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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  LOVE MY BMW 2004 - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By ARMY GUY - February 8 - 2:00 am

  Everything I want in a car and more!

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  Best Car of My Life - 1992 BMW 5-Series
  By Mike - February 6 - 9:07 pm

  This car has been all over the country, and has never let me down. I have put an insignificant amount of money into it for repairs, and it now has 240,000 miles on it and still going strong. I am planning another cross-country trip with this car in a few months!

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  Well, well, well - 2004 BMW 5-Series
  By Bimmamma - February 6 - 5:40 am

  Ive had this car for three years now. Although, I really dig this car, I must say it really doesnt handle well in the snow. Ive gotten stuck plenty in the snow over the last three years. BMW needs to do something about better winter performance or I will be forced to purchase other vehicles and leave Bimmers alone completely. I cant believe I said that but my safety and well-being come first. My neighbor has a Chevy Cobalt and it gets around better in the snow than my Bimmer EVER could. BMW better think of customer safety if they want my continued business!

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  Two BMW 5-Series in our Garage - 2002 BMW 5-Series
  By David/Nina - February 1 - 12:23 pm

  We currently own a 1998 528ia and 2001 530ia. Nothing is like these cars on the road. Both are reliable, handsome and FUN TO DRIVE. The 528 is a little underpowered but the 530 is a Blast!

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  The Ultimate Driving Machine - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By bimmer530i - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Ever since I was 14 years old I always wanted a BMW, now Im 16 and owning a great 530i. You cant go wrong with this car; it has performance and great stability in tight corners. BMWs are truly the Ultimate Driving Machine.

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  Beautiful Car - 2016 BMW 5-Series
  By Kathy dyer - January 9 - 9:07 pm

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  My first BMW - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By SC Guy - January 8 - 7:11 pm

  This is the first BMW that Ive owned. My most recent cars were Jaguar and Infinity. Overall, I am pleased with my choice. The styling and handling are excellent.

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  Big Disappointment - 1995 BMW 5-Series
  By Paul - January 5 - 4:29 pm

  The 95 540i is among the last understated, genuinely beautiful cars from BMW. It is tremendously powerful and the routine maintenance consists of little more than oil changes and brake jobs. The downfall is the transmission. It is a sealed unit with "lifetime" fluid (complete nonsense). It _will_ fail at 100k mi. and cost $5k to replace. The car is worth $4k. My trans has disgorged its fluid on the driveway fully 4 different times. Each episode requires a limping trip to the shop and a bill of $300. On the road, the car is heavy and ponderous and not in the least bit fun to drive. Brakes have only two modes: off and full lock up. Zero finesse. Big disappointment.

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  Fun to drive, not to pay for - 1999 BMW 5-Series
  By Mark - January 2 - 5:34 pm

  Torque out the kazoo, lots of grunt for passing, throw it in to corners as hard as you want. I regularly drove the car on 600-mi trips and was very comfortable at the end. However, exceptionally expensive maintenance has been a downer. I spent over $3500 (incl $650 to replace a window motor) in 8 mos and could be spending another $1500 as the car has >100K mi. Will not buy another BMW w/o warranty (and probably not with warranty until iDrive tumor is removed).

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  Bought the car - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By susan rutz - December 31 - 3:13 pm

  Execellent! Bought the car after I test drove it. Thought the car exceeded my expectations. The last car I bought was a 1995 525i ten years ago so obviously I still love the brand.