Our Take
from the Cars.com expert editorial team
Vehicle Overview
BMW adds new base versions to its 5 Series lineup, introduces two new six-cylinder engines and freshens the appearance of all models.
The 5 Series returns in sedan and station wagon body styles, and with the new engines, model nomenclature changes. Base models are now called 525i. What was the 528i sedan last year is now the 530i. The 540i sedan returns with the same 4.4-liter V-8 engine.
With a base price of $35,970, including the destination charge, the 525i sedan is $3,500 less than last year’s cheapest 5 Series model. Also returning from last year is the high-performance M5 sedan.
Exterior
Styling changes include a reshaped twin-kidney grille, body-color side moldings, and new headlights, turn signals and front fascia. The taillights get new LED lights. At 188 inches overall, the 5 Series sedan is about an inch shorter than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and nearly 9 inches shorter than the Lexus LS 430. The 111.4-inch wheelbase, however, places the 5 Series among the full-size cars.
Interior
All models come with front bucket seats with 10-way power adjustments for the driver’s side, remote keyless entry, a 10-speaker audio system and a power tilt/telescopic steering column. Leather upholstery is standard on the 540i and optional on the 525i and 530i. A split, folding rear seatback is optional on all models.
Under the Hood
The 525i uses a new 184-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-six-cylinder engine, and the 530i has a new 225-hp 3.0-liter inline-six. The 540i...
BMW adds new base versions to its 5 Series lineup, introduces two new six-cylinder engines and freshens the appearance of all models.
The 5 Series returns in sedan and station wagon body styles, and with the new engines, model nomenclature changes. Base models are now called 525i. What was the 528i sedan last year is now the 530i. The 540i sedan returns with the same 4.4-liter V-8 engine.
With a base price of $35,970, including the destination charge, the 525i sedan is $3,500 less than last year’s cheapest 5 Series model. Also returning from last year is the high-performance M5 sedan.
Exterior
Styling changes include a reshaped twin-kidney grille, body-color side moldings, and new headlights, turn signals and front fascia. The taillights get new LED lights. At 188 inches overall, the 5 Series sedan is about an inch shorter than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and nearly 9 inches shorter than the Lexus LS 430. The 111.4-inch wheelbase, however, places the 5 Series among the full-size cars.
Interior
All models come with front bucket seats with 10-way power adjustments for the driver’s side, remote keyless entry, a 10-speaker audio system and a power tilt/telescopic steering column. Leather upholstery is standard on the 540i and optional on the 525i and 530i. A split, folding rear seatback is optional on all models.
Under the Hood
The 525i uses a new 184-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-six-cylinder engine, and the 530i has a new 225-hp 3.0-liter inline-six. The 540i...
Vehicle Overview
BMW adds new base versions to its 5 Series lineup, introduces two new six-cylinder engines and freshens the appearance of all models.
The 5 Series returns in sedan and station wagon body styles, and with the new engines, model nomenclature changes. Base models are now called 525i. What was the 528i sedan last year is now the 530i. The 540i sedan returns with the same 4.4-liter V-8 engine.
With a base price of $35,970, including the destination charge, the 525i sedan is $3,500 less than last year’s cheapest 5 Series model. Also returning from last year is the high-performance M5 sedan.
Exterior
Styling changes include a reshaped twin-kidney grille, body-color side moldings, and new headlights, turn signals and front fascia. The taillights get new LED lights. At 188 inches overall, the 5 Series sedan is about an inch shorter than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and nearly 9 inches shorter than the Lexus LS 430. The 111.4-inch wheelbase, however, places the 5 Series among the full-size cars.
Interior
All models come with front bucket seats with 10-way power adjustments for the driver’s side, remote keyless entry, a 10-speaker audio system and a power tilt/telescopic steering column. Leather upholstery is standard on the 540i and optional on the 525i and 530i. A split, folding rear seatback is optional on all models.
Under the Hood
The 525i uses a new 184-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-six-cylinder engine, and the 530i has a new 225-hp 3.0-liter inline-six. The 540i’s 4.4-liter V-8 generates 282 hp. The inline-six-cylinder models are available with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, and the 540i comes with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic.
In a switch from usual pricing practices, the 540i costs more with the manual than the automatic transmission: $54,470 versus $51,670. All-wheel drive is optional on the smaller 3 Series sedan and wagon, but the 5 Series remains rear-drive only.
Safety
All models have two-stage front airbags whose deployment force depends on crash severity and whether the occupants are buckled up. In addition, side-impact airbags for the front seats and the Head Protection System, which consists of a curtain-type airbag that deploys to protect front-seat occupants, also are available. Rear side-impact airbags are optional, and this year they include head-protection curtains for the rear seats.
Traction control, a lateral-skid control system called Dynamic Stability Control and antilock brakes are standard across the board.
BMW adds new base versions to its 5 Series lineup, introduces two new six-cylinder engines and freshens the appearance of all models.
The 5 Series returns in sedan and station wagon body styles, and with the new engines, model nomenclature changes. Base models are now called 525i. What was the 528i sedan last year is now the 530i. The 540i sedan returns with the same 4.4-liter V-8 engine.
With a base price of $35,970, including the destination charge, the 525i sedan is $3,500 less than last year’s cheapest 5 Series model. Also returning from last year is the high-performance M5 sedan.
Exterior
Styling changes include a reshaped twin-kidney grille, body-color side moldings, and new headlights, turn signals and front fascia. The taillights get new LED lights. At 188 inches overall, the 5 Series sedan is about an inch shorter than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and nearly 9 inches shorter than the Lexus LS 430. The 111.4-inch wheelbase, however, places the 5 Series among the full-size cars.
Interior
All models come with front bucket seats with 10-way power adjustments for the driver’s side, remote keyless entry, a 10-speaker audio system and a power tilt/telescopic steering column. Leather upholstery is standard on the 540i and optional on the 525i and 530i. A split, folding rear seatback is optional on all models.
Under the Hood
The 525i uses a new 184-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-six-cylinder engine, and the 530i has a new 225-hp 3.0-liter inline-six. The 540i’s 4.4-liter V-8 generates 282 hp. The inline-six-cylinder models are available with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, and the 540i comes with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic.
In a switch from usual pricing practices, the 540i costs more with the manual than the automatic transmission: $54,470 versus $51,670. All-wheel drive is optional on the smaller 3 Series sedan and wagon, but the 5 Series remains rear-drive only.
Safety
All models have two-stage front airbags whose deployment force depends on crash severity and whether the occupants are buckled up. In addition, side-impact airbags for the front seats and the Head Protection System, which consists of a curtain-type airbag that deploys to protect front-seat occupants, also are available. Rear side-impact airbags are optional, and this year they include head-protection curtains for the rear seats.
Traction control, a lateral-skid control system called Dynamic Stability Control and antilock brakes are standard across the board.
Consumer Reviews
What drivers are saying
Read reviews that mention:
Solid German ultimate driving machine
I have had 4 vehicles from this generation and every single of them performed very well. They all had high mileage but kept me running even in the harshest of conditions. Driving experience is in ... Read full review
Most fun to drive I have ever own
The BMW E39 (mine is a 530i) is quite possibly the world's most enjoyable car. I have had mine for many years and it is still a joy to drive. Read full review
Safety
Recalls and crash tests
Recalls
The 2001 BMW 530 currently has 4 recalls
