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BMW 5 Series Touring 520i MHT SE 5dr Step Auto Review

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The entry-level petrol in the range, the 520i, is the least recommendable. It will get from 0-62mph in 8.3sec but needs revving hard to achieve its best; not ideal in a load-lugging estate car.


520i MHT

Estate

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

5 SERIES

SE is our pick. It's well equipped with 17in alloy wheels (18in on the more powerful versions), leather seat trim, heated front seats, front lumbar adjustment, dual-zone climate control, ambient interior lighting, cruise control, a powered tailgate and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. You also get 12.3in digital dials, a 12.3in infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, sat-nav, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. The best bit is that you avoid the stiffer suspension that comes with M Sport trim.

520i MHT SE 5dr Step Auto

520i-mht-se-5dr-step-auto

Alarm system (Thatcham 1) with remote control and electronic engine immobiliser

Electric front and rear windows with fingertip open/close + anti-trap facility and comfort closing function

40/20/40 split folding rear seats with additional mechanism in luggage compartment

Electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors includes integrated direction indicators and automatic parking function

Folding exterior side mirror with auto- dimming

Automatic windscreen wipers and automatic headlight

Airbags - driver/front passenger, rear and side, first and second row seats head airbags, front passenger seat airbag deactivation

BMW Laserlights with LED indicators in eyebrow styling and cornering LED light

Connected package professional - 5 Series

Driving assistant professional pack - 5 Series

Comfort pack without smart opener - 5 Series Touring SE/M Sport/M550i

Comfort plus pack without smart opener - 5 Series Touring SE/M Sport

Leather/Artificial leather seat upholstery

BMW 5 Series Touring

In the right specification, the BMW 5 Series Touring is quiet, smooth, classy, comfortable and well equipped. It’s also very practical, although it can't quite match the enormous boot that you get with a Mercedes E-Class Estate.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.

Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.

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BMW 5 Series Touring 520i MHT SE 5dr Step Auto Review

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42.2

560

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152

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