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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  Outstanding! - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By dallencat - May 31 - 2:38 pm

  Outstanding vehicle. Fun to drive and great fuel mileage. Only gripes are the cup holder and ability to see front and back of the car in tight areas. Kudos BMW!

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  Great Car, but needs real sport package - 2008 BMW 5-Series
  By Anon3 - May 31 - 12:23 am

  I "downgraded" from a 2007 X5 4.8i to a fully loaded 2008 535xi wagon to get away from the SUV stigma of poor mpg and pollution. Very happy with this vehicle, except that the wagons sport pkg does not include sport suspension or wheels. So this car has a little too much lean in corners and the steering is too light. Performance is excellent for a 6 cyl. and the drive train is extremely smooth, almost too smooth and Lexus-like. This 6 cyl wagon costs as much as a well equipped 8 cyl X5. The vehicle is top notch in nearly every aspect but I have to question what makes it worth almost $70k. Without the sport suspension, it doesnt have the BMW performance edge that justifies the price premium.

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  Uber Wagon - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By Steve - May 29 - 5:10 pm

  Having owned the previous 540ti Wagon model (w/V8), this is a clear positive evolution. Drives like a road-gobbling sedan. Surprising torque leaves me missing the V8 only slightly. The car reminds me of its safe, but thrilling ride. Love it!

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  2007 BMW 525xi - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By Louis Lerebours - May 27 - 8:26 pm

  This car is unique and I cannot describe how you feel when you drive it. You must own one and drive it on a regular basis to understand.

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  Cant beat it with(out) a stick - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By HipFan - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Simply incredible. Anyone who disses this car obviously hasnt driven one, and certainly doesnt own one. Go peddle your sour grapes somewhere else.

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  Super Car, with Problems - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By Maximum Bob - May 25 - 9:57 pm

  I know the service techs far more than I should for such a great car. Do NOT put anything liquid in the trunk and expect not to fry your iDrive. Some idiots in Germany made the trunk porous and put the iDrive electronics package in the trunk, so if you have cooler and it tips over, immediately get out your rags, etc., and get that water out. I have fried the iDrive twice in this way, and it cost a bundle to fix it. Really poor engineering.

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  1st time BMW owner-bad experience - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By Jeniffer - May 25 - 4:59 pm

  My husband bought this car for my 40th birthday, this was a bad gift. Ive had my car in the shop 23 times, multiple times for brakes and wheels/tires. The car has been in the shop 5 times in the last two and half months. I will never buy another BMW. I want to be able to get in my car and drive without wondering if my caliper will fall off.

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  Our first BMW is now totaled - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By ttroglio - May 22 - 7:29 pm

  Sadly our first BMW only went 20K before being involved in a drivers front end collision last week. Damage was so severe the car was totaled. It did its job however as the front, door and side curtain air bags all deployed and kept the wife protected with no major issues. BMW Assist was calling the car within seconds of the accident as well as calling the police. Overall it was a well built car and we had no major problems with it. The brake issue I mentioned in my previous posting never returned. We are now looking at an 08 528i or 535i with the turbo. The 07 held its value fairly well. In the 18 months we owned the car the value dropped 28%

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  Loving It - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By Phil - May 20 - 7:50 pm

  Great car! Powerful, fast and fun, yet refined. I can sum up driving this car in one word: confidence! This is a car for persons who love to drive and to feel the car interact with the road (as opposed to being shielded from it). The iDrive is fine (even helpful) once you get the hang of it. Try it, youll like it.

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  A Pleasure to Drive - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By Jon Goldman - May 20 - 4:40 am

  Silver grey color looks great. Took a few weeks to become comfortable with iDrive, but easier to master than I thought it would be. First two months with over 4,000 miles and no quality or operational glitches whatsoever. Wife has 03 525 that we have had great fun with. Seats in wifes car much more comfortable, but otherwise she would rather drive mine and so would I.