2013 BMW 5 Series
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $33,500–$43,249 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2013 BMW 5 Series at 6.8/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.1/10, while Value at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.2/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.6/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.5/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. The cabin tech earns 8.1/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $33,500–$43,249, 15 MPG, seating 5, the BMW 5 Series sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. The value score of 6.2/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 13 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2013 BMW 5 Series is a passable sedan but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance and reliability and value hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2013 BMW 5 Series ranks #1169 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 11% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.7 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $33,500 starting price is about 21% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the 5 Series model years we've scored, the 2013 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $59,431 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $57,700 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $55,969 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $54,238 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.6/10 | $52,507 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $50,776 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.4/10 | $49,045 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.4/10 | $47,314 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.3/10 | $45,583 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.3/10 | $43,852 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $42,121 | Read review → |
| 2014 | 6.9/10 | $35,000 | Read review → |
Other sedans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of BMW models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.