BMW 5 Series Touring

Our verdict

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

Comfort

The Touring 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 40mpg at 100mph across Europe (allegedly)… and the space is huge for every nick-nack you don’t really need. 

Performance

The headline car is the V10 M5 with 507bhp, a limited 155mph top speed and 0-62mph in well under five – a bit more if you’ve got a car packed to the gunnels with shopping or livestock. Otherwise 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 and the M5 a V10. The pick is the 535d; 272bhp, 413lb ft, 155mph and 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds. All that and over 40mpg. Go diesel! 

Cool

A 535d 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. In terms of the M5 Touring, think M5 salooniness with room for a chest of drawers, or one mortally terrified Great Dane. 

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 mpg and insurance. For example, a 520d is group 15, gets hit for 18-percent tax and 136g/km and will return around 55mpg. The M5 Touring, on the other powerslide, is group 20, 35-percent tax, 344g/km and will get mid-teens for mpg. Gulp.