2005 BMW 5 Series Review
Price Estimate: $483 - $780





+56
Oops, we can’t seem to locate you.
Please enter U.S. ZIP code to see vehicles for sale
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- One of the most satisfying midsize sport sedans you can buy, ultrarefined engines, multiple transmissions, tastefully appointed cabin, exceptional build quality, strong resale value.
Cons
- Styling may not appeal to 5 Series loyalists, iDrive system still more hassle than it's worth, costs more than most competitors.
What’s new
For 2005, the interior of all models receives more extensive wood trim on the center console, and adjustable front lumbar support is now standard on the 530i and 545i. Poplar wood trim is now included on the 525i and 530i. Anthracite Maple wood trim is a no-cost option. The 525i receives 17-inch Star Spoke cast-alloy wheels, and park distance control is now standard on the 545i. Active Steering is now offered as a stand-alone option on all models. The 545i now comes standard with the six-speed manual transmission, with the six-speed steptronic automatic available as a no-cost option. BMW's innovative SMG sequential manual gearbox is available on the 530i and 545i.
Edmunds says
Controversial styling and BMW's continued use of the confounding iDrive system are the only blemishes on this otherwise outstanding luxury sport sedan.
For sale nearby
21 listings
- 108,143 miles
- 2 accidents, 4 owners, personal use only
- 18 City / 27 Hwy MPG
- Car Castle 2 (541 mi away)
- Bluetooth
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Power Driver Seat
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Multi-Zone Climate C...
Close
Located in Beach Park, IL
2005 BMW 530i WITH 108,143 MILES CLEAN AND CLEAR TITLE LOADED, LEATHER SEATS, CD RADIO AM FM, CRUISE CONTROL, POWER WINDOWS, POWER DOOR LOCKS, MUCH MO...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
21 Combined MPG (18 City/27 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WBANA735X5CR59380
Stock: R59380
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-02-2023- 93,716 miles
- Insurance loss reported, 6 owners, personal use only
- 15 City / 23 Hwy MPG
- Carcenteronline (653 mi away)
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Upgraded Headlights
- Power Driver Seat
Close
Located in Elkhart, IN
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (15 City/23 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WBANB33555B116666
Stock: 116666
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-25-2024
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota
$236/mo for 5 Series 525i
5 Series 525i
vs
$164/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
BMW 5 Series Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Buyer Beware!!
3.5 out of 5 starsmusicman9, 01/20/2011
2005 BMW 5 Series 545i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl 6M)
I had 3 cars sitting in my garage, one was a BMW 545i (2005) one is a GMC Envoy (2002) and the other is a Toyota Tacoma Truck (1996)
The BMW continued to leak oil all over the garage until I finally sold it.
The Envoy and the Tacoma have about 200,000 miles each and I doubt that I have even spent $500 combined on the 2 of these cars since I have owned them.
The BMW has been nothing but … problems with every maintenance bill being at least $1,000.
Just a battery alone for the car is almost $500!
The car was the best driving car I have ever owned but reliability was the worst of any of the 20 cars I have owned since I first started driving.
I traded it recently for a Toyota!
Fun to drive, not without issues
3.88 out of 5 starsfango2, 02/07/2012
2005 BMW 5 Series 545i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl 6M)
I bought mine in 2008 with 28K miles.
I sold my 2003 325i to get this car. Just like the 3 series, I LOVE the way this car drives. The power, acceleration and steering are incredible. It's super smooth at high speeds - you just don't know you're speeding! After about 50K miles I was experiencing jerkiness in the transmission. Sometimes at a stop the engine would race and I'd have to … shove my foot on the brake. I mentioned it several times to my dealer and finally, at 99K miles (I had the extended warranty) I asked to have a mechanic ride with me and I got a new transmission :) Cupholders suck; don't like the iDrive and interior is so-so, but I still like the car!
Great Car, but not Cheap to maintain
4.38 out of 5 starsamg0507, 12/17/2012
2005 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
I've had my car for a few years now and put a good bit of miles on it.
I've got 120,000 miles.
I've changed the battery, tires, oil, spark plugs, all the regular maintenance and it drives great.
But it's a BMW and parts are not cheap. . . it's also not cheap to have someone put them in for you.
If you want a car that is Cheaper to keep going, drive a Toyota or a Honda.
If you … want to enjoy driving your car get a BMW.
Previously I've had an Rx-8, MiniCooper Sport, Lexus SC430 and a Honda Accord.
I love my 5 Series but not the major issue
3.88 out of 5 starsddsbmw, 10/02/2012
2005 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 6M)
I love to drive my 525i, but it would be a lot more enjoyable with some sort of stereo.
CCC module went out and is $1700 to replace.
Out of my budget and almost inevitable to go out in this model.
This controls navigation and all the service lights so I love my car a lot less than I could have.
How I wish BMW would recall their obvious faulty CCC module so this car could be the great car … it was meant to be.
2005 5 Series Highlights
525i
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $41,300 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $236/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the 5 Series include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
People who viewed this also viewed
4.3 average Rating out of 3 reviews. |
Starting at $62,450 |
3.9 average Rating out of 16 reviews. |
Starting at $66,300 |
4.3 average Rating out of 3 reviews. |
Starting at $45,950 |
Related Used 2005 BMW 5 Series info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Nissan Murano 2021 Review
- Maserati Levante 2020 Review
- Bentley Continental 2020 Review
- Jeep Cherokee 2020 Review
- Alfa Romeo Giulia 2020 Review
Shop similar models
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used BMW 5 Series 2010 For Sale
- Used BMW 5 Series 2011
- Used BMW 5 Series 2012
- Used BMW 5 Series 2013
- Used BMW 5 Series 2014
- Used BMW 5 Series 2015
- Used BMW 5 Series 2016
- Used BMW 5 Series 2017
- Used BMW 5 Series 2018 For Sale
- Used BMW 5 Series 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- New BMW X5
- 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
- 2024 Q5 Sportback
- BMW 4 Series 2025
- New Chevrolet Blazer EV
- New Lexus NX
- 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander News
- 2024 1500 Classic
- 2025 Rolls-Royce Ghost News
Research other models of BMW
- BMW 8 Series 2026
- New BMW X1
- 2025 BMW X6 M
- New BMW XM
- BMW X5 2026
- BMW 2 Series 2024
- 2026 BMW X6
- 2024 BMW X7
- BMW X2 2025
- BMW 8 Series 2024
Research similar vehicles
Other models
- New Volvo Ex40 for Sale in Bayonne, NJ
- Used Audi E-Tron-Sportback in Lexington, SC 2023
- Used BMW M3-CS in Lawrence, MA 2024
- New Audi A7 for Sale in Porter Ranch, CA
- Used Hyundai Sonata in Milford, MI 2025
- Used BMW M8-Gran-Coupe in Lake Saint Louis, MO 2025
- Used Land-Rover Range-Rover in Broken Arrow, OK 2025
- Used Lexus Es in Springfield, VA 2025
- Used BMW Z8 in West Warwick, RI 2003
- New Toyota Venza for Sale in Tustin, CA