USED BMW 5 Series Saloon (03 - 11)

My car

Reviewed my car after 2 months but was still in the honeymoon phase. Nearly a year down the line I can safely say it's by far the best car i've ever owned. Handling is superb and build quality first class although the summer 07 models came with the upgraded air con package. Get this thing on a motorway and the fuel economy is great although town driving is not so good. I find the i-drive quite intuitive and the the fact my first service in not due until Feb 09 is a bonus. As before the only grumble is a flat spot low in the rev range that can catch you out at roundabouts and junctions. That and the parking scuffs i'm building up on the 19" alloys. :-( If i'm being super critical the interior is a bit bland with the Audi A6 having more bells and whistles but the sheer driving pleasure more than makes up for it.

My car

This is an amazing car, everything you have read about the performance is true. In "normal" 400bhp mode it is very quick, in sport 500bhp mode it is truely unbelievable. Don't forget this is a large, 4 door saloon that goes like a sports car.

With respect to other comments made earlier:

i-drive - it is brilliant, if you can use an ipod you can use i-drive, I really don't understand its detractors

gearbox - yes it takes some practice to get it smooth but the practice takes a couple of hundred miles. Hill starts are easy, put your foot on the foot brake, take it off and the car holds for a couple of seconds like an auto - easy

auto mode on the gearbox is poor, slow and dimwitted, but dont forget this is a clutchless manual not an auto

boot and interior room - massive and easily accomodates all the shopping and/or luggage you could wish for

good options i have:

active seats - good for when you are pressing on but if you set them too tight you feel like you have had your ribs worked over!

bluetooth - an absolute must, works like a charm and is well integrated into steering wheel and nav screen

I have given 4 stars for running costs - yes it does sub 20mpg but what do you expect? Scoring it with reference to its peers then it is pretty good, if you are expecting it to cost the same as a mini to run then look elsewhere.

Summary

It has all the performance you could ever want and it is equally happy to bimble around town.

S

My car

Just had one of these for the weekend on test drive and have ordered one today. It will be the second 5 series I've had. I also drove the A6 and S80 and the 5 series won hands down. It is just a more complete package and a far better drive. The A6 2.0 TDI was seriously underpowered and the S80 handled like a boat. As a company car the BMW works out a miles better buy meaning you can blow the difference on extras like Media Pack and full comfort leather. I know its being replaced in a couple of years but there's a reason its still top notch after 5+ years - its simply just a better car.

My car

Being an audi man for the past 6 years it should have been an easy choice of my next car. However after looking at the new A4 and thinking the interior has taken a step backwards i decided to take a look at a 5 series. Took a test drive in a 520D M Sport Auto with the new Efficient Dynamics engine and thought WOW. I always liked the look of the 5 series but was always a bit ummm when it came to the interior as i used to think it looked really bland. However not so,I purchased a 4month old one and I simply love it. Id handles like a dream the diesel engine is so quite and its no slouch either and the build quality is superb. The interior is very well put together and people that say the M Sport with run flats is a hard ride well they should drive an Audi Sline. This car is much more comfortable ride than my previous A4 Quattro Sline. Economy is hitting 44 around town and daily commute which i think is good compared to 26mpg in my last car and being an auto as well. So to conclude. Im over the moon with it lets hope it will be as reliable as my Audis and if this is the case i think i have been converted to the Dark side for a long time