Topic: Used Vehicle Review: BMW 5 Series, 2004-2009

[Autos_Editor]

Rated “average” for reliability by Consumer Reports, the fifth-generation BMW 5 Series models have had some engine and transmission issues but the majority of problems were with its electronics, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.

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[The Mighty Duck]

The 2006 M5 had a V10, not a V8.

[tazcubed]

I own a 2008 535xi Touring (about 30K on the odometer) and can say that I have had the unpleasant experience of a number of the issues discussed: the high pressure fuel pump breaking (replaced free - under warranty), the "lumpy" transmission (resolved by the upgrade), high battery drain (a faulty battery connection), as well as a electronics/telematics failure which caused a secondary drain on the battery (module replaced under warranty). Whilst everything has been resolved in a relatively "timely fashion", it's unacceptable that such issues have come about after less than 2 years of ownership. Would I buy another? That's good question...the car is fantastic to drive, comfortable, enough storage with the wagon without going into SUV territory. The downside is the build quality, as well as a 6 month delivery time frame (I blame BMW's executives for thinking that people won't buy wagons in North America). I almost dread when the warranties run out. Now that Audi has a 6 wagon that has comparable power and features, it'll be a hard argument not to go with Audi if their build quality is better.  Unfortunately, with wagons, there's not a great deal of selection (no Japanese or Korean competitors), and I can't see buying a North American product.

[ovr50]

Interesting post, tazcubed, and welcome to the CTC forum.

I owned a 2008 535xi sedan from Nov07 to Sept09. I put some 22,000 kms on it in that time. I had no issues with the car at all; but I certainly have read on BMW forums of the HPFP problems which seem to impact about 10% or so of the cars with that N54 engine. I did experience high battery drain in the winter months when all electrical devices such as seat and steering wheel heaters, etc were in full use. I solved the problem (as many owners have) of buying a BMW trickle charger and putting it on the battery if I was not driving the car for (say) a week. Driven daily, I didn't seem to have the problem. I would rate the car's overall reliability as "average', which is what Consurmer's Reports has it at also, I believe.

Six months delivery time seems very high, even for a wagon. I ordered mine and had it in less than three months. It's not BMWs fault that wagons are poor sellers in NA, as the sales figures prove them correct. I agree with you that a Touring is often a better solution than a SUV or crossover, but the majority of NA buyers do not agree with us.

I traded my 535 on a 2009 M3 Sedan and am loving the M.

Good luck.

[vdk]

The 2004 5 Series was available as the 530i, with a 225-horsepower (...) In 2006, a second version of the six-cylinder was added to create the 215-horsepower 525i, and a 4.8-litre V8 replaced the 4.4 in the 550i; the 530i carried over.

Didn't the 2006 530i get the I6 in the (then) new 330i good for 255hp?

[67 Piston Slap]

People buy cars they don�t need with money they don�t have to impress people they don�t like.

I'd say if you are the type of person that enjoys and is able to feel a vehicle's dynamics while you drive AND you have enough money in the bank AND you do not mind dealing with problems that may require either having a very close relationship with a good BMW garage or an extended certified used vehicle warranty, a 5-series of this vintage could be the right car to drive, despite the Bangled-up lines.

Now, if you do not have the time and the money and you think your blood pressure may reach dangerous limits due to 'issues' that would never happen on a 17K Corolla or Civic in 20+ years of ownership... stay away.

[ovr50]

People buy cars they don�t need with money they don�t have to impress people they don�t like.

No crap, Einstein!! I didn't know that. Thanks for enlightening me. 

But, these cars will take more maintenance than an "average and boring A to B car". Some of us can appreciate the difference. Others should get their Corollas (beige preferred) and be happy.

[vdk]

People buy cars they don�t need with money they don�t have to impress people they don�t like.

No crap, Einstein!! I didn't know that. Thanks for enlightening me. 

But, these cars will take more maintenance than an "average and boring A to B car". Some of us can appreciate the difference. Others should get their Camrys (beige preferred) and be happy.

Fixed for accuracy.

[bluelines]

It is partially BMW's fault that people don't buy wagons. The number of production allocations for E91 and E61 models has always been tiny, so it's very rare to see them in showrooms. The average buyer who walks into the showroom probably doesn't even know that there are wagon variants of the 3 and 5 series. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy that wagons don't sell.

I agree that six months seems like a long time. I ordered my E91 last month and will get it at the beginning of April. I came v. close to buying a 2010 535 xdrive Touring last year instead of my Touareg TDI, and it would have been under three months to get that vehicle.

Interesting post, tazcubed, and welcome to the CTC forum.

I owned a 2008 535xi sedan from Nov07 to Sept09. I put some 22,000 kms on it in that time. I had no issues with the car at all; but I certainly have read on BMW forums of the HPFP problems which seem to impact about 10% or so of the cars with that N54 engine. I did experience high battery drain in the winter months when all electrical devices such as seat and steering wheel heaters, etc were in full use. I solved the problem (as many owners have) of buying a BMW trickle charger and putting it on the battery if I was not driving the car for (say) a week. Driven daily, I didn't seem to have the problem. I would rate the car's overall reliability as "average', which is what Consurmer's Reports has it at also, I believe.

Six months delivery time seems very high, even for a wagon. I ordered mine and had it in less than three months. It's not BMWs fault that wagons are poor sellers in NA, as the sales figures prove them correct. I agree with you that a Touring is often a better solution than a SUV or crossover, but the majority of NA buyers do not agree with us.

I traded my 535 on a 2009 M3 Sedan and am loving the M.

Good luck.

[tazcubed]

It is partially BMW's fault that people don't buy wagons. The number of production allocations for E91 and E61 models has always been tiny, so it's very rare to see them in showrooms. The average buyer who walks into the showroom probably doesn't even know that there are wagon variants of the 3 and 5 series. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy that wagons don't sell.

I agree that six months seems like a long time. I ordered my E91 last month and will get it at the beginning of April. I came v. close to buying a 2010 535 xdrive Touring last year instead of my Touareg TDI, and it would have been under three months to get that vehicle.

Part of the reason for the delays in my delivery is two-fold: 1) I ordered options that were not on any cars on the assembly line that were allocated for North America (this can cause a 2-3 month delay in itself), 2) There was a delay in submitting the order via the dealership who were trying to get an earlier delivery, but would have meant losing options. It would be unfair to say that the dealership didn't try to get it earlier, but I wanted a heads-up display as well as night vision (and I do use these functions on a regular basis).

So far as certain things stated by "67 Piston Slap", well, you're entitled to your (yawn) opinion that I've seen you (yawn) regularly state on basically any luxury car. BTW, my wife's '05 Subaru Impreza Wagon has held up quite nicely and is a blast to drive as well as dead reliable - it's red - can't say I'm partial to beige Camrys or Corollas (technicolour yawn).

[ar_ken]

People buy cars they don�t need with money they don�t have to impress people they don�t like.

I'd say if you are the type of person that enjoys and is able to feel a vehicle's dynamics while you drive AND you have enough money in the bank AND you do not mind dealing with problems that may require either having a very close relationship with a good BMW garage or an extended certified used vehicle warranty, a 5-series of this vintage could be the right car to drive, despite the Bangled-up lines.

Now, if you do not have the time and the money and you think your blood pressure may reach dangerous limits due to 'issues' that would never happen on a 17K Corolla or Civic in 20+ years of ownership... stay away.

Thanks for stating the obvious.  You can have your 17k Corolla with a gas pedal that gives "pedal to the metal" a whole new meaning, or your 17k Civic with standard blow-up-in-your-face-when-you-don't-need-them SRS airbags.   

I'll go buy a coffee and visit my BMW mechanic now. 

[Canada Stig]

You have to admit that it is sad that such wonderful-to-drive cars as 3 and 5 series BMWs are so "iffy" in the quality department.  And you wonder why Lexus, and to a lesser extent Infiniti and Acura, made inroads.  Granted, those are the most "beige" cars on the market, but they run forever (and the lexus can even drive itself!!)

I've driven BMW and Mercedes, and both have some serious skeletons in their late 90s/early 2000s closets.  Ditto - and more so perhaps - for Audi.  I think they are much better built now, but you have to admit that Lexus et al took a big chunk of sales from them on reliability and build quality alone

[bluelines]

Ah, that explains it. When I was looking at the 535i xdrive wagon there were essentially no option choices any more -- Executive package was mandatory and that was it. I love the HUD and night vision options (also ventilated seats -- another great but almost impossible to get 5 series option). Sounds like a great car you've got. However, I've heard it's v. difficult to see the HUD with polarized sunglasses. Do you find this to be a problem?

It is partially BMW's fault that people don't buy wagons. The number of production allocations for E91 and E61 models has always been tiny, so it's very rare to see them in showrooms. The average buyer who walks into the showroom probably doesn't even know that there are wagon variants of the 3 and 5 series. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy that wagons don't sell.

I agree that six months seems like a long time. I ordered my E91 last month and will get it at the beginning of April. I came v. close to buying a 2010 535 xdrive Touring last year instead of my Touareg TDI, and it would have been under three months to get that vehicle.

Part of the reason for the delays in my delivery is two-fold: 1) I ordered options that were not on any cars on the assembly line that were allocated for North America (this can cause a 2-3 month delay in itself), 2) There was a delay in submitting the order via the dealership who were trying to get an earlier delivery, but would have meant losing options. It would be unfair to say that the dealership didn't try to get it earlier, but I wanted a heads-up display as well as night vision (and I do use these functions on a regular basis).

So far as certain things stated by "67 Piston Slap", well, you're entitled to your (yawn) opinion that I've seen you (yawn) regularly state on basically any luxury car. BTW, my wife's '05 Subaru Impreza Wagon has held up quite nicely and is a blast to drive as well as dead reliable - it's red - can't say I'm partial to beige Camrys or Corollas (technicolour yawn).

[Que]

Search in Canadiandriver for Used Vehicle Review: BMW 5 Series, 1997-2003, (can't post link). Car that needs no Intro...

The E39 was hard to beat, not sure if the E60 ever topped it overall.

[tazcubed]

Ah, that explains it. When I was looking at the 535i xdrive wagon there were essentially no option choices any more -- Executive package was mandatory and that was it. I love the HUD and night vision options (also ventilated seats -- another great but almost impossible to get 5 series option). Sounds like a great car you've got. However, I've heard it's v. difficult to see the HUD with polarized sunglasses. Do you find this to be a problem?

Absolutely true - polarized sunglasses do not work well with the HUD. The only way to see it is to tilt your head to the side, and then it's only faint. I found Serengeti sunglasses are fine as long as they're not polarized. Also wished more controls were on the display, such as the gear you're in when in manual mode.

The ventilated seats are nice in the summer - helps prevent a lot of heat buildup with the leather. The only thing I would change is to have had the controller, screen and GPS system from the 2010 model - looks much better. I've been trying to find out if I can get it retrofitted.

The adaptive cruise control is also good for "most" situations, although with some drivers around Toronto, you'd best have your foot prepped to brake as it can take a couple of precious seconds to recognize a car that's doing some dangerous maneuvers. Great for long stretches on the highway with reasonable traffic (and drivers).

Also love the versatility of storage options with the wagon (the safety net actually can be used with the seats either folded down or up to protect the occupants). There's a fold up for putting grocery bags in the trunk (easiest if opening only the glass of the hatch).

The extended moonroof is nice for the backseat passengers, the comfort access can be problematic if put in a pocket any denser than sheer, but generally it's helpful, especially with young children around and your hands are full.

Overall, I have to say that it's a well thought out car - practical and fun (if a but costly). If the problems I've had are now sufficiently fixed, I may opt to up the horsepower through Dinan when the warranties run out.

   

[chrischasescars]

The 2006 M5 had a V10, not a V8.

Dammit! Thanks for pointing it out.