BMW 5 Series Touring
Elegant practicality and a five-figure entry point make this the most appealing 5 Series wagon yet
» Get the best price on a new BMW BMW 5 Series TouringLocal LaunchWerribee Park, Victoria
What we liked>> Fluid drive dynamics
>> Spacious cabin & cargo area
>> Pricing for entry-level diesel model
Not so much>> Firmer ride on 18-inch wheels
>> High dash and dash aesthetics on 520d
>> Road noise when opted with low-profile rubber
Price, Value, Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 3.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 4.0/5.0
About our ratings
OVERVIEW
>> Station wagon chicBMW openly admits its new 5 Series Touring is likely to attract 'a particular audience', but as more buyers opt out of increasingly bulky SUVs, the good old station wagon may yet make a comeback.
Replacing its slow-selling E60 predecessor (only 300 examples were ever sold locally), the fourth-generation 5 Series Touring brings renewed elegance, increased flexibility and sophisticated technology to the family hauling caste. In fact Touring adopts almost all of the technologies included in the 2010 launched 5 Series sedan.
PRICE AND EQUIPMENT>> Five-figure discountAvailable in two guises -- 520d and 535i – the Touring offers a choice of frugal diesel and athletic petrol engines respectively.
For the first time since 1997, the largest BMW wagon has entered the market for considerably less than $100,000 -- thanks primarily to LCT savings brought about by 520d Touring's willowy consumption figures.
The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel 520d kicks off at just $92,800, and includes an ample level of standard equipment. On the inventory are an eight-speed automatic transmission, self-levelling pneumatic rear suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tyres, BMW Park Assistant, Business navigation package, cruise control, keyless start, split function tailgate with automated cargo cover and 40:20:40 folding rear seats.
Stepping up to the 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo petrol 535i Touring sees the pricetag increase to $138,900. The top-shelf wagon includes the same equipment as listed on 520d Touring, but adds 18-inch alloy wheels, automated key-operated tailgate, metallic paint, paddle shifts, Dynamic Driving Control adjustable stability system, adaptive headlamps with high-beam assist, rear window sunblinds, dual-zone climate control, an electronic driver's seat with memory and an upgraded audio system.
Both 5 Series Touring models incorporate BMW's EfficientDynamics fuel saving technologies, including active air vent control behind the front grille (to improve aerodynamics and aid cold starts), electronic power steering, and brake energy regeneration. 520d Touring also adds low-rolling resistance tyres.
As elsewhere in the BMW range, the optional M Sport package continues to be available on 5 Series Touring for $7900 and $4900 for the 520d Touring and 535i Touring respectively. Depending on model variant, the package can include larger diameter alloy wheels, M Sport aerodynamic package, sports seats and steering wheel, interior trim highlights and lowered sports suspension (which can be deleted as a no-cost option).
MECHANICAL>> Frugal or feisty, the choice is yoursThe 520d Touring is propelled by a 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbodiesel producing 135kW/380Nm. This fuel efficient entry-level engine also offers fantastic fuel economy at just 5.3L/100km on the combined cycle -- a litre less than a Toyota Yaris hatch. CO2 emissions are just 139g/km. This doesn't mean the base model wagon is slow, however, with a 0-100km/h time of 8.3 seconds.
Topping the range, the 535i Touring boasts BMW's barnstorming 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder with variable vane turbocharging technology. This impressive engine develops 225kW/400Nm for 0-100km/h sprints of just 6.1 seconds -- that's faster than the previous V8-powered 540i Touring. At the same time, the 535i Touring returns a combined fuel economy figure of just 8.5L/100km on the combined cycle while emitting 197g/km of CO2.
Both models are mated exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission (the Sports Automatic transmission is optionally available) offering rapid yet seamless shifts
5 Series Touring models are both suspended by an all-aluminium double wishbone arrangement allowing separation of steering and damping forces for greater control. At the rear, a standard self-levelling pneumatic set up compensates for changes in load to provide a consistent ride height. M Sport suspension is available optionally, as is dynamic damper control which monitors and adjusts the shock absorbers 400 times per second.
Further, 535i Touring models are available optionally with Adaptive Drive, a stability management program that acts on both the front and rear anti-roll bars to quickly and precisely accrue appropriate counter forces during cornering.
Both models can also be fitted with BMW's Integral Active Steering that passively steers the rear wheels through 2.5-degrees to aid manoeuvrability at all speeds. In low speed scenarios the rear wheels are inversely phased to reduce the turning circle by as much as 500mm, while at speeds over 80km/h, the rear wheels move parallel to those at the front to assist cornering stability.
PACKAGING>> SUV practicality meets sedan-like driveabilityWhile the majority of 5 Series Touring's features are likely to come as little surprise to those au fait with the Bavarian manufacturer, the added cargo capacity, and sedan-like driveability, is certain to prove alluring.
Nearly toppling many same-sized SUVs for cargo space, the 5 Series Touring offers 560 litres capacity with the rear seats in place (to window height). The rear seats can recline through 11-degrees in seven seperate increments, and in the forward position, afford the wagon an additional 30 litres. Few rivals offer the flexibility of the Touring's 40:20:40 spilt fold rear seats. With these flipped forward, cargo capacity tallies a capacious 1670 litres, or enough to cart a front loading washing machine, as was demonstrated at the launch.
For convenience, the low rear floor is completely flat and offers a number of cubby holes beneath the deck. And for security, Touring is fitted with two full length floor rails with adjustable eyelets and luggage net.
As mentioned earlier, the entire cargo is area is covered by an electronically controlled and removable cargo blind. The area is accessed via a split-operation tailgate which is electrically operated from the key on 535i Touring models (optional on 520d Touring).
The wagon also boasts subtle roof rails with 100kg of capacity and offers a 2000kg braked towing capability.
Inside, 5 Series Touring shares its decor with sedan, the high dash perhaps the only drawback in a cabin that's now 'softer' yet more accommodating. Rear leg room is particularly impressive.
If we had to be picky, 5 Series Touring, like many in the BMW range is short on oddment storage. Similarly dash aesthetics on 520d Touring are perceptibly 'base model', especially where the smaller infotainment screen is concerned.
SAFETY>> Five-star 5 SeriesWhile standard safety inclusions such as six airbags, stability control and anti-lock brakes might come as little surprise, the 5 Series Touring also includes a number of incidental safety features that soon add up to an impressively secure score sheet.
Cruise control with braking function, head-up display, front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera and parking assist (automated parking assistant) all feature as standard. While optionally, surround view cameras, active (radar) cruise control, lane change and lane departure warning, night vision and speed limit information are also available.
Europe's foremost safety authority EuroNCAP has awarded the BMW 5 Series a maximum possible safety rating of five-stars with a 100 per cent score on its driver assistance programs. That rating is reinforced by local safety body ANCAP who also award the 5 Series a five-star result.
COMPETITORS>> The Es have it... almostUndoubtedly 5 Series Touring's nearest competitor, Mercedes-Benz's E-Class Estate offers similar dimensions and specifications, but not quite at the same coin. Available in E 250 CDI (diesel) and E 350 (petrol) guise, E-Class Estate is priced from $105,500 and $138,100 -- a $12,700 and $800 difference in the Merc and Beemer's favours respectively.
Mercedes' wagons do, however, have the 5 Series licked on diesel performance, the E 250 CDI's 150kW/500Nm smashing the 5 Series by 15kW and a staggering120Nm. The story is reversed, however, in petrol format when the BMW's TwinPower Turbo in-line six scores a 25kW/50Nm kick over its three-pointed star countryman.
With equipment levels so close, much of the decision will come down to personal preference, and though we're yet to try the pair back-to-back, the 520d Touring's significant discount is certain to see it win quite a bit of favour over its nearest rival, despite the difference in performance.
Also worth considering is fellow countryman, the Audi A6 Allroad. The four-ring wagon shares similar proportions, price ($103,714) and power, but ups the ante with continuous all-wheel drive and a slightly elevated ride height. Locally, the Audi A6 Allroad is available in a single, 3.0-litre turbodiesel variant providing 176kW/500Nm.
For the record Audi no longer offers its low-ride A6 Avant Down Under... We can, however, expect that to change once the new generation A6 arrives sometime later this year (2011).
Both Mercedes-Benz variants and the Audi A6 Allroad score five-star EuroNCAP safety ratings.
ON THE ROAD>> Polished performance when push comes to shoveAs noted in our international launch review of the 520d Touring, the diesel family hauler does offer a compliant ride, notably better than the low-profile shod 535i Touring.
Travelling across western Victoria's recently flood damaged roads, the 17-inch wheel/tyre combination of the lesser diesel models was noticeably more supple than its 'pimped' sibling, yet still offered tenacious cornering grip, even without the optional M Sport chassis.
Performance from the 2.0-litre turbodiesel is confident, and competently managed by BMW's new, intuitive and smooth shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. Stepping up to the 535i Touring performance goes from ample to mental. The 535i Touring offers blisteringly quick straight line performance, and cornering certain to round up more than its fair share of hot hatches. Acceleration is impressively flexible in-gear too with 5's vast selection of cogs perfectly complementing an engine already renowned for its flexibility.
Both engines are quiet when cruising, as is Touring's interior, with 535i's low profile rubber presenting only a feint rumble on coarse chip back roads. Give it a boot-full, however, and that classic BMW inline six-cylinder growl sings as the tacho races northward. At least the fun part of the soundtrack isn't hushed.
If comfort on 520d Touring's 17-inch rubber is compliant, then 535i Touring's 18-inchers can make things a touch stiff. Dynamic Damping Control's settings make an effective difference through the system's three settings (Comfort, Normal, Sport) but when optioned with 19-inch alloys even small pits and pimples are evident. Form over function perhaps?
Steering weight is typically BMW, bearing a little more resistance than both the Mercedes and Audi equivalents. M Sport's fat steering wheel is divine, but in saying that, the new 5 Series Touring has lost some of the 'feel' so revered in now extinct hydraulic systems. On-centre the (steering) wheel is quite light and the nose does tend to wander over undulating surfaces. It's a minor amount of travel in the scheme of things, but driving over rough surfaces did show it up repeatedly. Active Drive works well to flatten the body through high speed turns.
Driven within the normal range of the regular domestic commute 5 Series Touring is a polished performer with the right amount of space for the modern family. And as a 'real' BMW it can certainly hold its own when push comes to shove.
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