BMW 5 Series saloon (2010-2016) | owner reviews: MPG, Problems & Reliability

Tell us what you think about your car?

For comfort and trim levels I can't fault this car. However, as with a lot of other BMW drivers I have experienced the steering wheel rattles and despite pointing out exactly which road it happens on (less than a mile from the dealer) after I had the car serviced it still did the same thing on the way home. On the M25 it was almost deafening. To me the car feels very skittish at low speeds the first time you get in and drive ti in the morning. Avoid white lines especially in the wet. Had to have new tyres after only 18,000 miles and, at £1,100, they ain't cheap! Seemed to help with the steering noise but it hasn't stopped it. One of the old ones was stepped in terms of wear but the main dealer didn't think to check the steering telemetry or the wheel alignment and just sent it back to me. To have it checked will cost me another £250! Overall I have to say that this is not the ultimate driving experience. It's lovely to look at and sit inside but then the driving experience in my car has completely put me off.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

A beautiful car but the mpg is no nowhere near the stated mpg. I drive mostly in the rush hour and some motorway and I see a regular 37 mpg. Pretty poor really but pretty good for a large heavy car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Positives - Quality finish - Economical 2.0d engine (esp. for a big car) - Willing engine - Pleasing to drive - Minimal noise intrusion from engine and road - Nice handling and road manners Negatives - Poor driving position - Wide centre-console impinges on left knee in the manual - and means pedals are offset to the right - While rear leg-room is just about adequate, rear foot-room is diabolical - Rather limited stowage space (in the saloon) - Utterly abysmal stereo - I have the 10-GB Business stereo and it sorely needs door tweeters ... while the bass is overwhelming even at minimum - Electric steering rack feels artificial - and the lack of self-centring about centre demands constant input to keep straight ... very unrelaxing at speed Buying - As with all BMW diesels, make sure you know what a worn timing chain sounds like.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I bought the car when it was 18 months old with 17,500 miles on it from a BMW main dealer. The 8 speed automatic gearbox is excellent, so are the adaptive headlights, it also has the professional navigation system with 10.2" screen and hard drive so you can just copy CDs into the car. The only issue I've had is that the alloy wheels started pitting but all 4 were replaced under warranty without any problem. On average I get 48 mpg but have had up to 60 mpg. It has now done 42,500 miles and still looks and feels like a new car. One of the best cars I've owned.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Overall I have found this to be an excellent car. It just eats long trips. I get out after two hours with no aches, and without a ringing in my ears. It does everything well, and any negative views I have are very minor. As others have commented, fuel economy is excellent. I can get over 50mpg on a decent motorway run and a long term, mixed driving average of 47.5mpg. Urban driving in winter knocks fuel economy but I still see over 40mpg. The engine is plenty powerful enough, the auto box is super smooth. The controls and instruments just work. I have all my music on a cheap memory stick which I leave plugged in to the car, and that too works well and shows album art etc. Only a few gripes. Why no dipstick? Very easy to over fill with oil. Dealer advice is leave it until display shows very low and put a litre in then. Gear shift is unlike many autos, and I don't always hit the correct button! Doh! Tyre noise can be an issue on some road surfaces. Pot hole related tyre damage sounded like a failed wheel bearing. Dealer helpful in diagnosing this at no charge. Puzzled why front brakes have 60,000 mile left on them after 48,000 miles. Rear brakes had a calibration issue that suggested they needed changing, but dealer reset them at no charge and they were good for another 15,000. Mobile data service was very useful for first free 3 years but charge after that just silly, so didn't renew. Dealer has been good on rare visits. For some reason I find it difficult to park square on in car parks, just can't see corners of the car. Parking sensors do a great job though. I keep wondering about getting an SUV but the driving experience with the 5 series has been so good, and the car is IMHO good value, so why change?

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Chose this over a Jaguar XF as it was better in every respect on a test drive. Dealer experience was excellent. Lovely car to drive, especially on long runs, as it is so smooth, quiet and comfortable. It is powerful enough for me and the auto gearbox is a peach, always in the right gear at the right time. On my normal weekly drive to work etc I get around 50-55 MPG but this rises to 60-65 MPG when on a longer motorway drive - staggering fuel consumption for a car this size. I love the interior as it looks good and everything is so logical and easy to operate. I am not a fan of lots of gadgets in a car but the BMW infotainment system is really easy to use. The thing that impresses me most about this car is the feeling of quality engineering behind ever part of the car, my best car yet with not a hint of any problems. The only downside compared to my previous three cars is that it is not an estate. I do not have the need for a large estate 95% of the time now and fancied a saloon for a change. The boot is a good size but I have missed the estate on a few occasions and now use our VW Up when I need to make a trip to the tip or transport a bike. Top notch car and highly recommended.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

The best car I ever had. This car makes you feel very special person. A masterpiece in the automobile industry.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

This is my first BMW after a long relationship with VWs. Dealer experience mainly good, although not excellent. Quality of build is excellent although small fascia scratch noticed in first week of ownership and brought to dealer attention but hasn't been followed up more than 3 months later (have been too busy to pursue but expected better). Other small but largely annoying gripe is that although purchased new in September 2014 this car doesn't have Bluetooth audio streaming. Something standard on my old - less expensive - VW. I will not pay for an overpriced BMW cable which won't fit all my devices so use a £3 audio jack. Does the job but means no steering wheel control which gives it a rather retro experience. For a 2-litre diesel in such a big car she pulls away pretty quickly and in no way feels underpowered in comfort or sport modes. Ride is quiet and handling for such a big car is excellent and better than A5 in my opinion. Haven't yet driven in snow but I know probably won't be a great experience but couldn't afford an Xdrive. Auto box is super smooth and SE spec (apart from poor audio and a weirdly large and thin steering wheel) is faultless. All you really need with leather, sat-nav and DAB. Would I recommend to others? Absolutely. Will I buy another? Most likely.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

As you see I have just got the car for a few months. When it is running at 40-50mpk the engine jerks, but after running for one to two mintues, it goes back to normal. Today it jerks for longer, I would say about 10 miles. I have taken the car back to the dealer once, they said they've fix it but now it happens again; I think it's even worse. They say that it is a computer problem. Do you thing so, or are other things wrong?

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I had short listed the BMW along with the Jaguar XF but chose the BMW due to its better tax efficiency and the overall feeling of quality. I specced it with variable damper control, sports seats and automatic. I have not been disappointed the car is a revelation compared to my previous 3 Series it really does feel leagues apart and gives that true luxury car feel. The 320 diesel is more than powerful enough and gives plenty of acceleration and pace but still returns 50 mpg. I would really recommend it to anyone considering this type of car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent all-round car, with superb build quality, comfort and space, combined with competent handling and a smooth ride with the adaptive dampers set in 'comfort plus'. Twin turbo engine is turbine smooth, makes a great nose (for a diesel) and provides effortless, additive thrust. A nightmare in snow, but that's no surprise. Otherwise brilliant and a joy to drive.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It has been 100% reliable to date

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Had for 3 years now and runs very well

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No faults in 3 years / 80k miles

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Recalled for waterleak in foootwell, other than that no problems in 1.1/2 yrs

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Only one fault in 10 years that has stopped me using the car and that was down to worn alternator brushes.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No issues

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Early days having done only 5000 miles in 7 months.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Weak cooling system MAF sensor

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Many niggling issues - mainly electrical - and usually when it rains

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

its never had anything wrong with it, neither had the 5 previous BMW's i've owned. Including M3 and M5 variants.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

EXELLENT

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

brilliant , one of the best cars ive ever owned

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

The first snow the traction system flashed various warning lights at me, the garage cleared them and since then no faults hav shown.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

all good but parking system keeps failing

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Have not had any reliability issues.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Car has never let me down once, only goes to the garage for routine service

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Had no problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I was expecting a BMW to feel a lot more solid than it does, however, nothing has ever gone wrong with it.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Nothing has gone wrong, so can't give it anything other than 5

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No issues in almost 5 years.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Get in it drive off. No worry.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems at all

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Totally reliable for 97000 miles

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

No real issues

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Hasnt missed beat in three years

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very minor problems based on age. Mpg not too shabby for it's engine size.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems so far

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Never let me down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

prone to electrical faults but mechanically sound.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Never let me down.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I hAve it services regularly and just drive it and it is a brilliant reliable car

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Never missed a beat and starts first time all weathers.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Touchwood it has never let me down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very good no problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Pretty much never let me down in 9 years

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems so it is fine.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It's great,never misses a bit

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Only had the car for 15 months but no problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

have a problem with rear brake pad sensors

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

no real problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

The car has never broken down except for wear and tear issues

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Had the car for 10 months and other than a bulb change - no hitches

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Mechanical reliability very good - some electrical malfunctions. Probably typical for 100000mile car

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

All good. Washer sensor knackerd

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

excellent

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It has never failed to get me to my destination.even with a minor fault

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

So far so good. Only consumables have been replace.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It has never let me down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

never had any problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Never had an issue

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

This car has never let me down.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

hasn't let me down yet

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

for car that is nearly 10 years old it is behaving itself

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

IT HAS NOT CAUSED AN ISSUES AND STARTS AND RUNS PERFECTLY

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

too many expensive failures, previous 7 series did 199k miles

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I have noy had any problem with it

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

My BMW has never let medown

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

perfect from the word go

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Bullet proof

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No reliability issues whatsoever

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

BMW 5 Series saloon (2010-2016): owner reviews

“The BMW 5 Series saloon is so capable, economical and enjoyable to drive that its excellent reputation is genuinely warranted.”

Reviews

Owner Reviews

Common Problems

Continue reading

Most Popular

Tips & advice

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

Top 10 best car interiors

The 10 best electric cars in 2026

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2025

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2025

carbuyer news & reviews

Signup today for regular updates