Your guide to buying an Approved Used BMW 5 Series.
Since 1972, the BMW 5 Series has been defining the executive car market, delivering superior performance and sophisticated design. Now over 50 years (and eight generations) later, the iconic 5 Series continues to maintain the highest level of quality that gives both new and used models a worthy reputation of being both award winning and reliable. The first generation BMW 5 Series is the E12. Available with 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder petrol engines, it was in production from 1972 – 1981 and set a new standard in the executive vehicle market. This wave of success led to the expansion of the range, with special models such as the E12 M535i being released in 1980. Boasting Modified sports suspension, 218 hp and limited to only 1,650 models, it is essentially the predecessor to the M5, which launched in 1985. BMW’s commitment to perfection and only using quality parts has over the years ensured that both new and approved-used 5 Series models are The Ultimate Driving Machines.
BMW 5 Series, 6th Generation
Petrol: 520i / 523i / 528i / 530i / 535i / 550i
Diesel: 518d / 520d / 525d / 530d / 535d
2010 – 2017
For those interested in buying an Approved Used BMW 5 Series, the journey starts at the sixth generation, which was manufactured from 2010 to 2017. It comes available as a 4-door saloon (F10), 5-door touring (F11), and 5-door Gran Tourismo (F07).
This particular era represented the most extensive range of model styles to date, and took the impressive power of the 5th Generation E60 5 Series model and elevated its offering via new technology; this included a turbocharged V8 engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, active rear-wheel steering, Parking Assistant, electric power steering, and a dual-clutch transmission.
BMW 5 Series, 7th Generation
Petrol: 520i / 530i / 530e iPerformance / 540i xDrive / 545e / M550i xDrive. Diesel: 520d / 525d / 530d
2017 – 2023
In 2017, BMW launched the 7th generation BMW 5 Series. Featuring two model variations, the 4-door saloon (G30) and the 5-door Touring (G31), this era of 5 Series sees the first steps into a more electric age, with the first ever plug-in hybrid variant offered. Called BMW iPerformance, the BMW 530e Plug-in Hybrid also came with the new Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, which was only found on the BMW 7 Series and gave the powerful BMW driving experience new levels of control and safety.
Search Approved Used 5 Series models (G30)BMW 5 Series, 8th Generation
Petrol: 520i. Plug-in Hybrid: 530e, 550e xDrive. Electric: i5 eDrive40, i5 M60 xDrive
The all-electric BMW i5 is now available.
Discover the BMW 5 Series (G60 / G61).
Explore BMW 5 SeriesThe BMW M5
For over 50 years, the BMW M badge has stood for the pinnacle in street car driving. Amongst the many great M models, the BMW M5 is still a jewel in the crown. First manufactured in 1985, it was the first official M model after the successful BMW M1. Over the years, the iconic M5 has reinvented itself visually but always maintained true to its commitment to superior performance. Standout editions include the E34 M5 (1988 - 1995), which saw the first Touring model made available; the E39 M5 (1998–2003), the first to use a V8 engine; this was followed by the E60 M5, which was the world's first production saloon to use a V10 petrol engine and was the fastest 4-door saloon available at the time. The F10 M5 was unveiled in 2011 and was the first turbocharged M5 model. From 2017 - 2023, the F90 M5 became the first M5 that was not rear-wheel drive, which uses an all-wheel drive ("xDrive") powertrain.
The most recent iteration, the BMW M5, boasts 727 hp, 6,000 rpm, and goes from 09 to 60mph in just 3.5 seconds; the most powerful M5 model ever.
BMW 5 Series M Packages
For M model enthusiasts, BMW offers a range of packages as an alternative to the full spec M models. These give standard edition models the added benefit of BMW Motorsport technology and M design elements, depending on the package. These vary between generations but include M Performance Package, M Sport, M Sport Plus Package and M Sport Pro Package.
Era of electric
The rise of electric drive trains in the BMW 5 Series started with the F10 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid in 2012. It would soon become a standard 5 Series range option, with models including the 7th Generation G30 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid in 2018 and more recently the 2023 G60 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid.
The BMW 5 Series classics
The E39
Often cited as one of the best BMW’s ever, the E39 is the fourth generation of the BMW 5 Series. Manufactured from 1995–2004, it delivered the perfect combination of high quality interior, powerful engine options, with the V8 petrol plus several diesel variants, and of course the high performance M5 model.
The E60 / E61
Boasting a radical new look and feel, the E60/E61 was the fifth generation BMW 5 Series. Manufacturer from 2003 to 2010, this range of models garnered in a new wave of driver friendly tech that complimented the power and performance expected of a BMW 5 Series. These included iDrive, head-up display and active cruise control.
The E28
The second generation 5 Series, which was manufactured from 1981-1988, was the E28. It was the first 5 Series that cemented BMW’s reputation as the Ultimate Driving Machine, and still holds strong as fan favourite.
The E34
After the success of the E28, the E34 (third generation) 5 Series, manufactured for model years 1988–1996, expanded to include nine different engine variants. These featured four-cylinder, six-cylinder and V8 petrol engines, and six-cylinder diesel engines.
BMW 5 Series FAQ
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