Used 2008 BMW 5 Series Consumer Reviews
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Better than Advertised
tonyc67, 09/09/2007
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Test drove A6, GS 350, E550 and there is no comparision with this car. Had it a week and drove from SF to Santa Barbara and wanted to continue driving, it is so comfortable and fun to drive. Sport, premium, Logic 7, Sirius, Sport Shifters.
BMW 535xi
JeffM, 09/14/2007
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I previously owned a Lexus GS which was a rattle trap. I was originally concerned that the BMW would ride too rough for me since I have some pretty severe back problems. The 535 far exceeds my hopes and expectations. Not only are the comfort seats the most comfortable I've ever owned, but the ride is superb. It is a bit firmer than the Lexus, but the support the seats provide make the BMW a much more comfortable car for me. And this thing is rock solid - no rattles. Plus the fun factor is out of this world.This car is a rocket on rails. My wife always disliked the looks of BMW, but I can't get her out of this car. The iDrive is a piece of cake, nav system is great, and the prem stereo rocks.
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Perfect Chicago Sedan
grung, 09/15/2007
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I was looking for an all wheel drive sedan (5 passenger) to replace a G35 (rear wheel drive) for Chicago winters. I drove all the competitors from Audi A6 to Mercedes E350 to Infiniti M and so on. All of these were good cars. The BMW with its new twin turbo in-line 6 was the smoothest and best handling car, hands down. The luxury feel has been enhanced in the 2008. But when the need for speed is requested, this car responds with no hesitation. This is the best car I have owned.
World's best car
JPH, 09/25/2007
2008 BMW 5 Series 528i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I had a 2003 525i and thought it was a nearly ideal vehicle. This car, however, is almost perfect. It is roomy for long trips and hauling children as well as for looking really "cool" on the road. Low maintenance costs. The iDrive is very simple to learn, even for those who aren't very technological. Other brands can't compare to BMW!
Best Car for the Money
TGoldman, 10/20/2007
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Having owned 3 Porsches, a CL600 MB, and various other cars I can honestly say this is the best car I've owned. The car is quick and seamlessly fast especially in the sport mode. The electronics are all integrated and I found the much maligned iDrive to be easy to use. The ride is superb and I would easily say it rides as well as the Lexus LS 460 which I test drove. Living in the Northeast I anticipate the x drive will be invaluable. I've already tested the car on wet pavement and it pulls beautifully thru turns without the concern of the rear end going out that the Porsche is known for.
Best I Ever Had
dben99, 10/25/2007
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My lease was close to up for the Lexus GS 300, and I decided to narrow it down to the newer GS 350, MB E350, or the 535i. I tried the E550, and it was ok. Nice inside appointments, but not a thrill to drive. I then tried the 535i, and that was it. The car is a rocket as others say. I was doing a modest 80 mph on the highway, and stepped about 1/2 way down on the gas, hit 3,500 RPM, and just took off. Dangerously fast. The 300 ft/lb of torque are in a wide range of RPMs, allowing the car to jump at lower ranges (1,500-5,500 RPM). Handling is insanely tight. Little to no play in the steering. Bluetooth connection through the radio is tops. Very fun to drive, and highly recommended.
Reliable, I don't think so
John M, 12/20/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought new in April, has been in the shop at least twice a month every month since then transmission problems (wouldn't shift into reverse) computer problems with the iDrive, check engine light/oil/coolant lights comes on with regularity, rough starting - attributed to carbon build up on the valves, cleaned 300 miles ago and now back again. Very disappointed in my $60k car, and find no help at the dealership either, phone calls go unreturned and requests to have BMW USA involved have been ignored so far. I was so excited to get this car, and now it has turned into one of the worst decisions I ever made
Absolutely Great
Kamdog, 11/25/2007
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Gobs of power. At 125 mph on the Autobahn, it was still strong and wanted to run. Power NOW at any speed from 10 mph on up. Smooth riding, quiet, comfort seats are great. I found iDrive very easy and better than a hundred buttons on the dash. I like the traffic information and think the navigation works very well. The headlights work great, corners light up great at night. The brakes are terrific too.
Great power, Poor ergonomics
danimal, 03/11/2010
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Have had this car for 2+ years and my lease is up in May, 2010. I was thinking about doing a buy-out but I just can't get past the interior ergonomics. There is zero storage space to put anything. The cup holders are cheap and pop out from the dash. There is nowhere to put sunglasses, maps, coins, receipts, over-sized bottles, etc. There is also no rear seat leg room. The car itself is undeniably the best performance vehicle in its class. The twin turbo is an absolute joy to drive with unmatched power. I will miss it but, again, I can't deal with the interior anymore. BTW, the I-Drive system is easy to figure out but it's slow as molasses.
Dream Car for People Who Like to Drive!
New BMW Fan, 11/26/2007
2008 BMW 5 Series 528i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is one awesome car. Some of the other reviews say "fun to drive"; what an understatement! Even the 528 is fast, agile and responsive. The controls are in just the right place. This car fits like a glove. The seats are the best I have ever encountered in an automobile. I had read reviews stating the iDrive was too complicated prior to my purchase and was very concerned. Forget about it. The iDrive takes no appreciable time to get comfortable with and then you wonder why everyone doesn't use it. The sound and climate systems are terrific!
Reliability??
Jeff, 02/03/2009
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is the second review after owning the 535xi for 18 months. I can not say enough good things about what I like about this car (see first review for that). However, the reliability of this vehicle is just not even close to expectations. I had it in the shop 7 times in the last 1 1/2 years. 5 times for check engine light and rough running: 1) replaced fuel, 2) replaced computer, 3) replaced ignition coil, 4) replaced fuel injector, 5) replaced fuel pump. The 6th time I brought it in the front suspension was creaking worse than my 70 Mustang. Dealer said it was normal, but somehow they fixed it. 7th time was for an iDrive malfunction. For the problems I have had, BMW should provide an extended warranty free of charge. If they could make this thing reliable and restore my confidence, it would be the best car ever.
What A Car!!
Bret J., 03/10/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my 2nd BMW. I owned a 7 series three years ago and had many problems with it. I leased a Mercedes S550, which was nice, but I decided to get back into something fun and sporty. The New 550i is an awsome car. They made some really nice improvements. It's fast, responsive, handles incredibly, stylish, comfortable, and a pure joy to drive. I bought it fully loaded with the excpetion of the Heads- up display and night vision. This is by far my favorite car I've owned. I recommend the sport package in any BMW you purchase, after all, BMW is the Ultimate Driving Machine, so how you can not get the sport package. This car is a keeper.
Excellent
john, 03/11/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Just purchased the 535xi. It's the best car I have ever driven. I have owned Mercedes, Infiniti and Acura and is far superior in quality and craftsmanship. The car is fun to drive, quite on the road, accelerates quickly with the 300HP turbo. Within two hours, you can master the iDrive. It's not as difficult as made out to be. Just have to go through a few more steps than other systems. I would highly recommend this car. The money is worth it when compared to others in the same price range.
Screaming Fast
BVBEAMER, 03/30/2010
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have owned 2 Acura TL's, and Infiniti G35 and several other lower model Acura's and even a 1987 325. This car is a blast to drive. Super fast. You can take a corner as fast as you want and the traction control will prevent you from ever losing control. Tried that in a G35 and the car spun out. I've had some issues with battery drain and dealer said battery was fine. After reading many posts I decided to get BMW battery tender. Very easy to use and BMW didn't engineer the car to properly maintain battery charge if you are opening closing doors, trunk etc without driving it. Knock on wood. haven't had trouble. I do notice trans lag when car is cold but is fine after a few minutes.
Lots of Issues
535xi-texas, 02/05/2009
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My 535xi 2008 has been in shop for two months out of the last 12. It has gone back for rough idle and rough ride 4 times for the same problem. They have replaced the master computer, oxygen sensor and possibly other stuff. BMW and the dealership do not seem to work well together to solve tough problems. Symptoms are loss of power, similar to a missing cylinder combustion i.e., jerks. Situation is not constant. I get engine malfunction light on my dash but the car computer says all is OK. It is totally a frustrating experience.
Fuel System Problems
Tom, 04/04/2010
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great car, amazing when running well. My 535 is having a lot of problems with the car running very rough and has had several engine malfunctions. The dealership has put in a new module, high pressure pump (HPP), and several new injectors. Problem is routine to N54 engine. BMW acknowledges the problem is a design fault. Check out and have good warranty if purchasing. Love the car when it works.
One Awesome Automobile
Tom, 12/06/2007
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
First BMW I've owned and I'm hooked. Tested the Infiniti M35 and Acura RL and the 535i blows them away. The car is rock solid, fast, and handles like a sports car. The interior is comfortable and quiet and the ride is perfect. The twin turbo inline 6 is a phenominal engine. Very smooth and plenty of power when you want it while providing better than expected milage (I'm averaging 20-22 mpg city and 28- 30 mpg highway). Simply the best car I've ever owned. You just want to keep taking it out for a drive.
A Superb Vechicle
gordon, 08/28/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
After one month of ownership and 2,000 miles, this is clearly a superior automobile. All of my expectation have either been met or exceeded. IDrive is not the most user friendly, but also not difficult to master.
Reliability??
Jeff, 02/12/2009
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Update on reliability issues on my 535xi. I contacted my dealer with my concerns and they arranged a face to face meeting with the dealer CEO, Service Manager and BMW North America. I was very pleased with the outcome of the meeting. I am glad to report that BMW is standing behind its product. I posted the note below on "Reliability???" and only feel it it right to give props to BMW and my dealer for handling my issues in a very professional and respectful manner.
The Perfect Middle Aged Car?
1Cannuck, 12/05/2007
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Had the 08 535i for over a month. Took me an hour to configure the iDrive. Other than the climate module, it is actually real easy to use. The car is solid, quite luxurious and now actually looks great. I am driving this like a 50 yr old because I am babying this car and also the higher level of luxury and insulation from the raw elements. By comparison, I am Mr. Hyde behind my M Coupe. The couple of occassion when I had to make more energetic manoeuvre, the car was very stable and responsive. Mind you, I swapped out the OEM tire with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S which in my opinion, the best (Z rated tire with a 400 treadwear and can be driven all year round in Toronto).
550i Sport Package
RRudo, 07/09/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased this car in April and has 3k miles now. With the sport package you get the look of the M5 without the manumatic transmission. Build quality is what is to be expected from BMW. Outstanding engine response, especially in sport mode, great handling and extremely comfortable. The sport suspension rides harder than any dedicated sports car I have driven, but definitely ups the handling from the base suspension. Great car. BMW has hit another homerun with this car.
2008 BMW 535i Sport
BillPort, 04/28/2010
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The 535 with the Sport Package is truly a 4-door sports car. Seating adjustments abound and you can program different profiles on the different keys. Handling is superb and 4 wheel drifts are doable with the "Anti-s" disabled. I averaged 20.7 MPG combined city/hwy. Sport mode and paddle shifters are a hoot. If it weren't for repair issues, I would love this car. Hi-pressure fuel valve went out 2x in 3 months. Unacceptable for car in this price range. Cheap materials in sunshades (no extender), cupholders are crap. Reverse light burned out at 33K miles. Turbo lag is noticeable at take off and throttle is 'twitchy' at take off. I want more time driving, not in shop, even w/warranty.
Fantastic!
528 fan, 12/09/2007
2008 BMW 5 Series 528i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great car. I purposely don't listen to the radio just to hear the sweet sound of the inline 6. Comfortable, fast, safe.
3rd BMW
tjm atl, 04/09/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Traded in my 05 545 for an 08 535i. BMW is obviously mis-representing the 300hp rating on this car. It is faster than the 08 550 off the line and is only .1 secs slower to 60mph. Why pay the extra 10K? The torque and shift sequencing is incredible, especially in Sport mode (don't be cheap, get the sport package). Loaded up on all the extras, Major improvements on the nav, iDrive and iPod interface. Thought I was possibly downgrading moving from 325hp down to 300hp, believe me... the 535 hands down out performs the 545, gets better gas mi. than the 550, and from my experience, is equally as fast.
Read My Review
Bizm, 04/23/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 528i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My friend said it great "BMW drives as if it's on rails, other cars just swim all over the place". This is so true. I test drove Benz CLS550, E350, Infiniti M35, Lexus GS350. No car can compare to the overall performance of BMW 5 series. On a turn that I took with Lexus GS350 while it was squicking and felt as if it was about to skid, BMW didn't even lean. Amazing car. If you want a couch on wheels buy a Lexus. If you want comfort and at the same time an "Ultimate Driving Machine" go with BMW 5 series. Don't waste money on Logic7 sound . We compared standard sound system to Logic7. There was very little difference in sound. Don't waste money there.
Charge me
longrun, 09/12/2010
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
In all the recent reviews of this model,I do not see the most exasperating quality of it's day to day performance. I refer to the battery drain when parked.The first winter I used the car,I did not start it for about 3 weeks since I do not drive on salted roads. The display had suffered a 'reset' which happens when the battery voltage gets too low. I received a statement from BMW that the car must be driven at least 40-50 miles daily to avoid this reset happening.I am retired and use the car mainly for shorter distances-less than 50 miles.As a result I have to connect a 'sustaining' charger every 2 or 3 days to keep the volts up. Annoying and apparently still needed on the 2011's!
2008 535i Black on Black
gvitalik, 04/28/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Was considering several cars like Mercedes C350, E350, Lexus GS350, Infiniti G35, BMW 528i sport. After driving all of them, the 535i with sport, premium, navi, xenon blew them all away. Great transmission with 2 sport modes and paddle shifters. Car is glued to the road. Active suspension almost eliminates body roll. IDrive is functional just takes some time to learn all the menus. Picks up speed instantly, no turbo lag. Very fun to drive. My 1st BMW and now I know why its called ultimate driving machine. Other premium brands don't come close in road feeling.
5 series trumps 3
hdrag3, 07/08/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought an arctic white with tan int. 535i and after only 900 miles we have to say we enjoy this vehicle immensely. The 300hp turbo engine is great although the gas mileage of 12 we get in the city doesn't even come close to the window sticker promise of 17. All other reviews are accurate with the cupholders and weirdness of iDrive. It's not that the iDrive is hard to use, but when coupled with nav, and having to scroll and type, it can get tiresome. But other features, such as a/c controls, and awesome bluetooth -- they just changed the laws here in CA, and it's already saved me a few tickets -- it's really leaps and bounds above the 04 325ci BMW we traded for this one.
BMW enuff said! go test drive it yourself
Ssibs, 09/02/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 528i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my first BMW and I have been fan of Japanese cars. My favorites were Lexus and Acura. I needed a new car to replace old Lexus that I had. 528i was the first one that i test drove. Honestly, I did not know what was so great about it other than handling. It drove nice but I felt like it didn't justify the price tag. After leaving BMW, I test drove Acura and Lexus and then Thats when I noticed the difference! All the interiors looked nice and all but it just didn't feel right when driving the Japanese. BMW hugs the road in cornering and drives uphill smoothly and effortlessly. I went straight to BMW!
2008 BMW 535xi
magic frog, 01/06/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I owned a 2007 BMW 530xi so I can tell you from experience that the new car is light years above the previous year in all areas. It out-performs it, it is built better, it handles better, and although most of the changes were subtle, they were in the right place, such as the window controls on the dirvers side. This vehicle is a veritable rocket for a 6 cylinder car this is amazing. I also own a late model Mercedes with a 382hp 8 cyl that can barely stay in the same room with the BMW performance wise.
550i Manual Loaded
JPaul, 05/11/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought a manual 550i about three weeks ago. Previous car was an 05 Lexus and drove a 00 540i manual before that. This new 550i is awsome. I searched hard for a manual. Suddenly there were two and both were loaded with mile-high sticker prices. This is a dying breed. A compelling reason for choosing a 5 Series BMW over a similar sized Mercedes or Lexus is the availability of a V8 with a slick shifting 6 speed manual. I have only run up several hundred miles but it's obvious what a great piece of machinery it is. Oh, and all the negative iDrive hype is a total red herring. It is simple to learn and operate and very intuitive. My commute to work is suddenly a lot more interesting.
Too Much Fun
JMac, 04/20/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I drove the 2008 535 sport & 550 sport back to back hard. My advice to anyone looking at both of these cars is this. If you can't feel much of a difference between the two cars, get the 535. I felt the difference immediately that is why I went with the 550. It feels very close in over-all performance to the 2001 M5 that I used to have. My wife had a different point of view but I used the Jedi mind trick on her value focused mind. She was happy enough with the 535 sport. I would agree that the 535 sport is 95% as good as the 550 sport for about 10% less money. I just happen to be one of those people who enjoy driving in that extra 5% zone and don't mind paying a little more for it.
Fun to drive
me, 04/30/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Just got the 535i with premium, sport, premium audio, hd radio, ipod, satellite. The car is really fun to drive, the handling is incredible. I like the iDrive, it adds a little mystery and class to the car. But I received the car with a non function sos system. I have to return to dealer and have it fixed. I hope this the only thing that goes wrong
Flying car
Flying Car, 05/20/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I would have rated this car very high if it was not the hesitation in acceleration from full stop and location and size of control buttons
Fun to drive
Telloborja, 09/02/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
After 6 months I have enjoyed this machine plentifully, it drives fun. The most impressive to me is the powerful motor and small details on how it handles the curves.
535xi has fallen behind the times
dteich, 05/24/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I took delivery 2 weeks ago, but the disappointment still stings. My previous car was a 2005 RL, my second car is a 2008 G53x. The 535xi is less fun to drive than the G35x, and its electronics, for the most part, are less advanced than the 3-year old RLs. I also find the seating positon too low, and the driver's seat does not go high enough (I am 5'11"). And then there is the much maligned iDrive. In my opinion, the critics are understating the inelegance and lack of thought put into the iDrive.
BMW 550i Sport
Peter B, 01/05/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Just traded my 2005 545i for the 2008 550i and it feels like a completely different car. Interior is more luxurious and the car handles much better than the 2005. Automatic transmission is much smoother. This is my fourth BMW and it is by far the best one I have owned.
Simply Awesome!
Greg, 01/16/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is truly an amazing vehicle to drive. Excellent handling, super fast, acceleration is as smooth as silk, very little cabin noise. The iDrive takes no more than 1 hour to learn. Hands down the best sedan in its class. Bravo BMW!
Pleasantly Surprising
Ultimate Driver, 11/09/2016
updated 11/12/2019
2008 BMW 5 Series 528i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
05/11/17 Update - Still feel the same way about the vehicle. As car ages, wear and tear type parts start to give. Replaced the engine and transmission mounts at 134K miles. Also, replaced crank shaft sensor and alternator. Shopped around for pricing aforementioned service. BMW pricing was comparable non-dealer shops. Interior remains high quality. Still the ultimate driving machine. Prior review - Purchased the vehicle as CPO 5 years ago. The car has performed satisfactorily well over time. 528i sport offers a great balance between performance and maintenance cost. On the sport package, you can rotate tires for longer life. Having the CPO warranty and maintenance to 100K was instrumental in managing ownership costs. Also, pays off in the long run because this ensures maintenance is performed by BMW using genuine parts. I feel this has contributed to reliability I enjoy at 130K mile. The cheapest way to maintain a BMW is with the dealer. BMW service is great and the reps generally do their best to help you out. Although, service must be scheduled well in advance to get a BMW loaner. Reliability, relative to 15 years ago, has improved on these vehicles. Overall, maintenance cost is comparable to other luxury makes. 11/11/19 update: Enjoyed ownership experience. Received a transmission failure warning telling me car would not move after I turned off engine. Had it towed to dealer who only replaces but does not rebuild. Cost of transmission replacement was triple cars resale value so took it to a local transmission shop. Learned there is a defect in solenoid. Sold car. BMWs are still great to drive. Will lease next time I get one so I enjoy while under warranty.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan
skippydrvr, 01/15/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is the third BMW 5 series I've owned, and they've all been great cars. This is my favorite one, nudging out my 1995 540 6-spd. I got the sport package with automatic on this one to satisfy my wife. The twin turbo 6 cylinder is terrific, and the new 6-spd automatic works very well with quick decisive shifts. It's fast and gets very good mileage, averaging 23.5 mpg on my daily commute. The car handles like a sports car while being comfortable and rattle free. Despite car mag complains about the Bangle looks and the iDrive, I love them both. With the sport package and wheels, the car has a low aggressive look. Oh, and no problems in 8 months! This will be a long term keeper.
An awesome car
Frank, 02/06/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I was interested in AWD, coming from a Benz SUV, and looked at Audi, Acura, Infinity, Lexus, Mercedes, and Cadillac. The 535xi was simply the best car that I drove. It also was the most expensive of the group that I tested. In fact, like others have said, it is the best car that I have ever driven! The technology is not intrusive, it is helpful and with a little practice and reading the manuals, the navigation system and communication systems are your best friends. The fit and finish of the interior is impressive. The combination of pure driving capability, speed when needed, technology, and creature comforts in the cabin, made me covet the car.
Great Luxury Car
fm, 12/19/2007
2008 BMW 5 Series 528i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We had a 2006 325i which we traded for the 528i. The 3 series is a fun car to drive but the 5 series is truly a luxury automobile. The ride, comfort, workmanship & engineering is outstanding. My wife & I were somewhat apprehensive about the iDrive, but we both actually like it & it is not that difficult to use. This is our second BMW & would recommend the BMW brand to anyone looking for luxury.
550i sport
jamesg, 02/13/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I recently moved from an e39 540i6 to this 550i sport automatic. This car is much more comfortable and "luxurious" while maintaining an even better balanced feel on the road (it is winter so i have not been able to push it real hard, yet). The iDrive requires some learning investment, but the payoff is real - you can set up a lot of the car features to your personal preferences. The back seat and trunk are larger. Only downside has been fuel mileage ~16.5 MPG in mixed driving compared with 22 MPG in the old car.
Stylish fun
losgatosbimmer, 06/20/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Extremely fun to drive. Great acceleration and handling. Sports package is a must just for seats - you can configure them the way you want (I feel more comfortable in it, than in $1000+ office chair). The iPod connector is great (even for ~$400). I use it every day, forgot about radio and CD existence. Bluetooth easy to use and very good. Nav controlled by iDrive is the only dark spot in this review, I consider this feature serious mis-design - it's not usable period.
Fifth 5 series, but the last two horrible
Lone Ranger, 07/21/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I took delivery in June, 2007, but because of an issue with "High Battery Drain When Car Stopped" that they could not fix, they replaced my car in June, 2008, with another identical one. This one has the same problems, and is still at the service department. They cannot figure out the problem. Worst two vehicles I have ever had.
Hi-tech is great
yeahim40, 01/21/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
When I was shopping for a car, it was the technology that sold me on the 5-series. I was a little negative about iDrive, but I've found it to be easy to live with. I love how integrated everything is - my iPod and phone are a part of the car. The heads up display is excellent, especially with directions from the navigation system on the windshield. The night vision camera is just plain cool. It's an easy car to drive with confidence. I recommend driving a sport vs. non- sport package car before buying the sport because the ride is pretty firm.
Love It
Todd, 02/23/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 528i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is heaven on wheels. I have put 4,000 miles on the car so far with no problems. Now that I've passed the break in period, the car gets 23 MPG in mixed driving!! The car handles very well and the braking is fantastic. I had a 1997 BMW 528i and this new 528i is so much better in almost every department compared to my old one. I looked at the E60 when it came out in 2004, but I didn't like how they placed window switches and other little things. The 2008 refresh got it right and I love the improvements over the earlier E60s. Great car all around!
16 Months and I'm Still in Love
SleepTight, 07/30/2009
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The best car I've ever owned! (And I've owned many.) The performance from the twin turbo inline 6 is simply amazing--great fuel economy too. Road feel and drive is great on optional sport wheels with aftermarket Bridgestone Potenzas. X-Drive and BMW handling makes this car a champion in bad weather. Incredibly comfortable on long drives thanks to contour seat package. Real-time traffic routing is a great addition to navigation. Logic 7 turns your car into a rolling concert hall. iPod and Bluetooth interface work flawlessly. Six speed auto is great once it gets warmed up. This is the car I take for long road trips. I'm always sorry when the trip is over because I have to stop driving.
New car with defect parts
Unlucky Owner, 02/26/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I had a bad experience with 535xi purchased recently, which was customer ordered from BMW manufacturer. With less than 100 miles, the car has been found to have two defective parts: 1. failed tire presure sensor; 2. faulty engine cylinder injector. They showed up in this brand new car, and malfunction signal displayed on the panel. I am really disappointed with that. Having other new cars and I never have such bad experience. Maybe this just bad luck.
Great Ride
My Beamer, 09/25/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 528i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchase my BMW 528i Labor Day weekend. I love it because it really handles like a luxury vehicle. Cup holders are a little awkward but I overlooked that problem with other likable features about the vehicle. The vehicle has very good pick up and seating is comfortable although I recommend that BMW have plusher leather.