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2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi

The 2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi is a 300-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-6 with a 6-speed automatic. It starts at $52,000 MSRP.

It makes 300 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 300 lb-ft of torque at 1400-5000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

The 5 Series measures 191.1 inches long on a 113.7-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$52,000 ($78,495 *)
Engine
Engine TypeTwin-Turbocharged 3.0L Inline-6
Displacement3 L
Horsepower300 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Torque300 lb-ft @ 1400-5000 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC 24V
Bore and Stroke84 x 89.6 mm
Compression Ratio10.2:1
Injection TypeEFI
Drivetrain
Drive TypeAll Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission6-Speed Automatic
1st Gear4.17
2nd Gear2.34
3rd Gear1.52
4th Gear1.14
5th Gear0.87
6th Gear0.69
Reverse3.4
Final Drive3.46
Fuel Economy
City17 MPG
Highway25 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium Unleaded
Tank Capacity18.5 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionDouble-Pivot
Rear Suspension4-link Integral
Turning Diameter39 ft
Brakes
Front Brake Disc13.7 x 1.18 in
Rear Brake Disc13.6 x 0.94 in
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front17 x 7.5 in
Wheels Rear17 x 7.5 in
Tires FrontP225/50VR17
Tires RearP225/50VR17
Dimensions & Weight
Length191.1 in
Width72.7 in
Height58.3 in
Wheelbase113.7 in
Front Track61.3 in
Rear Track62.2 in
Cargo Volume14 ft³
Interior
Headroom Front39.1 in
Headroom Rear38.1 in
Legroom Front41.5 in
Legroom Rear36 in
Shoulder Room Front57.3 in
Shoulder Room Rear57.2 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Similar cars

Rivals to the 2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi with similar size, power and price from around the same years.

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (10.5 % risk)
Tested variant: 2008 BMW 5 Series 4-DR w/SAB
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2008 BMW 5 Series Wagon w/SAB: overall not rated

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2008 BMW 5 SERIES. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Mar 2, 2022 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign 22V119000

Aug 10, 2012 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.

Consequence: This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.

Remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.

NHTSA campaign 12E029000

Mar 26, 2012 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.

Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign 12V126000

Oct 1, 2010 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Consequence: POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign 10V446000

432 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2008 BMW 5 SERIES

Owner Complaints

432 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 BMW 5 SERIES (4 mention a crash, 32 a fire, 7 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System108
Exterior Lighting82
Engine81
Engine And Engine Cooling59
Fuel System53
Gasoline48
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Nov 5, 2025 · Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System
“My vehicle had a faulty PCV valve that was under "Stop Drive," order. I received no correspondence from the NHTSA nor from BMW of North America in regards to this. My BMW X-5 had significant issues…”
Sep 19, 2025 · Exterior Lighting
“The daylight lamps fall apart causing poor lighting at night and continuous alarms while driving. Also, impacting the quality of light and lack of lighting at night. The alarms are continuous and…”
Sep 13, 2025 · Electrical System, Engine
“Vehicle abruptly shut off while reversing out of my driveway. Vehicle restarted after a long crank and appeared to enter a reduced power mode/limp mode with a transmission fault that locked the…”
Jan 31, 2025 · Electrical System, Exterior Lighting
“After purchasing this vehicle from my aunt and uncle my one headlight when bad after purchasing the headlights I replaced both the right and left one while removing the old headlights the insulation…”
Nov 17, 2024 · Electrical System, Engine Fire
“I bought a 2008 528i July 2024. Got Emissions & Tag at the end of August. Oct 5 2024. My car was on Fire. Drove the car 11 mins got out for a few mins got bk in crunk the car and a flame shot out of…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2008 BMW 5 SERIES. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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