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Some cars can be excellent in one way or another, but sometimes the perfect one shows how good a modern family car can be. The BMW 5 Series Just such a vehicle, and while you pay the price for such talents, the best things in life never come cheap. Ever since the 7th Generation Series 5 came out, we’ve been competing against Audi A6, Mercedes E-Class, Volvo S90 and V90, plus Lexus ES and Jaguar XF. In any case, BMW has always taken the lead, so it’s no surprise that it was Executive Car of the Year in our 2017 New Car Awards – and then again in both the following two years. Since then, the Mercedes E-Class has stolen BMW’s thunder, but don’t let that deter you, because the 5 Series is as desirable as ever.
The 5 Lines celebrates its 50th birthday this year. It was way back in 1972 that BMW car launched its family pickup and it will go on to become the driving enthusiasts’ executive vehicle of choice, with its engaging dynamics, efficient and quiet engines, as well as a driver-focused cabin.
Back in 1972, the idea of a dip into the mixture must be fanciful; The original 5 Series wasn’t even offered as an estate. But over the past half-century, BMW’s mid-size family car will feature diesel engines, four-wheel drive, hybrid technology and more.
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From the second generation 5 Series there will also be an M5, like this Mk7. But that car deserves its own guide, so we stick with the more mainstream versions here, of which there are plenty.
History
The 5 Series Mk7 went on sale in February 2017 as a saloon, codenamed G30. At launch, BMW offered 187hp and 261hp 520d diesels (both with xDrive all-wheel drive options), 181hp plug-in 530e and a powerful xDrive 540i. 335 horsepower with 3.0-liter six-cylinder petrol engine.
Soon after, the company added the 181bhp 520i and the 228bhp 525d which, like the others, only came with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Touring (real estate, codename G31) arrived in June 2017 and a 518d joined the range shortly after.
An upgraded 5 Series arrives in July 2020, with refreshed styling, additional driver assistance systems, a new infotainment setup and an optional 523bhp M550i xDrive. Later that year, a plug-in hybrid 545e xDrive was also introduced.
Which one should I buy?
You really can’t go wrong, no matter what engine, transmission, make or model you choose. Buy a diesel or plug-in hybrid and you’ll be rewarded with excellent economy; The petrol engines are impressive, but much less frugal.
The xDrive all-wheel-drive system offers great grip in cold weather compared to the rear-wheel drive alternative, but you pay a hefty fine in terms of fuel economy, so simply buying replacement winter tires may be the best option.
All 5 Series are spaciously equipped, with the entry-level SE getting 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, navigation and sensors front and rear parking, plus heated front seats with power adjustment. The M Sport’s trim is largely aesthetic, with a bodykit and sportier details, but upgraded brakes and larger (18/19 inch) wheels are also included.
Alternatives to the BMW 5 Series
The Mercedes E-Class giving the 5 Series its toughest time, with its wide range of models, great engines, impressive build quality, spacious cabin and lots of high-tech equipment. The Audi A6 offers these, and while it’s unappealing to drive, it’s extremely desirable. The Jaguar XF It’s getting old, but it looks great and fun to drive, plus the cabin is spacious.
All three of these are in the form of saloons and real estate, the same goes for Volvowell equipped and extremely safe S90/V90. We will consider Lexus GS and its successor, ES, also. Both are well-equipped, incredibly reliable, and incredibly refined, but not very rewarding to drive.
What are you looking for
Energy saving
The Efficient 520d engine was offered, with an optimized transmission, reduced weight and emission control technology.
PHEV
The 530e has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a 9.2 or 12kWh battery pack. The 545e has a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine and an 11.2kWh battery.
Spare wheel
The M Sport has flat-running tires, but the SE has regular tires and a travel kit. On all but the 530e, a space-saving accessory is an option.
Engine
The 518d, 520d and 525d have 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engines. The 530i has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine and the 530d has a 3.0-six-cylinder petrol engine.
Common Mistakes
Some car owners have noticed a rattling noise from the rear seats, possibly due to the seat belt buckle or the seat folding mechanism (if equipped). The problem seems to get worse when the car is cold. Having six recalls isn’t ideal, but it’s not bad either.
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Just about every aspect of BMW 5 SeriesThe ‘luxury cabin impresses: clear dashboard design, supportive seats, quality of materials, ample space for five, and a class-leading infotainment system in both ease of use and their responsiveness.
Boot space is excellent, at 530 liters in the saloon; Folding rear seats are an optional extra, so if you find a car with this equipment, versatility is greatly improved. As you’d expect, the Touring’s carrying capacity is even better, at 570 liters with the rear seats folded or 1,700 liters when folded.
Operating costs
Like all BMW vehicles, the 5 Series comes with Condition Based Service, which tells the driver when to service, based on the oil level, the wear rate of individual parts and how the vehicle is performing. . For normal driving, an oil change will be provided every 16,000 miles or so.
Because parts are replaced as needed rather than on schedule, there’s no fixed price, but you’ll expect to pay £277-£327 (depending on engine) for an oil and filter change. Replace both the air and fuel filters, and this rises to £434- £514, while new brake fluid is required after three years, and then every year, at £52- £63. The cooler is used for life and all engines are chain driven so there is no cambel to replace.
Recall
To date, BMW has recalled the 5 Series G30 six times, the first time in September 2017 because three cars manufactured in August 2017 had faulty steering racks. A month later, the next recall was issued, as 307 vehicles manufactured in August 2017 left the factory with faulty seat belts.
Two recalls took place in 2020, one in October and another in December, because some plug-in hybrids are fitted with battery packs that can cause short circuits. Both times the solution is to install new battery packs or replacement cells; 530 units made between May and September 2020 have been affected. The two most recent recalls occurred in March 2021. The first was because some 5 Series vehicles manufactured in January and February 2021 had faulty brake discs; the second is due to the substandard drive shaft fitted to some cars manufactured in June and July 2020.
Driver Power Owners Satisfaction
5 Series done Driver Power New car survey launched in 2018, in 21st place out of 75 cars. By 2020, it has dropped to 40th, then in 2021 to 49th. It occupies the top 20 in just one category (18th for connectivity), but among many is relatively high. are ride comfort, rear-seat legroom, refinement and cabin quality. Owners are less concerned with running costs, cabin versatility, safety features and value.
