Saturday 15th October 2016

New BMW 5 Series - full details

Don't order your new company car before reading this!

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A new BMW 5 Series is always a big moment in the automotive world, simply because it remains such an accomplished and popular product. Rather like the VW Golf or Mercedes S-Class, knowledge of it is handy because the car will inevitably come up in some kind of four-wheeled discussion. It's a key car for BMW too, the 5 Series always drawing on the 7 Series for its key features and then informing development of the 3 Series too. BMW may have diversified its product portfolio in recent years, but the saloons are still crucial.

Welcome aboard...

So what's the important stuff? Plenty, although we'll spare you every detail of the 13,206-word press release. The key focus is on the technological advancements in the new 5 Series, particularly as far as autonomous driving is concerned. The car can take evasive action for you up to 99mph, change lanes by itself, maintain a radar-guided cruise from stationary to 130mph and park itself via the Display Key. If you don't want to drive, the 5 Series is more than happy to. Real Time Traffic Info and car-to-car communication will warn the driver about upcoming incidents (and pass the info on), with the Speed Limit Assist there in conjunction with the cruise control to keep your speed legal if all that is a bit distracting. But there's a Lane Departure and Change Warning, plus a Lane Keeping Assistant, to help out as well. On the way to your destination the ParkNow service will help you find a space, then the 5 Series will park itself (with you in or out of the car) once you arrive. Sure, some of this technology is optional, but the message from BMW is here is evident: autonomous tech is entering the mainstream. Officially the new 5 Series is "a big step further down the road to automated driving." Whether that's a good thing or not is up for debate...

However, if you still like driving, it's probably worth discussing engines and the new chassis tech as well. At launch next year, seven variants will be offered: 520d, 520d EfficientDynamics, 530d, 530i, 540i, M550i and 530e iPerformance. For the first time all models will be offered with xDrive, plus the option of four-wheel steer with xDrive (where previously it was only possible on two-wheel drive cars). So yes, a four-wheel drive, four-wheel steer 520d is a possibility... Of most interest to those of a PH persuasion will be the larger petrols, even if very few will sell. The 540i is powered by a 340hp 2,998cc turbo straight six (like the 340i), with 332lb ft as well. It's capable of 5.1 seconds to 62mph but also emits just 150g/km. The M550i xDrive will hit 62mph in just four seconds thanks to 462hp and the 530i replaces the old 528i with a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder. Remember when diesel superminis returned 126g/km and 52.3mpg, not 250hp petrol saloons?

No M5 just yet - sorry!

Speaking of diesels, the 520d and 530d will surely prove most popular in the UK. The key figures for a 520d are 190hp, 295lb ft, 7.7 seconds to 62mph, 108g/km and 68.9mpg. Adding the auto marginally improves those figures, adding the auto and xDrive (the manual only being offered with two-wheel drive 520ds) fractionally reduces them. The EfficientDynamics car has the same power but is officially capable of 72.4mpg and 102g/km.

This G30 is fractionally larger than the outgoing F10, the wheelbase up 7mm to 2,975mm, the tracks wider and the overall length now 4,935mm (36mm more). Interestingly though BMW claims this 5 is up to 100kg less than the old car thanks to a construction that combines aluminium, high-tensile steels and magnesium. The official weight of a rear-wheel drive 520d auto with driver is 1,630kg. That new construction also means torsional rigidity is greater, while BMW also says unsprung masses have been reduced and the axle load ratio is "perfectly balanced" - it's still an old BMW in some regards!

As for dynamic options - good luck actually trying to spec a new 5 Series - the new electromechanical anti-roll bars are probably the most interesting. BMW promises "even greater precision and agility that makes for exciting nimble handling" with them fitted. The anti-roll bars are part of the Adaptive Drive option that also adds Dynamic Damper Control; their parameters are controlled, as expected by BMW's Driving Experience Control and familiar modes: Comfort, Sport and Eco Pro. A new 'Adaptive' mode is there if the dampers and a Professional nav upgrade are added.

Take old 5 Series, add some new 7 Series...

The design of the new 5 Series is described as exuding "athletic prowess, elegance and stylistic assurance." While perhaps not as revolutionary as some may have expected, it does bring one key advantage: a drag co-efficient of just 0.22Cd, just better than an E-Class and said to be best in class. This will of course have benefits for refinement and economy. And that's it - the less said about the "mature, confidently stylish and dynamic impression" the better!

BMW will of course offer variations on the basic 5 Series theme, with 21 colours, wheels from 17- to 20 inch and the usual SE, Sport and M Sport specifications. In these pictures the blue car is Luxury spec (SE in the UK) and M Sport is silver.

Inside - we're nearly there now, don't worry - the 7 Series influence is even more obvious. There are massaging seats, gesture control and a touchscreen just for starters. Usefully BMW says three child seats can fit across the rear bench too, so there's even less need to buy an MPV. Options to help you out include an Intelligent Voice Assistant, a new head-up display, ambient lighting and the air ionisation technology also seen in the 7. An optional B&W stereo can even adjust its sound setting for the selected music genre.

So it's luxury very much to the fore in the seventh generation 5 Series. If it can combine the opulence found in the new E-Class with driving dynamics on a par with the Jaguar XF then it will be quite some car. Expect prices and full spec details for the UK later this year ahead of a debut at the Detroit show.

 

[E65Ross]

Seems nice enough. Not exactly a car which makes you think "wow" like the new Alfa does, but pleasant enough. Those economy figures are nothing short of absolutely incredible. How far cars have come on in terms of economy in the last 10-15 years is outstanding. Even if the diesel doesn't get 72mpg but only 60-65mpg that's still mighty impressive for a car this size with 190bhp.

[E65Ross]

el romeral said:

I wish they could get back to badges which reflected the engine size. I knew where I was then.

You wouldn't have liked the BMW 745i from the early 80's then, which was a turbocharged 3.2 litre (I think).

BMWs naming convention has never been the same when it comes to turbocharged engines.

[E65Ross]

Erudite geezer said:

Disappointed.

Will probably purchase a 4-5 year old example in the near future.

Why would you purchase one if you say you're disappointed?

[E65Ross]

IanCress said:

E65Ross said:

Erudite geezer said:

Disappointed.

Will probably purchase a 4-5 year old example in the near future.

Why would you purchase one if you say you're disappointed?

And how do you buy a 5 year old version of a car that hasn't come out yet, in the near future?

[E65Ross]

westonstarauto said:

I am quite happy you can get three child seats across the back though; options have always been limited on that front. Definitely the BMW 5 is at E38 7 series dimensions now?

Cars are getting bigger, and safer, and hold more tech. It's lighter than the E38, not as long.... Plus the E38 was released over 20 years ago now. That's a long time. I never had issues with the size of my old E38 or E65.

[E65Ross]

DiscoColin said:

"A fair bit" in this context is less than 2 inches for the new model vs the E38 though. Less than a tow bar. It is perhaps pertinent to mention that the latest 5 is now longer than the E32 7 series (which is the one that was in production until 1994).

So it's a big longer than a car that is 30 years older? And yes, I mean 30,not 20.

[E65Ross]

blademansw said:

pits said:

It was like reading a tragedy
530i is a 4 cylinder turbo and the base model near enough

I shed a tear. The only reason to buy a 530i was that sublime straight six. I still miss the 6 pot from my old 528i E39 which incidentally was in SE trim but had M-tec III suspension so you had the best of both worlds, better handling, but the ride was improved due to the non low-profile tyres.

Whilst not naturally aspirated, BMW do still do a straight 6, you know? they also offer a V8 still. I don't see what the fuss is about? Or is it literally just your sentimental about a few numbers? If so, as I mentioned earlier, you wouldn't have liked the E23 745i, which was....only a 3.2 litre straight 6, and not a 4.4 V8 that the later 745i was.

Just out of curiosity, what do you find upsetting about the 530i being a 4 cylinder engine? If you want a 6 cylinder engine they still offer that, so I'm not sure why you'd get upset about it?

Just wondering really

[E65Ross]

Burwood said:

Im sure it's a great drive but I don't understand why they didn't change a bit more. Same with the 'new' 7. I have to really look to spot it

Maybe they're doing it like the olden days?

1st 5 series (E12)



2nd 5 series (E28)

[E65Ross]

Trabi601 said:

Crusoe said:

Bladedancer said:

70 mpg? Suuure.
Why not make it a nice round number like 100? Just as realistic.

At this rate diesels will be just filled in once at the factory and never refilled :P

Had over 80mpg actual in my 320ed on my 80 mile commute, would expect the new one to be even better.

I have absolutely no idea how people get these kinds of figures - on my 2nd car with the 184bhp engine and 8 speed box - neither would get above 50mpg even when driving for economy.

I find that very hard to believe, my dads old E46 330d 6speed manual would get that on a long run if driven carefully.

I can't see how 70mpg as a motorway figure isn't too unbelievable to be honest.

[E65Ross]

Oakman said:

With the amazing economy claims for large heavy diesel vehicles (I drive a Transporter V5 Diesel Kombi daily), are the respective owners quoting the on board computer figures or doing actual brim to brim fill ups, converting litres to gallons and dividing the gallons into the miles done ?

Even after a remap of +50 lbs ft torque and + 5o bhp & at 147,000 miles my van still returns 34 mpg in 'real time' usage / coincidentally just what VW claimed as its midpoint real world figure (even allowing for their 'clean figures') ;-) before the remap.

Based on my experience with this and other trip computer mpg figures, they are all slightly optimistic to say the least.

Some are, some aren't. My Toyota, for example, actually does more mpg than what the trip computer says, admittedly only by a couple of percent.

[E65Ross]

Burwood said:

Wills2 said:

Burwood said:

Wills2 said:

I think it looks lovely, 540i with full leather and adaptive drive (what they are going to call it) would be great.

I'd love the M550i but it's going to be close to 70k apparently the new M5 will be pushed up in price to create the gap for the M550i to fit into.

Yeah, they can ask what they want but no one will be paying £70k for a 550. Same goes for the M5. The first few buyers who must have it 'first' will pay whatever it costs but soon enough they'll be discounting them. Can you imagine the depreciation on a 70k 550. it will lose 40k in 24 months

Whilst that's true, the discount will come off the higher price, for instance my old F10 M5 was 67k invoice from a list price with options of 82k, if the new one is 92k with a few options it'll be....Well you get the point.

If they offer the same discounts/deals on the M550i as they did on the F10 M5, I'll get one but as you say better to let the early adopters have the first full up cars.

The 550 will have to compete with the E43(?) albeit the 550 has the legs on it. Naturally a 550 would be 55k (60k with some tasty options) and the M5 closer to 70k. It it's 80k they won't sell many in my opinion. Fantastic cars though. But I think you know that

You say that if it's £80k they wouldn't sell many, but the Merc E63 AMG has been over £80k....the M5 being quite a bit cheaper, and so this new price would bring it more in line with Merc. The Audi RS6, admittedly in estate-only, also starts at £80k.

[E65Ross]

Jellyfish said:

Can someone tell me what this 'lci' I keeep reading about on BMW's is please?

Life cycle impulse. Basically, facelift.

[E65Ross]

Triumph Man said:

Pumpsmynads said:

E65Ross said:

blademansw said:

pits said:

It was like reading a tragedy
530i is a 4 cylinder turbo and the base model near enough

I shed a tear. The only reason to buy a 530i was that sublime straight six. I still miss the 6 pot from my old 528i E39 which incidentally was in SE trim but had M-tec III suspension so you had the best of both worlds, better handling, but the ride was improved due to the non low-profile tyres.

Whilst not naturally aspirated, BMW do still do a straight 6, you know? they also offer a V8 still. I don't see what the fuss is about? Or is it literally just your sentimental about a few numbers? If so, as I mentioned earlier, you wouldn't have liked the E23 745i, which was....only a 3.2 litre straight 6, and not a 4.4 V8 that the later 745i was.

Just out of curiosity, what do you find upsetting about the 530i being a 4 cylinder engine? If you want a 6 cylinder engine they still offer that, so I'm not sure why you'd get upset about it?

Just wondering really

"Shed a tear?" Really?

If it was called the 525i or 528i that'd be ok would it? Buy the 540i if you want the six.

But that should be a V8!!! waaahhhhh!!!!
But seriously, it used to be nice to be able to have 6 cylinders without having to have the top of the range.

You can still have 6 cylinders without having the top of the range. Above it are the 550i V8, or the M5 above that.

[E65Ross]

Triumph Man said:

E65Ross said:

Triumph Man said:

Pumpsmynads said:

E65Ross said:

blademansw said:

pits said:

It was like reading a tragedy
530i is a 4 cylinder turbo and the base model near enough

I shed a tear. The only reason to buy a 530i was that sublime straight six. I still miss the 6 pot from my old 528i E39 which incidentally was in SE trim but had M-tec III suspension so you had the best of both worlds, better handling, but the ride was improved due to the non low-profile tyres.

Whilst not naturally aspirated, BMW do still do a straight 6, you know? they also offer a V8 still. I don't see what the fuss is about? Or is it literally just your sentimental about a few numbers? If so, as I mentioned earlier, you wouldn't have liked the E23 745i, which was....only a 3.2 litre straight 6, and not a 4.4 V8 that the later 745i was.

Just out of curiosity, what do you find upsetting about the 530i being a 4 cylinder engine? If you want a 6 cylinder engine they still offer that, so I'm not sure why you'd get upset about it?

Just wondering really

"Shed a tear?" Really?

If it was called the 525i or 528i that'd be ok would it? Buy the 540i if you want the six.

But that should be a V8!!! waaahhhhh!!!!
But seriously, it used to be nice to be able to have 6 cylinders without having to have the top of the range.

You can still have 6 cylinders without having the top of the range. Above it are the 550i V8, or the M5 above that.

Sorry, should have been clearer, it was nice when the not so much top of the range but nearer the bottom of the range-middle of the range were 6 cylinder. Even with the F10 you could have a 523i 6 cylinder (ok it was a 3 litre but still)

Riiiiiight.

Is that just for BMWs, or does that also include Audi, Mercedes, Porsche etc etc as well?

[E65Ross]

blademansw said:

Sorry for the delay in replying. I forgot to check back due to PH not doing email notifications lol.

Its mainly due to that visceral sound experience of the 3l (or 2.8) straight six NA engine on full song that no four pot no matter how many turbos will ever replace. I am sure the four cylinder will be a great engine but will it wont be the silky smooth six.

Right, I'm off to sulk and cry in my twin turbo four cylinder tar burner now ;-)

But didn't you say you shed a tear because the 530i was a 4 cylinder? Not because you can't buy a 6 cylinder. And for reference, the x40i engine at full chat sounds every bit as good as an E39 530i ever did.

[E65Ross]

TopgunNS said:

No that last point is not fair. The 640d leases for 299 a month compared to the 520d at 230 but feels three times the price of the 5.

And if you want to buy one, the 6 has massive 20k discounts

The 640GC (soon to be old) is better looking, quicker and better equipped than the upcoming 520d. And when released, the lease prices are likely to be the same...

But the lease prices won't be the same. Car with more powerful engine which costs more is quicker than cheaper car with less powerful engine shocker.

Did you know a 550i is faster than a 640d?

[E65Ross]

Ares said:

Bladedancer said:

And while it hasn't quite happened yet, you can certainly see this looming on the horizon.
As an exercise, take, say, a 10 year old 3 liter diesel powered German exec that needs a set of injectors, turbo refurbed/replaced and DPF replaced.

But thats not the electronics??

In general, I think it's actually quite rare for electrics to write a car off, and I still suspect that in years to come it'll still be the mechanicals. But, mechanicals are getting more expensive to sort out due to complexity....

[E65Ross]

Bladedancer said:

Ares said:

Bladedancer said:

And while it hasn't quite happened yet, you can certainly see this looming on the horizon.
As an exercise, take, say, a 10 year old 3 liter diesel powered German exec that needs a set of injectors, turbo refurbed/replaced and DPF replaced.

But thats not the electronics??

True enough. Well sort of. Some mechanical problems might be caused by electronics malfunctioning.
In the example above you might have had ECU giving it the wrong dose of fuel.
Regardless, as someone who writes software for a living I prefer as few gizmos as possible because it's fewer things to go wrong.

But your example of the injectors isn't something that's common, is it....if that even happens these days? I've heard of injectors getting blocked/clogged up etc, but never an electronics problem causing what you describe? Can you give another example of electronic systems in a car writing the car off? I would be willing to bet that, even today, most cars getting written off are because of mechanical issues, or bodywork (eg damage, rust)