Used BMW 5 Series Touring 2010 - 2017 review

BMW has always had a knack of making its estate (or ‘Touring’ in BMW parlance) models rakishly good looking and that’s certainly the case with the fourth generation of BMW 5 Series Touring. Not only is it good-looking, but it oozes executive quality, and most models are fully equipped with all the latest technology, too.

You could be forgiven for thinking that the BMW old ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ slogan wouldn’t apply to its estate models, but the 5 Series Touring really is equally as happy fully laden pounding the motorways as it is on a favourite back road – although it must be said that examples equipped with the optional ‘Variable Damper Control’ (or ‘VDC’) are a whole heap more exciting in the latter case than those without.

The 5 Series Touring is up against some stiff competition in the form of the Audi A6 Avant and the Mercedes E-Class Estate; if you want the ultimate load carrier then the Mercedes beats both the BMW and the Audi with a boot that’s considerably larger with the rear seats up. Despite its size, the 5 Series also doesn’t offer class-leading legroom for rear seat passengers.

A facelift in 2013 brought improved equipment levels and some better engines, with all post-facelift models also meeting the Euro 6 emissions standard. Whichever age you choose, though, the large range of petrol and diesel engines and plentiful supply means there really is a BMW 5 Series Touring to suit everyone.

The 520d was the fleet favourite in the range, and as such, accounts for the lion’s share of cars available today. And for as little as £6500 you can buy a 2011 520d SE with 170,000 miles on the clock. However, it makes more sense to spend more for a lower-mileage car – £11,000 will a similar example with 60,000 miles, for example – as repair costs at higher mileages could be wallet-wilting.

Less than five per cent of 5 Series Tourings were bought in the UK with petrol engines but they offer good value for money as a result – a 2015 520i with 20,000 miles will cost £20,000 from a BMW dealer with a year’s extended warranty.

The larger-engined diesels, the 530d and 535d, offer sensational performance, though the payoff is of course that they’re less efficient. Prices start at £14,000 for sub-100,000 mile examples.

BMW dealers offer good value considering the excellent warranty cover they provide. Go down this route and a 2013, 50,000-mile 530d will cost upwards of £21,000, depending on options.

Despite its executive appeal, the BMW 5 Series Touringshouldn’t be too costly to run. In the real world, the 520d will do 45mpg (or a little more for the more efficient face-lifted version) and the larger-engined diesel models, the 530d and 535d, will average high 30s. The petrol-engined cars will return 30-32mpg – there’s little difference between a 520i and a 528i when it comes to economy – while the range-topping V8 550i is thirsty at around 24mpg.

For the size of the car the 520d attracts a low car tax rate of £115 per year, with a 525d costing £135 and a 530d £150. These figures are for cars in SE trim. Opt for the M Sport model with its fatter tyres and you move up into the next tax bracket, so a 520d M Sport will cost £135, and so on. The petrol models cost between £190 and £280, bar the 550i which costs £520 a year.

All 5 Series Tourings follow BMW’s Condition Based Servicing regime with the car informing you of what service it needs, rather than following a strict mileage interval. In practice, that means an oil change will be required every 18,000 miles or so, and BMW’s fixed price servicing is very reasonable. A basic service on a 520d will cost £140; if a new microfilter is needed it will be £265 while a more comprehensive service with a microfilter, air filter, and fuel filter is £454. The larger engined models will be slightly more with a 530d costing £165 for a basic service, and £480 for one with all the filters.

There’s a bewildering array of BMW 5 Series Touring examples to choose from. The petrol engine range kicks off with the 520i and 528i, both of which have four cylinders, and also includes a six-cylinder 535i and the range topping 550i. At launch, there were also two short-lived six-cylinder models, the 523i and 528i.

As we’ve already discussed, however, the vast majority of cars were 520d diesels. It’s the pick of the range, offering good economy, decent performance and low running costs. If better performance is a top priority, go for the 530d, as it’s almost as fast as the 535d but notably cheaper to run.

The vast majority of cars you’ll find on the used market today will be either an SE or an M Sport version. You could also choose from two more models: Modern, which was not popular with UK buyers, and Luxury, which gives you plenty of chrome outside and wood trim inside. However, as all versions feature air conditioning, leather upholstery, Bluetooth, parking sensors front and rear, a split tailgate, cruise control and part electric seats, we’d pick the entry-level SE; the M Sport adds more aggressive styling, sports seats, larger alloy wheels and sport suspension, but these last two extras give it a stiff ride.

Facelift models feature LED front and rear lights, enhanced engines and Business Navigation on all models.

Our favourite BMW 5 Series Touring: 520d SE Touring

The most obvious rival to the BMW 5 Series Touring is the Mercedes E-Class Estate which offers a similar executive experience to the BMW yet has the Bavarian beaten for luggage carrying ability.

There’s also the Audi A6 Avant which has a similar sized boot to the BMW and offers better rear seat accommodation. Equally as frugal as the BMW if not quite as good to drive, it is also available with four-wheel drive.

Volvo estates have been perennial favourites for years now and while the 2007-2016 Volvo V70 may not have quite the executive cachet of its German rivals it’s well made, relatively commodious and very comfortable.

And if driving enjoyment is top of your list, you should also try out the Jaguar XF Sportbrake. Its interior isn’t quite built to the same standards as the BMW, but it’s an absolute hoot on a flowing back road.

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