Few cars wield such an incredible plethora of capabilities as the BMW 5 Series. Bigger and more comfortable than the company’s 3 Series yet only slightly more expensive, it’s been at the heart of the BMW range since time immemorial.
The 5 Series has become almost the default choice for buyers seeking a smaller luxury car—a reputation cemented over years of having been recognised by experts as the finest in its class. One factor in its sustained success is BMW’s dedication to ensuring the 5 Series is always up to date. The current version has already enjoyed a comprehensive midlife facelift, with the introduction of a larger front grille, a more aggressive body kit, and LED headlights and other additions as standard.
What’s more, the 5 Series offers an abundance of choice when it comes to finding the perfect version for you, with 6 engine options, including petrol, diesel and plugin hybrid, 2 trims (entry-level SE and the snazzier M Sport) and the choice of rear-wheel– or four-wheel–drive. There’s also the high-performance BMW M5 Competition, a thoroughbred performance car boasting 616bhp, as well as the 5 Series Touring for those in need of extra luggage space. But before we get into details, let’s check out the 5 Series’ key stats.
| Brand-new price range | £43,000–£77,000 |
| Car Planet price range | £7,000–£15,000 / £136–£312 a month |
| Trims | 11 |
| Engines | 6 |
| Available fuels | Diesel, petrol, hybrid |
| mpg range across all versions | 59–157 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Warranty | 3 years / unlimited-mileage |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £1,200 / £5,500 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £2,300–£11,000 |
Equipment, options and extras
The entry-level SE comes with a whole host of luxuries which in some way belie its relatively low cost. These include dual-zone climate control, leather seat trim, ambient interior lighting, cruise control, heated front seats with electric lumbar adjustment, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and 17in alloy wheels. 18in wheels are available with the more powerful engines. The SE also comes with an infotainment system, LED head- and taillights and front and rear parking sensors, as well as optional split-folding rear seats.
The extremely popular M Sport trim includes 19in wheels (or 18in on the 530e), an M styling pack, sport seats, an M sports steering wheel, black headlining, a faux leather–wrapped instrument panel and black chrome exterior trim (rather than chrome). Make sure you tick the box for the optional M Sport Pro Pack, too, which introduces a panoply of goodies including adaptive suspension on all models except the ‘entry-level’ 520d and 520i, and makes for an all-round plusher drive.
Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2
The BMW 5 Series is slightly lower-priced than its closest German rivals the Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class. The mild-hybrid 2L diesel 520d is far and away the most popular version, in part because it emits as little as 126g/km of CO2. That’s a fair bit better than the A6 40 TDI or E220d—especially for those with one eye on the company car tax rate. That being said, the 530e remains the pick of the bunch for company car drivers, given that it emits just 31g/km. However, when the battery pack’s depleted and you’re running on the petrol engine alone, you’ll likely see a lower fuel economy than you would in a diesel.
The timeless appeal of the BMW badge means the 5 Series keeps its resale value better than pretty much any other car in its class, so private buyers can expect to get a decent chunk of the list price back when selling. Its leasing and PCP finance rates tend to be highly competitive, and discounts are often available—if you don’t mind a little haggle.
Safety and security
All models of the BMW 5 Series come with at least 6 airbags, as well as a host of electronic driver aids, including stability control. Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection comes as standard. Optional safety kit includes lane departure warning, driver fatigue detection, speed limit recognition, and automatic high-beam assist for the headlights. Or for a reasonable price you can opt for the Driving Assistant Professional pack, which bundles all these key active safety aids together.
In 2017 the 5 Series scored the full five stars for safety at Euro NCAP, although scored poorly for driver leg protection and weakly for child chest protection compared to the Volvo S90 and Mercedes E-Class. The 5 Series scored better for pedestrian protection, however.
The 5 Series includes as standard an alarm, engine immobiliser, locking wheel nuts and deadlocks, which prevent the doors from being opened even if a window’s smashed. Security experts Thatcham have awarded the 5 Series the full five stars for its resistance to theft, and four stars for its resistance to being broken into.
Reliability
All BMW 5 Series come with a 3-year and unlimited-mileage warranty, similar to the cover provided by the majority of its competitors.
The Car Planet verdict
The BMW 5 Series is a classy and refined luxury saloon, with surprisingly low running costs if you opt for the 530e plugin hybrid or 520d mild hybrid. It’s a more complete package in comparison to its chief rivals, like the Jaguar XF, Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class.
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