Welsh Motoring Writers
  • Home
  • About us
  • News
  • Car Reviews
  • Blogs
  • Contact
  • Members
  • Blog

BMW 520d (G30)

9/15/2017

 
Picture
By mid-'70s BMW had sorted out its line-up. The ‘5’ of 1972 was the first ‘Series’ car.  The ‘3’ came in 1973, ‘6’ in 1976 and flagship 7 in 1977.

Marketing too raised its game - “The Ultimate Driving Machine” became one of the most enduring taglines in the history of advertising. The age of the “executive express” had arrived.

The world, of course, did not stand still.  For 2017’s new 5 Series BMW had a job on its hands in seeing off both the refined, sophisticated E-Class Mercedes and pin-sharp, dynamically accomplished XF Jaguar. Audi’s A6 (successor due in 2018) and Volvo’s S90 are also in the frame (both basically front-wheel drive with optional 4x4).

BMW’s xDrive (a cost option on certain models) is a permanent 4x4 system with a rear wheel drive biased 40%-60% normal mode split. Variably and wheel by wheel it adapts for on-road high speed driving, onset of bad weather or off-tarmac excursion.

Saloon range (petrol): 520i/530i/530e/540i SE or M Sport (540i - xDrive); £35,835-£51,070. Diesel: 520d/525d/530d SE, SE Efficient Dynamics (520d) or M Sport (xDrive an option on 520d/530d); £36,815-£50,105. M Sport is a trim line – new M Sport Division ‘M5’ should arrive next year.

Touring estate (petrol): 530i/540i (540i - xDrive) SE and M Sport; £42,390-£52,760.  Diesel: 520d/530d SE and M Sport (530d – xDrive option); £38,385-£51,535. The 5 Series GT (hatchback) becomes a 6 Series in this generation; X5 is the SUV.

Both 520i and 530i/530e (petrol-electric hybrid) are 2.0/four-cylinder cars with turbocharging providing the power-hikes; 540i a 3.0/six-cylinder turbo with 340ps on tap. Diesel 520d and 525d are 2.0/4-cyl twin-turbo 190 or 231ps units, the 530d a 3.0/6-cyl twin-turbo producing 265ps. Car on test was a 520d 190ps (M Sport Plus) saloon: £39,835.

In the 520d, £3,000 for M Sport over SE brings 18” in place of 17” alloy wheels (19” M Sport Plus), a sportier interior ‘ambience’ and bodywork and a firmer ‘chassis’. Variable Damper Control (£985) is of use although ‘comfort’ fine most of the time.

The 5 Series now is more 'compact 7’ than ‘larger 3’. Cabin fit and finish reflects this as does the raft of technology and connectivity assets - despite rising expectations. But, needless to say, the option list is long and daunting despite the packs on offer. Head-up display and reversing camera though should really be standard at this level.

On road dynamic ability is a key attribute here and the new ‘5’ is a clear step up from its predecessor. Time was an entry-level 520d tended to be regarded as the poor relation destined for user-choosers with an eye to business car tax liability.

Not so now. The inherently lighter yet stiffer body structure; engine, steering and suspension improvements together with the quality of interior trim has yielded a smoothly agile, responsive car with on-paper performance close to the 530d. Auto only alas but the eight-speed ‘box works well. Economical and tax-efficient as ever it’s a convincing executive car which is actually very good to drive.

Have they pulled it off? Jaguar XF remains road-handling No.1. BMW runs it close but dials in frugality and a first class interior. Mercedes is more ‘grace and space’.  Overall then, yes, BMW can justifiably claim the 5 Series is current class best.

Facts & Figures: BMW 520d 190ps; 140mph; 0-62mph 7.5 secs; 65.6mpg (official combined); 44mpg on test (brim to brim); CO2 114g/km; Road tax £160 (first year - £140 thereafter); Insurance Group 31; Max braked trailer weight 2,000kg.

By Huw Thomas
Written for Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales
 

Comments are closed.

    View by date

    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    December 2020
    August 2020
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    September 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    July 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    March 2014
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    July 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    October 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    May 2010
    December 2009
    October 2009
    August 2009
    November 2001


    View by tags

    All
    Alfa Romeo Giulietta
    Alfa Romeo Mito
    Aston Martin Rapide
    Audi A3
    Audi A6
    Audi A7 Sportback
    Audi Q3
    Bmw 520d
    Bmw 5 Series Touring
    Bugatti Veyron Super Sports
    Fiat 500 Twinair
    Ford Focus
    Honda Civic Type R
    Honda CR-Z
    Hyundai Ix35
    Infiniti Ex37
    Infiniti Fx
    Infiniti G37 Cabrio
    Jaguar Xf
    Jeep Grand Cherokee
    Kia Soul
    Kia Sportage
    Land Rover Discovery 4
    Lexus Ct200h
    Mazda3
    Mazda CX-5
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class
    Mini Countyman
    Mitsubishi Shogun
    Nissan X-Trail
    Peugeot 3008
    Peugeot 508 Rxh
    Peugeot 508 Saloon
    Peugeot Rcz
    Range Rover Evoque
    Renault Mégane
    Renault Mégane Coupe Cabriolet
    Renaultsport Clio Gordini
    Renault Wind
    Seat Leon Cupra R
    Seat Leon Ecomotive
    Skoda Octavia Scout
    Skoda Superb Estate
    Skoda Yeti
    Ssangyong Korando
    Suzuki Alto
    Suzuki Swift
    Toyota Avensis Saloon
    Volkswagen California
    Volkswagen Tiguan
    Volkswagen Touareg
    Volvo S60
    Volvo V60

    RSS Feed

© WELSH MOTORING WRITERS 2023