Used 2008 BMW 5 Series Consumer Reviews
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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.
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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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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waste of time
Ivan Burge, 11/17/2022
2008 BMW 5 Series 528xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
glad other people had a good experience but this thing was a huge money pit/disappointment for me. seemed like no matter what i fixed it was never happy. i could’ve bought two cars for the amount wasted on this one.
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2008 535xi - Nice ride. Owned 11 years
PDiddy, 12/18/2022
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought used in 2011. Still running well as we head into 2023. Still really fun to drive. I installed Apple Car Play and backup camera to keep more up-to-date. Have several independent shops nearby. One that only works on BMW and the other specializes in European cars which has helped keep repair costs down vs. dealer. I do basic maintenance like oil changes, rotors/brakes, change headlights/daytime running lights myself. Considering another used BMW to replace mine
What curves?
Brett P., 11/15/2023
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Pros A heavy Mid-sized sedan with a 300 hp Straight Six, Twin turbos and AWD that will launch from 0 to 100 MPH in 22 seconds. The ride is silky smooth in buttery soft leather seats as comfortable as your favorite recliner. It corners better than a steel roller-coaster. Cons Over engineered and very tech reliant, i.e. there is no oil dipstick, one has to rely on the cars CPU to check it for you, which it does on start up or when you perform a 37 step process with the knob / joystick /switch combo device on the center console. It will notify you mid drive that the oil level is BELOW MINIMUM, which I found quite disturbing however a quart satisfied the CPU so I guess all is well but can not confirm. It eats tires and will chew through a good set of 60,000 mile tires in about half the life of the warranty and, since it is AWD you have to replace all 4 at the same time. But, with a new set of tires and a 4 wheel alignment that silky smooth ride is restored.
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Too much for average quality
tv550, 06/17/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
0 of 3 people found this review helpful
Poor storage space for little items like sunglasses, wallets, change, phones. Ride position is very low with the sport package. Transmission and brakes make for poor stop and go traffic comfort. Rough shifts in the mornings. Handles and drives like no other sedan above 70 mph. Horrible car for speeds below 30 mph. Large turning radius and bad blind spots. I bought this car with much regret and can't wait to get out of it. Nice looks and performance at high speeds but worthless in every day traffic. IDrive is plain horrid and after 6 software flashes it crashes randomly for 2-3 days at a time. Techs can't figure out why. Bluetooth works great, nav is the worst I have seen. Not worth price.
BMW Brake Noise
George , 06/07/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 528i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car is very nice and fun to drive until you come to stop and hearing all that brake noise. It makes it sound like an old truck. That really takes away from the joy of driving it. The sad aspect is, BMW informed me that it is a natural for the cars to do that. I believe that that is a defect. The passenger cup holder is an obstruction if you have plus size people using the car.
Smooth power
BMW4D, 12/08/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Just came off a Audi A6 3.2 quattro lease and decided to try the BMW 550i. I had a 2003 BMW 530i previous to the Audi. There is no doubt that the Audi quality and solidity is better than the BMW. The interior design of the Audi is superior as well. Where the BMW comes into its own is how it drives. The 550i is powerful for sure. The motor and suspension dynamics make the car despite is not being as solidly made as the Audi. We will have to see how the reliability of the car goes as the months progress. I never had any problems with either my 2003 530i or my 2006 Audi A6 quattro.
Blend of luxury and performance
rndymn16, 01/13/2008
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
The 535i has enough power to make it a performance car. They don't give you a lot (compared to Cadallac and Infiniti, etc) and the options are borderline ripoff, but what they do give you - fantastic. The 20 way sport seats and iPod adapter are worth it!!!
I love this car
CKelleher, 08/08/2009
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I traded in a 2004 330 convertible which I really enjoyed. The 535xi is heads and shoulder beyond the 330 Cic. I am hard on a car in daily use and drive more like an enthusiast. This car never disappoints, whether its a 4 hour drive to the beach or a drag race with a 17 year old in a mustang cobra, the BMW always comes through. Awesome creature comforts blows my parents e550 4 matic out of the water in every way. No problems whatsoever.
CPO Bmw 535i 2008
bilalch, 09/09/2011
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had this car for about 1 year now. I bought this as a CPO it had about 30,000 miles on it. Considering all the comparative models (Audi, Merc)I found this to be the most fun car to drive. I also liked the interior better then others (yes even better then 08 A6) I think it is more of personal preference, the interior is clean, high quality and purposeful. Built quality is great, offcourse drives awesome. Not much to complain about this car. Prob would buy a 5 series after this one (although am not so sure of the new model, the Bmw seems to have gotten soft on their design and the new 2011 one is more like a Merc, cant say much about drive though as have not driven it)
Fantastic ride and to drive
Kirk, 02/19/2017
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Repair costs when needed are high, but infrequent.
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Sporty handling luxury sedan
Rocky, 06/10/2022
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sweetest car I’ve ever driven. 300 hp out of a twin turbo 3L engine gives you starship warp speed on demand. Positive handling glues it to the road yet the ride is smooth and comfortable. Creature comforts abound, I particularly like the comfort entry key fob that allows you to gain access just by having the key fob on your person. Seat and steering wheel heat are game changers. Rear wheel drive ensures the sporty driving experience. I love this car!
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