The executive sedan that defined the segment—a mid-size luxury car that’s been the benchmark for handling, comfort, and performance for over 40 years. It’s the car that made BMW a household name in America.
The 5 Series is a front-engine, rear-drive or AWD (xDrive), unibody mid-size luxury sedan. E12 (1980-1981): 2.8L M30 I6 (176 hp), 4-speed manual or 3-speed auto. E28 (1982-1988): 2.8L M30 I6 (176 hp), 3.5L M30 I6 (182 hp), or 2.4L diesel (86 hp). Transmissions: 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto. E34 (1989-1995): 2.5L M20 I6 (168 hp), 3.0L M30 I6 (181 hp), 3.5L M30 I6 (208 hp), 4.0L M60 V8 (282 hp), or 2.5L diesel (143 hp). Transmissions: 5-speed manual or 4-speed/5-speed auto. E39 (1996-2003): 2.8L M52 I6 (190 hp), 3.0L M54 I6 (225 hp), 4.4L M62 V8 (282 hp), or 3.0L diesel (181 hp). Transmissions: 5-speed manual or 5-speed auto. E60 (2004-2010): 3.0L N52 I6 (215-255 hp), 4.4L N62 V8 (325 hp), 5.0L S85 V10 (500 hp in M5), or 3.0L diesel (230 hp). Transmissions: 6-speed manual or 6-speed auto. F10 (2011-2016): 3.0L N55 I6 (300 hp), 4.4L N63 V8 (400 hp), or 3.0L diesel (255 hp). Transmissions: 6-speed manual or 8-speed auto. G30 (2017-2023): 2.0L B48 I4 (248 hp), 3.0L B58 I6 (335 hp), 4.4L N63 V8 (456 hp), or 3.0L diesel (261 hp). Transmissions: 8-speed auto. G60 (2024-2026): 3.0L B58 I6 (375 hp), 4.4L S68 V8 (523 hp), or 2.0L B48 plug-in hybrid (300 hp). Transmissions: 8-speed auto.
The 5 Series is reliable for a German luxury car. The M30 I6 is bulletproof. The M52, M54, and N52 I6s are durable but have cooling system issues (water pumps, thermostats). The N62 V8 has valve seal and alternator bracket oil leak issues. The N63 V8 has turbo and fuel injection issues—avoid early N63s. The B58 I6 is excellent—reliable and powerful. The 8-speed auto (ZF 8HP) is one of the best transmissions ever made. The 5 Series is a reliable executive sedan if maintained properly.
Every listing below is VIN-matched to your exact 5 Series before it ships, backed by a 60-day replacement warranty:
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