Used 2006 BMW 5 Series Consumer Reviews
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Prepare to cough up tons of coin.
Vernon Sp, 08/12/2016
2006 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful
All in all it's a great car. The performance and ride when in tip top shape is unbeatable for the amount of miles it acquires. The problem is maintaining that tiptop status is unrelenting after 150k. Literally 5k a year in maintenance repairs at least. I'm to the point to where I'm used to riding with at least 1 or 2 alerts constantly telling me to fix something.
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Updated: 2006 525i (E60) 6 Speed Standard Trans
Rob Bellomy, 08/23/2018
updated 03/04/2020
2006 BMW 5 Series 525i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
This has been probably the best vehicle purchase I have ever made. Over the last 12 months the ownership costs of the BMW have been pretty reasonable. It still costs more to change the oil on my wife’s SUV, and while I have some work that needs to be done I have located some reliable mechanics who are single-handedly smashing the preconceived notion that BMWs are [insert concern here]. Granted this is one of the most basic BMWs available - 3.0L with manual transmission. It’s a blast to drive and on long distance drives it’s a champ. Fuel economy on the highway (Dallas to Little Rock) of about 38 mpg, 70 mph, 6th gear. On the way home it was closer to 35 mpg, driving into a wind and another time in the middle of a huge winter rain storm. Overall mileage between city and highway runs 20-23 depending on time spent on the highway. Still a great value. Nearly 2 years and 23,000 miles later this car is still a good value. It’s had some work - recently the control arm bushings and changing of the transmission fluid - but it’s running strong and seems fairly reliable. It’ll need work on the pesky seat mat sensor for the passenger airbags plus a couple wheel speed sensors, but that’s all fairly minor. The 04-10 5-series is still one of the best looking cars of its generation. The BMWs stayed low to the ground while many other car makers were trying to make their sedans taller to accommodate “stadium seating” for the rear seat. The more l learn about BMW, the more I’m interested in locating another older 5-series (or even the shark-nosed 6 from the 80s) to work on and drive. I used to think the company’s motto, “The Ultimate Driving Machine” was a little over the top however, now I completely agree. The car is well balanced and drives beautifully, even in heavy downpours - the car is sure-footed and confidence-inspiring. I don’t think I can ever go back to a front-wheel drive vehicle that isn’t at least German-engineered.
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2006 BMW 5 Series for sale near you
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- 530i SedanMSRP: $6,500232 mi away
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I feel like Ari Gold in this car
Adam R, 08/05/2016
2006 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
21 of 24 people found this review helpful
I'm a husband, father, and project manager who traverses all over the metro area from site-to-site, often handling business over the phone in my car. Shortly before our first baby was born, I searched for a car with the following critera: rear-wheel drive, V8 engine, and room for a car seat. At under $20k, that limited my options to a Dodge Charger, Pontiac G8, Mercedes E500. I didn't even test drive the other three. The 550i hit the lot and I took it for one drive and it checked every box I needed (except no fold-down rear seat--damn you original owner ;). PERFORMANCE: 5 Stars. This care is ridiculously fast. My daily commute averages between 80 and 100 mph, and it completely capable at these speeds. It has the best brakes I've ever felt in a car. You stomp on the pedals and they bring all 4,000 pounds to a quick stop. The active anti-roll bars and active steering are a must for enthusiast driving--do not buy this car without these. However, there is a bit of "play" in the throttle pedal, about a quarter press before I get a response. This is somewhat annoying when rounding a slow corner and trying to throttle out of it--I have to depress the pedal while still turning the corner. COMFORT: 4 Stars. The seats could be better. I slide around a bit too much on fast corners, and can't quite get the lumbar in the right position on my back. Also, the steering wheel tilt needs a little more motion--I draw it all the way out and all the way down and still need more. With the windows up, the cabin is very quiet. However with the windows down, for some reason I get an unusual amount of wind blowing from outside into the cabin and at my face--way more than any other car. Because of this I just can't cruise at high speed with the windows down. INTERIOR: 5 stars. The trunk fits my golf clubs AND a stroller. The instrumentation, logic & controls are all very intuitive and in the right place. I think the cupholders are a marvelous innovation--high up and out of the way of your shifting, and can be tucked away when not in use. However, the sunroof glass rattles when closed. TECHNOLOGY: 5 stars. If you can't figure out iDrive after a week of use, you have problems. After learning it and getting used to control everything with my hand down at my side, I can't stand driving cars that require me to lift my hand up to the dash to press a button--that's how good this is. I already spoke to the driving technology but they deserve another mention: active sway bars & active steering are simply amazing marvels. This car is ten years old and STILL ahead of its time. Bluetooth is very basic. Forget the voice commands. I use Siri to make my calls. But once the call is made, the connection is crystal clear even at 100mph. Like my title says: I handle business all over town feeling like Ari Gold in this car ;) RELIABILITY: 4 stars. No major drivetrain components failed. However my central Nav computer broke, shutting down all audio, iDrive, navigation, etc. This was a $1,200 fix. Also my trunk release button (on the trunk) stopped working, but I can still open it with the button in the cabin or the key fob. Little things. It DOES burn about a quart of oil every month, but the iDrive is very good at letting me know when to top it off. I do all oil & filter changes by hand in under an hour. VALUE: 4 Stars. Its amazing how cheap you can buy these cars for, and they have more features and better performance than brand new $30,000 sedans. MPG is very low: 13 city, 17 highway. I don't care though because every mile puts a smile on my face!
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Favorite car I have ever owned.
Shane Mullins, 01/11/2019
updated 01/14/2020
2006 BMW 5 Series 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Bought this car with 72,000 miles. We now have over 156,000 miles. Gas mileage is great with the six speed manual, 35+ MPG on the highway. Just a fantastic car to drive. The only issue we have had is a valve cover gasket at 155,000 miles. Things like this happen to cars with high mileage. Can't think of anything negative to say about the car. Update, we now have 168,000 miles and still going strong.
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Love my 550
Jodi Wallace, 10/11/2006
2006 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I have had this car close to a year. The only negatives: driver side window down is NOT aerodynamic, and wind is all over one's face. My phone is not picked up on the bluetooth (my phone is a brand new LG), and lastly, gas mileage is abysmal. However this car is fast as can be. 140 feels like 100. So get a good ticket attorney. I have had a lot of issues with the very very low front end on the sports package. The front bumper easily comes off bc it is so low and it catches on everything. Therefore, I park as if I drive a large SUV. This car is comfortable and very very fun to drive!