Buying a Used BMW i5 (2023 on): eDrive40 vs M60, Saloon vs Touring, Recalls & What to Pay

The BMW i5 is the electric version of the 5 Series, available as a saloon since late 2023 and a Touring estate since May 2024. At launch, the eDrive40 saloon cost £74,105 new; a 2024 example now asks around £36,000, under half as much. This guide explains the versions, recalls, warranty, realistic driving range and likely prices. There’s a print-out checklist at the end.

Which i5 are you looking at?

All i5s are electric; the 520i, 530e and 550e are petrol and plug-in hybrid 5 Series models. Two versions come as saloon or Touring, with an 81.2 kWh usable battery (adverts quote 83.9 kWh, the gross capacity). Launch prices:

The eDrive40 powers the rear wheels, while the M60 xDrive has a motor on each axle and 601 hp. M Sport and M Sport Pro trims were offered, followed by a cheaper Sport Edition. Much equipment, including adaptive cruise control and surround cameras, came in option packs, meaning two cars in the same trim can differ considerably. Find full specifications on the i5 and i5 Touring pages.

Realistic range

Our estimate for a typical car of each version, from the same battery-ageing model as the rest of EVcarsguide:

Owners report slightly better results: eDrive40 drivers achieve around 220–280 miles in winter and more than 300 in summer. Bigger wheels reduce range, so a car with 19-inch wheels travels further than one wearing 20s or 21s.

Charging

At home, charging is 11 kW as standard; 22 kW was optional, though standard on the M60 and the Touring Sport Edition. At a rapid charger it accepts up to 205 kW. Owners find Plug & Charge works on some networks, though not consistently, so keep a charging app or card available as back-up.

Warranty

BMW covers the battery for 8 years or 100,000 miles from first registration, with the car covered for 3 years and unlimited mileage:

• Registered 2023: battery covered to 2031, or 100,000 miles if sooner; car warranty to 2026.
• Registered 2024: battery covered to 2032, or 100,000 miles if sooner; car warranty to 2027.
• Registered 2025: battery covered to 2033, or 100,000 miles if sooner; car warranty to 2028.

Recalls

These 5 Series recall campaigns also cover the i5:

• Integrated braking system (R/2024/383): around 6,600 saloons and Tourings built March 2023 to August 2024, where contamination between electrical contacts could affect braking. An earlier, smaller recall (R/2024/119) concerned loss of brake assistance on 12 cars.
• Air-conditioning wiring (R/2026/092): around 8,650 cars built June 2023 to April 2025, with a wiring harness behind the dashboard positioned too close to a screw. It is inspected and re-secured.
• Steering joint (R/2024/409): around 830 cars built June to September 2024, whose steering-column double universal joint could fail. The joint is replaced.
• Steering-wheel sensor (R/2023/332): around 270 cars where the system could incorrectly detect hands on the steering wheel when none were there.
• High-voltage battery cell module (R/2024/211): a single i5 manufactured in December 2023.

Check the specific car on GOV.UK’s recall checker and request a printed recall history from a BMW dealer.

Safety

The BMW 5 Series, including the i5, received five Euro NCAP stars in 2023.

What owners report

• The drive: owners praise its superb refinement and stability on the motorway, and say it feels like a proper 5 Series.
• Range: exceeds many owners’ expectations, as described above. Adaptive regenerative braking is also widely appreciated.
• Cost-cutting: many mention unlined door pockets, missing sill plates and only one wireless charging pad; some also find the audio weak at volume.
• Size: its considerable length and width mean parking requires care.
• Packaging: it shares a platform with the petrol 5 Series, leaving no front boot and a tunnel running through the cabin. Owners praise the Touring’s load space.

What to pay

Most used i5s are eDrive40 saloons; fewer Tourings and M60s appear.

Treat these as asking prices rather than valuations. A 2024 eDrive40 saloon has depreciated by around £38,000 since launch. Newer examples command more because their mileage is much lower. Check the option packs: these added thousands to the new price, and listings do not always identify them.

Questions to ask the seller

1. eDrive40 or M60, and which option packs does it have (adaptive cruise, cameras, heated rear seats)?
2. Has the braking-system recall been done?
3. Does it have the 22 kW charger, and which wheels?
4. How much BMW warranty is left, and was it a company or lease car?

The print-out checklist

Take this checklist along. It covers checks specific to the i5; our general used EV buyer’s guide covers the checks relevant to every used electric car.

Alternatives worth a look

• Audi A6 e-tron: its nearest rival, offering greater range. Read our used A6 e-tron guide.
• BMW i4: a smaller, cheaper option with a hatchback. Read our used i4 guide.
• Tesla Model 3: cheaper and more efficient, though less refined. Read our used Model 3 guide.
• Hyundai IONIQ 6: a sleek electric saloon costing far less. Read our used IONIQ 6 guide.

Unsure whether it meets your driving needs? The EV Matchmaker matches the car against your own week, while the Used EV Finder shows the alternatives available within your budget.

Sources & further reading

• BMW Group UK PressClub
• Euro NCAP
• GOV.UK – Check if a vehicle has been recalled