Used car check: BMW 5 Series – a dream car with quirks

As a new car, the BMW for senior management is hardly affordable for private buyers. Even used copies are still very expensive – despite a not entirely clean record during the general inspection.

The current generation of the BMW 5 Series is also the sports car among business saloons. But there is no lack of driving comfort and lots of electronics. Only when it comes to long-term durability could one become suspicious in view of the first TÜV results. Because even in the previous generation, kilometer eaters in particular showed weaknesses.

body and interior

Even around six years after its debut, the 5 Series still looks fresh. The proportions of the almost five meter long sedan and the station wagon, which is almost identical in terms of dimensions, are classically elegant thanks to the long bonnet and the short overhangs. Purists are pleased that the G30 type came onto the market before the Bavarians made their kidney grille almost cartoonish tore up size.

Inside, only the comparatively small screen shows that the second largest BMW is more than half a decade under its belt. However, the workmanship and choice of materials are at a high level, the technical equipment, since the 2020 lift with cloud-based navigation and over-the-air updates for the navigation system, does not have to fear any comparison in this class.

Motor

For years the creamy six-cylinders were the core of the five-engine portfolio, meanwhile the – also convincing – four-cylinders have taken over the majority. The basic model is the 520i, initially with 125 kW/170 hp, later 135 kW/184 hp, which is sufficient for everyday use but does not tease out the dynamics that are inherent in the heavy car. There are plenty of alternatives on the petrol side, for example in the form of the 185 kW/252 hp 530i with four cylinders or the up to 250 kW/333 hp six-cylinder 540i model. Above that are the sporty M or M Performance models with V8 and up to 467 kW/635 hp.

Anyone who travels a lot will be better off with one of the ten different diesel models available so far – all of them are extremely efficient. The range extends from the 110 kW/150 hp and very frugal 518d to the quadruple-charged R6 racer M550d with 294 kW/400 hp. The drive range is rounded off by five plug-in hybrids based on four and six cylinders, which cover a range from 150 kW/204 hp to 290 kW/394 hp. The following applies to all engine families: the weaker models have rear-wheel drive, the most powerful all-wheel drive. In the area in between, buyers often have a choice. There are hardly any alternatives to the eight-speed automatic, which is not part of the standard equipment only in the first few months after the start of production on the 520d.

equipment and security

For the 5 Series, BMW offers the entire range of assistance systems that previously premiered in the luxury model of the 7 Series. However, most of it has to be paid extra. As with most of the competitors, only the city braking function and a drowsiness warning system were free of charge for the new car. If you want more assistants to work for you, we recommend a used vehicle with a so-called innovation package and additional Driving Assistance Plus, which includes everything from the head-up display and adaptive headlights to the assistants in the narrower sense for lane keeping and lane changes, steering – and guidance, stop

quality

The Munich business series is a real kilometer eater, which is reflected in the TÜV statistics. On average, they have the average mileage of cars of the same age. In the first general inspection, around 7 percent of all candidates were found to have significant defects. Light, steering and exhaust system perform excellently, but in all other categories the expensive premium car delivers rather average, in the chapter oil loss not even that. The 5 Series has also had to endure a few recalls, including one due to the driver’s seat being incorrectly fastened and one due to the risk of fire in the plug-in hybrids. It remains to be seen how the defect statistics will develop in the coming years. The predecessor had notorious weaknesses in the chassis, but is still on an older, much heavier platform.

Conclusion: In many ways, the BMW 5 Series is a dream car. The diesels are extremely economical, the more powerful petrol engines are powerful and silky. However, the high-quality overall package has its price: for less than 20,000 euros, almost only mileage giants with significantly more than 200,000 kilometers are available.