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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  What a Hassle! - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By SLVRG35Coupe - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Beautiful car, but has caused me nothing except problems! One day the engine wouldnt start and when it finally did the engine would rev and the Service Engine Soon light would be on. Also, the Passenger Airbag Off is always lit. To top off the trouble, today the car completely broke down! Less than 3 months old, and it is dead. Engine wouldnt start, emergency lights wouldnt work, dead! Unbelievable, nobody can believe it, this is a BMW were talking about! I have no clue what is going to happen, but I am being dead serious. I hope and am pretty sure that this doesnt and wont happen to anyone else, but theres always a chance, so beware buyers!

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  Excellent after all these years! - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By codysd - January 8 - 10:05 pm

  We have had ours over 3 years, purchased CPO. We have had several very high end cars, a new BMW 530 sedan now, etc., but this 2002 wagon is the one we will always keep. It is virtually perfect in every way, looks very sporty, drives like a rocket, is incredibly reliable and we NEVER get tired of driving it. It is a keeper!

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  Growing on me - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By Mac M - January 3 - 12:59 am

  The dominant item of this car is the V-8 engine. It is nothing but superlatives: extremely powerful, very fuel efficient, wonderful sounding, impossible to operate smoothly in stop and go traffic, incredibly complicated (I hope valvetronic is reliable). The car itself is very modern. Most of it is made of aluminum. The interior (standard seats) is comfortable, though storage space is limited. Brakes, transmission, electronics such as Logic 7 radio and nav are first rate. The latter, of course, is already outdated by todays hard drive systems, but the basic car still remains leading edge. I cannot overemphasize how good the engine is. Dont even consider the 6 cylinder.

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  Check that steering wheel. - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By Mark II - January 1 - 3:23 am

  This is my second 5-series unit. Its very impressive - quite a jump from its immediate predecessor - both in technology and design. Great car!

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  Im obsessed with my BMW - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By bostonkate - December 29 - 11:43 pm

  Im really loving this car! The one thing people should know is that the iDrive is great! It so isnt something you have to use every time you drive. Instead it is a way to customize your settings, i.e. air flow, radio stations, what part of the seat you want heated (back, bottom, or both). Then, you can control those things just like you would normally, on the dash (or the steering wheel). I was originally thinking if I had to keep doing this computer mouse thing I would be sure to get in an accident but it is really a streamlining of controls.

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  Best fun car in its class - 2009 BMW 5-Series
  By murali - December 28 - 9:27 pm

  This was the best fun car in its class. I always look forward to drive this machine every day. Handles the sharp corners exceptionally well. It has pretty good MPG in city too. Overall am thrilled to have 300 horses it in my stable.

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  Its worth it! - 2009 BMW 5-Series
  By Chase - December 21 - 7:33 pm

  I purchased my 3rd BMW, and I am glad I did. I had not driven one for over a year and had forgotten why I keep going back. It just keeps getting better. My car has the sport and prem packages and well worth it.

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  Fun to Drive Expensive to Own - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By Dick Bange - December 21 - 7:21 pm

  Love to drive this vehicle bought new. However, have spent over $12,000 repairing everything from A/C, water pump, CD player, starter and thermostat several times. Wont buy another one.

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  Reliable, I dont think so - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By John M - December 20 - 4:03 pm

  Bought new in April, has been in the shop at least twice a month every month since then transmission problems (wouldnt shift into reverse) computer problems with the iDrive, check engine light/oil/coolant lights comes on with regularity, rough starting - attributed to carbon build up on the valves, cleaned 300 miles ago and now back again. Very disappointed in my $60k car, and find no help at the dealership either, phone calls go unreturned and requests to have BMW USA involved have been ignored so far. I was so excited to get this car, and now it has turned into one of the worst decisions I ever made

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  A Great Car - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By Skipper2 - December 19 - 3:55 pm

  I purchased this car in 04 which was the initial build for the new style. I must say that I am very happy. It is now December of 2008 and I still love this car. I did purchase the extended warranty and service plan which covered me for 100,000 miles. I have not invested a penny in this car except tires at 80,000 miles and gas. There were some nuances with the programming at the beginning but they were taken care of for free. The ride comfort and handling are both great. As a matter of fact my wife purchased 2 3 series because of our love of my car. My wife and I also took the BMW Performance school and loved the performance. It was a rainy day and we were able to max out the performance.