5 Series (F10) BMW F11 5er Touring - press drives & reviews

Autocar




Despite being less involving to drive than its predecessor, it’s bigger, more comfortable and has a classier interior than the car it replaces. And in a segment where image is so important - it packs plenty of premium appeal.

But is the driving experience up to scratch? For lugging loads along Snowdonia’s mountain passes, no other car comes close. There’s an abundance of grip and unflappable body control. That said the new 5 Series Touring doesn’t feel quite as involving to drive as its predecessor, although it’s still a cut above the E-Class.

BMW 5-Series Touring | Auto Express | Road Test | First Drive

CarEnthusiast - First Drive: BMW 520d Touring



| First Drive | Munich, Germany | BMW 520d SE Touring |

The 520d is by far the biggest selling model in the BMW 5 Series range. The 186bhp, 2.0-litre turbodiesel gets its first outing in the latest 5 Series in the new Touring (estate), and proves to be a very desirable combination. It's certain to be just as good in the saloon too. BMW's most popular engine proves to be the best in the 5 Series, thanks in part to class-leading economy and emissions.

In the Metal

BMW's new 5 Series is bigger than ever, the longer wheelbase giving it more room in the rear for passengers. There's more space in the rear for luggage too, with the Touring adding some practicality to the already vast boot of the saloon. It adds to its visual appeal too, the more spacious 5 being particularly well executed.

It's easily accessed space as well, with the Touring retaining the opening rear glass of its predecessors, while a 40/20/40 split in the rear seats allows you to carry through loads and two passengers in the back. Fold all of the seats and the 5 Touring offers 1,670 litres of load space.

What you get for your Money

In the UK, the 520d SE Touring costs a not significant £30,380, though standard equipment levels in the smartly finished, high quality cabin are decent. All 5s come with leather upholstery, automatic air conditioning, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, Bluetooth telephony and Dynamic Stability Control as standard.

To that you might want to add satnav and the new eight-speed automatic gearbox - or not if you like maps, a clutch pedal and a slick six-speed manual. With the expectation of frequent load lugging the Touring gets self-levelling air suspension on the rear axle as standard, too.

Driving it

Many have questioned BMW's direction with the 5 Series, with only the most expensive models featuring the clever chassis control system that delivers the sort of drive BMW drivers expect. That's not true with the 520d Touring, which is unquestionably something of a gem in the range. Admittedly, the test cars BMW supplied came with adaptive damping, but otherwise they're just as the man on the street - or more accurately, the man in the suit in middle/upper management - will specify their 520d.

The engine is key to the 520d's success, as it's an absolute cracker. Not only is it tremendously refined, but the smooth and linear means by which it delivers its performance is incredible. It feels so much more muscular than you'd expect from 2.0-litres and four-cylinders, its 186bhp and 280lb.ft of torque hauling the big 520d Touring to 62mph in just 8.3 seconds - regardless of the transmission fitted.

The steering could be a bit more incisive, but really we're splitting hairs. The 520d Touring rides well, flowing down either testing back roads or long, boring motorways with the sort of crushing impunity that leaves you wondering why you'd need anything else.

Worth Noting

The data may say that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has a more spacious boot with the seats down, but the numbers that really matter are the BMW's 55.4mpg and 135g/km on the official combined cycle. They're class leading, and certain to ensure that it's a massive hit among fleet buyers. For the record, the saloon achieves 57.7mpg and 129g/km. You can thank the auto start-stop and other BMW EfficientDynamics measures for achieving these planet-friendly figures.

Summary

A quite brilliant combination of practicality, pace, poise and planet-friendliness, this is definitely the 5 Series we've been waiting for. If the sales figures of the previous 5 Series are anything to go by, it's the car you've been waiting for, too. The new 520d Touring has been worth it.

Car reviews | BMW 5 Series Touring | First Drive: BMW 5 Series Touring | by Car Enthusiast



Good to see, that the 520d has a double exhaust now…

Autocar - First Drive: 520d Touring



What is it?

This is the fourth-generation 5-series Touring, some 19 years on from the original E34-series model was launched. 650,000 of the breed have been built so far.

Like the saloon, the 5-series Touring is based on the same architecture as the 7-series. This gives it one of the longest wheelbases in this class and more legroom than the outgoing model.

…

Should I buy one?

As agreeable as this 5 Touring was, it was not particularly sporting – more briskly competent. It’s also clear that at softer settings, the 5’s dampers deliver a demonstrably poorer ride on poor surfaces, something that affects the UK particularly.

BMW’s engineers are so concerned with the feedback, that they are set to conduct UK road tests very shortly in order to tweak the 5-series’ standard chassis settings before sales begin in September.

If they can put the final spark back into this car, it will be a remarkably complete machine.

BMW 520d Touring - Road Test First Drive - Autocar.co.uk

ree said:

Good to see, that the 520d has a double exhaust now…

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Well.....with 184 hp it's justified imo. It has almost as much power as an E39 I6 528i.....But yeah, it looks so much better than the El Cheapo version of the E60/E90

klier said:

Well.....with 184 hp it's justified imo. It has almost as much power as an E39 I6 528i.....But yeah, it looks so much better than the El Cheapo version of the E60/E90

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And? This is completely irrelevant considering it's also significantly heavier. The vast majority of cars are getting more power added to subsequent models. It also has almost as much power as the original E30 M3. You could go on forever.

Betty Swollocks said:

And? This is completely irrelevant considering it's also significantly heavier. The vast majority of cars are getting more power added to subsequent models. It also has almost as much power as the original E30 M3. You could go on forever.

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And that too had doubble exhausts =)

Slam dunk by the Dr.

A bit annoying that BMW continues to dish out test cars with the adaptive suspension option. The jurnos that have tasted the standard set up have alluded to it being not up to par in both comfort and handling.

The BMW salesman here was very insistent we drive a fully loaded 535i when we rocked up in the E.

Again on the topic of an optional extra resulting in the car being an overall better product. That just doesn't make sense at all does it... NOT

I'm sorry but it does. If it changes the drive completely. Most vehicles are sold without these expensive options. The press should be driving vehicles that reflect this fact. It's akin to MB handing out a bunch of E220CDI's with airmatic for testing.

It's not like it is an after market accessory making the car better for reviews. It is an option available to every single person who purchases a 5 Series so why can't it be included on the test cars?

It's deceptive. Again it's akin to MB equipping all test cars with Airmatic, which no doubt many on here would object to. The stance that this deceptive practice should not be objected to since it's 'available' to everyone buying a 5 can be extended further to say why not just limit testing to a particular engine variant since this is also 'available' to everyone buying a 5.

In simple terms test vehicles should be representative of what is being sold in the broader market and what they are being compared to. Low end models without these fancy extras and high end models with them.

I do not for a second doubt that this has been a clever marketing strategy by BMW. That the vast majority of test cars have come with this option is no small coincidence. It's misleading and misrepresentative.

dr Dunkel said:

And that too had doubble exhausts =)

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Beemer B773ER said:

Slam dunk by the Dr.

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I'm not sure of the point either of you are making.

BMW expect to sell alot of VDC as option hence all the tests with VDC.

A perfect marketing statement really!

Mr. Mercedes said:

A bit annoying that BMW continues to dish out test cars with the adaptive suspension option. The jurnos that have tasted the standard set up have alluded to it being not up to par in both comfort and handling.

The BMW salesman here was very insistent we drive a fully loaded 535i when we rocked up in the E.

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That's the point with extra options. To improve things. BMW know most people will go with adaptive suspension and thats why you need to pay extra. BMW are no idiots
Im pretty sure that the new E-class was tested fully equipped when it arrive to the market in the beginning.
But let me remind you that there been comparison with E-class airmatic and 5er with adaptive suspension and the reviewer still prefered the bimmer over the benz

Meow, what's going on in here?

Anyway, it makes my head hurt that this car won't be available state-side while it's bloated brother sits on dealer lots...

That is far from the truth Just Me. Specification of a particular option depends on it's price, perceived benefits etc. I don't think you can say most people will chose the option without any objective data to back this up. That's like suggesting most E buyers would choose airmatic, which is far from the truth. Customers tend to option more superficial items such as sound systems, bi xenon’s, sunroofs, alloy wheels, body kits etc. Adjustable suspensions are not usually high on the shopping list.

BMW knows the 5 benefits massively in the ride department from the addition of this suspension and thus chooses to fit almost all the test cars with it. Maybe magazines do prefer a 5 with the adaptive suspension over an airmatic equipped E-class because of its ride and handling balance. But I can guarantee you an airmatic equipped E will still ride better than the adaptive suspension equipped 5 and a standard E would ride better than the standard 5, even if in both cases the 5 has the preferred ride/handling compromise.

It's been a SLICK launch tactic by BMW without a doubt. It simply makes no sense that even low end test vehicles have had this expensive option.

Betty Swollocks said:

And? This is completely irrelevant considering it's also significantly heavier. The vast majority of cars are getting more power added to subsequent models. It also has almost as much power as the original E30 M3. You could go on forever.

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And?
If you think it's irrelevant, refrain from commenting on my posts please.
Are you already done ignoring me??? Or what?

Mr Mercedes: give it a rest dude, with or without these options, the 5er is the better car. It simply becomes MUCH better with Adaptive Drive.
I don't think the BMW boys were complaining when MB first introduced things like ABC in the S when BMW didn't even have it.
Take your loss like a man, and stop crying.

klier said:

And?
If you think it's irrelevant, refrain from commenting on my posts please.
Are you already done ignoring me??? Or what?

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If only it was that simple Klier. If you're going to post things on a public forum then I have the right, as long as I am not abusive, to reply.

I was just wondering why the base 5 Series having more power now is worthy of a mention. 99% of new cars have more power than the previous model.

klier said:

Mr Mercedes: give it a rest dude, with or without these options, the 5er is the better car. It simply becomes MUCH better with Adaptive Drive.
I don't think the BMW boys were complaining when MB first introduced things like ABC in the S when BMW didn't even have it.
Take your loss like a man, and stop crying.

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Have you driven the 5 Series Klier?

Just_me said:

That's the point with extra options. To improve things.

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It's not really. It's to make the car more suitable for your needs, such as paying more for a powerful hifi system or sat nav, but it shouldn't mean you have to pay for what should be basic requirements i.e. acceptable handling.

It's quite clear from the reviews that the 5 Series isn't receiving good verdicts if it doesn't have the adaptive drive. This is a shame, especially from a company which used to pride itself on handling.