BMW 5 Series 520i SE Reviews

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BMW 5 Series 520i SE
4.1 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.1 out of 5

From 4 ratings and 16 reviews

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Average Ratings for BMW 5 Series 520i SE

  • Performance3.7 stars
  • Practicality3.8 stars
  • Reliability3.8 stars
  • Value for Money3.5 stars
  • Reviewer Ratings4 stars
  • Overall Rating4.2 stars

16 Reviews For BMW 5 Series 520i SE

  • Guest 27th Oct 2009

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    the car is awsome and that the leather is so clean and neatly finished vs american cars also that the engine is really strong and nice and silent the thing what i dont like is that the built in tv screens are bulcky and not in the seat which would be alot better. but all the rest is nice aspecially the radio system and on wind shield speed and navigation. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  • Rogerz130 6th Oct 2007

    Reviewer rating: 3.5 stars


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    Handling on the BMW 520i is good, and the styling is appealing.
    I had transmission problems with mine. It was replaced and now two and a half years later Trna, fail-safe light keeps coming on.
    Not bad overall.

  • RussellLawrence 13th Jun 2006

    Reviewer rating: 3.5 stars


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    The BMW 5 Series 520i is totally reliable but for the thermostat. Why do BMW let this kind of thing happen?

  • dizzyfizzy1 Rank: Lieutenant 17th May 2006

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    I have just sold this BMW 5 Series 520i SE but it had done 207,903 miles when it went. I did 55,000 of those mile hasstle free. It was a bit thirsty on fuel around town (19 - 24mpg average) but was great on a run doing 36 - 38mpg at 80 - 90mph. The engine had a lovely sound to it and it was probably the most comfortable car I have ever owned and driven (and I know a comfy car as I used to work in car sales). The servicing is expensive on these, expect to pay around £400 - £500 on a m ...

  • wilkie 2006 6th May 2006

    Reviewer rating: 4 stars


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    The BMW 5 Series 520i SE 2.2 is very nicely built and comfort is good. Better than the 3 Series I had, ride handling is less than the 3 Series as weight is bigger in the 5 Series.

  • datco Rank: Corporal 14th Feb 2006

    Reviewer rating: 3.5 stars


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    Got this new - pre-face lift 520i model. BMW were keen to offload it before the new model came in. It was a leased car (thank god!) as all repair costs and issues were borne by BMW.

    Broke down 3 times in first 18 months - engine overheating after 6k miles - faulty thermostat, 3 cylinders blew after 18k miles, and engine management light came on after 29k miles - BMW were never specific about what was wrong, but took the car away on a truck for 2 weeks!

    Also very heavy on tires - 2 full set ...

  • Brian001 6th Nov 2003

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    Over all the BMW 520i SE (E39) is an excellet car, not quick of the mark but will return 40 mpg at 70ish mph if left to the cruise control. It handles very well and only feels a bit big when parking in a narrow space, but the parking sensors are very acurate.
    My car has the xenon headlamps which seem a bit dim on dipped beam.

  • grafit Rank: Lance Corporal 22nd Aug 2003

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    I have a 5.23i 1998. Bought secondhand with 70,000 miles on the clock. Now 1 year later with 109,000 miles on the clock, I am still very happy with the car and am glad I moved up to this marque.

    I have replaced the headlamps with the newer versions (Clear and have 'angel eye effect'), and this has transformed the look of the car - it now looks just like the new models.

    I like 'good sound' and found that the BMW stereo was not good enough. To get a decent amount of bass you need to put a b ...

  • Richard. 30th Jun 2003

    Reviewer rating: 5 stars


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    The 528i is a car that brings out the boy in a man. I never thought a car would make driving so fun. The slogan the ultimate driving machine is accurate. I would not reccommend the car to someone who has to finance it. The cost of repairs will run you about $200.00 a month when averaged out. I say this but my brother who has an identical car to mine has never had his in the shop. Every time I take it to the mechanic I tell myself to sell it. Yet, when I pick it up and drive it home I fall back i ...

  • Max Brown. 21st May 2003

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    I have owned two beemers, 1 x 3 series 1x5, Servicing on the 5 is cheaper than the 3, Any problems i have had with it have been minor, Ie Rattles and rear door seals. These have all been sorted Free of charge by the dealer.
    All in All I really cant fault the car

  • Del. 13th Aug 2002

    Reviewer rating: 1 stars


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    Have had an 1997 BMW 520 and already it has had its engine block replaced and now find that these cars need a new clutch after only 50-60,000 miles. Also had to have the boot lock replaced, light blubs, door handles etc etc and that is with a fully serviced BMW specialist garage. I'll be sticking with the Japs in future.....

  • BH. Rank: Lance Corporal 10th Aug 2002

    Reviewer rating: 3.5 stars


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    The car if put together properly (mine was a friday afternoon car) is excellent, a fantastic ride, firm and comfortable. The car is now four years old and has finally been fixed. It seems almost a shame to consider replacing it as it is better now than it has ever been. Shame it took three and half years to put everything right under warranty.

  • av. 9th Jun 2002

    Reviewer rating: 4 stars


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    I have owned 4 BMWs, 2x 5 series and 2 x 3 series. I am always impressed when I drive these cars as they are "precision Instruments" as far as cars go.
    I also had some minor problems but, believe it or not, I had more with my brand new subaru.
    In conclusion, I will buy another 5 series in the next 2 months.

  • ROMMEL. 14th Apr 2002

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    The BMW 520i SE is a very big improvement from the E34.

  • BMW Driver. Rank: Lance Corporal 28th Mar 2002

    Reviewer rating: 4.5 stars


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    The Ultimate Driving Machine? I own a 1999 BMW 528i so I'm not a 'biased non BMW owner!' but!
    The service I have received from dealers has been pathetic I'm used to the high standards of Audi, apart from finding faults that when pressed they were unable to confirm in writing they even stamped the service book as a mini!!!!managed to charge for servicing using fully synthetic oil and set the service interval to that for semi synthetic thereby charging me more and giving me 2/3 the duration i sh ...

  • Paul Nadin. Rank: Lance Corporal 14th Jan 2000

    Reviewer rating: 3.5 stars


    On average, people found this review somewhat helpful
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    Had this car 18 months and like it. First 6 months spent visiting dealers trying to sort out a whole string of faults that the dealer tried to pass off as features. After 7 trips the faults were rectified and havent returned.
    Engine is great once the revs get over 3000 rpm. Economy isnt bad either considering 6 cyls (30mpg).
    Best feature is the auto transmission which changes up/down so smoothly that it changed my mind about not liking auto boxes. Nice car let down by having too many faults fr ...