2005 BMW 5 Series Consumer Reviews

530I

Written by: Stoney on 06/22/2008

Vehicle

2005 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I bought mine with 15000 miles on it. I also owned a previous certified pre-owned 2000 (I can't get myself to puchase a new one). While I enjoy the "sedan" feel, it is not as responsive as my previous 5 series and also my wife's 335i blows it away in the fun category. But with that said, I bought a sedan and I love it (120 mph feels like 45 mph)! I only wish the ergonomics were a tad better (cup holders, cruise, tilt, wipers, etc.). For the money, give me the beemer and keep the lexus/acura!

Favorite Features

heated stering wheel, bluetoothe, I-control, wipers, sport mode tranny.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders, come on deutshce engineers, thats your best?

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Super Car, with Problems

Written by: Maximum Bob on 05/25/2008

Vehicle

2005 BMW 5 Series 545i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl 6M)

Review

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.

Favorite Features

It drives like no-one's business. It goes, fast.

Suggested Improvements

Seal the trunk, please.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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This is a disappointment

Written by: Ken on 04/17/2008

Vehicle

2005 BMW 5 Series 545i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl 6M)

Review

Owned many BMW products. All great cars except for this one. Car had repeated problems with navigation screen. I was on my third screen. The computer also reported many false positive problems that would mysteriously disappear and reappear. Great car to drive. Great performance. Actually good gas mileage for high-performance 8-cylinder. Unfortunately, I spent more time with my service manager than my family. I traded the car in yesterday. Took a bath on the trade. But was worth it. Ouch. Good riddance.

Favorite Features

Performance. Comfort.

Suggested Improvements

BMW needs to fixed all the bugs with this car.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Rockin'

Written by: Robert on 03/14/2008

Vehicle

2005 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

This is the perfect car. Handles awesome, the combination of power versus fuel economy is phenomenal and the quietness and comfortable ride are totally there. Not to mention badass looks! The car is gorgeous. I have the black with tan interior. Nothing on the road is as beautiful except maybe the Benz 500. This thing runs like mad when you want and smooth as can be when you want to lay back. Stable as can be under rough pavement and braking is first rate. My former car was a 3 series and I miss the razor sharp handling, but the 3 was a little "touchy". Not so with the 530i. I have the premium package, the regular sound system is ok with me and the seats are very comfortable.

Favorite Features

Gorgeous looks, fabulous engine, fuel economy (30 mpg hway, 19 city), comfort and quietness, handling, power. SmOOOOOOOth and luxurious. Hard to fathom a better combination of lux, sport and efficiency, with solidity and feeling of safety.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders, interior storage, pricey.

11 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Awesome Car!

Written by: James on 02/22/2008

Vehicle

2005 BMW 5 Series 545i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl 6M)

Review

This is one of the best cars I have ever had. I now have 36000 miles on mine, a 545i, and it is just as good, if not better, than when it was new. The build quality is impeccable and the performance beyond reproach.

Favorite Features

This car is fast!! The six speed manual shifts flawlessly. The handling is awesome. Love the iDrive system.

Suggested Improvements

The carpet looks cheap. Past that nothing.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great to Drive, If it is not in the Shop

Written by: Dave on 10/12/2007

Vehicle

2005 BMW 5 Series 545i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl 6M)

Review

This is my second 5 series, the previous was a 540. The vehicle is pure pleasure to drive, acceleration, braking and handling are awesome! That said, it is the poorest quality vehicle I have ever had. 5 visits in 5 weeks in the shop for failing iDrive. I blame BMW service more than the vehicle, they would not replace the failing unit and kept reprogramming the computer. The iDrive itself is tedious and cumbersome, the nav system is worthless 50% of the time. I cannot count how many rattles and noises the vehicle possesses. Sunroof replaced, window gaskets squeaking, etc etc etc. BMW, the driver’s machine - when you get to drive it!

Favorite Features

Acceleration, triptonic shifter, throwing the vehicle around.

Suggested Improvements

Free service for 4 years is a great concept, if 1) the vehicle rarely needs it; and 2) the service center comleted the work the first time; and 3) they did not cheap out like not turning or replacing rotors on a brake job.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Love my 5 Series!

Written by: ChristiRae on 08/30/2007

Vehicle

2005 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Go buy yourself a 5-Series!! :) When I bought this car I thought "great - it looks nice, has free maintenance and oil changes, and it's sporty but big enough to actually take 3 or 4 people with me." What I did not realize is that it is super fuel efficient (I got 36.4 mpg on the drive to and from Vegas from SoCal in overdrive, honestly!), it's really comfortable, although it's only a 6cyl. this car gets up and goes (especially in Sport Mode). The only complaint I have is the cup holders! I know it's petty, but the driver's cup holder is way over on the passenger's side :(

Favorite Features

Looks, comfort, gas mileage, fun to drive, love the iDrive, reliability.

Suggested Improvements

The cup holders! It would be nice if the driver's cup holder was acutually on the driver's side of the car! I know I should be driving, not worrying about where my Chai Latte is, but it is a bit distracting trying to reach all the way over to the passenger side to grab my Starbucks cup!

8 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Fantastic

Written by: Miller on 08/16/2007

Vehicle

2005 BMW 5 Series 545i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl 6M)

Review

I have owned this car for two and one half years and still love to drive it. The fuel economy is great for a V8 20 city and 26 hwy (actual). Handling is superb! I have sports package (highly recommended) which includes wide 18 inch wheels, which I highly recommend! Quality is top notch and fit is superior! If you can afford it, buy the 8 cylinder as there is nothing finer than a BMW 8 cylinder. Also the car retains more value as the 8 cylinder is in fewer numbers!

Favorite Features

Handling, power, handling, fuel economy vs power, handling, quality fit, and handling!

Suggested Improvements

The iDrive.

13 out 13 people found this review helpful

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2005 BMW 5 Series 545i 6M

Written by: Joe V on 04/19/2007

Vehicle

2005 BMW 5 Series 545i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl 6M)

Review

Bought used w/ 24K miles. This is a truly amazing car. I've had it now for 4 months and love it more every day. My only complaint was the REALLY bad OEM Dunlop DSST run-flat tires. BMW should be embarassed by these - LOUD as a truck and extremely jittery due to uneven tread wear all around. Replaced them a month ago with Pirelli P-Zero-Nero MS's and I have a totally different car. Handling & comfort are 100% improved. Trunk is huge. Sat radio & nav are great. Excellent night vision. 18 MPG in town - 28 MPG HWY. No regrets. A great purchase.

Favorite Features

Handling & drive, Nav system & SAT radio are excellent. Blue-tooth phone connection is really simple & a huge asset. Sport seats are fantastic. An absolute pleasure to drive every day.

Suggested Improvements

Allow seat-belt gong to be switched off if you step out of the car to get the mail or run to the ATM. Dunlop tires are the absolute worst I've ever driven. Cup-holders could be better.

12 out 12 people found this review helpful

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Problematic 545

Written by: mark levi on 03/18/2007

Vehicle

2005 BMW 5 Series 545i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl 6M)

Review

The 545 is a beautiful car with speed and handling performance that is exceptional. However, the iDrive is very difficult to navigate and we had problems with error messages on our screen from the beginning. There was always at least one and sometimes as many as 3 warning displays. The dealer was never able to fix them and didn't respond to our continued complaints. We finally turned it in about 24 months into a 36 month lease.

Favorite Features

The 545 is a very fast and great handling car. It looks sharp and overall it is very fun to drive.

Suggested Improvements

Get rid of the iDrive and all of the fancy electronics. They are so convoluted and difficult to use that it is a chore to adjust even the AC when driving.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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