Buying a Used BMW 5 Series - Everything you need to know!

If you're in the market to buy a used 5 series, let me help you along. I have this 2012 535i that I bought new, but this is my 3rd BMW and the first one I bought pre-owned.

Buying a used BMW 5 series, you should take a few things into consideration.

You should really look at who owned the car before you. Are they someone who is more likely to have been nice to the vehicle? Or maybe not too gentle?

What color is it? Some colors are much harder to maintain over time than others. Stay away from dark colors unless the previous owner was a car nut, like me.

Check the CarFax. People will lie to you, unfortunately, and you need to know the car's history.

Lastly, don't get in too big of a hurry. Take your time and find the right car for you. If you don't fall in love at first sight, keep looking!

I got mine new, even though only one year before I wouldn't have been able to afford one. If you'd like to know how I got the money, click on the link above. Working online made it possible for me to get my own 5 series!

So now you know what to look for when buying a used BMW 5 series!

[mybnz]

Buying a car from someone you know is the best way to ruin that friendship

[BobbyAngmalaysia]

Buy from a women. Yeah right, miss oil changes, never bothered about brake pads, never bothered about radiator fluid, never bothered about steering fluid, brake fluids, basically women don't maintain their cars if nothing breaks down. I will buy from an enthusiast, people who tastefully mod their cars, drive them hard' use good engine oils, always checking on everything, doing preventive maintenance, and wouldn't bat an eyelid fixing their cars.

[mike]

I'm working 7 days a week right now just to get mine lol that's my dream car right there

[matthewstott]

That fact that you said it's a 3.5L makes everything you say, irrelevant. You sir, are no "car nut." Last time I checked, BMWs are known for their 3.0L inline 6s.

[dobie]

Being a 5 series owner, you have some valid points. But, I'm on the flip side. I believe there's also plenty of value in purchasing a higher mileage BMW. I would welcome a 3 year with 90, 000 miles. This means, it's been all stealer (dealer) serviced, and those miles are probably highway miles. Sounds like you're a leasing kinda guy, or prefer having a new car every three years (which is totally fine), and you're probably writing it off as a business expense.

But, there's plenty of value in a high mile Beemer, if you're smart about purchasing and servicing, and know how to turn a wrench. What's so great about the pre-owned market in the last 10 years, you can buy a high-end car for a fraction of it's original cost. Find yourself a near mint, 10 year old or newer Beemer, that has the service receipts (buy from an enthusiast), get a pre-purchase inspection, pay cash, and put some $$ aside for servicing. You're saving money overall, you have no car payment.

Again you have valid points, but there's a flip-side.

And you're supposed to drive these like you stole it, that's why you buy a BMW.

[ayafe]

I had a 2003 525i with the M5 sports package. I bought it used and had a rebuilt engine and a trans dropped in it. Never had a major problem. Outside of oil changes, I had no problems for 3 years, and when I did it wasn't major. It was the radiator. This was my second and I'm in the market for another one. Really like these cars. Yes the maintenance costs, but it really is a low maintenance machine. I am a women and I do know about my car.

[theredgiraffe]

Sorry mate - if you don't know that's a 3-liter you lost all your credibility. Disliked.

[jbrother]

You are definitely right about never wanting to drive another car again. I just purchased a Certified Pre-owned 2011 535i from a BMW dealer here in Duluth, GA. It sill had 2 years on the warranty and 2 years on the maintenance package. I absolutely love my car. Before, I was strictly a Toyota man. My car of choice was the Celica, sold my 1991 Celica and A friend of mine who happens to be German, talked me into getting an Audi A4 and I loved it, but since he turned me onto German cars, I wanted to look at a BMW but something alittle bigger. So I sold the Audi and got the again will I ever drive anything different! :)

[joserosales]

thanks for the tips! I recently found a 2013 bmw 535i with the M sport package with only 20, 000 miles for just $40, 000 at a local bmw dealership certified pre-owned.. thats a steal considering that a brand new 535i with the same features goes between $65, 000-$70, 000.. besides 20, 000 miles on a bmw is nothing

[FNFAL]

He just don't want you to have the dark colors cause he has them he want to be the only one 😂😂

[jeffbiddle]

You shouldn't be giving "tips" on buying any car if you don't even know your engine displacement. Second, if you want to give tips about an F10, give actual tips relevant to that car. Like...skip the window shades that will break and annoy you or make sure to get keyless entry (with the little indentations on the door handle). Those will improve your ownership experience. Congrats on getting your third BMW. I'm on my seventh and I'm your age. I've had one 3, two 5s, two 7s and two X5s. Another tip...duh...get a CPO if you buy used. Your "tips" were useless and not F10 specific.

[rickgarza]

The car fax report is the only thing that matters the most these cars are german made for superior handling and performance so as long as the part is not broken then it doesn’t matter whether a bachelor athlete drives it, or granny who doesn’t exceed 55mph

[samdey]

Good general tips, virtually no BMW specific advice. If I'm looking to buy a 2nd hand BMW I'd be interested in the "Pros and Cons." Specifically, if there are any issues that may cost a lot to resolve if the car is out of warranty. Real world fuel consumption. The different options that were available and if they are worth looking for. Ie the Heads up display.

[akashswarnkar]

make sure youre buying it from some 50+ person, great if a women. only way to insure its gonna last without headache.

[redfury]

I own a silver 2011 Bmw 535i and I love it! I've driven it across the US multiple times and its been great!

[filipuusimaki]

I have a BMW 530i 2004 E60 with comfort seats, the Professional Navigation system and other things, you Don't need a M-sport package, it sure makes a difference but its not a must. The engine is the most important and the eqipment, you can always mount coilovers or other springs to lower the car like a m-sporrt.

[FELIPEM]

I’d say no on buying from most women, they don’t know what maintenance and oil changes are

[Drtbiker]

It’s actually the 3.0L straight 6 twin turbo
Known internally as the N55

[MetalVII]

1st strike - 3.5l
2nd strike - 2:18
3rd strike - Plugging your own business

[JoeG]

It's not a 3.5 liter. It's a 3.0 liter twin turbo