Car reviews

BMW is well aware that image, styling and driver appeal alone are no longer enough to ensure success and concentrated on improving the 5-Series range's environmental credentials for 2007. The payback in fuel and tax savings are substantial, but the new technology works in the background so as not to offend the sensibilities of the typical BMW driver, who would enjoy exploiting his or her car's performance occasionally. Despite the car's styling causing controversy when the saloon version was launched in 2003, the Touring (which followed in 2004) has always seemed a little less brash. The 5-Series has class-leading resale values - particularly for M Sport models - and with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines that gives the car broad appeal on the used market.