Overview & Reviews
The 525 and 530 models receive an all-new 3.0-liter inline-six engine this year, and BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system is now available to serve those who need a little more bad-weather bite. BMW is also offering a versatile 5 Series wagon to U.S. customers once more, though only in 530xi trim. The 545i has been replaced by the 550i, which features a 360-horsepower, 4.8-liter V8.
- One of the most satisfying midsize sport sedans/wagons you can buy, ultrarefined engines, multiple transmissions, tastefully appointed cabin, exceptional build quality, strong resale value.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 155.00-
New to vehicle - 2006 BMW 5-Series
By Douglas Polzin - January 5 - 10:07 am -
10 year old BMW 525xi still going strong! - 2006 BMW 5-Series
By Gene - November 29 - 9:53 am -
Great looking car with performance that matches - 2006 BMW 5-Series
By Lawrence Katzenstein - August 19 - 12:47 pmI bought this car three years ago and Ive generally been quite satisfied. It gets decent mileage overall and over 30mpg on the road. New passengers not aware of the brand will often ask what kind of car it is because its so comfortable. Since the car has had very little wear its frequently confused with a newer car since the basic body design remained the same until 2010. It does have some flaws. One of these is that the I-Drive computer occasionally doesnt boot at start up and leaves me without a radio until it does. The radar detection often takes a while to shut off after leaving a parking space. However in the basics like comfort and performance the car is great. I did purchase an extended drive train warranty, but Ive recently had a large number of systems fail in short order including the water pump, purge valve, and transmission pan and filter. Theres also the standard German oil leak which is so minuscule that Ive chosen not to fix it. My mechanic and I both think that this bad period will pass and that the car will remain reliable so Im currently still positive about it. Its a great machine.
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Nice Luxury Car (: - 2006 BMW 5-Series
By carguru12 - February 20 - 3:40 pmWe purchased our 525xi secondhand at a BMW dealership and it was certified used. The interior comfort is great, and road noise is minimal. The only thing I dont like about our 5 Series is the iDrive system. It cant be avoided (option up a standard radio like in the 3 Series), and it has radio presets, but there are no preset buttons (you have to use iDrive to get to them). The car also has an annoying "grab" in the transmission, a software issue. The performance is great. I love this car.
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Big bucks German bad transmission cheap parts - 2006 BMW 5-Series
By wilczewm - November 23 - 1:12 pmBought new. Minor problems while under warrantee. Since then, replaced rear wheel bearing at 40K. Transmission slam from second to first like getting hit from behind. BMW engineers created a computer work around for this common problem but will not fix this default and you must pay dealer whether it works or not. Many people being talked into replacing transmission for $5k. Cheap dash components like cup holders and ashtray flimsy, had to replace both two times. For the price paid, quality is severely lacking. Would not recommend buying a used one. Local dealer repair shop is horrible. Had vehicle 9 days on two occasions without fixing. BMW regional tech changed battery 2hrs.
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Still love it after 3 years of driving... - 2006 BMW 5-Series
By bmwwilly - July 28 - 8:41 amDrove Nissan products for 20 years... CVT transmission is a joke!!! Decided to test drive my 5 and fell in love... yes, service / parts are not cheap, but buy a Kia if you cannot live with it... love it and would buy it again!!!
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still lovin it - 2006 BMW 5-Series
By bmw125 - July 9 - 9:09 pmive owed this car for five years and im still loving it! Its a great car!
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a little pain for lots of fun gain - 2006 BMW 5-Series
By bummer530 - April 8 - 11:32 amIn the market for a car in 2009 and for the price of a boring Accord V6 ($39k in Canada) I got a 530xiT CPO with 60,000 km on it. Had to deal with electronic glitches here and there (tire sensors, oil level sensors, etc) and the transmission is somehow brutal when accelerating from a red light. Also experience problems at idle, irregular rpms..but all covered by CPO warranty. Driving is a blast: I put 40,000 km on it annually and wouldnt want to drive any other car @$700/month. If I could afford a 12 MB E350 4matic station, I could consider a trade but even if I need to rebuild the tranny, it will still be cheaper and more fun to drive my 530xit into the ground. 170k km heading for 400k
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Great car and great value (if purchased used) - 2006 BMW 5-Series
By klrsmile - January 16 - 4:36 pmI purchased an 06 with 48k on it - a CPO car with some protection (and maintenance) remaining on the warranty. Sticker was $64k in 2006, and I was fortunate to purchase the car for under $22k from a BMW dealer in Houston. What can I say? The car has amazing performance and handling, with stock 18" rims and Yokahama run flats (odd, since there is a spare). Suspension is a bit stiff for an everyday driver, so says my wife, however, it allows the corners to be straightened out a bit when you get the nerve. Rear leg room is A+ and trunk space is huge. I-drive not too bad once used to it, but could have been made friendlier.
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First...maybe last. Great to drive. Post-warranty fears... - 2006 BMW 5-Series
By vengefultick - April 26 - 11:39 amI bought my 525i as a CPO with ~32,000 miles on it. By the second day I had an appointment to get the rotors replaced as they were warped. November 10 I had to have the radiator replaced as it developed a sizable whole. The transmission engages rather hard from near-stop or even a full stop at times. It occasionally shifts hard at speed. The dealership swears this is my driving style. I find it commical that I did not have this problem with a 99 Ford Escort, 98 Suzuki Sidekick, 98 Toyota Tacoma, 04 Mazda Protege5, or an 05 Chevy Silverado....but I do with the expensive BMW. The car is fun to drive, the stearing and handling are great.
