Which used BMW 5 Series should you buy?

The BMW 5 Series is a comfortable, practical and luxurious saloon car that’s a great alternative to the Audi A6 and the Mercedes E-Class. 

There’s a wide range of engines, as explained in the sections on trim levels below. The numbers in the name represent the size and power of the engine and where it sits in the range. For example, the BMW 530d is more powerful than the BMW 520d, as shown by the higher number, with the ‘d’ denoting that both versions are powered by diesel.

There are also BMW 5 Series Touring estate versions of each trim and engine combination, which offer more boot space and practicality for a little extra money. Towards the top of the range is the BMW M550i, which is a fast petrol model. It replaced the BMW 540i which is no longer on sale new.

There are also plug-in hybrid models and the high-performance BMW M5 which is considered a standalone variant.

Read our full BMW 5 Series review

What used BMW 5 Series trim levels are available?

The trim line-up is reasonably easy to follow, with the BMW 5 Series SE, the BMW 5 Series M Sport and the BMW 5 Series M Sport Edition being the main choices. Read on as we explain the key differences.

BMW 5 Series SE

The entry-level trim is the BMW 5 Series SE, which starts with the 520i four-cylinder petrol model. The other versions you can get are the four-cylinder diesel 520d in both two- and four-wheel drive forms, the six-cylinder diesel 530d (which is four-wheel drive only), the four-cylinder petrol 530e plug-in hybrid (two and four-wheel drive) and the 545e six-cylinder plug-in hybrid (four-wheel drive only). Key equipment includes:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Auto-dimming mirrors
• Leather seats with lumbar support
• Leather steering wheel
• Ambient lighting
• Heated seats
• Climate control
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Parking sensors
• Sat-nav
• Bluetooth
• Digital radio
• Online services

BMW 5 Series M Sport

The BMW 5 Series M Sport is the most widely available trim level, and its popularity and good residuals mean it’s subject to some great deals. This trim is available with all the engines above: the 520i, 520d, 530d, 530e and 545e. All are only available with an automatic gearbox no matter which trim level you pick. The BMW 5 Series M Sport versions are mainly focused on providing a sportier look and feel, and have similar tech to the BMW 5 Series SE.

• Sports suspension
• Sports seats
• Dark headlining
• M Sport steering wheel
• Restyled bumpers
• Aluminium interior trim
• 19-inch alloy wheels

BMW 5 Series M Sport Edition

The BMW 5 Series M Sport Edition is the highest-specification version you can get without moving up to the powerful and expensive BMW M550i model. It’s available with all the engines that come in BMW 5 Series SE and BMW 5 Series M Sport forms as well.

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• M Sport upgraded suspension
• Upgraded brakes with red calipers
• Uprated LED headlights
• Unique Tanzanite Blue paint colour
• Sports seats with coloured seatbelts
• Black leather upholstery
• Tinted windows
• Aluminium interior trim
• Boot spoiler
• Run-flat tyres

Is a used BMW 5 Series a good buy?

The BMW 5 Series is one of the most complete and convincing cars on the market, as it’s very good at just about everything.

First and foremost, it’s a smooth and quiet motorway cruiser that can get you to any destination in comfort. Yet the BMW 5 Series is also excellent to drive and the engines are powerful and economical.

It’s spacious inside, and comes with lots of high-tech equipment that makes life easier, plus there’s a generous boot capacity too.