang on. The interior is solid as a rock... no squeaks or rattles almost 20k miles. Where the A6 is plastic this car is leather, a true luxury sports sedan. (my A6, my 2nd , was in the shop many times)

• 

  BMW 530iA - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By TheoMD - March 4 - 10:00 am

  One of the best cars I have ever owned. Absolutely love it except for the awful cupholders and lack thereof in the rear

• 

  A great car! - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By kjm - March 3 - 1:44 pm

  This is my 4th BMW and the one I kept the longest (prior 3 were 3-series). This car does everything well style, performance, handling, comfort & safety. I have not experienced any major problems with the car - routine work only. 87000 miles and going strong. I still get compliments on the car even after 6 years!

• 

  Mixed feelings - 1994 BMW 5-Series
  By tnnative - March 1 - 11:59 pm

  After 2 plus years of ownership this has been a car I still love to drive. However, the cooling system has been a series of expensive repairs... Radiator, oil radiator, thermostat, water pump, head gasket, hoses. Otherwise a reliable car other than normal issues they all seem to have (upper door trim comes loose, easily diy fixed). Ive researched these tremendously, and the 3.0 liter v-8 seems to need many parts replaced between 100-130k miles. My BMW mechanic informed me of this, however, so there were no surprises. A great highway car, very quiet up to 80 mph. Good a/c (replace the filters, makes a huge difference if they havent been maintained).

• 

  Good one - 2009 BMW 5-Series
  By SDM - February 27 - 3:37 pm

  I am spoiled to BMWs. Each one seems to get better. My 09 528i is very solid. I had an 06 530i which got great mileage and Im hoping this car will get better as I get more miles on it. The shifting is silky smooth and build quality is good. The improvements in the idrive are notable - pushbuttons for CD, Radio, Telephone, etc. Its a little pricey but its worth a little more if youre enthusiastic about what you drive.

• 

  Transcendent Teutonic machine!! - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By Mike Lucarelli - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Spectacular world class ride and handling, you look forward to driving and relishing its splendor. My third BMW in 20 years and by far the finest. Considered a MB E Class first but my kids talked me out of an "old persons car" (MB) and I am happy I stuck with the Bavarian brand.

• 

  2008 Beemer - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Dean Franke - February 26 - 11:00 pm

• 

  what a great car - 1997 BMW 5-Series
  By bobbybuche - February 25 - 7:57 am

  I just purchased a 1997 528i yesterday and the car only had 65,000 miles on it. The car is great it feels like Im riding on rails and the suspension beats the heck out of my old explorer. I have seen a few people talk about wind noise from the front windshield and what you need to do is pull of the weather stripping and lay down a very small bead of silicon and place a small piece of rope on the inside of the groove of the seal when you reinstall the window pull the rope back out al the way around and this will provide the best seal and will eliminate the wind noise I guarantee. Other than that the car is amazing.

• 

  Love my BMW - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By DBCAFY - February 24 - 9:13 pm

  Best car ever build. Combination of 5 passenger seating, room for golf clubs and best of all - sports car!

• 

  CPO Vehicle - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By Randy - February 23 - 8:08 pm

  I bought a 2006 CPO and I have never been so impressed with an automobile, even if used. The quality of build, interior and exterior finish, ride, and great gas mileage (30 mpg highway) blows me away. The iDrive system is easy to use and relieves you of numerous buttons and knobs that would be needed to run the systems it controls. I have had other luxury or semi-luxury cars i.e. Lincoln, Mercedes, and a Toyota Avalon and none, I repeat none, deserve to be parked in the garage with the 530i. So many small touches add to this car such as small orange LEDs beaming streams of dim light on door handles, gear shift, side pockets, at night. I certainly will be a BMW man for years to come.