Used 2006 BMW 5 Series 530xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M) Consumer Reviews
Used 5 Series for sale
1...
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Must own one of these cars, if you buy it used
Eric, Denver, CO, 08/11/2016
BMW 5 Series 530xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
39 of 39 people found this review helpful
So basically this car is my favorite material possession. AND I am not a car nut. I really like this car. We bought ours used in Colorado for $16K. It had 92,000 miles on it. I had it inspected by a BMW dealership for about $300. They tore through it and found some issues. The electronic cable sleeve between the computer and the transmission. It typically leaks every 100K. It was leaking. The shocks were bad. And the coolant system had a leak. I bought the car after some further negotiations. It was in the shop quickly for a radiator replacement, a lower radiator supply hose, a worn out wheel bearing, shocks, and new tires. That was about $3000. We had about $19k into this car with 105,000 miles on it. Regret started to sink into our minds. But since then the car has just had maintenance visits. I replaced the coil over ignition plugs at 180,000(they lasted 80k more than BMW says they should). I changed the oil every 7k, it does eat 1 qt of oil every 7000 miles. I just deal with that. I put continental contipro contact tires on it. This car powers through corners now. It drives through 12" of snow and heavy rains with NO problems. Folks this car is reliable if you take care of it. The car must go to a great mechanic who knows BMW's. Don't skimp on non-OEM parts. Go to Bavarian autosport for parts if you want to DYI the repairs. The car may the basic 6 buts fast. So fast. Faster than our 2009 BMW X5 with the turbo diesel. I am at 196,000 miles now and I have no intention of selling it. In fact I might just buy another 06-08 BMW 530xi. New technology be damned.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Older BMWs are not the best economic proposition
Doobster, Exton, PA, 12/01/2017
updated 06/09/2022
BMW 5 Series 530xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
15 of 18 people found this review helpful
So in my original review I went on and on about how buying this pristine, well maintained example of the best 5-series ever was the best car buying decision I ever made. The car IS fantastic and runs terrific, but it’s costing me a small fortune to keep it running that way. Read the last update below. UPDATE; 18 MONTHS LATER... I LOVE IT EVEN MORE. This remains the best car I’ve ever owned. I used to say that my 2004 (first gen) Cadillac CTS-V (aka; ‘four door Corvette’) was the most satisfying car I had ever owned but now this car has that crown too. Awesome!! UPDATE; 24 MONTHS LATER... I’ve put the car up for sale. I’ve owned it now for two years and it’s cost me $3,000 already in repairs and maintenance and it wants another $2,000 in preventive maintenance that doesn’t seem to prevent anything. I found an article online on the ‘YourMechanic’ website that absolutely nailed the typical BMW annual maintenance costs at $1,800 per year and escalating as they age. When I bought this ‘needle in a stack of needles’ two years ago I thought I had beaten the system; buying a like new $61k BMW for peanuts. I guess it depends on your expectations; I searched for a 530Xi specifically because it has none of the turbo and piezo injector and HPFP issues that plagued my 335 xi. I thought it would suck less money out of me. It turns out that there’s no such thing as a BMW that won’t suck you dry. $5,000 in three years for M&R is half what I paid for the car two years ago and sadly, only $1,500 less than what it’s currently worth. BMWs that are out of warranty should only be owned by very wealthy people, or DIY mechanics, neither of which I am. That same article also identified all three Toyota brands as the most trouble-free, reliable and least expensive brands to own. So I bought a Lexus ‘needle’ instead. As much as I enjoy driving a well-sorted older BMW, I will never own another one again. As far as used vehicles are concerned, they are way more expensive trouble than they are worth. The 2013 Lexus ES300 hybrid handles as well, rides better, gets 40 mpg, and will need next to nothing to maintain. Sayonara BMW, hello Lexus! 36 MONTHS LATER Wanting to get back into an AWD vehicle I sold the Lexus ES300h hybrid ‘needle’ I found and replaced it with a 2017 Infiniti QX50 compact SUV. BIG SURPRISE!!! This little rig handles and carves corners as well as my 2008 BMW 335xi but rides as well as this 2005 BMW 530xi!! It’s the best possible blend of both. Plus it has an 18 cu ft ‘trunk’ that expands to 50 cu ft with the seats down, way more advanced tech (I found a ‘fully loaded’ model) and it GOES LIKE A ROCKET having 325 HP! Like all SUVs it is easier to get in and out of and has a better seating position. The model was redesigned in 2016 to add more length and inches for back-seat passengers so four people over 6 ft can ride comfortably. Mediocre mpg (18/27) is its only demerit. Of ALL the cars I’ve ever driven, this little jewel combines the absolute best amalgamation of all of their best features and capabilities. And since it also has their advanced tech package (LDW, LDA, BLIS, FCA, FCA, Adaptive Cruise, NAV, BOSE audio) I am wanting for nothing that the newer cars offer. This car will likely be the ‘keeper’ that fits my newly retired status perfectly!! The most important take-away for readers of this review is that it’s possible to buy a far more reliable, and less costly-to-maintain, vehicle that can compare VERY WELL to the BMWs’ vaunted chassis dynamics and performance but without the ownership headaches. It may not have the blue-and-white roundel on the hood, but then again, the Infiniti brand is no slouch either. Lastly, for anyone so intrigued by this particular alternative, know that Infiniti completely changed this model in 2019. The car I now own ended production in the 2017 model year as a RWD chassis platform; the 2019 is now a FWD chassis architecture. For those drivers who can appreciate the superiority of the RWD chassis dynamics you will definitely want the previous model, not the newer one. Furthermore, you’ll want a 2016 or 2017 to get the extra seating room the stretched wheelbase provides. Don’t get me wrong, the 2019s and newer QX50s are excellent vehicles; my wife has one!! They’re even bigger, roomier and have more cargo capacity, and also feature Infiniti’s new VARIABLE COMPRESSION engine which truly is an engineering marvel. We saw 31 highway mpg on a recent trip!! But it’s not the driver’s car the older model is. If driving enjoyment is your preference, hunt down the previous generation car. I think you’ll be amazed at how good these cars are!!! UPDATE JUNE 9, 2022 I’m sticking by my review and decision to never again own a used, out-of-warranty BMW. Our two current cars (2017 and 2019 Infiniti QX50s) prove that you can drive remarkable, satisfying vehicles that won’t bankrupt you maintaining and repairing them like used BMWs will. This is especially true for the newer (post 2011) BMW models which have been ‘dumbed-down’ to levels of dynamic performance now matched by Buicks. Almost every manufacturer has caught up to BMW who should stop using their ‘ultimate driving machine’ slogan. There’s no longer a reason to put up with a used BMW’s cost-of-ownership!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Long time BMW owner
longtimebmwowner, 09/02/2008
BMW 5 Series 530xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
I've owned this car for 2 years and a 740IL previously. This car handles very well, rides very comfortably and can handle my 6'3" frame easily. The 28+MPG highway is a great deal with $4+ gas. I find the I-drive OK, but would prefer manual controls for heat/AC and radio. I-drive is good for navigation and communications. I find the brake dust excessive and pits the rims if not removed quickly (my rims are waxed for protection).
530xi
Joe, 09/28/2006
BMW 5 Series 530xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
17 of 22 people found this review helpful
The BMW 530xi: Motor - Smooth throughout entire RPM range although it lack the ummphh you would expect. Handling - You'll back down before the car will - outstanding Interior - Quality throughout-seats can wear on you on a lengthy trip. IDrive a snap for the computer literate generation, definitely not for you Mom. Lack of storage, center console useless. Cup holders work better than you would expect. Exterior - Germans can't match the Japanese for fit and finish, gaps large enough to fit your pinky in. Car is drop dead gorgeous but paint is very soft and scratches easily. Run flats are a no no - no tire life and flats abound, stick with stock.
530xi review
Deke, 06/05/2008
BMW 5 Series 530xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This car is the best performing automobile that I've ever owned. With that being said, it is the worst car ergonomically that I've ever seen. The iDrive system is a total disaster. Just trying to change the heat/AC is actually dangerous when driving because you must use the isDrive to do it! Almost all setting on this car must be changed through the iDrive which is very finicky.
1...