Practical experience BMW 5 Series: what do owners think of their car?

The current-generation BMW 5 Series debuted in 2017 and was refreshed in 2020. BMW is now driving plenty of test laps with its successor. Not entirely surprising: there will also be a fully electric BMW i5. The current generation is available with four-cylinder, six-cylinder and even a number of eight-cylinder engines. The plug-in hybrids, in the form of a 530e and 545e, are also present.

How does the BMW 5 Series drive?

The definition of driving pleasure depends on the segment in which the car operates. After all, few people are waiting for a nervous sports limousine. It seems that BMW has once again found a good balance between comfort and dynamics, with the car feeling more nimble than its predecessor. “The driving dynamics have made great strides forward,” writes one owner of his 530i, “This is particularly noticeable at small roundabouts, because you can ’round’ them more easily without feeling that you have to slow down.” According to this owner, the 5-series has two faces: “The 5 is really a class above the 3, you will notice that mainly because of the peace and quiet on board. It is very comfortable over long distances and shrinks around you on twisty back roads, then it is still a real BMW.”

The standard configuration does not offer everyone the desired driving experience, which is why BMW optionally offers the M Sport suspension. This is not appreciated by everyone. “Something that I experience less pleasantly is the M chassis. It is not hard, but on bad roads you clearly feel the sporty setting and would certainly not choose this again.” In turn, the owner with a standard chassis desires the M setup. “The driving is actually like the previous 5 series but it has become more comfortable. In my experience, an M chassis is (now) really a must.” To resolve this taste issue, an extensive test drive with the 5 Series is recommended.

Choose the right seat

In addition to the base, customers can also choose from different types of seats. It is also important to compare these well before making a choice. The following is written about the optional, multi-adjustable comfort seats: “These have a hefty additional cost, but personally I think the sports seats are better. The cheeks of the seating area are not adjustable, so that I, 1.96 m, have the idea that I am sitting on a chair that is too narrow.”

Another owner was also initially dissatisfied with the chosen seats, but later changed his opinion. “The comfort seats and I have now become friends. It really took me a while to find my ‘twist’ on it.” The sturdier profiled sports seats also do not make friends with everyone. “I still have trouble finding a good sitting position at 1.75m and 70kg,” writes the driver of a 520d Touring.

The interior of the BMW 5 Series

Infotainment hit the mark

BMW’s i-Drive has emerged as one of the best car multimedia systems on the market. This also applies to the 5 Series, which can now be controlled with the rotary/push button as well as via a touch screen. Didn’t have to, according to this 530i driver: “The entertainment system controls are the best of any manufacturer. Touch has been added, but the i-Drive controller still makes the difference.” The system upgraded with the facelift round in 2020 is also appreciated. “The 12-inch display and online top navigation are super and lightning fast.”

In addition to the basic system, there are also the necessary ‘connected services’, subscriptions for things such as real-time traffic information. The extension of this did not go according to plan for this owner. “I have now placed 3 orders via the BMW portal, paid 89 euros 3 times and also received a refund.” BMW’s service service does not appear to function optimally, so that the owner now has to do without functions that the car previously had.

Based on the reviews, there do not seem to be any structural problems. Failures are limited to incidents. For example, one owner had to have a control unit replaced, another suffers from a hum in the powertrain of his 520d. With this 520d, the EGR valve was replaced after 135,700 km and with a 520i, a new oil pump was installed after 60,000 km, under warranty.

Assistance and safety systems

The BMW 5 Series is equipped with a number of systems that should make driving safer and more comfortable. Users have no complaints about the adaptive cruise control. Opinions are more divided about the lane assistant. “It’s a nice extra”, according to this 530e driver, “but not yet developed enough. A 540d owner has the same experience: “Even on a simple highway it has the greatest difficulty to steer tightly within the lines, even on gentle bends.” In short, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class seems like a better friend to its driver at this point.

Engine and drivetrain

BMW has mastered the art of building motorcycles. Owners of a 5 Series with a traditional powertrain are almost unanimously positive. “Now about 20,000 km further – of which about 15,000 abroad – and still very impressed with the engine: unbelievable how you can combine so much ‘Laufruhe’, power and economy,” writes the owner of his six-cylinder 530d. Experiences with the plug-in hybrid powertrains are described more precisely and considered more critically. BMW is also getting better and better at this trick. “What really strikes me in a positive sense is the seamless cooperation between electric motor and petrol engine in the time when I do not drive fully electrically.” The perfect interplay is confirmed by another 530e rider.

It’s not all hosanna when it comes to the 530e, although not everyone runs into the limitations. This owner does: “It has a 43 liter petrol tank. With a more sporty driving style you might get 480-500 km, the tank is just too small.”