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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  2006 530i Disappointment - 2006 BMW 5-Series
  By helodrive - November 1 - 6:55 pm

  I have taken the car back 7 times in a little over a year for repairs. I am very disappointed with BMW and will not buy another. The day I picked the car up I had to return it because the SOS system was not working, iDrive went out, the sunroof had to be repaired to work correctly, warning for high battery drain (2 times), window anti-trap warning, rough idle.

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  Love this car - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By JW - November 1 - 6:02 pm

  This car is amazing, which, for the price, it should be. It is however living up to every expectation. I dont know how I ever drove anything else

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  A Bad Year - 1992 BMW 5-Series
  By Joe - November 1 - 11:53 am

  Amid the favorable reviews I must interject some objective facts. We purchased our 525IA on a lease turn-in and spent $9,000 repairing and maintaining it over the course of 3.7 years. Reliability was awful, having stranded my family four times. Once each for fuel pump, A/C compressor seizure, self-destructing water pump, and seized belt idler pulley. When asking BMW of North America, they apologized for my model year being one of the "Dark Ages" vehicles where they outsourced the offending parts and/or labor. When the question of service came up, they sent me a standard form letter. Stay away.

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  Pleasure and pain - 2000 BMW 5-Series
  By cobra27 - October 30 - 6:19 pm

  I bought the car w/38k miles. In the 22k Ive put on it, its given me lots of smiles, and also had me cursing at it. Its a great performer and handler, but Ive replaced a mass air sensor, camshaft sensor, CD changer and more. Im not sure if I would get another one.

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  Fantasy Car - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By sbu - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Car is great, dealer was horrible.

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  Lexus Upgrade - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By panoral - October 27 - 10:00 am

  After trading in a 99 GS400,the BMW is like another world.I took it easy for the recommended 1500 miles and got over 25mpg on a round trip of 2000 miles-at an average speed of over 65mph. The new car is quieter than the Lexus,especially at speed where the L had much more wind noise.The styling is much more appealing than the rather bland L. The only minor gripe is lack of space to store things in the console-the L had very good accomodations here. Safety seems worlds above and I had no fears about driving at 60+ in torrential downpours on the Interstate-visibility and tractin were astounding.

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  The best BMW yet - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By Michelle - October 24 - 3:19 pm

  This is my 4th BMW and I have never been disappointed. It wasnt until the new 07 525 that I was actually blown away. It is light years ahead of my old 528. All the new electronics (voice activation, navigation, iDrive, iPod, bluetooth) are worth every penny especially if you use your car as your mobile office.

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  First BMW, Its Amazing! - 2005 BMW 5-Series
  By Quetzalcoatl - October 23 - 12:50 am

  This is my first BMW. I fell in love with German engineering when I owned the 98 Passat. This is that multiplied by 10. The car is a pure joy to drive. It makes the slog of the commute worth it, at least for a little while. I-drive is nowhere near the horrible extra everyone says. The cupholders arent great, but they do the job. The one complaint I have is minor, and that is the odd compartments in the center armrest. Whats the point?

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  What a Car! - 2003 BMW 5-Series
  By Randy - October 22 - 7:17 pm

  Just purchased Automatic Sport package 540i. The build quality is so noticeably different than other makes. As my wife stated after driving it "What a sweet ride". Says it all.

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  530 BMW - 2007 BMW 5-Series
  By ali ilker - October 21 - 7:42 pm

  I love the drive, acceleration, the grip feeling that gives when you are getting into curves.