Used BMW 5 Series Touring 2017-2023 review

What's the used BMW 5 Series like?

There’s a question that’s often asked of us here at What Car? – which one used car would you recommend that fulfils all needs?

Well, of course, that very much depends on your individual needs, but although in each category and each price point we could name many good contenders, somehow our thoughts always come back to this BMW 5 Series Touring. You see it takes all that's wonderful about the hugely impressive BMW 5 Series saloon and adds a healthy and desirable dose of extra practicality.

Overview

The BMW 5 Series Touring combines stylish design with an exceptional blend of driving dynamics and practicality. While not the largest estate available, it offers quality interiors and modern technology. The 520d diesel variant is the most popular, providing good economy and performance, making it a solid choice for buyers seeking a capable and luxurious estate.

Pros

• The ride is supple and nicely judged
• Strong performance across the engine range
• User-friendly infotainment

Cons

• Less space for rear-seat passengers than some rivals
• Relatively small boot capacity
• Sporty M Sport suspension can compromise comfort

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Hugely impressive? There's the superb refinement, generous amounts of high-tech kit, economical engines, excellent driving manners and the classy image, so this Touring version really could be 'all the car you’ll ever need'. The BMW 5 Series Touring can also be found with the added attraction of four-wheel drive (xDrive) on most models, too, so is even as versatile as some of the more modern 4x4s.

Not that it has it all its own way even in this class. Being a premium estate car, the 5 Series Touring has to compete with some very accomplished rivals, such as the stylish Volvo V90, gargantuan Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate and classy Audi A6 Avant.

Engines: There were initially three petrol and three diesel engines to choose from; the petrols range from a sprightly 182bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder (badged 520i) to a lusty 335bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder (540i), and the diesel lineup includes 2.0-litre four-cylinder units with 187bhp and 228bhp, plus a 261bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder.

In later cars, from 2019 onwards, the engines gained mild hybrid technology, or MHT. The range eventually settled on the 520i MHT, the 540i xDrive MHT, 530e hybrid xDrive, 520d xDrive MHT and the 530d xDrive MHT.

Trims & equipment: Equipment levels compared with BMWs of old are actually very generous, and you'd never call the standard SE version 'entry-level'. Every 5 Series has 17in alloy wheels, leather trim, cruise control, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate, and a 10.2in infotainment system with DAB radio and sat-nav. M Sport has bigger 18in alloys, firmer suspension and sportier exterior and interior touches.

Ride & handling: While the 5 Series Touring shares the same rear-wheel-drive chassis as the 5 Series saloon, its additional weight means it isn’t as sharp to drive. The steering is surprisingly vague off-centre, and the car doesn’t find as much front-end grip as some of its rivals.

However, if you’re after comfort, the 5 Series excels. In examples fitted with adaptive dampers, the ride is particularly good at isolating you from the very worst expansion joints and road scars. The interior is also supremely well isolated from wind and road noise, and the engine’s hum fades away into the background at speed.

Interior & practicality: If you’re buying an estate you'll want to know how much stuff you can carry, and the 5 Series Touring has one of the biggest boots in its class. The standard 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats and absence of a loading lip mean even oddly shaped items are a doddle to fit. The luggage area is nice and wide, so a buggy should go in there sideways.

All passengers should find the 5 Series Touring to be most accommodating. There’s plenty of adjustment up front for the driver and front passenger, while those in the rear get plenty of head and leg room. The middle seat passenger in the rear will have to clamber over a tall central tunnel, but three adults across the bench is a possibility, even if there will be some rubbing of shoulders.

The BMW 5 Series Touring was treated to a comprehensive facelift in the latter half of 2020 that gave it LED headlights as standard (with super bright adaptive LED headlights as an option), a larger, more imposing grille, a more aggressive body kit and a smattering of extra standard equipment throughout the range.

If you're interested in finding a used BMW 5 Series Touring, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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Ownership cost

What used BMW 5 Series will I get for my budget?

The starting price for a used example of this generation of 5 Series is now around £14,000. This will secure a 2017 or 2018 model with around 70,000 miles on it. Most will be the 520d or 520i versions, as those were big sellers. If you'd like a 530e, have a grand or two more.

For a 2020 model, have upwards of £17,000, with 2022 cars going for upwards of £20,000. The last 2023 5 Series cars demand closer to £30,000.

Check the value of a used BMW 5 Series Touring with What Car? Valuations

Find a used BMW 5 Series Touring for sale here

Our recommendations

Which used BMW 5 Series should I buy?

Engine

Unless you need a petrol engine because you only do short commutes, and make no mistake we love the plug-in hybrid 530e version, you're better off choosing the refined 520d for its blend of usable power and fine fuel economy. There are loads of examples on the used market, too. It's particularly good for lugging loads around, too.

Specification

SE gets you all the equipment you need, including climate control, cruise control, sat-nav, front and rear parking sensors and bright LED headlights. M Sport adds plenty of sporty styling touches, but its sports suspension is too hard. If you must have an M Sport, though, make sure you find a car fitted with adaptive dampers, because Comfort mode on these transforms the ride. Alas not many cars were fitted with this option, but if you can find one it'll be worth it.

Our favourite 5 Series Touring: 520d SE

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Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used BMW 5 Series?

There are many rivals to the BMW 5 Series Touring, but few manage to blend its depth of talents quite so well.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate gets close, mind you, and thanks to steeper depreciation, it works out to be slightly cheaper to buy. It may not be quite as accommodating in the rear for tall passengers, but its boot is massive and you can even add extra fold-up seats in there, turning this posh estate into a genuine seven-seater.

If you want a slick-looking estate with a well-finished interior, the Audi A6 Avant is a fine choice. It’s been around a while, so there are loads of them available, from a sensible 2.0-litre diesel all the way up to the rampant RS6 Performance model with its 596bhp 4.0 V8 petrol engine.

There’s also the Volvo V90, which looks great both inside and out and comes with bags of safety technology that not only helps to prevent accidents but also keeps you safe if they do happen.

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If you're interested in finding a used BMW 5 Series Touring, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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