Used 2004 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6M) Consumer Reviews
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I hate that I love this car so much!
Jeff Allen, Santa Monica, CA, 04/28/2015
BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6M)
22 of 27 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 2004 BMW 525 used with 28K miles in 2010 to be used as my commuter car. I can not stand the iDrive that BMW uses in this model year. The cup holders are officially the 10th level of hell. Tires and brakes are three times as expensive as a "normal" sedan. Repairs, though few and far between so far, are costly. Every few months I will shop around hoping to replace it, refusing to look at another BMW. Every couple of months I go test drive another round of models and makes that I cant bring myself to buy. I love my BMW! Nothing handles like it. Nothing performs like it! Nothing captivates the true essence of the drive like a BMW! Until i can find something better...
It's a trap!
Collin B, Malibu, CA, 03/02/2016
BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6M)
35 of 44 people found this review helpful
I owned a 2004 530i that I purchased in 2013 for a year and six months and 20,000 miles. In those 20,000 miles the vehicle needed more than $5,000 in maintenance and repair items, and this was a clean 1 owner example that had been meticulously maintained. It needed 4 new brake pads and rotors for $2200, 4 new tires for $1200, all new PCV hoses for $850, Spark Plugs for $300, transmission fluid and filter exchange for $900, water pump and coolant for $75 (DIY), $200 for a sunroof leak and the subwoofer it took out (DIY), and $300 in oil and filter changes. I cringe when I think about how much I spent on this car, only to have it totaled in a flood. However, it was the most solid driving, comfortable and beautiful car I have ever owned. All of the features it had worked from the heated steering wheel, to the complex iDrive system, even after 11 years and 120,000 miles. The engine still purred like a kitten, could bounce off the rev limiter, and the car would still hit 155mph and pull 0.90g in the bends just like when it was new. It never broke down, nor had any problems. All of the items listed above are either wear items, or were replaced preventatively. I can't imagine owning another BMW of this age, as the rubbers and plastics used simply don't hold up over time, however I'd definitely consider owning another newer one. This car is not for the faint of heart, and if you just need a cheap luxury car to drive everyday, I'd go for a Lexus. On the other hand, if you like to work on cars yourself, or want a fun daily driver and are willing to pay for it, the BMW is the best you'll find.
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What a Hassle!
SLVRG35Coupe, 06/02/2004
BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6M)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Beautiful car, but has caused me nothing except problems! One day the engine wouldn't start and when it finally did the engine would rev and the Service Engine Soon light would be on. Also, the Passenger Airbag Off is always lit. To top off the trouble, today the car completely broke down! Less than 3 months old, and it is dead. Engine wouldn't start, emergency lights wouldn't work, dead! Unbelievable, nobody can believe it, this is a BMW we're talking about! I have no clue what is going to happen, but I am being dead serious. I hope and am pretty sure that this doesn't and won't happen to anyone else, but there's always a chance, so beware buyers!
270K miles and still running almost perfect
B. Enright, Marietta, GA, 10/31/2018
BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I never give reviews but after driving this car for 8 years, i just have to. I bought it with 85K miles on it back in 2010. It was beautiful. Was thrilled when i drove it home from Panama City, Fl to Altanta and averaged 29 mpg. I still get the same mileage on it today. 270K miles on it and I still get people saying what a great looking car it is (white with tan leather). When I tell them how many miles, they don't believe me until I show them. I have had the typical problems which come with this car but I do almost all the work myself so its not very costly and its a very easy engine to work on. Water pumps, belts, throttles, ICV's, MAFs, you name it, I have changed it. And it has all been worth it. But now after 270K miles, its getting tired. Its burning about 1/2 qt of oil per week even though there are no leaks. Yet still has all the same power and MPG averages. It also stalls on hot days when I have the AC running. Time to let her go.
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Now It's O.K.
Stu from Scottsdale, 10/30/2004
BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I was the first to get my 5 series in Scottsdale, AZ. I should have waited while BMW got the minor bugs out. A "run-flat" tire was bad and until it was discovered the car was vibrating so much while driving that the passengers thought the car was equipped with "vibrating" seats. Originally the dealer said that's the way the sports series drives. The service manager was NOT very accomodating and I had to complain loud and often.Then the radio- C/D player repeatedly would not play, all that you could hear was static. BMW after 5 tries finally fiqured out it was caused by the "phone module". The drivers cup holder also broke after the first use. Now I love it.
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