Used 2021 BMW 5 Series for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

Compare 2021 BMW 5 Series Trims in Raleigh, NC

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to performance-oriented models, catering to various preferences and needs.

• Starting at $20,259
• Best MPG/MPGe: 59 city / 72 hwy
• Most Popular: 530i RWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

530i RWD — "Who It's For"

The 530i RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxury sedan experience without breaking the bank. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $20,259 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 113 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View 530i RWD listings

530i xDrive AWD — "Who It's For"

The 530i xDrive AWD is ideal for those who want all-wheel drive capability without a significant price increase. It balances performance and comfort well.

• Avg. market price: $29,723 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 92 listings
• View 530i xDrive AWD listings

530e Hybrid Plug-in RWD — "Who It's For"

The 530e Hybrid Plug-in RWD is perfect for eco-conscious buyers seeking a blend of luxury and efficiency. It offers impressive fuel economy.

• Avg. market price: $29,723 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 59 city / 72 hwy
• Inventory: 22 listings
• View 530e Hybrid Plug-in RWD listings

540i RWD — "Who It's For"

The 540i RWD caters to those who desire a more powerful engine without the need for all-wheel drive. It offers a sporty driving experience.

• Avg. market price: $34,999 (updated weekly)
• Inventory: 34 listings
• View 540i RWD listings

530e xDrive Hybrid Plug-in AWD — "Who It's For"

The 530e xDrive Hybrid Plug-in AWD is for buyers wanting hybrid efficiency with the added benefit of all-wheel drive. It's a versatile choice.

• Avg. market price: $29,723 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 59 city / 67 hwy
• Inventory: 8 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View 530e xDrive Hybrid Plug-in AWD listings

540i xDrive AWD — "Who It's For"

The 540i xDrive AWD is suited for those who want a sporty sedan with all-wheel drive capabilities. It combines performance with practicality.

• Avg. market price: $38,100 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 31 hwy
• Inventory: 33 listings
• View 540i xDrive AWD listings

M550i xDrive AWD — "Who It's For"

The M550i xDrive AWD is for performance enthusiasts seeking a luxury sedan with a powerful engine and advanced features. It's the top-tier option.

• Avg. market price: $29,723 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 17 city / 25 hwy
• Inventory: 33 listings
• View M550i xDrive AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — 530i RWD

With 113 active listings, the 530i RWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse 530i RWD listings

Best Budget Option — 530i RWD

At $20,259 avg market price — below the lineup median of $29,723 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse 530i RWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — 530e Hybrid Plug-in RWD

The 530e Hybrid Plug-in RWD offers exceptional fuel efficiency with 59 city / 72 hwy MPG/MPGe.

Browse 530e Hybrid Plug-in RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 BMW 5 Series cost?

Prices have softened 5.37% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 865 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare prices and equipment.

Is the 2021 BMW 5 Series a good car?

Yes — the 2021 BMW 5 Series earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Technology and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its powerful performance, luxurious comfort, refined interior, and handling. The overview also points to a midsize luxury sedan with sportier-than-average driving dynamics, plus a tech-focused refresh that adds a bigger infotainment touchscreen and subtle styling updates.

The main trade-offs are that advanced safety features are not standard, and some drivers find the engine auto-off behavior annoying while Sport Mode can feel jumpy at times. Even so, the car’s mix of luxury, tech, and engaging road manners makes it appealing if you want a sedan that feels more rewarding than many rivals.

The market shows 37.7% good or great deals, so you still have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 BMW 5 Series reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a car that owners feel good about living with over time, especially because they praise its refined interior, comfort, and performance in everyday use. The expert review also describes BMW’s engineering as polished and the car as a strong case for buyers who want a luxury sedan with real substance.

BMW’s standard warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles, with four years of free roadside assistance. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that this is a complex luxury sedan, so condition and maintenance history matter more than they would on a simpler mainstream car.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 BMW 5 Series?

At 72.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has higher mileage or a long option list. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the equipment you want is actually present, since this model’s value can change a lot with options.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Lower trims get standard SensaTec upholstery rather than real leather, while Dakota leather and Nappa leather are available at extra cost. The M Sport Package adds new front and rear bumpers, and the interior’s upscale feel depends heavily on how the car was optioned.
• Powertrain: The 530i uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 248 horsepower, while the 540i uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and 335 horsepower. The 530e plug-in hybrid is also offered, with an electric motor and 288 hp combined output.
• Safety package: Standard safety features include lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package adds adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist.
• Infotainment: You get a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with iDrive 7, plus a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM 360L, and a built-in WiFi hotspot are standard.
• Fuel efficiency: The 540i’s mild-hybrid setup is rated at 26 mpg combined, 23 mpg city, and 31 mpg highway. The 530i can do zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and the 540i xDrive reaches 60 mph in 4.6 seconds.

Which 2021 BMW 5 Series trim should I buy?

The 2021 BMW 5 Series is offered in 3 trim levels: 530i, 540i, and 530e.

Here's the short version:

• 530i: This is the entry point, but it still gives you the core 5 Series experience with a 248-horsepower turbo four, standard rear-wheel drive, and the refreshed tech package. It makes the most sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the lineup and care more about comfort and technology than outright speed.
• 540i: This is the best-value choice if you want the strongest all-around balance. The 335-horsepower inline-six, mild-hybrid system, and available xDrive make it the most compelling pick for buyers who want more performance without stepping all the way up to the high-performance models.
• 530e: Choose this if you want plug-in hybrid capability and the ability to drive solely on electric power for significant distances. It suits you best if your driving pattern can take advantage of charging and you want efficiency without giving up luxury-sedan refinement.

BMW’s advanced driver-assistance features remain optional, so check carefully for the Driving Assistance Plus Package if you want the most complete safety tech.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 BMW 5 Series?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 37.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 865 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.37% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $28,481, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 BMW 5 Series's resale value?

The current average of $28,551 sits slightly below last year's $30,173.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment rather than on broad market momentum alone.

Well-optioned examples with strong maintenance records should hold up better than stripped or heavily worn cars. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 BMW 5 Series safe?

The 2021 BMW 5 Series earns a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS based on the virtually identical 2020 model, which also received top “good” scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tests.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety features include lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The Driving Assistance Plus Package adds adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-keep assist, and emergency stop assist.

One caveat is that the standard headlights were rated “marginal,” while optional lights received a “good” rating. That makes lighting equipment worth checking closely if you want the best safety setup.

Should I buy a 2021 BMW 5 Series or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 37.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.37% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 refresh adds a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, a bigger infotainment touchscreen, and subtle styling updates.

The bottom line: The 2021 model is the right pick if you want the updated tech and refreshed look, especially since prices have eased and inventory is healthy. If you’re mainly shopping on value, a nearby year may still make sense, but the 2021 gives you the most current version of this generation’s equipment and presentation.

How does the 2021 BMW 5 Series compare to the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 BMW 5 Series:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Great ride quality, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Advanced safety features are not standard.

2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Great ride quality, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Advanced safety features are not standard.

Our experts score the 2021 BMW 5 Series 8/10 and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 8.3/10. The Mercedes-Benz edges ahead on expert score, but both cars share the same broad strengths in powertrain variety, ride quality, and technology. The BMW stands out for its lower average used price and stronger deal share, while the E-Class carries a higher average used price and slightly better accident-free share.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.