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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  One Awesome Automobile - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Tom - September 21 - 10:33 am

  First BMW Ive owned and Im hooked. Tested the Infiniti M35 and Acura RL and the 535i blows them away. The car is rock solid, fast, and handles like a sports car. The interior is comfortable and quiet and the ride is perfect. The twin turbo inline 6 is a phenominal engine. Very smooth and plenty of power when you want it while providing better than expected milage (Im averaging 20-22 mpg city and 28- 30 mpg highway). Simply the best car Ive ever owned. You just want to keep taking it out for a drive.

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  E60 aka "Dire Wolf" - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By SK Davis - September 17 - 10:34 pm

  My first BMW, but not my last. I bought this car with 66k miles. Tight like a drum--no rattles, no issues, just a clean used car. Says something about design AND previous owner. The 5 is the touchstone of sports sedans. Responsive, tight, and the 3.0 is quick, but not impressively fast (nor is it meant to be). Sports package brings it all together. And the iDrive? Get over it, iDrive is convenient, easy, and keeps the dash layout clean and elegant. I recently did a 1000 mile trip with my wife, 3 kids, and a full trunk. 29 mpg @ 82 mph. Not bad. Could be better round town, though. Oh, and the color? Copper Metallic. Very cool.

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  2005 BMW 525i - a great vehicle - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By BMW 525i impressive - September 11 - 1:23 pm

  Test drove Mercedes E320, Lexus GS300, Acura 3.2TL, Infiniti M45, to name a few, but BMW has done some amazing things with the 5 series. Best car Ive ever owned. Have had it over a month - surprising fuel economy, and for a 6 cylinder with only 185 horsepower, it really moves when you need it. They tell me its because of the 6 speed automatic transmission and the torque. Very roomy, plush, very comfortable for me as I am 240 and am over 62" tall. Smooth ride, yet it handles like a sports sedan should. Very impressed with the interior refinements. Dont like the I-Drive system for changing radio settings and vent settings - too cumbersome and distracting while driving.

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  545 Automatic - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By BMW convert - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Excellent in every way. Addictitve qualities. Fun to drive. Powerful and reliable in steering responses.

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  driver/owner - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By anab - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Great car. awsome handling. Need work in the dash, mainly, the I-Drive.

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  It is awesome - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By azbmw - September 6 - 8:11 pm

  I have owned this car for only two weeks. It doesnt disappoint. I can sports car and still have room for others. There is a reason they call it the ultimate driving machine. No other vehicle has the same driving experience. I test drove Audis, Porsches, Mercedes-Benz. I still came back to BMW. I own a 2000 328Ci. This car is just as fun to drive.

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  Over all happy with my BMW - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By me and my bimmer - September 6 - 9:17 am

  When I first bought my beamer and sat inside it, immediately I was consumed by the quality and durability of the design. As I drove it for the first time around my town, the way it handled was very impressive. Tight steering and the way it handles bumpy roads was extremely well. Engine performance is there when you need it with smoothness and power.This is the first German vehicle I have owned and I would have to grade it with and A+.

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  Fun but ..... - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By DB - September 3 - 2:58 pm

  This car is a blast to drive, but the cooling system and electronics leave much to be desired. Dash lights, cd player, window mechanisms, radiator, etc all had to be replaced in a car that had less than 100k.

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  Ill Drive It Another 10 Years - 1998 BMW 5-Series
  By jkhuddy - September 3 - 10:11 am

  Rock solid at 150K miles. Replaced all cooling components (pump, radiator, thermostat & housing, belts) as a precaution at 140K. Just replaced the struts (they didnt owe me a thing.) Great gas mileage (30+ on highway) having a manual tranny helps. Looks good, handles great, safe and comfortable. Best six cylinder on the market. Bullet-proof drive train. Mine is Canyon Red, which looks great on this car.

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  Luxury headache - 2010 BMW 5-Series
  By BMW Maven - September 2 - 7:41 pm

  Very overrated in terms of mechanical reliability. Numerous problems along the way that we never experienced with less expensive cars. yes, there is good road handling: acceleration and road handling is high quality. But the car has been embarrassingly unreliable (the 2010 model) and the dealership even seems wearied by this years inconsistencies. Furthermore, the interior design, as one grows accustomed to it, is simply dumb. Audi and Mercedes are far advanced compared to BMWs lack of imagination.