The 2009 BMW 5-Series is comfortable, well-built, fun to drive, and priced to move at under $7,000 for a base model. It doesn’t make any sense as a used car, though, as repair costs are much higher than average, and it’s nearing the end of its life expectancy.
Is the 2009 BMW 5-Series a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – Objectively speaking, the BMW 5-Series is a great car. It’s just well past its prime.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – One of the most comfortable cars on the road, period.
- Reliability 7/10 – It’s not a lemon, it’s just expensive to run basic maintenance on a BMW.
- Safety 7/10 – Standard safety features are impressive, but crash test scores are mediocre.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – The 5-Series is hardly class-leading, but 18/27 miles to the gallon city/highway in the base model isn’t bad.
- Value 6/10 – High repair costs and short life expectancy make the 5-Series a poor investment.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2009 BMW 5-Series?
Consumer Reports liked the 5-Series’ twin-turbo engine, they found the handling agile and the interior well-built. They didn’t like the complicated controls, or the mediocre side-impact crash test scores.
Kelley Blue Book liked the cabin, finding it “well-appointed” with high-end trim and sophisticated tech. They liked the sporty performance and smooth ride, but they note that the car gets a lot of mileage out of its brand name, ultimately coming up short of less prestigious sedans like the Infiniti M.
Edmunds had strong praise for the 5-Series’ handling and smooth ride, they liked the “vigorous engines,” first-class cabin, and comfortable seats. They note weak crash test scores, high-prices, and awkward controls in the minuses column.
What Common Problems Does the 2009 BMW 5-Series Have?
The 2009 BMW 5-Series has generated just 106 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Around one third of these are for fuel issues, with complaints of a gasoline smell and leaking fuel pumps.
A handful of drivers report oil leaks leading to smoke billowing from under the hood, sometimes into the cabin. This does not usually involve flames, but it does pose a fire risk.
Drivers have reported steering problems, with the engine losing power, followed by power steering failure.
The 2009 BMW 5-Series has been recalled 6 times in total, which is average for a vehicle this old.
How Long Will the 2009 BMW 5-Series Last?
Owners typically report the 2009 BMW 5-Series lasting around 150,000 to 200,000 miles with adequate maintenance. BMWs can go for a quarter million miles or more. But maintenance can be expensive, and you may encounter an expensive repair that makes you go “to heck with it” sooner rather than later.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $849, which is pretty high for a mid-size sedan, owing to the specialty service required in a BMW. New rack and pinion systems are the most expensive common fix, costing up to $4,380.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2009 BMW 5-Series is good, featuring a CD/MP3 player with 10 speakers, but the real draw is the audio quality, with premium speakers and excellent audio acoustics in the cabin.
Safety features are very good for 2009, which is what you expect from BMW. Anti-lock brakes and stability control are standard. The car comes with a four year subscription to BMW Assist, but the previous owner likely already activated that.
Is the 2009 BMW 5-Series a Good Value?
The 2009 BMW 5-Series is priced to move, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good value. The entry-level 535i sells for around $6,617, while a 550i might list for around $7,837. These aren’t terrible prices for a used luxury sedan from this model year, but cost of ownership and longevity may be a concern.
Repairs are expensive, the car might only last 150,000 miles, and these models are listed with 130,000 models already on the odometer. This just goes to show why BMWs aren’t the smartest option when it comes to used cars, unless you like the idea of replacing your vehicle every one or two years.
What are the Different Models of the 2009 BMW 5-Series?
The 2009 BMW 5-Series is offered in sedan and wagon models with a variety of engines, but they all come with the same standard features:
- Leatherette seating
- 10-way power adjust driver seat
- Leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
- Remote keyless entry
- Dual zone automatic air conditioning
- CD/MP3 player with 10 speakers
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
What Engines Come In the 2009 BMW 5-Series?
- The 528 models pack a 3.0L inline-six that delivers 230 horsepower and 200 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic in rear (i) or all wheel drive (xi), and it averages 18/27 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- A twin turbo version of the 3.0L is found in the 535 models, delivering 300 horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of torque at around 17/26 miles to the gallon. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic and is available in rear and all wheel drive.
- In the 550s you get a 4.8L V8 delivering 360 horsepower and 360 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission, it’s configured in rear wheel drive, and it averages 15/23 miles to the gallon.
- With the M5 you’re getting a 5.0L V8 delivering a whopping 500 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed manual in rear wheel drive, it averages 11/17 miles to the gallon, and it can hit zero to sixty in just 4.1 seconds.
What Colors Does the 2009 BMW 5-Series Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2009 BMW 5-Series?
The 2009 BMW 5-Series is as comfortable as it gets in a mid-size sedan. The interior is first class from top to bottom, the suspension rides smooth, the backseat can fit three adults with ease, and, in an all wheel drive model, it can handle rough weather and winding roads with ease.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2009 BMW 5-Series Have?
You’ve got 14 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk of the sedan, which is average for a 2009 mid-size. The wagon packs up to 58 cubic feet of cargo, which is better than some small SUVs. You can pack four or five medium suitcases into the sedan.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2009 was the 6th model year in the 5th Generation for the 5-Series, which ran from 2004 to 2010.
2007: This was a facelift year, with the 5-Series getting a bigger backseat and a revised exterior.
2008: BMW added auxiliary input jacks for 2008.
2009: The infamously awkward iDrive system was redesigned for 2009.
2010: iDrive was revised once more.
2011: The 5-Series was totally redesigned for 2011, with a more powerful engine lineup offering up to 400 horsepower.
How Does the 2009 BMW 5-Series Compare to the Competition?
A Volvo S80 is sort of plain looking, but it does just about everything the 5-Series does, except safer, more efficiently, and more reliably. It typically sells for a thousand bucks cheaper than a comparable BMW.
The Lexus LS is another great alternative, delivering 380 horsepower at 20/23 miles to the gallon. But, the Lexus typically sells for around $11,000 at the entry level, which is more money than you’re going to save skipping the BMW’s repair bills.
The 2009 BMW 5-Series is hard to recommend as a used car, unless you can find one with around 50,000 miles on the odometer. Expensive repairs and short life expectancy just make it a bad choice as a long-term transportation solution.
