Used 2008 BMW 5 Series Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Back to BMW
After owning several Mercedes over the past 10 years I am happy to have owned my last one and am back into a new bimmer. We tried the new 3 cars but coming from the E class, the 5 car is a perfect fit. We drove the 528 and were pleased with the power but figured to go ahead and get the new rocket. Fuel economy is 22 mpg combined on the first 2 tanks which is just a tick lower than the E-320 @22-23 . The ride and drive is superb and the interior comfort and luxury is on par with the Benz except for the vinyl sun visors and the interior headliner is not as tailored .The power is smooth and instant and the iPod connect to the iDrive is way cool. Premium sound N.A., but standard is great/sat radio.
Buy It!
I've driven this car daily for 3 years and i still look for excuses to go drive it some more. Simply a blast. After testing all the other makes and models of Audi, Acura, Infinity, etc I still say this there's no comparison to how much better this car drives. The fuel pump issue people discuss is silly. BMW continues to cover this even out of warranty. My dealer replaced mine without me mentioning it when I was in for an oil change. I've had zero trouble with this car (knock on wood) and I drive it really hard.
- 535i SedanMSRP: $6,99913 mi away
- 535i SedanMSRP: $7,895133 mi away
- 550i SedanMSRP: $2,899135 mi away
The BEST Car I Have Owned
Sports and premium pkgs. This car is amazing. Handling is superb, wet or dry. Dunlop run flats hold the road as if you were on rails. The most comfortable seats you have ever placed your tail on. Design is flawless, in and out. Fantastic on long trips, 33 mpg., and a great way to commute. Why I waited so long to purchase THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE is beyond me. Of the dozen or so autos I have owned, this is by far the best. 100% class.
Enjoyable drive
Check on maintenance costs before buying. A battery replacement cost me about $300. The covered maintenance program is great. Road noise is quiet. It's a great machine to drive. The electric seats are very comfortable once you figure out all the controls...
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Great When Not in for Service
Comfortable, fun to drive and looks great. It's loaded with the Premium, Cold Weather and Sports package. I really do enjoy driving this to work and longer distances. My only complaint is how many times the car has been in the shop. Although I enjoy the car, this will most likely be my last BMW purchase. I can't justify all the service visits even though I'm not paying a dime. My previous car, which was a Nissan, was much better in this area.
Amazing driving experience at a reliability cost!
For starters I have had a great deal of experience with a variety of vehicles, as son of a car dealer I have had the opportunity to own and drive most every brand of vehicle readily available to the public. This is the third BMW I have owned and could not be more pleased with the pure “driving” experience of the car. It handles amazing, has loads of power and travels as well as any. The downside of this car is that it is terribly unreliable. There is always something going wrong with it, fuel injectors, transmission valve body seals, parking sensors, fuel pump, coils, and an infamous no start no crank condition that mystified the BMW tech. Every time I get something fixed on the car I tell myself that I’m sending it down the road but then I fail to get rid of it. I go a couple of weeks not driving it while it is undergoing (Insert any repair here), the entire time swearing that I’m selling it as soon as it is fixed and then I start driving it again and realize how enjoyable it is, I think “Ahh, everything is okay now and it’s going to be a good reliable car,” Wrong! I don’t know why I continue to put myself through this. Once I get the car up and running again I’m going to get rid of it once and for all; but then again maybe I won’t and just know that I will always need to have a Toyota as a second vehicle to rely on.
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Not nearly enough bang for your buck
Considering the steep price, this vehicle is mostly a disappointment. At 39k miles, the water pump went. Shortly afterward, three injectors failed. At 62k miles, the lower bushings needed replacing. While the vehicle is fun to drive, much of my experience has been quite pedestrian. Needless to say, my next vehicles will be a Mercedes and an Audi, as my wife will be getting a new vehicle next year as well. The Ultimate Driving Machine needs to be examined more closely, in terms of reliability.
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5 SERIES DEATH TRAP SEE NHTSA.GOV!
I was not aware there were SO many engine issues with these models. While accelerating into high speed traffic, my vehicle stopped suddenly. The engine stalled. Power steering quit. Car was rendered useless. I barely made it off the road when my car finally came to rest. After doing research into safecar.gov I've found that this is an unfortunate problem that BMW will not officially recall, it seems as if it's because they can't offer a permanent fix for the issue. I'm reading that dealerships keep bandaging up major engine failure because BMW NA is not giving them further help regarding this particular engine. Praying that no one must die for the gov't to intervene & for BMW to fix this!
Absolutely LOVE this CAR
Third BMW for me. Two 3 series previously and this new 550i is miles above and beyond what i had already decided was the best. The iDrive so complained about, I picked up easily. I find the whole vehicle experience exciting and extremely enjoyable. Speed, handling, build quality, style... all trend setting as usual. I have only liked cars before this one.
An All Around Winner, Esp. for Cold Clim
Living in a cold climate with snow / ice on the ground for much of the winter, I was looking for an AWD performance sedan. In the end I settled on the Acura RL, Infiniti M35x and BMW 535xi (though I loved the M series, I did not consider them practical for year - round driving in my climate, even with snow tires). From a "thrill of driving" and performance perspective, the 535xi quite simply left the Acura and Infiniti in the dust. Acceleration and handling were no contest 8 months later and a rough winter under my belt, and I couldn't be happier with my choice. Comfort seats and access are a must.
Did anyone at BMW think about the inside
If someone had told me that I would ever be disappointed driving a BMW I'd have told them they were nuts. With all of the obvious thought given to the exterior design, the mechanical, electronics, etc. Why would they screw up on such no brainers like climate controls, storage, and the ridiculous cupholder arrangement. Did someone at BMW spill coffee on the plans and so the factory just winged it? Other than those minor irritations, it's a great car, quiet, responsive, fun to drive (although nowhere near as fun as my infiniti was), gets decent mileage, and gets a lot of appreciative looks from others.
Great...when it runs
I really liked this car until it left me stranded on the highway. Bought it new 1 year and 3 months ago and put 26000 miles on it. It's consistently had problems with cold starts and then completely died a week ago. I know that the high pressure fuel pumps have been a problem for these cars, but I thought a $60,000 car would at least come with a functioning fuel pump
Fun to Drive--but has many issues
This has been a recurring problem with the '08 535i where the engine light comes on: ENGINE MALFUNCTION-reduce power. I took it once to Palm Springs BMW, but they did absolutely nothing. I took it to Pacific BMW where they replaced the fuel pump back in Nov 08. Early April I took it to Alexander for the same problem--ENGINE MALFUNCTION- reduce power. It turns out to be a leaking high pressure pump and broken injector. Both were replaced, and now it's in working order. All at no cost. How soon will it be before the ENGINE MALFUNCTION--reduce power light appears? I was promised that everything is in working condition. Yes, but how long? We have a 353i coupe with the same problem.
2008 BMW 528i
I purchased this car as a commuting vehicle. It is a joy to drive on a day to day basis, very quiet to exterior sounds, quick, refined and luxurious. Previously I was driving a 2007 Mercedes C230 in which I had some recurring issues -- not so with the 528i -- absolutely awesome car!! This was the perfect choice for me and my (small) family. We do some trips once in a while and this car is perfect for our needs. If I had a couple more kids then I'd have opted for a minivan or SUV for sure with the additional space.
4th 5-series, and counting
I've owned 5-series BMWs for 4 years (a new one every year) and this one is by far the best yet. It accelerates like an 8-cylinder would with same quietness and "kick" one would expect from a V-8. Handling remains outstanding and the interior comfort and fit continue to impress me. The fuel economy is not as good as my 2007 530i, but good enough to warrant a second look considering the power and smoothness. The new interior features make this one the best yet.
Great When Everything Works - Over Designed
Exhilerating and fun when everything works! Love to drive my 2008 535i with Sport package- when it is not in the shop. Lots of power and totally responsive. Many problems which has been worked on under the factory warranty.1) entire head lamp module (less than 1 wk after delivery), 2)fuel pump, 3)fuel injectors, 4)car suddenly went into limp (lower power) mode when entering hwy- no solution yet from BMW(fortunately I was not in heavy traffic), 5)new gear shift handle, 6) iDrive goes crazy-dead black screen. Hopefully, nothing else shows up. I love the way the car handles but the trips to the service department has become too aggravating! Selling before warranty ends!Bitter/sweet experience.
My 4th 5 series but this one's the best
I've owned a new 5 series every year, 2005-2008, but this one tops them all. The powerful engine "makes" the car. The new interior design, along with programmable satellite and FM radio stations is a plus. Addition of wood along the door makes it luxurious. The electronic transmission takes some getting used to, but no problem. You've got to get premium sound with HD radio option and Sirius radio if you are an audiophile and love crisp, clear, outstanding separation of sound. I don't like the standard wheels, but one can live with them instead of spending 4000 dollars on upgraded wheels and tires. The addition of leather around the console is also a nice touch.
Fantastic
Car is a dream. The ride is like that of any luxury sedan, yet the car feels tight and responsive instead of much like others. Power, even in my 528 is good, and the engine is seamless. Seats are comfortable and every button is where is should be - even iDrive, which is not the problem it is rumored to be. I have no problems using it at all and 10 minutes of instruction from my salesman was all it took. The car looks great. Sit it next to a Benz E, Lexus ES, Infinity M, or Audi A6, and it beauty prize goes to the BMW. It is the best of the bunch. Wonderful car!!
Accidentally bought my dream car
I went to the dealer for an infinity and walked out with a 2008 535i with 93k miles and dont regret it one bit. The car has been great and I've put almost 20k miles on it in a year and still runs like I got it out the dealer. Besides a small coolant leak I've had no issues and still smoke any charger rt or camaro (besides monster ss or zl1) at a street light. As long as you take care of it, it will take care of you.
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Great car
This car is a pleasure to drive I am enjoying every day that I drive. Very confortable an a lot of room no noise inside the car and good performance. I love my the car
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535i review
Traded in my 04 545i for the new 535i. Wow! I can't say enough about how much they have improved this model. It is faster, quieter, smoother, and handles better than my 545, for less money! BMW has also made subtle changes to the interior that make the car feel more luxurious (more wood and leather in the right places). I would highly recommend this car.
What an amazing ride!!
My 535xi has just went over 208k miles. She still loves to Accelerate and hug the corners. I've had my BMW for a little over a year and have used it as my daily driver. My Bimmer has a great history of maintenance and that has paid off to keep this car driving well. I've replaced a few parts here and there which was expected with the high mileage. As soon as I get my 2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 L up and running as my daily, I will do a little upgrade on the turbos. This is my dream car and will be in the family for many years to come.
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Always in the service bay
I have owned two 550i's in a year and a half. The reason for two is that the first one was in service for massive computer troubles 14 times in a 12 month period. The dealership swapped me out of the trouble maker and now in only four months and 4000 miles I am in service overheating and all the windows and sunroof seem to open by themselves. Please avoid this model
Bullet proof reliability in my 535i Sport Package
I bought mine used with 40000 miles and with 65000 miles now. I am very happy with the performance and reliability. Nothing has gone wrong with it. I recently put brakes on at an independent BMW shop for $1200, complete. When I punch the accelerator the car is a rocket. It looks great (deep sea blue with natural brown leather seats and tints windows). The seven spoke alloys with the sport package are perfect.
Major Disappointment
This was my first BMW and I was really excited about buying it. It worked fine for about 6 months and then the trouble started. First it was the "reduced engine power" message related to the turbo system. The result of multiple trips to the dealer consisted of: engine reprogramming, replacing the high pressure fuel pump, replacing injectors, replacing a fuel pressure sensor, and reconnecting a vacuum hose that the mechanic "forgot" to connect. The car has had three water pumps installed. I've also had the battery replaced two years after I bought the car (new), the auxiliary jack replaced (it only played through one channel when I got the car. And a couple of other minor items.
My 550i
Greatest Car I have ever driven. Sold the car after 120,000 miles. Upkeep was becoming more of an issue than trading it in and getting a younger vehicle.
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we bought it new ( 07/2008) 550i in OC So cal
We only driven the car locally just 60,000 miles 2008 to 2019 what a nightmare,in 2019, car repairs exceeded $ 6500 ( alternator, vacuum pump, gaskets and engine mounts, valvle cover and many more. Worse gas mileage. Jan 2020, car has 61,378 miles , water pump and thermostat replaced. Feb 2020, leaking coolant, owner's nightmare continues , reviews for other potential customers please be aware.
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BMW 528xi
This car is great! A very comfortable ride. I have owned a 3 series, 740i, two X5s and now this. The comfort is great, performance is great and it has good gadgets. The iPod adapter and navigation system are fun and work very well.
Great Classic Cruiser
Maintenance expenses are steep but necessary. Technology is now dated but the car is smooth, fast and stable.
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Fun to Drive
I've been driving my 528xi for a few months now and I still love getting in the car and taking a drive. It is truly amazing and so comfortable. While not as much of a "beast" as the 535, it is still quick on acceleration and has that luxury/comfort/sports combo so missing with other cars. iDrive isn't the best, but it is quick to learn and makes stuff easier. iPhone integration is seamless. I have premium, cold, navi, xenons and iPod adaptor. No complaints. BTW: this was my second BMW. 2003, e39 was the first.
Flashy but Weak!!!
Car is not reliable at all. High maintenance cost. Frequent mechanical visits. Parts expensive. Rear leg room is terrible. Brake are loud & dusty. Electric issues are often
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If you love staring at an engine light..
The car glides when you drive it BUT the electronics are for crap. The bluetooth never holds a call, the sunroof will not fully close unless you play with it and be prepared for numerous exterior light changes. This series is very fickle and needs CONSTANT dealership attention. The repair costs are triple those of a less luxurious car and there is ALWAYS something that needs fixing. Time/Value/Money should have you looking elsewhere unless you are either buying a brand new, leasing one or you yourself enjoy test driving loaner cars while the car you bought is endlessly being serviced.
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Back to Mercedes
We have had the car for a year. It has been in the shop for six weeks in total. The engine light comes on when the car gets hot. The main problem is we live in MT. BMW does not take care of there customers, I am trying to get a buy back. I have had three Mercedes in the past, they are not as fun to drive, but they are miles ahead in quality and customer service.
Best all around
Had a 911, have 3 kids, needed something comfortable for the family. Looked at the 550i sport and thought I'd get too many tickets. The 535i sport is just a little more "real world", but still handles like a proper sport sedan. The xi models understeer more than I'd like, and the sport package on the i model is a true bmw sport package (suspension). The twin turbo motor gives you v8 torque and horsepower, I suspect that the ratings of 300 each is understated. Saving 10 grand over the 550 sport was worth it.
Still going strong
I have driven this car hard for a year and a half and have yet to go through any technical problems with the car. This car is tough as nails. The engine is extremely smooth, and the Sport mode is like attaching rockets to your car when you need it to pass someone on the highway. The trunk is spacious, as is the rear seat, as two 6'2 guys have sat comfortably. The N54 engine (the TT L6) is easily one of the best BMW engines, and has won Engine of the Year awards consistently. Has never been to the shop other than scheduled maintenance, despite being somewhat abused by a young driver with a lead foot for about 14,000 miles. Never had a problem starting in cold weather, and no malfunctions.
Great Value. Great Performance Part 2
Through the break-in period and after a few weeks of having the car in So. California I thought it worthwhile to confirm that the car is terrific day in and day out. Two additional notes: It is very difficult to stay within the speed limit. I'd say the car has the character of a jet-fighter. So capable that you're crossing over 100 mph just merging into traffic from the on-ramp (and you didn't hear or feel any noticeable change, except for the acceleration, along the way). Also, it's a bit difficult to have fun and achieve more than 20 mpg. And that's where speed limits and busy roadways help out - - they keep you from riding the afterburners all day. :)
1st BMW
Well, I had been driving a 1991 Volvo, so the 2008 528 is a major treat!!! Unbelievable in the workmanship, performance and handling!! I hope to always drive a BMW. It just hugs the corners when driving. Cant wait to try it on a Calif hwy like Hwy 1 in Half Moon Bay!
What a dream!
Just picked up my 08 535xi with Nav, Logic 7, SAT Radio, IPOD, Premium Pkg, PDC, Cold Weather & sport wheels. Handles great, fast as a rocket and the most comforable seats i've ever been in. IDRIVE is simple. Also the best headlight around. I dare you to drive it, you'll love this car. It screams luxury inside!
Loved it
Bought the car with 40k miles and sold it with 75k miles. The car didn't give me any problems whatsoever and ran perfectly. The only maintenance required was tires, brakes and rotors. No problems with the fuel pump at all. Loved the exterior design and the interior as well. To me the car was the perfect size not to big and not to small. Would definitely recommend! I miss the car but got a great deal on an Infiniti and I needed a change.
Excellent car!
Bought a new 528i, and had it for 2 years and drove only 8K miles. The bad: the pressure pump light came on initially (a relatively common issue addressed by several other BMW reviewers). This was promptly fixed by the dealership without any charge. The good: everything else! One of the best, if not the best, car I've ever driven. Great handling!!! Definitely unique! Seats are awesome! Stereo very good! 21 mpg (85% city- 15% hwy). Extremely quiet cabin, etc. In summary, it gives you that rich person car drive felling. Then I traded it in, as I got a great deal on a Volvo XC60, which is also great. If BMW were overall more reliable, the competition would really suffer.
On the fence
My lease comes up at the end of the year but not sure if I would buy it. It was at the dealership multiple times due to the high pressure fuel pump and gasket leak issues. Morning starts feel like a boat motor. Engine misfires. Car lurches back and jumps forward at stop lights etc. It's a joy to drive when the engine is trouble free. I-drive is so slow it drives me nuts. The blutooth works about 50% of the time. I'm eying the infiniti M and the lexus G because I really want a trouble free vehicle with better ergonomics. I'll have to sacrifice the driving dynamics of this vehicle though. There should not be a compromise for a $60,000+ car.
Great Sports Car
My first BMW. I drove all the competitors and settled on the 535xi because of its performance. It is a blast to drive I've had it now for three years and still enjoy getting into it every day. I live in the Rockies and it is unbelievable on mountain roads. Excellent in the snow with AWD. My only negatives are, the seats are not real comfortable on longer drives and the cup holders are a joke.
Power Sedan
I disagree with the prior reviewer. I too came out of an Audio A6 3.2 into a 550i sport, but think the BMW is a better car in every respect. I have had no problems with my car after almost 2 years of daily use, hard use. I drive this car hard and it delivers! The engine is something to be reckoned with, from 0 to over 100 there is power to spare, just punch it and hang on. The interior is solid as a rock... no squeaks or rattles almost 20k miles. Where the A6 is plastic this car is leather, a true luxury sports sedan. (my A6, my 2nd , was in the shop many times)
Great Off Lease Purchase
Shopped for 2 months on numerous online sites and through local dealers to find exactly the configuration and price I was looking for. This car was $61,500 new 3 years ago, and I purchased for $36,000 with 35K on the odometer, about the same as I paid for my last car - which was a new Avalon Limited. The Avalon was pretty high tech and comfortable, but this car is an incredibly better value for many reasons. It is about as fun to drive as any car under $100,000 could be. The integrated IPod connection through the I-Drive combined with the Logic 7 sound system (highly recommended!) is superb. Premium (only) gas mileage has been about 17.5 in town and 26.5 highway.
Great Performance, Great Value.
Took ED and drove 600 miles across So. Germany in 3 days. Ably handled everything from tight country roads, windy descents to 100+ mph cruising & stop n go on the Autobahn. Averaged 26+ mpg. Coming from Acura TL, never thought I'd say "Good value" about a BMW, but the performance, ride, sound and handling are so amazingly solid while seating 4, it's difficult to imagine why you'd spend so much more for a little impractical Porsche (compare 0-60), or unpredictable Maserati GT. Great touring, great speedster and terrific looking. Easily translates from mellow to "let's go!" especially at the touch of the "Sport" button. Higher revs, immediate response.
Engine
We have had the car in the shop for the same reason 4 times. They have replaced 6 ejectors, fuel pump and a gas line. We got it out of the shop on a Thursday we went on a trip on Sunday and it backfired and made a loud noise and smoke filled the inside of the car. By the time we got it stopped and out, the car was burning. It burned up. We did all we could to get it repaired.
Almost Perfect
This is an unbelievable car. I test drove the 535 with the twin turbo, but it's no match for the smoothness and sheer grunt of the V8. I had a Mustang GT before this and this is faster, smoother and more fun. Mine is optioned to the max, with HD radio, Satellite radio, HUD, sport package, cold weather package, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, Nav and so on. The 19 inch wheels look very cool! I also have the sport transmission, with paddle wheel shifters. So far, I have not used these that much. All in all a great car, that I highly recommend.
Fun Car To Drive
My wife and I looked at the 335, 528 and the 535i. For the price, the 535i was the best buy. Comfort is extremely good; performance is amazing for a car this size. Fun to drive it is a blast. At 70, when floored, it will pin you back in the seat. It wants to cruise at 100 mph. I traded in a Honda S2000 and it was fun to drive, but this BMW is almost as much fun to drive and it is much more comfortable. Everyone wants to take a ride and drive it. Even my kids think it is great, but they want the 335i.
BMW 535xi - Its a Keeper
After nearly a year and 12k miles, this car has proven to be even better than the initial write-ups. It is fast and fun to drive, gets around great in the snow and is wonderfully intuitive and responsive to the driver. This car is a keeper.
I'm in love with my new BMW
I love my new BMW. My wife is a bit jealous but she knows it's just infatuation. My kids love it and I have to admit that I've never really liked cars like I like this one. It's no wonder people like me are so enthused my their driving machines. I look forward to every drive. There's nothing like picking up a friend or family member in a car like this.