Used 2002 BMW 5 Series Wagon Consumer Reviews
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Money pit
happyharps, 01/20/2012
2002 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
36 of 41 people found this review helpful
This car is really fun to drive, when it will drive. It has been a money pit. We have had many electrical problems. We have had the dealership repair it, just to have more electrical problems. The interior design is poor as far as convinience goes (lack of a good drink holder), tiny seats in the back, not a lot of space on passenger side for legs and knees, etc. It has great pick up, the transmission is smooth, you can drive 120 mph and feel like your going 65mph. This car really is fun to drive, but it has so many machanical and electrical problems. Wish I hadn't purchased this car.
One year anniversary
3sons66, 02/08/2010
2002 BMW 5 Series 540i 4dr Sport Wagon (4.4L 8cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
One word to describe this car: FUN One word to describe reliability: STINKS BMW for the past year has meant "Bring More Wrenches" in my case...but there is something about this car I absolutely love. Incredible handling and power. Replaced in the last twelve months: Water pump, radiator, pulleys, belts, valve cover gaskets, plugs all total about $1500 plus. Do research on forums to reduce annual maintenance costs..MANY DIY's for items replaced. I am amazed that a $65000 car needs this much attention only after 70K short miles. Looks like rear air suspension will be on the list for 2010. Easy fix though. Would I buy again? Probably not. Hope the new ones rank a little higher.
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Awesome ride without a beverage
db, 04/13/2010
2002 BMW 5 Series 540i 4dr Sport Wagon (4.4L 8cyl 5A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Overall an awesome ride that sacrifices comfort for performance. If you want to sit on a couch while driving get a 7 series! I love this car, and it moves pretty fast! I thought gas consumption would be worse than it actually is with the 4.4 v8, but not too bad I guess? I love the lines of the car, and get many compliments from people as well. I feel safe in the car, as I have kids, many great safety features to reassure the feeling. This car is very durable and fast (2nd mention), I forget I'm driving a family station wagon at times!
Jet Black 525AIT
revreowens, 02/27/2002
2002 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
All-in-all the car is wonderful. It very comfortable and very well put together. But in a $45,000 car, you should expect that. I own to other BMWs a 740il and a M3. These two are perfect blends of power, comfort and performanace. The Sport wagon is more for hauling the grand kids, the dog, etc.
Best wagon bar none
Stuts, 12/24/2018
2002 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
A solid, first class car. A bit pricey and maintenance can be costly if you end up at a Stealership. Find a reputable independent shop and stick with them. Handling is superb, ride a bit stiff but what a car person wants to feel. Plenty of room for "stuff" and built in roof rails allows additional "stuff" above. I put on 220,000 miles on mine with only expected repairs- water pump, radiator, hoses/ rubber, belts, shocks, etc. Bozo pulled out in front of me and car is now history. I am looking for another one now.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
Excellent
Exper. Car Consumer, 06/04/2008
2002 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Have owned for almost two years - should have bought a new one years ago when I had the chance. Excellent reliability, mileage, fun, sport driving, beautiful race car wagon. Feels like it is carved out of one solid piece of metal, I have never owned a car so solid before and I have owned most all high end luxury cars.
Awesome Car!!
3sons66, 05/13/2009
2002 BMW 5 Series 540i 4dr Sport Wagon (4.4L 8cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Although I've only had this car for 3 months and 5K miles..so far so good. Weak spots are definitely the cooling system (water pump, pullies) and leaking valve covers. Although if you can turn a wrench...fairly easy to DIY and numerous forums that cover DIY's. Car absolutely hauls...one of the fastest "family" cars I've ever owned. Purchased for $12200 with 50,XXX miles on the odometer. Overall, very happy with this car. As for fuel mileage, I expected much worse since I can't keep my right foot off the floor board. City / Town is 19.9 average and recently got 24.6 on a 300 mile trip with the set at 80 mph. Nice surprise since most were claiming much lower figures. Stereo stinks.
Fun to Drive Expensive to Own
Dick Bange, 12/22/2008
2002 BMW 5 Series 540i 4dr Sport Wagon (4.4L 8cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Love to drive this vehicle bought new. However, have spent over $12,000 repairing everything from A/C, water pump, CD player, starter and thermostat several times. Won't buy another one.
My 5-Speed Wagon
Sharkey, 01/13/2003
2002 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Apparently a stick-shift BMW 5-series is a tough sell in Los Angeles. So, I landed a good deal on the car. It is equipped with both the Sport and Premium package, Xenon headlights, and Park Distance Control. After owning Japanese luxury cars, you notice the lack of amenities like a center console, extra sunvisors with extensions (the 5-series sunvisors can't really be utilized to shade the driver's side window), an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and an in-dash CD changer. The sport seats can be tough on your left thigh when clutching. All that aside, it's the best-handling, highest quality wagon I've ever owned.
Death by cupholder rage
thassarodge, 01/24/2004
2002 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Best car there is. I bought it in Germany, took it down the Autobahn, got it up to 140 mph. Car sat on the road rock solid and seemed to say to me "Now what?" It wanted to go faster but speed limiter said no. This car is awesome and the curves are gorgeous. The blue color looks wonderful at night, but kind of blah purply in bright sunlight. The seats are comfortable and the instrumentation is logically placed. Only bad thing is the cupholders are absolute crap. Won't even hold a soda can - BMW should not have put them in if they couldn't design them right. One of mine is alread broken from holding my narrow-based coffee cup.
Disappointing
Anonymous, 02/05/2006
2002 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
1 of 4 people found this review helpful
Given the uniformly positive reviews on the e39 body 5-series, I was prepared to love this car. But it has been so disappointing that I'm considering selling it after five months of ownership. The problem is simple -- and no it's not the cupholders, which I agree are flimsy but they don't bother me. It's the constant and apparently unfixable creaks, squeaks, and rattles from the doors, the rear hatch, the seats, etc. (I've had it in at the dealer several times.) Also disappointing is the junky sound of the doors when slammed closed. Of the about 10 cars I've owned, this is one of the biggest bucket of bolts of the lot. If I could go back in time, I would NOT have bought this car.
Excellent after all these years!
codysd, 01/09/2009
2002 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We have had ours over 3 years, purchased CPO. We have had several very high end cars, a new BMW 530 sedan now, etc., but this 2002 wagon is the one we will always keep. It is virtually perfect in every way, looks very sporty, drives like a rocket, is incredibly reliable and we NEVER get tired of driving it. It is a keeper!
happy camper
ted davis, 09/08/2002
2002 BMW 5 Series 540i 4dr Sport Wagon (4.4L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
we finally put to rest our 1982 MB deisel wagon,a slowpoke,but good driver,and solidly built..Looked at Volvos,Saabs,and BMW's. All in high 30's or more.. Took a test drive in a 5 series wagon,checked out storage space and found no strut towers blocking rear space,as in others. The basic 6 is best engine I have ever driven Imagine what a 530 with 225 HP would be like.. The car feels solid and safe. My wife drives it to Houston evry month ( 400 mi. RT),and just loves it. Faults: too much plastic in the interior,and the power seat controls can get broken easily as they are housed in cheap plastic..have had to fix these twice.
Family liability plus fun car to drive
Matthew Kim, 09/16/2002
2002 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Excellent automobile, fun car to drive and family friendly. I had a Volvo V70 previously and I personally like BMW better. More fun to drive around, more power...
Get this car
wagonman, 01/24/2003
2002 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The car is awesome. Smooth and powerful. Sports car lurking under a sleek station wagon. Get the 5 speed manual transmission to experience BMW technology.
The best of both worlds.
gallois, 02/17/2003
2002 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Euro Delivery on a 525Ti is the way to experience the capabilities of this car without looking in the mirror for black and whites. Pick up the car in Munich, it's ready to go, fully insured for 30 days, a tank of gas and no restrictions, plus you save 7% off the US price. The car is a dream, sports suspension, tiptronic shifter and adaptive controls make driving a pleasure. On a French road a dog ran out at 60mph+, I hit the brakes thinking new hood ornament, the car stopped so fast my wife didn't have time to scream ! The dog walked away. The 525Ti takes the biscuit. I should have known this when I noticed Munich cops in 5 wagons as standard issue.
A blast to drive Rocket Wagon
JDMartin, 07/25/2003
2002 BMW 5 Series 540i 4dr Sport Wagon (4.4L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car has plenty of room to carry whatever you need, but with the driving pleasure of a sports car. A long time luxury SUV driver (Grand Cherokee, Denali XL), I wanted a car that handled better for a change. This is definitely the one. It is definitely nice to look at, and if you take this car out on your favorite windy road you will experience complete exhilaration.
Great Vehicle
kaja222, 07/08/2004
2002 BMW 5 Series 540i 4dr Sport Wagon (4.4L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Outstanding car experience all around. Of course the cup holders suck, and the middle arm rest is ridiculous, and they put the horn in the front bumper so it gets smacked easily, and it's a guzzler. BUT: it is simply amazing to drive in every respect.
Wagons are Back
Kelly, 02/26/2008
2002 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Love driving the 525 wagon. It has the utility of an SUV with better gas mileage, lower insurance rates, and great handling & performance. Always have sufficient power when needed. Originally bought the wagon for our dog (in our 20s, no kids), but now wouldn't go without a BMW wagon! Would have never expected strangers to stop us on the street complimenting a wagon, but this happens frequently. We're already planning an upgrade to the '08 535xi Sports Wagon!
2002 525i Wagon
Bobby Jo Pinardi, 12/28/2004
2002 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A car built for a driver. Corners beautifully, comfortable on trips and in town.