Is the BMW 5 Series a good used car?

Verdict rates it 3.7/5 overall, with reliability at 3.6/5 and running costs at 3.0/5. Shop 2008–2010 E60 528i (N52) first and treat 2011–2016 550i (N63) as a records-only purchase.

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Buyer's Guide · BMW 5 Series · Midsize sport sedan

Used BMW 5 Series Buyer's Guide

3 min readUpdated October 13, 2026

Also worth reading: BMW Reliability Guide, Best Used BMW Models and BMW 3 Series Buying Guide.

The 5 Series is BMW's executive sedan. The E60 528i with the N52 and the F10/G30 540i with the B58 are the safest used picks. Avoid or research the N63 twin-turbo V8 carefully.

E60 528i shoppers often cross-shop the SUV built on similar-era hardware; if that is you, our write-up on the used 2008 BMW X5 covers what the E70 platform adds to the maintenance bill.

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Quick Verdict

Overall verdict: 3.7/5 · Good
Reliability: 3.6/5 · Good
Best years: 2008–2010 E60 528i (N52), 2017–2023 G30 540i (B58)
Years to research: 2011–2016 550i (N63), 2011–2013 528i (N20)
Maintenance cost: 3.0/5 · Average
Parts availability: 4.0/5 · Very good
Ownership cost: 3.0/5 · Average

Bottom line: Yes, if you pick the engine carefully.

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Overall · All generations

★★★★★3.7/5

The 5 Series rewards the same buying playbook as the 3 Series — buy the engine, demand records. B58-powered examples are excellent; N63-powered examples are among the most expensive BMWs to own long-term.

Reliability· All generations

★★★★★3.6/5

Maintenance

★★★★★3.0/5

Parts availability

★★★★★4.0/5

Ownership cost

★★★★★3.0/5

Top Picks

Best Years to Buy

Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.

2008–2010 E60 528i (N52)

Naturally aspirated I6; simple and durable.

2017–2023 G30 540i (B58)

B58 with refined chassis and 8HP transmission.

Side by side

BMW 5 Series ratings at a glance

Category	Rating	What it means
Overall	3.7/5	Good
Reliability	3.6/5	Good
Maintenance	3.0/5	Average
Parts availability	4.0/5	Very good
Ownership cost	3.0/5	Average

Do your homework

Years to Research Carefully

Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.

2011–2016 550i (N63)

Timing chain, valve stem seals, injectors — historically one of the most expensive BMW engines to own.

2011–2013 528i (N20)

Timing-chain guide wear — verify service history.

Known issues

Common Problems

Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.

✓
Cooling-system components (water pump, thermostat)
✓
Valve-cover gasket and oil-filter-housing leaks
✓
Air-suspension leaks on equipped examples
✓
N63 timing chain, valve stem seals, injectors
✓
Electronics quirks (iDrive, sensors)

Ownership

Maintenance Expectations

Same ownership playbook as the 3 Series — independent specialist, 5,000-mile oil, proactive fluid service.

N63-equipped cars need a much higher maintenance budget than 6-cyl examples.

Before you buy

Inspection Checklist

What to verify on any candidate car.

Engine

N63: complete records mandatory. B58: standard cooling and oil checks.

Cooling

Water pump, thermostat age; expansion-tank cracks.

Transmission

ZF 8HP fluid history.

Air suspension

If equipped, all corners level; no compressor noise.

Modifications

Tuned cars are much higher risk.

Living with it

Ownership Experience

• Refined, quiet, and one of the best-driving executive sedans on the market.
• Real-world 27–30 mpg on B58 highway.
• Ownership cost skews high without records.

The Verdict

Should You Buy a Used BMW 5 Series?

Yes, if you pick the engine carefully. E60 528i N52 or G30 540i B58 are the safest picks; N63 requires informed buying.

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the BMW 5 Series?

Verdict scores it 3.6/5 for reliability and 3.7/5 overall. Buy from 2008–2010 E60 528i (N52) and the known trouble spots largely drop away.

Which 5 Series years should I avoid?

2011–2016 550i (N63) deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.

What are the best years for the BMW 5 Series?

2008–2010 E60 528i (N52). Those years combine the settled version of the powertrain with the fewest recurring complaints in our research.

How long does a BMW 5 Series last?

A well-maintained 5 Series from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.

Is the 5 Series expensive to maintain?

Maintenance scores 3.0/5 and parts availability 4.0/5. Routine servicing is predictable; the cost risk is the model-specific work listed above.

What should I inspect before buying a used 5 Series?

Focus on: Engine, Cooling, Transmission, Air suspension. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.

What are the most common 5 Series problems?

Cooling-system components (water pump, thermostat); Valve-cover gasket and oil-filter-housing leaks; Air-suspension leaks on equipped examples; N63 timing chain, valve stem seals, injectors

Is 150,000 miles too much for a 5 Series?

Not on its own. A 150k-mile 5 Series with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the 5 Series's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.

Should I buy a used BMW 5 Series?

Yes, if you buy the right year and the right paperwork. Shop 2008–2010 E60 528i (N52) first, treat 2011–2016 550i (N63) as a records-only purchase, and make the sale conditional on an independent inspection.

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