Overview & Reviews

The 2011 BMW 5 Series has been completely redesigned. Highlights include less adventurous styling than in years past, more powerful engines and new technology features. The wagon model has been discontinued. All-wheel drive is not available currently but will return later in the model year.

• Respectable fuel economy.
• Clean interior design with high-quality materials
• Plenty of high-tech features
• Strong turbocharged engines
• Capable handling

• Feels a bit bulky on tight roads.
• Smaller trunk than rivals

User Reviews:

Showing 81 through 88 of 88.00

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  2011 BMW 535i engine goes at 84,000 miles - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By Debra Logan - September 29 - 2:00 pm

  I purchased my 2011 BMW 535i new from the dealer with only 495 miles. Service has always been timely and performed only by BMW dealer. Recently the car started making a rattling noise intermittently when accelerating and decelerating so I took the car into the dealer. I was informed that the engine had metal in it and needed to be replaced at a cost of $31,000. BMW is refusing to replace the engine and is only willing to cover 20% of the cost. Metal in the engine is not something that I could have caused. The engine is either defected, or the service that I thought was being performed on my car for the last 6 years has not been performed by the dealer, or if done perhaps incorrectly. Ill never buy another BMW after this experience. BMW obviously does not stand behind its produce. So much for the "ultimate driving machine".

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  GREAT PURCHASE!!! - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By Shannon G. - August 13 - 5:29 am

  Its flawless, you wouldnt be able to tell if the car was used, due to its perfect flawless condition both interior and exterior. No scratches. All conponents work. The only difference between this vehicle and a new one is looking at the odometer.

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  Buyer beware!! - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By AJ - August 3 - 8:59 pm

  If youre considering buying this car, please look into the N64 customer care program for this car. There are about 20 engine components that were essentially recalled. Depending on when, or if, your 550i went through this program will determine the number of components you may have had replaced. Initially, BMW changed out these components, one at a time and each time you had a check engine light come on the would replace the next most commonly malfunctioning part. Eventually, they started flat out replacing all the components since they would eventually fail (I believe due to the heat and pressure they are placed under with the twin turbo. This added up to owners paying for their vehicle while they spent months in the shop. While BMW did cover the costs of the replacement and extend the warranty, having engine issue undoubtedly will lead to transmission issues. This was the case of the most recent 550i owner I met at an German auto shop while getting another vehicle pre purchase inspected. He said he spend over 10k on transmission work and eventual replacement while he owned the vehicle for only 6 months, 2 of those months was spent in the shop. These repair costs were not covered by BMW. Some sleazy owners, will not mention this program/issue at all to you when selling the car (which was what happened in my case). Luckily the deal fell through in the 11th hour at the bank when the vehicle failed state inspection (due to worn out tires and brakes in this case). Owner claimed that both tires and brakes were replaced within the last 6 months. Some owners and used car salesmen are doing whatever they can to u load these problematic vehicles. Buyer beware!!!

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  BMW Board of Executives! - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By P. Peterson - March 16 - 11:00 pm

  BMW would have the perfect car if they got smart enough to outsource all of their electronics to the Japanese!!!! Every problem besides the run flats seems to be something electrical...Hands down, engine, transmission and suspension, the best car ever made....until you get all of the latest recalls! BMW, please stick to what you know! Stop trying to keep up with everyone else and go back to the basics, you guys made exceptional cars with exceptional motors, that didnt need any turbos, but still the meanest and best handling sedans on the road....Im sure yall know that! So please get the old band back together and make the kind of music that used to make everyone dance!!!! Im sure you guys see all of the complaints and recalls....So send those Mercedes engineering cats back to Mercedes and get back to basics!!!! Your cars are way too appealing to have those many issues!!! And I loved my E39 2003 540i Msport....With no turbo! Still kick ass!!! I know all of the luxury features going into these cars has to be killing you guys...Go back to making the ultimate driving machine!!! Key word DRIVING!!!!! Somewhere between 2004 and 2010 the design team didnt bring it...now they are!!! But now your reliability is at stake!!! You guys must be shaking your heads! Yeah the cars look better but you cant have reliability issues! Get back to what youve always known.....great look, best engines, suspensions and transmissions= THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE!!!!!

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  Get back to basics - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By Chris - March 15 - 6:59 pm

  I previously owned a 95 M3 that was rarely in for repair. This 2011 535 has seen the dealership far too many times. In a span of just over 2 years the following has occurred: keyless entry failed (multiple times), water pump failed, AC failed, valve cover gasket replaced, another oil gasket leaked (last 2 were total $2,300), 2 wheels bent, 1 wheel cracked (run flats not for typical roads), sway bar replaced to name a few I recall. Other than that, I do love this car. X-Drive is probably better than most SUVS out there. Love the aggressive looks of the M-sport package. Car is bank vault solid. I feel very safe hauling my family in it. I-drive is decent but not as intuitive as Acura. Gas mileage is outstanding for such a large car (29 hwy). Long trips Ive done 34 mpg. Power is impressive. Hesitation from stop is there as others have written. Very odd. Feels like transmission is slipping. Dealer claims its normal. Seems almost any brand has issues. If you get lucky with yours, you will love it. BMW simply needs to simplify their electronics. Stop the over engineering and focus on building a solid car again. My problem is I visit the Philly auto show every year. Not another car out there that meets my need for performance, style, price, awd, safety and comfort. Sounds like a market opportunity...

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  NEVER A BMW - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By guroz@live.com - January 30 - 7:29 am

  We bought a 2011 bmw 528i while it was under warranty. We started to have issues right after that. Pulling right, Electronics freezing, can not unlock the doors with key fob, can not get out from car because door handles do not work time to time and our 2 year old son got locked inside(car locked by it self) and we had to break the window which took almost 30 minutes. BMW said they could not find any problem and went even further some of the issues are features of the car. Our kids getting locked in the car is a serious issue, Can not getting from the car is another serious issue. What if car catches a fire in an accident and we get stuck in the car. We are filing a law suit and also there is one already pending for the same issue. There is lots of compaints for the same issues but they do not want to admit. DO NOT BUY BMW especially if you have kids.

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  My 2011 BMW 528i - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By Bill H - June 24 - 1:44 pm

  Good upscale transportation. Very comfortable and dependable ride. Have had some trouble having recalls performed as do not have a relationship with a dealer. None in close proximity to me and this is a seasonal car.

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  Owned for 6 years - 2011 BMW 5-Series
  By JKC - December 8 - 4:41 am

  Have had the 535 Sport package for 6 years/70,000 miles so far. Still like new with not a squeak or a rattle - a traditional solid built tank. All materials still like new and no problems. Previously replaced cars every 3 or 4 years, but now I find little logic in doing so since it is still like a new car, and maintenance has basically been just oil changes and brakes have been lasting a long time. Cant believe the blue book value for the car is incredibly low now. I have a deposit for a Tesla Model 3, but I can probably hold onto this car for another 10 years and be better off, so may not get the Tesla. Im still not bored of it, and still all original, except for replacing the run-flat tires with regular Continental tires that have provided a surreal quality experience.