It is not quite BMW’s bread-and-butter car – that distinction belongs to the immensely popular 3-Series – but the 5-Series is a hugely significant car for the Bavarian firm. Weirdly, at one point BMW simply looked like completely hashing up the 5-Series when it launched the 5 GT first, before the saloon.
Luckily, the car-buying public has largely disregarded the utterly hideous GT, so all one will see on the roads is the saloon – face lifted a while back with purely new trims and engines, although ‘new styling’ is hardly perceptible. Nothing demanded changing there, BMW rightly judged.
The most advanced and unique BMW 5 Series ever: as a Touring, Gran Turismo, Saloon, M Performance saloon, iPerformance saloon and M5 Saloon. And in addition to striking elegance and performance, these vehicles also have a wide range of diverse qualities that makes them indispensable in daily use.
Its mission statement: setting new fine standards. The grand BMW 5 Series is the embodiment of the advance business saloon. All thanks to its dynamic and simultaneously lovely appearance, it convincingly achieves the expectations that are placed today on a car of its class: aesthetic athleticism and driving pleasure with perfect state-of-the-art technology.
Plenty of space for the highest requirements: the BMW 5 Series Touring brags numerous driver assistance systems, the active 8-speed Steptronic transmission and a careful selection of economical and muscular petrol and diesel engines.
Also featured is a luggage space of almost 560 liters, which can easily be extended to a total of 1,670 liters along with its three-part folding backrest. In addition to all this, the clever BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system ensures riding pleasure on every single road, on every bend and in every driving situation.
The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo amalgamates the stylish presence of a saloon ideally with the sporty elegance of a coupé. Just beneath its coupé-style roof line and the two-part tailgate, the occupants appreciate a raised seating position in luxury surroundings, and travel in great comfort of the highest caliber.
Nail-biting: with the M Performance version of the BMW 5 Series Saloon, one push limits to inconceivable heights, pure adrenalin. Sports character twists to motorsport. Mainly because enough never is enough.
Think creatively. Move ahead with the times, two significant concepts for sustainable concepts. The crazy BMW 530e iPerformance implements both approaches amazingly and prevails way ahead of its time. It simply relies on electrifying driving pleasure and, all cheers to the plug-in hybrid drive, looks forward to a bright future.
The exterior appearance of 5 Series is a clear evolution: similar proportions, but more tightly honed in each and every respect. Neat details involve the black ‘ribbon’ across the front that is supposed to be reminiscent of the full-width grilles of quite early 5 years, and the way the lines of the Hofmeister kink are uncased towards the front via the bodywork.
It seems much better in the metal than the mere pictures, but is ideal in lighter metallic shades that show off the surfacing. The just proportional change is to the roofline, which has a pronounced hoop mainly for more of a coupe look without even compromising interior headroom; you easily sit low in the new 5-series, and it feels spacious enough front and rear. Enlarged kidney grilles keep more effective active aero shutters, and all the models get LED headlights as standard.
The efficient engines are from BMW’s modular family, which means they are not new for the G30, but do get the inevitable boost in both bhp and economy of fuel. The average is 10% extra performance and 11% greater efficiency.
Now in its exciting fifth generation, the BMW M5 Saloon still symbolizes pure athleticism. Uncompromising performance marks it convincingly straight at the top as it consistently masters all challenge. When the M Twin Power Turbocharged 8-cylinder petrol engine and the high-performance chassis show their original character, it soon becomes apparent that this saloon affords the motorsport genes.
The optional Competition package mainly for the BMW M5 Saloon merges increased performance, a lowered chassis and quite more direct steering with an exclusive appearance.
As ever, this is the BMW’s strongest hand. Although this time the elegant 5-Series is a bit more susceptible to which spec level you pick. Basically, one wants to choose a car along with Variable Damper Control but not Active Steering. That way one get the best of the ride/handling compromise, without even steering that thinks it knows best. It really doesn’t.
You’d hope the diesel choice to be extraordinary. It is. Top of the list of brilliance is the smart 535d, but the 520d that most buy won’t disappoint, especially now it consumes BMW’s much smoother and quieter new 2.0-litre motor.
There’s a detuned 518d too, which is frugal, but its 150bhp output doesn’t sound sufficient to us. A yawning 0-60mph in just 9.5 seconds won’t win you any traffic light race, that’s for sure.
BMW appears to go for a slightly more minimalist look than Audi. It’s truly smart – so long as you prevent some of the hideous wood trim options – but doesn’t have quite the mixture of sophistication and simplicity that Audi handles so well.
Build quality is top-notch, however, and the 5-Series will effortlessly seat four in comfort. But the middle seat is a little bit of a squeeze. But don’t worry about the iDrive – the latest versions are brilliant. Anyone who can’t able to figure it out should question themselves, not the car. BMW’s also introduced really cool digital dials for 2014, upping the tech count further.
In the end, it can be said that 5 series is indeed “The undisputed class-leader” with efficient and powerful engine. So, consider it a fine option. Whether you are looking for a used or new BMW 5 Series vehicle, this car never disappoints you in any case.
