Buying a used BMW 5 Series: what to look out for

GOOD FOR: Punchy engines, Comfy, feature-rich interior

LOOK OUT FOR: Body damage, Electronics

The BMW 5 Series has forged a reputation for itself for being one of the best driver-focused luxury sedans on the market. If you are the sort that loves to drive on the weekends and want a comfy, chauffeur-driven car for your weekdays to the office, the BMW 5 Series might just be the perfect option for you. However, with the all-new model not set to arrive until the second half of this year and with the current model being discontinued, buying a used example is your only way into a 5 Series currently. Here are some things to note before you go ahead and buy one.

The current-gen 5 Series was launched in India in 2017, before being facelifted in 2021. As before, its rivals continue to be the Audi A6, Mercedes E-Class, Jaguar XF and Volvo S90. The 5 Series at launch was offered with a choice of three engines – one petrol and two diesels.

BMW 5 Series powertrain options

The sole petrol engine on offer was a 252hp, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged unit badged as the 530i. Of the two diesel engines on offer, the mainstay of the range is the 190hp, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder unit offered in the 520d. The second diesel on offer was the larger and more powerful 265hp, 3.0-litre, inline six-cylinder in the 530d. All three engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard. All variants also come equipped with adaptive suspension with independent damping for each wheel.

All engines are powerful and refined, and you won’t go wrong with any of them. However, if money is not an issue, it’s definitely worth going for the 530d. It’s the only 6-cylinder option, has near sportscar-like performance and comes fully loaded with kit. The 520d offers a balance between efficiency and performance. 

BMW 5 Series trims and features

In terms of trim levels, there were three on offer – Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport. All of them are very well-specced as you’d expect, but the range-topping 530d does give you a bit more in terms of kit and you get an added dose of sportiness thanks to the “M” bits. Equipment on offer includes adaptive LED headlamps, four-zone climate control, powered driver’s seat with memory, iDrive infotainment system with a 10.25-inch screen and gesture control, 360-degree camera, wireless phone charging, remote parking function via BMW display key and a 600W Harman Kardon audio system.

On top of this, the 530d M Sport gets unique features like a heads-up display, launch control, passenger-side memory function, split-folding rear seats and a rear-seat entertainment system. It’s worth noting, however, that the 530i was also offered in M Sport guise later on.

BMW 5 Series maintainence

The G30-gen 5 Series has proven to be a reliable model with rarely any problems or malfunctions. Spares and consumable parts will be on the higher side but this would be the case given the car’s over Rs 50 lakh original asking price. What’s nice though is that BMW’s service network is present in all metro cities, and even in some smaller towns.

What to look out for in a used BMW 5 Series?

Bodywork damage

Being a long, low-slung sedan, the 5 Series is susceptible to body damage in our environment. Before purchasing, ensure all panels are dent free, all the lights are intact and work as intended and the alloys are free of scratches, or worse, cracks. You should also get it on a lift and inspect the condition of the underside. It’s worth doing this prior as it could save you a lot of cash later on.

Electronics

Though it’s a fairly reliable model electrically, given the sheer number of electronics it packs in, it’s worth inspecting. Spend some time testing all the buttons and their functions, and ensure they work properly. It’s also advisable to scan the car via the OBD port to check if it has any underlying issues you need to be aware of.

Also worth knowing

It’s worth opting for an example that has the extended warranty or BMW’s service packages included. This will not only give you peace of mind but also help reduce your maintenance costs, potentially also helping with the resale value. Also, do check the status of the tyres as a new set will not be cheap for the 5 Series. 

Second hand BMW 5 Series price and resale value

There are plenty of options in the used market for all variants of the 5 Series. Look to spend around Rs 25 lakh-35 lakh, with the 520d being at the lower end and the fully-loaded 530d M Sport being at the top end. Demand for used examples isn’t high so you can haggle as well.

Also see:

Buying a used Maruti XL6: what to look out for

Buying a used Mahindra XUV700: what to look out for