Used 2001 BMW 5 Series Consumer Reviews
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Absolutely Fantastic !!!!
Look, I know cars. I have driven many many cars and trucks of all kinds. I have an SL500 in the garage which I thought was pretty much the perfect driving machine. Hah, !!! Short version is that if you want to arrive and be seen buy a Mercedes, if you actually care about the driving experience, and the trip is more important than the arrival, do yourself a favor and get the BMW. I now understand why it's the ultimate driving machine, that's not an ad campaign, it's the real thing. After this wears out there is nowhere to go except into a newer BMW. If you have the means I highly recommend it.
I've loved this one
Bought this car new and have kept it 10 years. Have the manual transmission. Has been a dream to drive. Have had some maintenance issues, (blown radiator, fan, lights, replaced almost all suspension parts) and its really costly to get repaired. So, I went to the dealer to drive the new 2011 535, what a disappointment. The new one has more power, but has lost the great driving feel. It is just a completely different car than the old one. I guess I'll just drive my 2001 until the wheels fall off.
- 530i SedanMSRP: $3,900104 mi away
- 525i SedanMSRP: $9,995156 mi away
- 530i SedanMSRP: $5,995390 mi away
Reliable
I bought my 2001 BMW 530i with about 80,000 miles on it. It now has 140,000 on it. I have not had any MAJOR problem, but little ones here and there.. For a while, the car would just cut off at a stop light or in the drive way or anywhere when you hit the gas. It always started right back up, but it started getting worse and worse.. Nobody could tell me what was wrong with it because it didnt have any engine lights on... One day it cut off and the service engine soon light came on... It turned out to be the Camshaft posision sensor.. Now it runs like its brand new. Had a bad oil leak but only cost me $30 to get fixed. Cup holders are broke, and the wheels get break dust on them pretty bad...
MY 540ia
I wanted a car with the power and handling ability of a sports car. Yet, I wanted the comfort and room of a four door sedan. When it came time for me the buy a new car, I decided on the BMW 540ia (with the sports package). I know the 540ia is not the most powerful, the fastest or the best handling car. And, I know that it might not have the most comfortable ride. However, I do think this is the best car overall, in one complete package.
Great Car
This is my dream car. Having owned a couple of 3 series over the years I am partial to BMW. So take my advice for what it is worth. The motor is great. Mileage is not great. Comfort high. Transmission smooth. 18" wheels look great and the ride is still good. The only complaint from me is the steering does not feel quite as crisp as the 530I. I think this is due to the weight of the V8 so BMW had to use a different setup. And about those flimsy cupholders. Who in their right mind would eat and drink in a $60,000 car while driving around...
Good car
The 540iA with Sport Package is great to drive. The car is rock solid on the road, but I have had a number of parts replaced. My one gripe with the car is it sits too low to the ground. My front bumper cover and front air spoiler were torn off by objects. The car is solid to speeds up to 145 mph (yes, we drove it that fast once as per the speedometer). There is likely some small amount of speedometer error. I purchased the extended warranty, and it was a wise investment. The extended warranty cost ~$3,300, but it got me a new factory radio, radiator, radiator expansion tank, power steering pump, and several thousand dollars of replacement suspension parts (plus service).
Best built car I've ever owned!
I have owned most cars that are made. This is my first BMW- a 525 with auto, and premium package. Extremely responsive, quick, the smoothest transmission I have ever experienced. I have owned a Mercedes E320. They are two different animals but I prefer the BMW-and I do think it is a higher quality car-fit, finish-not much bad to say about it-the 530 is quicker, but the 525 is a good compromise.
Not your usual boring wagon!
After seven years driving my reliable but plodding Volvo 940, my new 525iT is a luxurious breath of fresh air! It may look like your tame suburban station wagon, but it drives like a spirited sports car. The optional leather seats and interior are luxurious and the premium sound system superb. I keep finding excuses to go driving!
Like this car a lot, saloon model?
This car has 187K + on it and I have had no problems thus far. Got it used and have been replacing all the maintenance parts, all filters, oil, water, brake fluid, power steering ATF, and the interior parts like the cup holders, wood trim, all windscreen trim, floor mats. I may even replace differential fluid. Getting the required diagnostic tools for the eventual problems. The car uses no oil, (use 5W-40 full syn) or has any oil leaks, or leaks period, and still gets 26 mpg in town and 31+ hwy (91 Oct). I will work on the door dings and one minor dent (dine size) and paint chips last. So far I love this car which is a world above what I was driving. For the vale, I spent the same on the U.S. car I was driving as the BMW, but now I have the BMW! At 5K this is the only way I could get into the lux car market and I turns out I got the best!!! I have had the car three months, (4000 mi) but what months. So I must be fair. But what start!!! Remember with concentrated coolant use distilled water!!
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Sport wagon for everyone
You don't have to have kids to own this car. This is my 3rd BMW and I love it. Came out of a Nissan SUV which was nice but the gas milage and ride was KILLING me.I am now getting 30MPG on the highway! My last BMW was an 89 3 series (2.5L) that I had for 225,000 miles so I know this engine can go the distance and all of the extras on this car are amazing (fully loaded).
not a great bimmer but a bimmer
We have owned it for 4 years.I now have it at college. Looks are nice yet little to understated for me. Handling is awsome! Much better looking then E- class. Interior is fitting of a 40k german luxery sedan.We haven't had any reliability issues at all, just regular maintenance. Good for starting business person. However it lacks the power (which is the ultimate luxury) and prestige of an M5 or 760i. Which I know cost more. Also decent gas mileage.
No Compromises
Found a 2001 530i Sport for the same price as a used Accord. After driving primarily American and Japanese front wheel drive vehicles for 15 years, the no compromise engineering that goes into BMW was like attending a driving revival. RWD, I-6, trunk located battery, 50/50 weight distribution, aluminum 4 wheel independent suspension, etc make this vehicle drive like lawyers don't exist at BMW. Some cars will turn and accelerate well when you ask them to, this car begs you to turn and accelerate at every chance. It accelerates quicker than a 3.0L should; it handles better than any 3500 Lb vehicle should. Balanced, focused, no compromise performance. The Ultimate Driving Machine.
Stay In The Shop
This car's style and lines are beautiful inside and out. It handles like a champ on the road, when it's not in the shop. Seems like the cold weather always creates problems for it, ie. tensioners go bad noises get louder. While at the shop the problem can never be duplicated on the first visit. It takes at least two visits to the shop to get it repaired. They never have the broken part in stock. Also, the car is not as quiet as I would expect from a high end vehicle. My frequent visits to the service dept. and the noises continually reduce my opinion of my 525i. If you buy one make sure it is Certified, so your out of pocket expenses will be minimal.
Love my wagon!
Wen my wife and I were about to have our first child a couple of years ago, we looked at every SUV on the market. Nothing satisfied us, plus the fuel mileage for the SUV's was horrible. My wife then suggested a BMW wagon. We went to the dealership, and I was pleasantly surprised! We have the sport package that makes the car sit a bit lower with nice low-profile tires. It also has tight steering due to the sport package. I feel comfortable driving this car even when the kids (we have since had another one) are not in the car.
BMW = Bring My Wallet!
This beauty is my second Bimmer and I am addicted to BMWs but can no longer justify the costly repairs. The first big repairs began shortly after purchasing. All went well until passing the 75,000 mark and then the expensive, timely and major repairs began...oil leaks, radiator/flywheel replacement, power steering, transmission, etc. The cup holder did break & the brake lights constantly require bulb replacement but those are so minor compared with the others. I LOVE my girl and feel so safe but can't afford these continuing repairs.
BMW... There is no other.
This is a fantastic car. I think BMW broke the mold with this body style. I have loved this car every minute I have owned it. I have had many offers to buy this car. No chance, amigos! Get your own car.
Black on Beige Sport/Premium
This is my first non-US made car and I am in love with "my baby". I am 6'3" and 260 lbs. The 530 fits like a glove. Plus I have a family so I use the space of the 5-series. To me, it is the best of everything. As of this writing I have logged over 30k miles as I purchased pre-owned. Has had a bit more maintenance cost than my US cars however it is a high-end car which drives and looks like no other. Most issues are regular 'wear-out' items like H2O pump, hoses, belts.
Things break
I love the way my Alpine wagon drives, but a lot of little things inside break, and often. The cup holder (poor design) has broken 4 times. Now, I no longer use it. The back sunshade has broken, and the indise mouldings fall off if touched while entering and exiting the car. Dealer does not make it easy to buy parts to fix yourself. Great performance, but sad that the inside quality is not up to snuff. I would expect more from our BMW. Seats are not comfortable for long journeys!
Classic manual E39. One of the last true cars.
Only buy this if you can get a manual. If you can't drive a manual you might as well just get a Hyundai anyways. The inline six is one of the best engines ever made anywhere, ever. Strong torque, good progression, bulletproof. Nicely matched 5 speed and sports suspension. This is the car that set the tone for a whole generation of sport sedans--none ever came close to matching its performance, comfort, safety and reliability. Still one of the highest rated BMW's ever made. A classic. Highly recommend it if you can find one.
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Awesome Mileage in Gas Crunch
Bought this car used in 02 when I was in the market for a lux vehicle. A cousin suggested I go for a test drive. Dealer had just taken in car on trade 7500 mi demo service and 1 owner. Car was offered CPO and it is now out of warranty after about 1 year. Great Value! With recent gas crunch, I was concerned about a V-8 (same as 7-series) and was considering a new vehicle when I started tracking mileage. At 55 on hwy, car gets >30 mpg and at 65 car gets 28-29 mpg, both well over EPA estimates for the vehicle. This V-8 does better than many V-6s - a secret known only to owners.
the Ultimate driving machine
These must be the best built cars for around 45K. This car surly is not slow. Test drove Acura 3.2TL type S and the Lexus GS300 and still the BMW feels very well rounded when pushing the pedel and reciving the amount of power needed in all situations. Steering may seem heavy at first, after getting used to it makes you feel always so confidant and in control. Quietness seems to have been a big considertion when this car was designed, Ultra super smooth steering, ride, suspension, controls, EVERYTHING. Rear seat room is a bit smaller then other cars we test drove but not so much that it is uncomfortable. GREAT Job BMW.
PERFORMANCE=10, BELLS & WHISTLES=5
THIS WAS MY FIRST SEDAN (MARRIED), FOLLOWING MANY YEARS OF SPORTS CARS. AND I DON'T MISS THOSE SPORTS CARS. THIS 525i, PREM PACKAGE,PERFORMS ON FREEWAY AND CITY.
She's a Smoker!
Awesome car, got a CPO after coming to the end of my '99 328i lease. Powerful and quiet, it does everything with a touch of class (even beating the pants off a CLK430 the other day :D ). I didn't buy it for the cupholders or fuel economy so really the only thing I could complain about is the standard stereo system... could be better, not quite crisp enough, gets too mushy at high volumes. Other than that minor detail, I love this car! Went through an adjustment period after the 3, the 5 handles much differently being quite heavy but after the last 5 months I'm hooked.
love my 540
love my 540 It is the 5th BMW i have owned I still like the classic BMW look of the 540 It is a 6 speed manual fun to drive on the high way Veary techno for 2001 model(heated seats leather) Sport seats are comfortable except back seat passengers do not have much leg room
Very Happy
Bought this car because of its lower comparable depreciation, and I couldn't be happier. My only problem is that I really would like better drink holders... how American, I know! The drive is impressively smooth to the point where my friends make comments and two have bought one themselves. I recommend this car if for no other reason than the great service I get at most dealerships come time for service.
I have the best old car in the world..
I love my 530 I with the so Sports model BMW. I am now in my 80's and adore the turning radius; the beautiful inside; but hate there is no place to put water or coffee. I get awful mileage. All city driving unfortunately due to my age; but this car is the best in the world. Have had Fiats, Volvo, Made, Peugeot chevys of all kinds and other than my 1964 chef convertible this is the best; if you ca find one, buy it... it is a wonderful machine. Mileage is awful; but so what?? I love this car. I always wished the console was there between the seats; but I have gotten used to the lack of it and have made several accommodations such as water bottle in the crevice. forget the coffee grabbers; they interfere with my blue old age crip card.
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BMW 525
I have found the 525 to be a great value in the luxury car class. It does lack some performance, but as a daily driver it is hard to beat.
Buy It
I bought this car for my wife as a car to drive around kids in - I think I want it for myself! This car has got all the power you will need, excellent handling and it's smooth as silk. The 540, like the other posters say, is well worth it over the 528. There are too many great things about this car to list... simply love it, love it, love it.
Great ride despite high maintenance cost
I was looking for a luxury car to modify into a performance vehicle (gs300 +turbo kit & +tranny swap). When I found this car looking for 6 speed rear wheel drives, I was immediately taken. Quick, comfortable & connected. Why buy another luxury automobile and turn it into a performance vehicle when you can buy one that is already dialed in. They are rare to find, and even more rare w/ low miles & in good condition. Car feels glued to the road at any speed the governor allows. After leaning on the throttle uphill in 6th, I realized how much power this engine has. If you understand the cost of ownership, go for it. You will not be disappointed. If you care about MPG, get a different car!
Great car under 70k mi
Awesome car right up to 75k miles, when the car started having many coolant sys problems. Long term reliability not acceptable for people like me who like to keep their cars.
German Quality
I was shopping for a 4 door sedan for a while. I choose this car over the Saab 9-3 Vector and Audi A6. The first time you drive, you will feel the difference between the cars. The solid interior and precise handling, the deep tone of the 3.0L engine is just music to your ear. This car is way better built than saab or audi. I compared the 530 to the 540 . It is really a catch of badges since the 540 is 340 lb heavier than the 530 you really only gain a minimal performance but instead of getting 21mpg in city you will most likely get around 16-17.For exacly that reason I choose the 530.
Executive Ride
Found myself wanting a sporty, high-end sedan and the 2001 530 with Sport and Premium is most definitely it. Took some time to find a manual, and silver wasn't my first color choice but found one with less that 50K miles. Car is beautiful inside and out, will enjoy for a long time. Sport suspension makes you really feel the road yet nothing jarring, acceleration is surprising with a relatively big car with a six cylinder, and the engine is incredibly quiet. Time will tell re reliability, disappointed that a week after purchase the alternator went out on me. Rec - don't take to dealer, find a good indie mechanic and get to know him.
More fun than an x5
a fun manual tranny for the soccer moms and dads. Has been an incredible road- trip car (philly to Wyoming/AZ/TN and back. Great seat comfort and solid passing power even fully loaded. 21+ MPG (premium fuel)
Pure Bliss
This car provides the most satisfying driving experience u can get from family car with four doors. Sufficiently fast, excellent build quality (except for a few minor glitches), superb handling and performance. This car is just great. Get a feeling of euphoria when driving it, so much that I find myself looking for excuses to drive it. Pure confidence. Engine has nice muted growl, gets ur adrenaline pumping. Acceleratoin is great, even with auto. Can't believe there is only 2.5 liters under there, feels more like 3.5. Styling is timeless. THIS IS THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE.
Numerous Mechanical issues
I have heard that these cars were very reliable. Mine was extremely fun to drive, but had numerous mechanical issues. Maybe I just got a bad one. Had to replace the drive shaft in the first year, drive belt tensioner "exploded" causing loss of power steering and cut hose resulted in overheat. Right front suspension replacement required before 50k miles... not driven very hard, numerous other issues final stage unit caused air conditioning to fail, replaced twice during time I owned, etc.
Best Sports Sedan
Just picked up my '01 CPO 525i today. It has 51,800 miles but it feels exceptionally solid. Fit and finish is awesome...even after 4 years!!!
Awesome Ride
So fun to drive. Never had any problems.Great cornering and the sport package comes in handy. Very comfortable.Quick response. Great on long road trips.
Wish they still made this style
I understand why this 530i was Consumer Reports highest rated car ever in 2001. I got a Mercedes after my first BMW, but after experiencing this 530i, I may be a BMW loyalist into my 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and if I need a personal driver by the time I reach 100 years old, he/she/(or it if robots can drive by then) will be behind the wheel of a BMW. BMW, keep up the good work!
Not your average soccer mom ride
I bought this 525i wagon because the purchase price of the wagons were lower than the sedans, and I have two kids. I have yet to be disappointed. The low center of gravity (I stand taller than the car) and wide wheelbase give it a solid, performance feel very similiar to the sedan. Also, interior room rivals my Chrysler pacifica. It is amazing how much clear space there is for hauling with the seats down. The level control system compensates the suspension beautifully with a full load of family and stuff. It is a beautiful orient blue with honeycomb BMW rims, low profile tires and tinted windows. I love it.
First BMW
I am 67 years young so have owned many autos both domestic & import. My 530i is by far the best car that I have ever owned. My grandchildren beg me to let them show it off to their friends and love to drive it. BMW is my friend for th rest of my life! This year & model is so good that I feel it will become a collectors classic in years to come.
Beautiful and Reliable
Very few maintenance needs, even up to 130K miles, when it was totaled in an accident. Interior and exterior still looked like new in 2007. In a severe accident, the car was incredible, and protected the front and rear passengers completely. I am going to purchase another one :-)
Excellent.. BUT
While this is certainly the finest car I've ever owned, I have been rather disappointed with a few items. Good stuff: This car has an amazing balance of handling prowess and ride quality. It's quiet (except for Dunlops) and feels planted at any speed. The sport seats are incredibly supportive and the controls are well-placed. Silver/black which is a stunning combination. No comparison to my Saab 9-5 in most ways. Main complaint comes from the seriously weak sound system (base system) and the creaks/rattles that come (I'm told) from my fold down seats. Hey BMW, don't offer fold downs if you can't build them without resulting in rattles. Rust spots not covered by BMW (still fighting).
Solid engine, solid tranny, solid car!
Paid $32,000, 2 years old and 29,000mi. Drives like a dream, especially love the engine together with the Steptronic, so willing to take RPMs and shift. Adaptive feature great in mountains, better than normal auto tranny. Manual shifting is great for downhill control. Interior feels solid and luxurious. Wagon has some nice features with the bar that allows you to close off the trunk, put up a net to prevents pets from using leather seats, even when rear seats are down, the bar can be moved in front of the rear seat and still have preventive net, great engineering.
What a family truckster
Tired of your SUV, rising gas prices... want german luxury, and yet flawless performance handling. This BMW wagon rules the mid size wagon roost... and for those of you with families, it's top notch safety ratings can let you get a "sportscar" in a wagon.
Amazing!
Wow. That's all I keep saying everyday I drive this car. After years of lumbering around in SUV's of all sizes I started looking at BMW wagons on the strong advice of two good friends. Now I am forever indebted to them! This car is an absolute dream to drive and I really don't feel that I have lost much (if any) cargo space. The power delivery is powerfully smooth and seemingly never ending. The car is very quite and handles like its on rails! You will want to drive everywhere! If you have the opportunity to pick up the 540i rather than the 528i or 525i, do it! This car has put the fun back into driving for me!
BMW 525i - the best 5 series model
Value is nothing short of exceptional when you consider the rating factors relative to the price. In fact, I doubt whether you can find a better car for the money. Superbly designed and built vehicle!
2001 525i review
Other than for two recalls, very satisfied.
Passion To Drive
The finest car that I have ever owned or driven - ride, fit and finish, and prestige. The 5 series has lived up to all the reviews and then some. The driver can feel the engineering. Even in rainy weather, the car hugs the road. The weight balance and responsiveness makes it ideal for winter city driving even in this hilly town. It is a driver's car!
the best of the best
What can I say other than this vehicle is fun fun fun-not just transportation.Add the streptronic transmission and you get the thrill of a lifetime-driving a true sports machine and loving every mile you drive.I have driven them all but this one leads the pack in all catagories- the best..
My First BM Dub
After years of deliberation - I recently became the proud owner of a 2001 525i. First impressions, to put it simply, I'm looking for excuses to drive this Vehicle... The exterior to this day still turns heads. (Noticing lots of brake dust on front wheels..)