2016 BMW 520d M Sport REVIEW | The Bavarian Benchmark’s Frugal ‘Five’
BMW’S 5 SERIES HAS LONG BEEN ‘THE FATHER OF ITS MAKER’S LINE-UP’ – GUIDING THE 3 SERIES AND LEARNING FROM THE 7 SERIES.
It is Munich’s middle-ground luxury sedan, with prices ranging from around $80,000 for the four-cylinder 520i petrol and 520d diesel (the latter we’re testing here), to around $120,000 for the six-cylinder 535i petrol and 530d diesel.
The $185,000-plus M5 is in another stratosphere altogether.
The 5 Series is in its tenth generation, which launched locally back in 2012. However, it has picked up some enhancements along the way, most notably equipment and technology additions.
Vehicle Style: Large sedan
Price: $84,800 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 140kW/400Nm 2.0 4cyl turbo-diesel | 8sp automatic
Fuel Economy claimed: 4.3 l/100km | tested: 7.5 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Between the BMW 5 Series and its arch-rival, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the two German models claim around half of the $70K-plus large car segment – almost evenly split between them.
With an $84,800 price-tag, the 520d isn’t particularly well-equipped for the price.
Brilliant connectivity and leather trim with electrically adjustable front seats are standard, but basics such as front-seat heating and keyless auto-entry are missing.