For more than 40 years, the BMW 5 Series has been the luxury executive saloon of choice for millions of people who enjoy driving.
Providing supreme ride comfort, cutting-edge interiors, and thrilling and entertaining rear-wheel-drive dynamism whenever you feel like it, the car’s combination of talents has always been highly commendable and rarely matched.
Part of the reason that the BMW 5 series has had sustained success is because the 5 series has been kept up to date. The current version has already received a comprehensive mid-life facelift that saw the introduction of LED headlights as standard, a larger front grille, a more aggressive body kit and a lot of extra standard equipment throughout the range.
How does the BMW 5 series perform?
The BMW 5 series’ entry-level diesel engine is the 520d and, with a 0-62mph time of just 7.2secs, in no time, you will be cruising at motorway speeds. The performance of the 520d is similar to a Mercedes E-Class 220d.
If you want more power, the six-cylinder 282bhp engine in a 530d is perfect for you. It’s effortlessly quick and so smooth you quickly forget it’s a diesel. If you are looking for pure speed and power, The M550i xDrive is for you. With a 523bhp 4.4-Litre petrol V8 and a 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds, it makes you wonder why you need to spend the extra on the fractionally quicker M5.
Are the BMW 5 Series Practical?
The BMW 5 series offers slightly more leg room than an Audi A6 and is quite similar to a Mercedes E-Class. Getting in is also comparatively easy, thanks to doors that open wide. The glovebox is a considerable size and there’s a lidded cubby behind the gear selector that’ll take most wallets, keys or a mobile phone (and a wireless charging pad if you select the optional Technology Pack), along with two cupholders in front of it. Each door pocket will hold a small water bottle.
How spacious is the BMW 5 Series?
In this shallower tier of luxury cars, front space matters a lot, since that’s where most owners spend most of their time. A BMW 5 Series offers slightly more legroom than an Audi A6 and roughly equals a Mercedes E-Class. Even with the panoramic roof added, there’s still plenty of headroom for six-footers.
While the 5 Series is the widest in front, none of its obvious rivals is small inside. Although some people prefer a snugger, more wraparound feeling, the E-Class’s interior feels more ‘fitted’ than the A6’s or 5 Series’. Larger luxury cars such as the Mercedes S-Class and Audi A8 certainly do this bit better, but there’s enough room in the back of the 5 Series for two tall adults. It may not be quite as comfortable for a third passenger on longer trips because the shoulder room is tight. To avoid the overhead lighting console, they’ll also need to duck if they’re tall.
How much will a BMW 5 Series Cost?
On average, the 5 series is priced slightly lower than its closest German competitors, Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class. For example, the 520d is by far the most popular car within the 5 series group and it emits as little as 126g/km of CO2, according to reports. This is slightly better than an Audi A6 TDI or Mercedes E220d, if you are keeping an eye out for the company car tax rate.
Despite this, the 530e is the best choice for company car users, with CO2 emissions starting at 31g/km. However, when the battery pack is depleted and you’re running on the petrol engine alone, you’ll likely see less fuel economy than with a diesel engine.
The entry-level SE is the cheapest BMW 5 Series trim but comes with plenty of luxuries. They include leather seat trim, heated front seats with electric lumbar adjustment, dual-zone climate control, ambient interior lighting, cruise control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and 17in alloy wheels (18in with the more powerful engines).
In our opinion, the most popular trim is the M Sport. There are 19-inch wheels (18-inch on the 530e), an M styling package, black exterior trim rather than chrome, sport seats, an M sports steering wheel, a black headlining, and an instrument panel covered in faux leather (or, as BMW puts it, ‘synthetic leather’). In addition to introducing adaptive suspension (except for 520d and 520i models), it gives the 5 Series a plusher ride.
How much would the BMW 5 series be on Finance?
If you are looking for a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), the vehicle would need to be no older than 5 years old at the start for most finance companies. For a 2018 BMW 520d SE, under 70,000 miles. the total price of the vehicle is around £18,000. An indication of the figures for this would be;
Personal Contract Purchase
Term of Agreement 48 months
First payment of £283.13
Then 46 payments of £283.13
Then an optional final payment of £7,203.75
On The Road Price £17,799.00
Total Deposit £1,779.90
Balance to Finance £16,019.10
Total Charge for Credit £4,491.76
Total Amount Payable £22,290.76
Representative APR 9.9% A.P.R.
Annual Mileage 10,000 miles
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