2006 BMW 5 Series Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
16 - 21 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(136 Total Reviews)
550i
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2006 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
Review
I purchased a CPO 06 550i 6 months ago with 46K miles. This car is amazing, it already has over 53K on it and there isn't one rattle, this car really has held up over the years. I drove a new 535i and could hardly tell the difference, so I decided to save $30K and buy it used. This car is such a joy to drive, it begs to be tossed around. Every seat is comfortable, and there is tons of cargo room. The only thing that bothers me is that I only average 9 mpg in the city driving normally, but much better than expected on the highway, about 25. You really need to watch the pot holes, I had to replace 2 tires at $500 a piece, don't get the sport package if you live in an area with bad roads!
Favorite Features
brown leather, power, transmission, handeling, parking sensors, i-drive, heated steering wheel, auto wipers
Suggested Improvements
xdrive available with the V8, better city mpg, rear fog light would be good to have in bad weather. This car is pretty close to perfect!
Cracks in 18-inch wheels/run-flat tires
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2006 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
Review
BWM refuses to acknowledge that their rims are defective and crack as a result of normal driving, especially their 18 inch rims when coupled with run-flat tires. We don't take speed bumps at 40 mph, run over curbs, or not slow for a potholes... events that might possibly crack a rim or break a tire. Yet BMWs excuse for not replacing 2 cracked rims was that the cracks must have been caused by the driver, not faulty rims/run-flat tire combination. In the past several years we have owned 3 BMWs... but this will be our last because of such a head-in-the-sand approach taken by BMW NA.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Admit to the obvious problem of a faulty combination of 18-inch alloy rims with very hard run-flat tires and issue a recall instead of rejecting request for warranty claims by dealers on behalf of owners.
8 out 9 people found this review helpful
Best of the best
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2006 BMW 5 Series 530xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
Review
This car is truly the ultimate driving machine. Powerful, confident, amazing handling and comfortable. This car is just fun to drive in all conditions. The all wheel drive handles in all conditions. Car looks great, the leather seating is comfortable and the stereo sounds terrific. Acceleration is impressive also.
Favorite Features
Interior Design
Suggested Improvements
tires wear out too quickly
8 out 8 people found this review helpful
The best car ever
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2006 BMW 5 Series 530xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
Review
Great car! Mileage couldn't be better. This is the first BMW I have owned and I love it. Very fun to drive.
Favorite Features
power, idrive, great leather, everything
Suggested Improvements
center console could be bigger
5 out 5 people found this review helpful
Amazing
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2006 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
Review
Wow... I had wanted a BMW for years, and finally pulled the trigger on a 525i CPO. I didn't see the need for the 530, as I believe the 215 HP on the 525 was enough. Amazing handling, feel, and I love the iDrive. I understand the griping, but all it takes is a few minutes of studying, and I love it.
Favorite Features
Handling, Rear Wheel Drive, suspension. Sport mode is fantastic, as well as the manual mode. I love it.
Suggested Improvements
Radio speakers stink...and I mean stink. Thicker steering wheel as well would be nice.
1 out 2 people found this review helpful
The Ultimate Drivers Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2006 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
Review
BMW 5 series is the ultimate luxury car this side of $50K. Its ride and feel is sporty yet comfortable and smooth and quiet. I bought a CPO 530i which was 3 yrs used for $30K with only 25K miles on it and Premium pack, Navigation and Xenon lights but no Sport pack. The ride is smooth and refined for everyday commute and long journey yet very tight and balanced for the mountain curves and quick maneuvers. The 6 speed auto transmission is AWESOME and it feels like a Japanese V8 as per power delivery goes. The turning circle is awesome. The fuel economy is amazing as I get 25 mpg combines for my mostly highway commute and 20 local mostly city commute when my wife drives it.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
Inconsistent Idle
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2006 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
Review
15 year BMW owner. This car/engine has an idle issue. If you are thinking of buying one observe how it idles after reaching temperature. As you stop, the car idle drops to normal. 2 seconds later it drops, shakes the car, returns to normal. Happens a lot. Been to dealer 6 times. Have driven other 2006 and 2007 530s and noted the SAME issue although some vehicles not quite as noticeable. Worried about long term viability of this car.
Favorite Features
Effortless acceleration.
Suggested Improvements
Suggest that a 50K car should idle properly.
5 out 5 people found this review helpful
Sorry to have purchased this car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2006 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
Review
Car is very nice except for a problematic idling issue. Been to the dealer over 6 times (lost count thereafter), talked with BMW of North America several times. No satisfaction even though the car is under warranty. If you are looking to own a BMW hope that you get a good one and not a lemon as I have. I have owned several BMWs over a 15 year period and feel completely let down by the situation. Two more observations: sound system is average, very average. Wind noise from the sunroof is annoying.
Favorite Features
Effortless ride. Crisp handling.
Suggested Improvements
Honor the warranty.
4 out 5 people found this review helpful
In a class by itself
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2006 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
Review
Bought this car for my wife after we sold our X5. Boy was this a revelation. Driving off from the dealer lot, I could tell this was no ordinary car. The smoothest acceleration I've ever experienced. The bluetooth rocks. The Navigation is intuitive and the Gas mileage is off the charts (25mpg). This car combines comfort, performance and style excellently well. After 1 year, we've had no issues with the car, and are falling in love with it more every day.
Favorite Features
Bluetooth handsfree feature is great. The I-drive takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, you'll love it. The smooth engine and raw power. The leather seating and "seat warmers" as my wife calls it are outstanding.
Suggested Improvements
Terrible rear seat leg room. BMW has to do something about this. Also the trunk space leaves a lot to be desired. We noticed that our old beater (a '96 Camry) had more rear leg room and trunk space than our beloved 5series!
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
CPO Vehicle
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2006 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
Review
I bought a 2006 CPO and I have never been so impressed with an automobile, even if used. The quality of build, interior and exterior finish, ride, and great gas mileage (30 mpg highway) blows me away. The iDrive system is easy to use and relieves you of numerous buttons and knobs that would be needed to run the systems it controls. I have had other luxury or semi-luxury cars i.e. Lincoln, Mercedes, and a Toyota Avalon and none, I repeat none, deserve to be parked in the garage with the 530i. So many small touches add to this car such as small orange LEDs beaming streams of dim light on door handles, gear shift, side pockets, at night. I certainly will be a BMW man for years to come.
Favorite Features
iDrive system, engine power and torque superb, leather near perfect
Suggested Improvements
trunk release button needs to be moved to dash area
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
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