Used 2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) Consumer Reviews
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Overcomplicated & Unreliable
samarthvader, Battle Creek, MI, 12/09/2013
BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
37 of 40 people found this review helpful
My 2008 535xi has 50,000 miles on it. There always seems to be something going wrong with it every few months. It has been one of the most unreliable cars I've ever owned, but when it is working it is a blast to drive. Even the simplest repairs are ridiculously expensive, and you are often forced to going to the dealer as most independent shops cannot work with the BMW computer system. I don't know what they were thinking when they designed idrive. It takes an engineering degree to change radio stations through idrive. I guess over engineering is the BMW way. This will probably be my 1st and last BMW...
My BMW 535XI Nightmare
beinspired65, Woodbury, NY, 06/11/2014
BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
27 of 30 people found this review helpful
I purchsed my 08 BMW XI used 60k miles on it, for the first 6 mos it was all good, while driving out of town the veh completely shut down (water pump), and since this happened there has been one repair after the other, I've always wanted a BMW, after repeated breakdowns and countless repairs, uless the veh is leased, do not waste your money you will end up spending more than anticipated. I've often heard you can drive a BMW for 100k miles with no issues....absolutely not true, and the worse part is you do not know there is a problem until the incator shows up on the dash or the vehicle shuts completely down. VERY FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE!!!!!!
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Fun to drive
david_welch, Denver, CO, 01/05/2014
BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
I was looking for an AWD sport sedan with a 6 speed manual transmission. The BMW 535xi is the only option in the luxury market. The car is outstanding. It handles extremely well at high speeds and tight corners. The brakes are fantastic and can stop reliably. I wanted a 6 speed manual and the transmission is superb. Shifting is smooth but can be done quickly if accelerating -- merging on the highway is no trouble at all. The AWD is great and I just took the car out for its first test in a New England blizzard. The plow trucks were all out and I only saw a few Audis and Subarus on the road. The BMW climbed icy hills with no trouble at all. Did some donuts too - good times.
3 months in service, 3 years owned
Eersten Keer, Kirkland, WA, 03/14/2017
BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
where do i begin? its a POS. in the 3 years i owned i cant say its a high performance vehicle because i have ALWAYS driven it with an existing problem. usually two problems at once. started with the tires that came on vehicle, factory recommended run flats that were causing vibration, did alignment, issue continued. replaced tires, issue went away partially because the boots needed to be replaced. water pump failed, flat bed truck towed, $$ thousands later, intermittent power reduction while driving, replaced two spark plugs and two coil overs, valve decarb recommended, replaced two spark plugs and two coil overs, no you're not seeing double, nor triple because power reduction again, and rpms all over the place, replaced both bank 1 & 2 turbos, $5k to find out it was the clutch (its a 6 speed manual) not the turbos, dealer could care less. i've never seen a car leak oil like this, its ridiculous, they replaced the oil housing 3 times, pretty much every oil change you replaced some major part. another power reduction issue caused by broken gasket, replaced that one too. this car promises 300hp, it never delivered because it always had an issue. the boot of the car contains all the electronics, a water bottle i had in trunk leaked and again power reduction, vehicle undriveable, $1100 to fix tpms sensor, like what does that have to do with engine power. and they had to reset the whole car. battery replacement $500+ has to be programmed. i swear they didnt make any of this up the dealer, but they might as well have. read around all 2005-2010 bmws have major issues like this. the list goes on, but i am at a loss for words.
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Discouraged love for my BMW
Roro Alphonse, Santa Monica, CA, 03/25/2015
updated 09/25/2017
BMW 5 Series 535xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
24 of 29 people found this review helpful
I had my 08 535xi for 2 years as 2nd owner at 67K. I enjoy that ultimate driving machine for about only 5 months then trouble happened. I took it to a BMW dealer they gave an estimate for $10,135 to have everything fix. Twins turbo, fuel injection, O2 sensors then water pump and thermostat etc. I thought that car will give a brake now my radio doesn't work, monitor display turn only when it feels like. I have an inspection reject that cannot resolve due of O2 sensors and others things still not ready after about 600 miles driving, no check engine light on but can't pass inspection. Now, they told me I have to change T.C. Unit which is also controls the radio. This car is just problem!
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- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value