Used 2008 BMW 5 Series Consumer Reviews
Used 5 Series for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
The Best Car For A Man
Jake, 10/05/2010
2008 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
The 550i is amazing. It handles beautifully. The power is so amazing. It just pulls you into the seat. The headlights are awesome. The sound system is A+. There is nothing that I could think of that needs to be changed in the 550i. The seats are also a huge deal. They are super comfortable. The only thing is it eats fuel but the highway fuel economy is really good. But it's worth paying extra for fuel because the power is a great feeling.
2008 With 49 K
Jim, 12/23/2021
updated 11/05/2024
2008 BMW 5 Series 528xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought this as a winter "beater". Had 49K on it so obviously sat a lot. Many bells and dings initially. headlights, transmission limp mode the whole nine yards. Bottom line, these cars MUST be driven. They HATE sitting. Changed every fluid, drove it and nursed up and down hills. After 1000 miles it purrs like no car I've ever owned. Rides like a tank in the snow and ice. With snow tires I cannot get it to slip or get squirrely. Every bit as solid as my Suburban. Caveat, if you cannot do your own maintenance and somewhat involved mechanical repairs do not buy a European car. They are not Japanese or American. If a light comes on you MUST address it soon. Otherwise issues begin to cascade and having a mechanic work on it is foolish. That being said, it really is the ultimate driving machine. So comfortable, so smooth and so powerful with very nice fuel economy. You won't want to drive anything else. June 27, 2022 64,000 miles. This Beemer continues to impress. the fuel economy of this 3.0 litre 6 is outstanding. Rides like a dream, handles like it's on rails, looks beautiful and is just solid fit and finish. My girlfriend has a 2019 Crosstrek and mentioned how much less this 14 year old vehicle rattles squeaks and makes road noise. Love this car!! Caveat. Only buy this car if you are a seasoned mechanic. Priced a brake job for grins and giggles. $1,000! I bought all the parts for $360.00 and did it myself in two hours. Definitely don't want to pay a mechanic. They hear "BMW" and their brain goes cha ching! December 28, 2022, had to run my girlfriend to Chicago during the Bomb Cyclone over Christmas. Not on time did I have a single concern, even in Indiana where the roads were horrific! The BMW X Drive system is unparalleled in my opinion. Just like having 4X4. I know my buddy swears by his SH AWD on his MDX but I can't imagine it is better than my 528 XI. Took care of the neglect early, now it's just oil changes and brakes. This car averaged 27 mpg through the storm, 30-50 mph headwinds most of the way. The heated steering wheel, quiet ride, lava hot defroster and headlight washer made this trip extremely comfortable. I used to give BMW's the side eye. Never again. At least for this 3.0 litre 6. Usual "Disclaimer", don't buy a BMW unless you can handle above average repairs. You must maintenance and repair these cars. No screwing around. Just turned 104,000. I have replaced all four struts at 100K. I also did the upper water hose neck as it is known to crumble. I'm now getting ready to get ahead of the water pump. But my transmission needs to be rebuilt. $4000. I'm actually going to do it. This car is so rocksteady, fun to drive, comfortable, powerful, easy to maintenance I just can't imagine not putting some love into her and maybe giving her to my son. Don't buy a BMW if you don't want to have strong, loving feelings for your vehicle. I just LOVE this car. Did I mention the heated steering wheel? <3 That 3.0 litre, naturally aspirated, straight six is bulletproof and wonderful!!!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2008 BMW 5 Series for sale near you
Showing 3 of 129 listings
- 528xi SedanMSRP: $6,50048 mi away
- 528i SedanMSRP: $4,19966 mi away
- 528i SedanMSRP: $9,975187 mi away
See all 129 listings
Great Car!
sanjay8, 01/11/2011
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
14 of 17 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used about 1 year ago with 35000 miles and I have put on another 10,000 miles in the past year. The drive is amazing. It has had no problems as yet. After reading the reviews I am not sure if should keep this car past its warranty, which is up in 6 months. Sounds like the twin turbo is a problem. There is a recall in Canada to correct the high pressure fuel pump.
Too Many Problems
kblack1, 01/12/2012
2008 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
38 of 49 people found this review helpful
Just to start, this is not my first car or my second. I understand there are no guarantees in life and cars are finnicky. Sometimes you just get a bad apple. But for the $$$ a 550i costs those apples should be fixed properly and the owner satisfied. I have owned quite a few vehicles in my now 17 years of driving. 2 of which were a 2003 325xi and a 2006 330i sport. Both of which had no problems. I purchased the 550i in 2010 with 33k miles. It was a CPO, which gave me comfort purchasing a used car. Not any more!!! I seriously doubt this car was properly inspected. Which is what I told BMW, and they passed the buck to the dealer who basically told me F off. Consistent problems!
BMW VALUES $ MORE THAN LIVES
Trish Majors, 07/23/2018
updated 01/30/2020
2008 BMW 5 Series 528i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
12 of 15 people found this review helpful
I special ordered a 2008 BMW 528i. It was a fun car to drive-the only pro. I had problems with the fuel pump (thank God while still under warranty). I took it into D-Patrick in Evansville, IN where I purchased the car. The service department agreed that the fuel pump was weak and had been a common problem with this vehicle. However, they said it wasn't "far enough gone" to warrant replacement by BMW. I took it in numerous times, being told the same thing each time. The fuel pump went out on me during rush hour traffic as I had just got on the approach to a bridge (in the left lane). The car lost ALL POWER! By the grace of GOD, I had barely enough speed to crest the hill on the bridge and coast down the other side & managed to get through traffic to pull to the right shoulder of roadway & wait for tow truck. When I notified D-Patrick's BMW service department, I was told that BMW designed the vehicle to shut down "to preserve the engine". However, service department NEVER mentioned this would happen either time I had brought it in for this problem. My question to them was "What about preserving my life and the lives of whomever could have been with me when the fuel pump went out? One would think, this would have been important information to share with me one of the times I took it in for problems with the fuel pump. They did replace it. However, SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT A FEW WEEKS LATER. Needless to say, I sold the car at a huge loss of $ due to the lack of safety for me & my family. Had I known this was BMWs design, I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE!
- Safety
- Technology
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value