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SureCritic / Makes / BMW / 5 Series / 2001

2001 BMW 5 Series

Average Score

Overall Rating 4.6/5Overall Rating 4.6/5Overall Rating 4.6/5Overall Rating 4.6/5Overall Rating 4.6/5
4.6
(16 Reviews)
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Reviews

Overall Rating 4.6/5Overall Rating 4.6/5Overall Rating 4.6/5Overall Rating 4.6/5Overall Rating 4.6/5
4.6
(16 Reviews)
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Reviews

RJ
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Rose J.
2001 BMW 5 Series
verified customerVerified Owner
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
12/31/2024
Verified Review

E39 - last of the best

I live my E39 BMW 540i Sport Dinan 5. I’ve had my 2001 since May 2002 - 22 1/2 years. It has been reliable, fun, and one of the best models produced and one of the last of what I feel have been their models in last few decades (E30, E36, E38, E39, E46). It is also a great platform to make improvements to enhance its looks and performance. I’ve added Dinan CAI, larger Throttle Bodies, AFM, and Intake Manifold.. as well as Racing Dynamics dual exhaust and RDSport RD2 19” wheels. Finished with M Aerodynamics and you have an amazing looking, rumbling, fast, fun, and comfortable daily driver or weekend roadtrip monster. I’ll likely keep it forever - or until my sons or their sons steal it.
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RJ
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Rose J.
2001 BMW 5 Series
verified customerVerified Owner
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
12/31/2024
Verified Review

E39 - last of the best

I live my E39 BMW 540i Sport Dinan 5. I’ve had my 2001 since May 2002 - 22 1/2 years. It has been reliable, fun, and one of the best models produced and one of the last of what I feel have been their models in last few decades (E30, E36, E38, E39, E46). It is also a great platform to make improvements to enhance its looks and performance. I’ve added Dinan CAI, larger Throttle Bodies, AFM, and Intake Manifold.. as well as Racing Dynamics dual exhaust and RDSport RD2 19” wheels. Finished with M Aerodynamics and you have an amazing looking, rumbling, fast, fun, and comfortable daily driver or weekend roadtrip monster. I’ll likely keep it forever - or until my sons or their sons steal it.
Recommended
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DA
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Dustin A.
2001 BMW 5 Series
verified customerVerified Owner
Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5
01/05/2022
Verified Review

540i is part of the Best BMW Era for sure.

Honestly one of the BEST BMWs ever made. My only complaint is the front leg room is not as good as the other 2 Bmws I own. Having owned E38/E39/E46 all were excellent cars and took me into the 300k mile lifespan. This 540i is a great example of what it really means to own a bmw. It is very well built and at 300k miles still this car amazing me just how good it can be.
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PF
Pamela F.
2001 BMW 5 Series
verified customerVerified Owner
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
12/03/2021
Verified Review

The Ultimate Driving Machine

Can’t say enough how great BMWs are. I’ve test driven a lot of makes and models of Japanese vehicles and honestly would only buy a German vehicle. They just perform better and I will probably also buy a BMW SUV very soon!
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MM
Mike M.
2001 BMW 5 Series
verified customerVerified Owner
Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5
03/18/2021
Verified Review

2001 BMW 540i

In my eyes, one of the best sedans BMW ever made (not counting the insane use of plastic parts) Forget the fact that it’s a 20 year old vehicle, it still handles well and the power still impressive compared to many newer vehicles out there.
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MM
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MICHAEL M.
2001 BMW 5 Series
verified customerVerified Owner
Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5
01/26/2021
Verified Review

Still love this car

The E39 body style 5 Series was, and still is, a favorite of mine ( and many others). While I wanted an M5 6speed, I couldn't find one. So I "settled" for a v nice, used, 2001 540i w/sport pkg, steptronic automatic, 35000mi. That was in 2006. There is now 99500mi on the car. Yes, they are quirky and expensive to fix and maintain. Nonetheless, this car is a beast and is very fun to drive, especially on road trips. With good tires, it stays glued to the road at speeds well in excess of 100 mph. If you need to accelerate quickly from say 70 to 100+mph, this car exceeds expectations. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is due to the quirky emissions, check engine light madness among other oddities inherent in this performance sedan.
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TA
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THOMAS A.
2001 BMW 5 Series
verified customerVerified Owner
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
01/05/2021
Verified Review

Best Bimmer Ever Made

This car has soul. The perfect driver - best machine I have ever owned. The E39 series was prior to BMW, and others, of becoming electronics crazy. My 2001 has all electric and electronic systems working as new with very minor exceptions.
Recommended
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TA
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THOMAS A.
2001 BMW 5 Series
verified customerVerified Owner
Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5
04/17/2020
Verified Review

19 years and 170,00 miles and going strong

Outstanding E39 series often called the best BMW ever built. When first reviewed by Road and Track they called it "an almost perfect car". Sure footed and serene I love this car. On the con side it is getting old and needs periodic maintenance - especially the unfortunate use of plastic parts that do not age well. I expect it will see 250,000 miles.
Recommended
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KW
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KEVIN W.
2001 BMW 5 Series
verified customerVerified Owner
Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5
04/11/2020
Verified Review

A good Vehicle

Good driving vehicle Comfortable ride lots of room interior The body design is nice air conditioning is cold an Leather seats in good condition nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
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AM
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ANN M.
2001 BMW 5 Series
verified customerVerified Owner
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
10/09/2019
Verified Review

2001 525i

Purchased new in Germany 20 years ago. I take care of her and she keeps going. No major repairs. She has been back and forth to Germany several times, always dependable. Every mark and dent on her was done by someone else.
Recommended
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JF
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JUDY F.
2001 BMW 5 Series
verified customerVerified Owner
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
09/23/2018
Verified Review

122,000+ Miles and Still Going!

I have a 2001 BMW 5 I bought in 2000, and it's the best car I ever had. Even my husband is impressed because the doors are as tight as they were the day I bought it and the mileage is close to what it was when the car was brand new. It drives like a dream (still) and the ride is so smooth. I love it! But I was good to always give it its check-up when it came due and kept it waxed. I can hardly think of having to give it up. The first time I saw this model, it was sitting at a stop light and it looked like it was moving even though it was sitting still. At that very minute, I decided I had to have one. I worked hard and paid for it myself, and it's definitely MY car.
Recommended
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GG
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GEORGE G.
2001 BMW 5 Series
verified customerVerified Owner
Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5Overall Rating 4.0/5
09/19/2017
Verified Review

My first BMW

I love the look of my car, it drives great!?
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RP
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ROBERT P.
2001 BMW 5 Series
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
03/14/2017

540i Bmw

I've owned this car for 16 years and never had any major problems Everything still works
Recommended
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PC
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PAUL C.
2001 BMW 5 Series
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
01/18/2017

BMW 525is

Bought this car as a CPO unit in 2003 with <9,000 miles. Fourteen years later I have over 120,000 miles and other than normal maintenance, the most expensive repair was a new clutch kit that cost me +/- $1,100 installed. The original rotors lasted 100,000 miles on the front and just replaced them with the clutch at 122,000. Water pump, some gaskets and twice replacement of the cooling fan were the only major repairs in 14 years. I will keep it at least another two years.
Recommended
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PC
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PAUL C.
2001 BMW 5 Series
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
05/27/2016

My 525

I purchased this 2001 BMW 525IS in 2003 with only 9,000 miles on the clock. It literally sat at the dealer for over a year as it is a 5 speed and painted Electric Red. The dealer said that if the car had been silver or black it would have moved within a month. Thus, they were willing to deal and I made out quite well. Now, thirteen years later I have 116,000 miles on the car and have no intention of selling it or moving into a newer model. This is one of last so-called E39 models that anyone with knowledge of BMW agrees is the best. No I-Drive, no navigation, no useless other electronic nonsense. The car has been very reliable, low maintenance and no real costly repairs. Did need a water pump, had the fan disintegrate, replaced a couple of gaskets and power steering lines that were leaking. Just now replaced the original front rotors. Paint still looks showroom fresh; granted, it has been garage kept and not driven in the snow. Best car I have ever owned and it still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
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BA
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Barbara A.
2001 BMW 5 Series
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
02/27/2016

BMW 540i

My car is a 2001 and I absolutely love it!
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JC
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Joe C.
2001 BMW 5 Series
Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5Overall Rating 5.0/5
12/08/2015

BMW E39 Sport Wagon

My E39 525iT 5 speed manual is my sixth BMW, while not as sprightly and sporty as my E30 323i Euro coupe, I do enjoy my wagon for daily use. Handles very well, great ride, comfortable and solid. 500 mile rides are a breeze, and at 27-28 mpg, what's not to like? I was told that the E39 series was one of the best BMW produced. I can see why it has that reputation. The 2.5 liter 6 cylinder engine comes on the cam around 3,000 rpm, while not a high HP engine compared to the big 6, or V-8, it gets the job done. Great car, hate to think of what I'll have to do when it finally comes time to replace her.
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Displaying 16 Reviews
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