BMW 5-Series Saloon
  • Economy

    Value

    2 out of 5 2.0

    BMWs are overpriced.

    Costs

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Expensive to repair when things go wrong.

  • On the road

    Driving

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Good overall.

    Performance

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Very quick when working properly.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Had problems from start, so difficult to assess long term reliability.

    Image

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Choose the right colour and it's stylish and sophisticated. Avoid bodykits and fancy lights if you don't want drug dealer image.

    Comfort

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Seats a bit firm.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Excellent.

    Service

    3 out of 5 3.0

    BMW service were very helpful in providing information to be used in court case against supplying dealer for breach of Sale of Goods Act.

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    Engine suffered from premature bore wear common on V8 models/age. Get AA inspection with compression test to see if your potential car suffers. Bad BMW design meant petrol dissolved cylinder linings over time, only solution: replace engine! £7k fitted BMW

    Other

    Bought mine from dealer with engine fault described, so am now having to sue to recover cost of car. Would have been good car otherwise. Many BMW engines suffered this fault in 90s, even with very low mileages. Compression test is only way to be sure.

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    Used

    Would you buy the same model again?

    No

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    Yes