The BMW 5 Series has always offered more space and luxury than the cheaper 3 Series, despite
only being a few thousands pounds more expensive.
This latest model promises to move those cars further apart than ever before.
Under the skin it's closely related to BMW's flagship 7 Series limousine model and shares
much of the same technology.
Does that mean, then, that the 5 Series is a bargain?
Or have corners been cut?
That's what we'll find out in this review.
If your budget can stretch the powerful 530d we can see why you'd be tempted.
In truth, though, the entry level 520d will suit most people.
It's cheaper to run as a company car and it's still strong and quiet.
The 5 Series is also surprisingly fun to drive for a big saloon, feeling agile and precise.
You can go for the optional active steering, but it is by no means essential.
On the other hand we would strongly recommend that you tick the box for the optional variable
damper control, which lets you adjust the firmness of the suspension.
It turns a car which can shimmy around a bit at low speed into one that rides even the
bumpiest of roads brilliantly.
The car's super smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox and uncanny ability to shut out wind
and road noise just completes the great driving experience.
It's disappointing that you have to pay extra for adjustable lumbar support, even on the
most expensive trims.
That said, the seats are very supportive and offer plenty of adjustment.
The dashboard is logically laid out, too, and there's no danger of you feeling short
changed when you step into your 5 Series, because the fit and finish shames some cars
costing twice as much.
Visibility at junctions is excellent thanks to slim windscreen pillars, and although it's
difficult to judge the extremities of the 5 Series, you get front and rear parking sensors
as standard.
Every 5 Series comes with this whopping 10.2in touchscreen infotainment system and it gives
you access to sat-nav, DAB radio and various online services.
On the move it's really easy to control using this rotary dial, and when you stop you can
slide it across very much like you would your iPad.
So let's see how easy it is to use.
So let's start with connect new device, make sure that Bluetooth is switched on, which
it is, and there it is, pair, ok, checking passkey...allow...it's as easy as that.
Being 5ft 4 1/2 I'm lucky enough to fit in the back of most cars.
With this one, though, you could fit in a couple of 6 footers.
The middle seat, though, is not particularly comfortable and there's nowhere really to
put your feet, and it's disappointing that you have to pay extra for split-folding rear
seats.
But, the boot has plenty of space for your suitcases or golf clubs, and is a decent size
for its class.
Plus in the front of the cabin there are plenty of storage spaces and cubby holes to store
your everyday clutter.
The BMW 5 Series is priced in line with its closest rivals, the Mercedes E-Class and Jaguar
XF.
It returns over 40mpg in real-life tests and there's no real need to look beyond the SE
trim level, because that gets you heated leather seats, dual-zone climate control and satellite
navigation.
So the BMW 5 Series is a classy, wonderfully refined luxury saloon, with surprisingly low
running costs and lots of standard equipment, it more than lives up to its promise.
For more on the BMW 5 Series, including our full online review, head to Whatcar.com, but
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