BMW 5 Series Touring

Drives superbly, looks pretty good – better than the sedan at least – and it’s one of the bigger wagons. Much to recommend it.

• Comfort

  The Touring wagon actually rides a little better than the saloon – probably due to a touch more weight over the rear suspension – though nobody seems to get on with the stiff run-flat tyres except diplomats with prices on their heads. Buy one of the big diesels and you’ll get 7.5L/100km… and the space is huge for every nick-nack you don’t really need. 

  

• Performance

  There’s the usual huge engine range from the BMW stable. They include, deep breath, the 520d, 523i, 525i, 525d, 530i, 530d, 535i, 535d, 540i, 550i and the aforementioned M5 Touring. Only the 520d is a four-pot, the rest are straight sixes, with the 540i and 550i being V8s. The pick is the 530d; 160kW, 480Nm, 250km/h and 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds. All that and 7.5L/100km. Go diesel! 

  

• Cool

  A 530d Touring gets the nod of approval from any true petrolhead...

   

  

• Quality

  Solid as a rock. Don’t be afraid of the 5-Series in terms of build quality, they represent the best of the breed.  

   

  

• Handling

  Go for the ‘Sport’ suspension and you’ll get a faintly choppy ride on rough surfaces – especially with the run-flat tyres. Other than that, there’s not much that goes better than a 5-series Touring round the corners. The body control is excellent, the steering damnably good – though the optional active steering does leach feel – and when things get faster, the big Five can hustle with the best of them.

  

• Practicality

  The 70-litre fuel tank gives great range in the diesel versions, and the luggage space is pretty good in class; 535-litres seats up and 1650-litres seats folded. Space is good inside, though get parking sensors if you parallel park a lot – there are some hefty blind spots. 

  

• Running costs

   

  Residuals are super-strong and smaller-engined versions are actually quite reasonable in terms of fuel consumption and insurance.