FIRST DRIVE BMW 5 SERIES TOURING
THE CASE for the luxury estate car is growing stronger all the time. Having featured the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate recently, we noted that it calls into question the validity of the SUV. Meanwhile, the arrival of a new and improved 5 Series Touring will only further add to this debate. BMW’s new 5 Series saloon has been on sale for just a few short months now and in Europe at least, BMW are already trying to meet high demand for the car. More than 13,000 units of the car have sold there already.
The Touring makes up half of all BMW sales in Germany, yet here in Ireland the percentage is much smaller, but this could and really should change with this new version. For a start, it now comes with a new and improved 520d version, an engine that will soon be available in Ireland in the saloon model. This new, 184hp 4-cylinder comes with a choice of six-speed manual or seven- or eight-speed automatic transmissions and with emissions at less than 140g/km, it falls into motor tax band B, costing just €156.
The design of the 5 Series is much more restrained than before but it is also a little more elegant, and the rear end of the Touring certainly follows this new theme. This model is all about practicality and the luggage space is capable of expanding from 560-litres to 1,670-litres with the rear seats folded. Those rear seats split 40:20:40 and there are clever ways of storing your objects to prevent them from sliding around. The backrest angle of the rear seats is variable by up to 11 degrees.
Additionally it can be folded flat using two control levers inside the luggage compartment, the loading space cover of which is automatically lowered when the tailgate is closed. The separately opening rear window automatically swings upwards at the push of a button on the key, which is especially handy if you are parked in a tight spot or a garage with a low roof.
The new diesel is good and should make up the majority of 5 Series Touring sales in Ireland. We only tried it with the six-speed manual gearbox, but it was potent enough to cope with fast autobahn driving and, while not as smooth as the six-cylinder engines, it certainly is more than capable. Initially available in four derivatives, the new BMW 5 Series Touring is available in two petrol guises – the 204hp 523i and 306hp 535i – and two diesel models: the 184hp 520d and 245hp 530d. Prices start at €45,730 for the 520d, €63,340 for the 530d, €56,170 for the 523i and €69,460 for the 535i. Standard equipment on all models is now more generous than before too, with the 520d featuring leather upholstery, Bluetooth, air conditioning and parking sensors.