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BMW 5 SERIES SALOON REVIEW

For One of the best executive saloons, with top-notch quality, fantastic refinement, strong engines, masses of space and outstanding handling and steering. Well equipped too, and cleaner and more frugal than rivals

Against The ride is firm, especially on M Sport models. The interior design is stark and not everyone gets on with BMW’s iDrive system, which is fitted as standard. An auto ‘box costs extra for most models

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

Still one of the finest executive cars you can buy, thanks to exceptional handling, refinement and quality. Also well equipped and more affordable to run than many rivals

Reader review rating

4.292683

The BMW 5 Series Saloon full review Read in full

Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Diesel has incredible shove
Ride & Handling
5 out of 5 stars
Brilliantly balanced on both counts
Refinement
4 out of 5 stars
A hushed smoothie
Buying & Owning
5 out of 5 stars
As good as it gets
Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
As good as the car is to drive
Safety & Security
4 out of 5 stars
Lots of safety and security kit
Behind The Wheel
5 out of 5 stars
Dash is paragon of clarity
Space & Practicality
4 out of 5 stars
Impressive rear legroom
Equipment
4 out of 5 stars
A generous list of standard kit

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There are 1 BMW 5 Series versions available

BMW 5 Series Saloon M5 4dr

£66,755

What Car? says:4 stars out of 5

BMW 5 Series Saloon 520d SE 175bhp (07-09) 4dr

This is our favourite version of the 5 Series saloon. When the entry-level model has this much pace and kit, yet is so cheap to run, why pay anything more?

What Car? says:4 stars out of 5

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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

A replacement for this 5 Series isn’t too far off, but it’s still one of the finest executive saloons. There’s no need to stretch to one of the more expensive models, because even the entry-level versions have plenty of power and kit.

Our favourite is the 520d SE, which combines good performance with outstanding refinement and incredibly low running costs. There’s more power and refinement as you go up the range, but the 520d gives everything most people will need.

M Sport trim is popular and adds aggressive styling upgrades, but the combination of bigger wheels and tweaked suspension makes the already firm ride pretty unforgiving.

Most buyers will go for an automatic gearbox, which is a cost option on all but the most powerful diesel model. We’d avoid the £850 Active steering option because the standard set-up is excellent.

BMW’s three- or five-year fixed priced servicing packages are available across the range - and worth having.