Used 2009 BMW 5 Series Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Realistic review for people who want to buy a used 535i
rob2388, 12/17/2013
2009 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
44 of 45 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2009 535i with sport/cold/light packages with 49k miles. First make sure you find the service records on the car so you know what you will be facing. THIS CAR IS NOT A MAINTENANCE FREE CAR LIKE TOYOTA! With that being said, there is a lot of 'common' issues with this car. Gasket leaks, the HPFP (high pressure fuel pump) and one of the taillights have recalls so make sure you have the new HPFP. Water pump also goes to shit after about 50k miles i read so that is something i'm looking forward to. This is not a smooth car like Mercedes, you will feel the road. Other than that, the car can take serious curves, and the twin turbos make the car go!
Fuel System
Disappointed, 09/28/2010
2009 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
68 of 71 people found this review helpful
Great car, but the problems with the fuel system are ridiculous. 4th time it has been in, reprogrammed software, new software, new fuel pump. This is a serious safety issue as the car will not get fuel and will stop or lose acceleration. BMW needs to take this seriously.
Unreliable
BMW Lemon, 06/14/2010
2009 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
30 of 33 people found this review helpful
The car was awesome at first but then came the problems the fuel system replaced 3 times. The car continues to have fuel delivery problems. BMW told me we have extended the warranty to 10 years on the fuel system but that doesn't help when you're stranded on the road. Avoid the 135/335/535 models they are garbage. I have started the lemon law process.
Drives like a dream...
P. Rihani, 01/14/2019
2009 BMW 5 Series 528i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
This car is probably one of the best cars I have ever owned/driven. It’s reliable, it’s sporty, it’s up to date, and it’s great on gas! It probably gets me 24-27 mpg if not more. The car is super strong, and I am so thankful for that. I just hit a semi truck on the freeway and the only thing that was damaged was the fender and just heavy scratches on the door. The car is great. From my experience with cars, the worst thing to buy is a BMW with a turbo engine, like the 535i. They’re unreliable and cost a lot to repair. The 528i on the other hand is very well built. The only thing about the 2009 that gets me is the iDrive system, which was updated in 2010. The version is outdated. Also, the climate controls are a bit complicated as well, but they’re kind of fancy at the same time. I do recommend this car to anyone who is looking to buy a used car that is as modern as a 2018. Great choice! Great on gas! Very economical!!
Great Car, Wishful Thinking Too much hipe?
Great Car, Wishful Thinking!, 04/10/2017
updated 04/16/2018
2009 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
2009 BMW 535i idrive w/sport pkg. By April 2017, had only 60,000 driven. Very disappointed with this ultimate driving machine. For me it was an "ultimate nightmare machine." Started with--heating system, passenger freezing, driver boiling up (heater master control on driver side). After warranty expired in 2013 to 2017, almost four years, been stranded twice; had changed all four tires; changed fuel pump, tank and sensors; replaced the battery, and the battery clamp and cable, and replaced the passenger seat belt and airbag which was shorted out by the water leaked into the battery chamber in the trunk; fixed oil leak on the oil filter housing gasket, and counting. Paying almost $70k for this car I Do expect it to be more durable. As I would not expect a $100.00 suit to last as a $500 suit so I except 553i to be more durable than a $30k's. Update: The MOST disappointing is the trade in value was just $10,000 was all the dealer paid what a useless 535-BMW. Never Again will I make the same mistake....
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Lives Up to Its Reputation
Kurt, 01/06/2018
2009 BMW 5 Series 528i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
This car is a beast; a wolf in sheep's clothing. I had a chance to drive it through windy VT mountain roads, including on the southern descent from Middlebury Gap (near Middlebury Snow Bowl) on Rt. 125. Those familiar with that route know how steep and windy those roads are. My wife's 5-series handled them with aplomb. I was very impressed. My wife bought this car with 48k miles on it back in 2012, certified pre-owned. The 5-series was her dream car, and this particular vehicle has served her well. The body has stayed in great shape, despite several scratches and dents it has incurred over the years. The interior has held up and endured our spills and messes. There have been no crazy repairs needed, and it drives as good as the day we procured it. Over time, its looks have grown on me. I have come to really appreciate its driving characteristics, and can see why Edmunds had proclaimed it as close to a perfect car as you could buy back in 2009. We have never put snow tires on it for winter, yet never had any problems in the snow, thanks to the xDrive. Currently at approximately 120k miles, this car shows no signs of slowing down. My reverence for it has never been higher. As tempted as we are to trade it in for a newer BMW, we just have no reason to. I can't wait to enjoy this car for more years to come.
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Not the Ultimate Driving Machine
Fred, 02/21/2016
2009 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
15 of 17 people found this review helpful
This is a great car for performance and driving dynamics. This is not a good car for reliability, quality and running costs. I've had countless check engine lights, failed window regulators, excessive oil consumption, failed steering pump, failed ABS sensors, premature headlight failures, transmission shuddering, EGV failure, and few electronic issues in the interior components. Many of these issues were covered under warranty. However, the amount of time spent in and out of the dealer was ridiculous. Some repairs like the transmission shudder couldn't be remedied. This is the worst car I've owned in terms of reliability. It's the worst in maintaining its value. I sold it at a loss but I'm very glad that I did.
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Are you willing to trade the good for the bad?
subdsgnr, 04/30/2012
2009 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
37 of 46 people found this review helpful
My 535i came with the sport package, which does improve handling--especially the active roll bar in the rear. This car rides almost like an Avalon in a straight line, but has almost ZERO body roll on a turn. Really amazing handling. The turbo engine is very impressive as well. HOWEVER, you cannot change your battery on your own. The dealer MUST do it. Seriously--I'm a DIY car guy. Also, I just had two injectors replaced at 20K MILES. BMW forum people act like the injectors are SUPPOSED to go out because they're just such "high performance", but I've had 3 Lexuses with direct inject and had ZERO problems. On top of reliability being spotty, the dealer treated me like a pariah.
Very good & getting better
lenk58, 12/14/2009
2009 BMW 5 Series 528i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
12 of 14 people found this review helpful
This is our 3rd 5 series starting in 2003, 2006 and 2009. Each model has gotten better, especially with horsepower. The 2003 could barely get out of its own way. Over the years they have increased horsepower by 50. The car drives great, handles well and is good on gas. Sound, navigation systems are great and seat comfort is also fine. It still could use an upgrade on horsepower over 230.
Too Good To Be True
DonRay, 03/26/2009
2009 BMW 5 Series 550i 4dr Sedan (4.8L 8cyl 6M)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
Traded in my E46 M3 after 6 years. Purchased a white 550i with Sport & Cold Weather packages & lots of other goodies. The car looks fabulous; the LED side & rear lights and Angel Eye DRLs make the car unique and very attractive. The acceleration, handling and fuel economy are comparable to my old M3 but without the "nervousness". I've never purchased a car that gave me the satisfaction of ownership that I receive from my 550i. The whole automobile is a work of art, from the anthracite tailpipes to the black front air intake; a study in black and white. The Sport Package makes the current 550i better and more modern looking than the 2010 version.
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