New BMW 5-Series stirs up the senses

WITH nearly eight million versions sold worldwide over seven generations since its introduction in 1972, you have some indication of the importance of the 5 Series BMW for the people who make it.

It is no surprise therefore that those responsible for designing, engineering, and manufacturing a new version of the mid-size executive saloon have a heavy burden to shoulder.

That burden is in no way lessened by the expectations of the many people for whom the 5 Series is their preferred mode of transport and who have been loyal supporters down the years.

Indeed, the sense of expectation from these legions of fans and supporters of the car about the arrival of a new one has been almost painful.

And no less so with yours truly, it has to be said. The arrival of any new BMW always causes more than a frisson of excitement.

The arrival of a new one always gets the blood flowing in these parts and when it is one of their mainstream models — such as a 3 Series or a 5 Series — that level of anticipation goes into overdrive. And I know I am not alone in this regard as there are lots of other people — enthusiasts, for the most part — in the same boat.

Having been unable — for one reason or another — to see the new 5 Series in the flesh prior to its arrival in my driveway, the expectation of getting my hands on the thing was nearly childishly palpable — ‘is it here yet, is it here yet?’ etc, etc.

Thankfully, the weight of these expectations were not exploded by pained reality. The new 5 Series had a lot to live up to, especially with Mercedes and Audi — not to mention Lexus and latterly Volvo — having upped the ante with their latest mid-range models. The opposition had clearly moved the goal-posts in the class to new levels. Could BMW match or better the forces of change?

Could they what. The ‘5’ always stood out from the crowd because it was a driver’s car. Sure, Mercedes, Lexus and Audi make nice cars — and Volvo has stirred up the pot nicely with its excellent new S90 — but the Beemer was always the preferred option for those of us who actually get a kick out of driving cars around, rather than just looking good in one.

The new one only underlines this very important point, establishing as it does BMW’s pre-eminence as the car of choice of those executive types who certainly like their cars to be teched-up to the hilt, but who also like to enjoy their time behind the wheel — rather than endure it.

I am pretty confident in saying, having given the new 520d a very rigorous going over, that this is a considerable leap forward for a car which is so hugely important to BMW, accounting for some 55% of total sales.

The 520d model has and will continue to be the big seller for the company here in Ireland and on many other markets so it is a vitally important machine — and it does not disappoint.

BMW has chosen a somewhat softly-softly approach to the styling of the new car — as against the wildness of the Chris Bangle years when the American designer led BMW into new and controversial territory — and the 5 Series now looks like a scaled down 7 Series rather than an individual in its own right. That’s not to say it is ugly or anything, just that it is not as individual or stand-out as it might have been.

There is much of the 7 Series to be seen on the inside too, which again is no bad thing as the quality of the materials utilised appears to have taken a big step forward and the level of technology has spring-boarded as well, what with stuff like hand gesture controls, remote parking and a lot of other madcap stuff all available here.

What has not really changed, however, is either the chassis or the engine. The new car is based on a similar platform to the last one, albeit much lightened and strengthened. As the car’s métier was always its driver appeal, nothing much has therefore changed.

Ride and handling are still best in class, although now perhaps matched by the E-Class. Still, that means the ‘5’ still fulfils its brief and it is still a thing of joy to live with. It does not matter whether it is a motorway or a B-road you’re negotiating, this thing copes with style and aplomb.

The new BMW 5 Series looks very much like a scaleddown 7 series, something which carries through to the inside as well, which is no bad thing as the quality of materials utilised has taken a big step forward along with the levels of technology.

Although the 189 bhp two litre turbodiesel engine has not changed much either, there appears to be a new sophistication about it. Whether this is due to better NVH characteristics on the car itself, or BMW has actually refined the engine a tad, the net effect is little of its clatter transmits into the cockpit.

Even so, it is still punchy enough to bring a smile to your face and still economic enough to please your wallet.

Some may cavil that BMW has not done enough here to keep their fans satisfied, but on the evidence I’ve seen of this entry-level model, they have more than fulfilled their brief by making a car which is not only better than the one which it succeeds, but which is also better than most of its rivals.

It has certainly lost none of its driver appeal and it has also managed to up the ante in several key areas so important for the modern buyer.

And remember we’re only testing the bog-standard version here (albeit with a few key additions from the optional extra bag), so the sense of anticipation about what we will get our hands on in due course is very keen indeed.

Very much a case of job done with this version though. And a bloody good job too.

Colley’s Verdict

The Cost: from €56,590 - €73,223 as tested.

The Engine: a very familiar — and excellent — unit from the Munich concern.

The Specification: usual rules apply — decent basic kit, but extras will cost lots.

The Overall Verdict: never loses sight of core values. Great job.