Used BMW 5 Series Touring 1996 - 2004 review

What's the used BMW 5 Series like?

The BMW 5 Series Touring is the smallest of the trio of German estate cars from this era – the gargantuan Mercedes E-Class Estate is by far by the biggest, and the Audi A6 Avant is somewhere in between. There's still plenty of room in the BMW's boot, however, and it's easy to load thanks to a low sill and a wide opening.

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Overview

The BMW 5 Series Touring is a cheaper prospect and much better to drive than a Mercedes E-Class Estate.

Pros

• You'll get great load-lugging ability and a sharp drive

Cons

• There's limited room for your rear passengers and it's expensive to maintain

Used cars available now

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BMW 5 Series

2.0 520d SE Touring Euro 4 5dr

£1,399

BMW 5 Series

2.0 520d SE Business Edition Touring Steptronic Euro 4 5dr

£1,799

BMW 5 Series

2.0 520d M Sport Touring Steptronic Euro 4 5dr

£2,399

BMW 5 Series

2.0 520d M Sport Business Edition Touring Steptronic Euro 4 5dr

£2,999

BMW 5 Series

2.0 520d SE Touring Euro 4 5dr

£3,495

BMW 5 Series

2.0 520d SE Business Edition Touring Steptronic Euro 4 5dr

£3,495

BMW 5 Series

3.0 525d SE Business Edition Touring Steptronic Euro 4 5dr

£3,950

BMW 5 Series

2.0 520d M Sport Business Edition Touring Euro 4 5dr

£3,991

BMW 5 Series

2.0 520d SE Business Edition Touring Steptronic Euro 4 5dr

£4,195

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Once you've stuffed all of the garden rubbish in the back, you'll have the best time driving to the dump. The Touring is almost as good as the award-winning BMW 5 Series saloon, so it's much better than the E-Class or the A6.

If you need to tackle a long journey, you could do far worse than the 5 Series, too. It's quiet, comfortable interior is spacious – up front at least – and reasonably well equipped. All of the controls are well laid out and easy to use, and visibility is very good too.

Our recommendations

Which used BMW 5 Series should I buy?

There's no need to spend masses of money getting a big engine for the BMW 5 Series Touring, but it is worth having the updated 170bhp 520i introduced in late summer 2000. If you're carrying substantial weight in the boot, you'll appreciate the adding pulling power.

The rest of the six-cylinder petrol engines are all fine options if you want extra poke, but we think they're nice, rather than necessary. The V8s are little more than a quick way to get to the next petrol station.

All of the diesel engines are worthy partners for the 5 Series Touring, but the old and outdated 525tds should be at the bottom of your list unless your budget is tight. We'd get the 525d instead.

Some early cars are short of toys, with no air-con, but generally you'll find most are well equipped. SE trim is the best one to look for.

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