BMW 5-Series Saloon (10 on) - Review Review by David Ross on 30 March 2010 Last Updated: 25 January 2012 BMW is renowned for building cars that are great to drive but sometimes at the expense of comfort. However that's not the case with the 5-Series. It's the most complete executive saloon on the market and manages to blend superb handling with limousine-like comfort as well as unsurpassed cabin refinement. The elegant styling gives it a larger appearance than the previous model and is more akin to the bigger 7-Series, which is also the case with the upmarket cabin. Compared to its predecessor, this 5-Series feels more sophisticated and has the edge over alternatives like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The engine line-up is hugely impressive, with every model, even the entry-level 520d, offering great performance. It's also incredibly well equipped and all models get leather seats, parking sensors and Bluetooth. This is the car that truly sets a new standard for executive saloons. The BMW 5-Series is such a well-rounded car that it's hard to beat - especially when you take into consideration how good it is to drive, the excellent levels of standard equipment and its wallet-friendly fuel economy. With all this in its favour, the BMW 520d SE Business Media Saloon romped away with the 2011 Parkers Cost of Motoring award in the Executive sector. 5 out of 5 Other BMW reviews Summary Facts & Figures Equipment Driving & Performance Comfort Costs Safety & Reliability Buying & Selling Also Consider Company Car Info Gallery Company Car Costs P11D Value The price of the car excluding road tax and first registration fee. This is used to calculate company car tax. CO2 g/km The carbon dioxide emissions of the car, which decides the company car tax band into which the car falls. BIK Band The percentage band used to calculate company car tax, determined by CO2 emissions of the car. 20% Tax / 40% Tax The annual amount of company car tax payable based on the drivers income tax level, either at the basic rate or the higher rate. Standard Trim 2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014 Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax 3.0 ActiveHybrid 5 4d Step Auto £46,675 149 15% £1,400 £2,800 £1,400 £2,800 SE 2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014 Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax 520i SE 4d £30,970 157 15% £929 £1,858 £929 £1,858 520i SE 4d Step Auto £32,495 149 15% £974 £1,949 £974 £1,949 520i SE (Business Media) 4d £32,535 157 15% £976 £1,952 £976 £1,952 520i SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £34,060 149 15% £1,021 £2,043 £1,021 £2,043 520i SE (Professional Media) 4d £33,130 157 15% £994 £1,988 £994 £1,988 520i SE (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £34,655 149 15% £1,039 £2,079 £1,039 £2,079 528i (245bhp) SE 4d £33,390 159 15% £1,001 £2,003 £1,001 £2,003 528i (245bhp) SE 4d Step Auto £34,915 152 15% £1,047 £2,094 £1,047 £2,094 528i (245bhp) SE (Business Media) 4d £34,955 159 15% £1,048 £2,097 £1,048 £2,097 528i (245bhp) SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £36,480 152 15% £1,094 £2,188 £1,094 £2,188 528i (245bhp) SE (Professional Media) 4d £35,550 159 15% £1,066 £2,133 £1,066 £2,133 528i (245bhp) SE (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £37,075 152 15% £1,112 £2,224 £1,112 £2,224 530i SE 4d £35,025 177 15% £1,050 £2,101 £1,050 £2,101 530i SE 4d Step Auto £36,550 173 15% £1,096 £2,193 £1,096 £2,193 530i SE (Business Media) 4d £36,590 177 15% £1,097 £2,195 £1,097 £2,195 530i SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £38,115 173 15% £1,143 £2,286 £1,143 £2,286 530i SE (Professional Media) 4d £37,185 177 15% £1,115 £2,231 £1,115 £2,231 530i SE (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £38,710 173 15% £1,161 £2,322 £1,161 £2,322 525d (218bhp) SE 4d £34,965 132 18% £1,258 £2,517 £1,258 £2,517 525d (218bhp) SE 4d Step Auto £36,490 126 18% £1,313 £2,627 £1,313 £2,627 525d (218bhp) SE (Business Media) 4d £36,530 132 18% £1,315 £2,630 £1,315 £2,630 525d (218bhp) SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £38,055 126 18% £1,370 £2,740 £1,370 £2,740 525d (218bhp) SE (Professional Media) 4d £37,125 132 18% £1,336 £2,673 £1,336 £2,673 525d (218bhp) SE (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £38,650 126 18% £1,391 £2,782 £1,391 £2,782 530d (258bhp) SE 4d £38,595 149 18% £1,389 £2,778 £1,389 £2,778 530d (258bhp) SE 4d Step Auto £40,120 139 18% £1,444 £2,888 £1,444 £2,888 530d (258bhp) SE (Business Media) 4d £40,160 149 18% £1,445 £2,891 £1,445 £2,891 530d (258bhp) SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £41,685 139 18% £1,500 £3,001 £1,500 £3,001 530d (258bhp) SE (Professional Media) 4d £40,755 149 18% £1,467 £2,934 £1,467 £2,934 530d (258bhp) SE (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £42,280 139 18% £1,522 £3,044 £1,522 £3,044 535d (313bhp) SE 4d Step Auto £44,105 142 18% £1,587 £3,175 £1,587 £3,175 535d (313bhp) SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £45,670 142 18% £1,644 £3,288 £1,644 £3,288 535d (313bhp) SE (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £46,265 142 18% £1,665 £3,331 £1,665 £3,331 535i SE (Start Stop) 4d £38,440 188 15% £1,153 £2,306 £1,153 £2,306 535i SE (Start Stop) 4d Step Auto £39,965 177 15% £1,199 £2,398 £1,199 £2,398 535i SE (Start Stop) (Business Media) 4d £40,005 188 15% £1,200 £2,400 £1,200 £2,400 535i SE (Start Stop) (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £41,530 177 15% £1,246 £2,492 £1,246 £2,492 535i SE (Start Stop) (Professional Media) 4d £40,600 188 15% £1,218 £2,436 £1,218 £2,436 535i SE (Start Stop) (Professional Media] 4d Step Auto £42,125 177 15% £1,263 £2,527 £1,263 £2,527 520d SE (Start Stop) 4d Step Auto £31,500 123 18% £1,134 £2,268 £1,134 £2,268 520d SE (Start Stop) (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £33,065 123 18% £1,190 £2,380 £1,190 £2,380 520d SE (Start Stop) (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £33,660 123 18% £1,211 £2,423 £1,211 £2,423 520d BluePerformance SE 4d £30,970 127 18% £1,115 £2,230 £1,115 £2,230 520d BluePerformance SE (Business Media) 4d £32,535 127 18% £1,171 £2,342 £1,171 £2,342 520d BluePerformance SE (Professional Media) 4d £33,130 127 18% £1,192 £2,385 £1,192 £2,385 520d BluePerformance SE 4d Step Auto £32,495 125 18% £1,169 £2,339 £1,169 £2,339 520d BluePerformance SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £34,060 125 18% £1,226 £2,452 £1,226 £2,452 520d BluePerformance SE (Prof Media) 4d Step Auto £34,655 125 18% £1,247 £2,495 £1,247 £2,495 530d (258bhp) BluePerformance SE 4d Step Auto £41,115 139 18% £1,480 £2,960 £1,480 £2,960 530d (258bhp) BluePerform SE(Bus Med) 4d Step Auto £42,680 139 18% £1,536 £3,072 £1,536 £3,072 530d (258bhp) BluePerform SE (Prof Med) 4d Step Auto £43,275 139 18% £1,558 £3,116 £1,558 £3,116 535i SE 4d £38,415 199 15% £1,152 £2,304 £1,152 £2,304 535i SE 4d Step Auto £39,940 195 15% £1,198 £2,396 £1,198 £2,396 535i SE (Business Media) 4d £39,980 199 15% £1,199 £2,398 £1,199 £2,398 535i SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £41,505 195 15% £1,245 £2,490 £1,245 £2,490 535i SE(Media Pack) 4d £40,415 199 15% £1,212 £2,424 £1,212 £2,424 535i SE(Media Pack) 4d Step Auto £41,940 195 15% £1,258 £2,516 £1,258 £2,516 523i SE 4d £32,345 177 15% £970 £1,940 £970 £1,940 523i SE 4d Step Auto £33,870 178 15% £1,016 £2,032 £1,016 £2,032 523i SE (Business Media) 4d £33,910 177 15% £1,017 £2,034 £1,017 £2,034 523i SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £35,435 178 15% £1,063 £2,126 £1,063 £2,126 523i SE (Media Pack) 4d £34,345 177 15% £1,030 £2,060 £1,030 £2,060 523i SE (Media Pack) 4d Step Auto £35,870 178 15% £1,076 £2,152 £1,076 £2,152 528i SE 4d £34,100 182 15% £1,023 £2,046 £1,023 £2,046 528i SE 4d Step Auto £35,625 178 15% £1,068 £2,137 £1,068 £2,137 528i SE (Business Media) 4d £35,665 182 15% £1,070 £2,140 £1,070 £2,140 528i SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £37,190 178 15% £1,115 £2,231 £1,115 £2,231 528i SE (Media Pack) 4d £36,100 182 15% £1,083 £2,166 £1,083 £2,166 528i SE (Media Pack) 4d Step Auto £37,625 178 15% £1,128 £2,257 £1,128 £2,257 550i SE 4d Step Auto £52,235 242 15% £1,567 £3,134 £1,567 £3,134 550i SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £53,800 242 15% £1,614 £3,228 £1,614 £3,228 550i SE (Media Pack) 4d Step Auto £54,395 242 15% £1,631 £3,263 £1,631 £3,263 520d SE 4d £29,975 125 18% £1,079 £2,158 £1,079 £2,158 520d SE 4d Step Auto £30,900 137 18% £1,112 £2,224 £1,112 £2,224 520d SE (Business Media) 4d £31,540 125 18% £1,135 £2,270 £1,135 £2,270 520d SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £32,465 137 18% £1,168 £2,337 £1,168 £2,337 520d SE (Media Pack) 4d £32,135 125 18% £1,156 £2,313 £1,156 £2,313 520d SE(Media Pack) 4d Step Auto £32,900 137 18% £1,184 £2,368 £1,184 £2,368 525d SE 4d £34,315 162 18% £1,235 £2,470 £1,235 £2,470 525d SE 4d Step Auto £35,840 160 18% £1,290 £2,580 £1,290 £2,580 525d SE (Business Media) 4d £35,880 162 18% £1,291 £2,583 £1,291 £2,583 525d SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £37,405 160 18% £1,346 £2,693 £1,346 £2,693 525d SE (Media Pack) 4d £36,315 162 18% £1,307 £2,614 £1,307 £2,614 525d SE (Media Pack) 4d Step Auto £37,840 160 18% £1,362 £2,724 £1,362 £2,724 530d SE 4d £38,470 166 18% £1,385 £2,770 £1,385 £2,770 530d SE 4d Step Auto £39,995 160 18% £1,439 £2,879 £1,439 £2,879 530d SE (Business Media) 4d £40,035 166 18% £1,441 £2,882 £1,441 £2,882 530d SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £41,560 160 18% £1,496 £2,992 £1,496 £2,992 530d SE (Media Pack) 4d £40,470 166 18% £1,457 £2,914 £1,457 £2,914 530d SE(Media Pack) 4d Step Auto £41,995 160 18% £1,511 £3,023 £1,511 £3,023 535d SE 4d Step Auto £43,705 162 18% £1,573 £3,146 £1,573 £3,146 535d SE (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £45,270 162 18% £1,629 £3,259 £1,629 £3,259 535d SE (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £45,705 162 18% £1,645 £3,290 £1,645 £3,290 M Sport 2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014 Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax 520i M Sport 4d £34,270 163 15% £1,028 £2,056 £1,028 £2,056 520i M Sport 4d Step Auto £35,795 155 15% £1,073 £2,147 £1,073 £2,147 520i M Sport (Business Media) 4d £35,835 163 15% £1,075 £2,150 £1,075 £2,150 520i M Sport (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £37,360 155 15% £1,120 £2,241 £1,120 £2,241 520i M Sport (Professional Media) 4d £36,430 163 15% £1,093 £2,186 £1,093 £2,186 520i M Sport (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £37,955 155 15% £1,138 £2,277 £1,138 £2,277 528i (245bhp) M Sport 4d £36,690 165 15% £1,100 £2,201 £1,100 £2,201 528i (245bhp) M Sport 4d Step Auto £38,215 158 15% £1,146 £2,292 £1,146 £2,292 528i (245bhp) M Sport (Business Media) 4d £38,255 165 15% £1,147 £2,295 £1,147 £2,295 528i (245bhp) M Sport (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £39,780 158 15% £1,193 £2,386 £1,193 £2,386 528i (245bhp) M Sport (Professional Media) 4d £38,850 165 15% £1,165 £2,331 £1,165 £2,331 528i (245bhp) M Sport (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £40,375 158 15% £1,211 £2,422 £1,211 £2,422 530i M Sport 4d £38,325 182 15% £1,149 £2,299 £1,149 £2,299 530i M Sport 4d Step Auto £39,850 178 15% £1,195 £2,391 £1,195 £2,391 530i M Sport (Business Media) 4d £39,890 182 15% £1,196 £2,393 £1,196 £2,393 530i M Sport (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £41,415 178 15% £1,242 £2,484 £1,242 £2,484 530i M Sport (Professional Media) 4d £40,485 182 15% £1,214 £2,429 £1,214 £2,429 530i M Sport (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £42,010 178 15% £1,260 £2,520 £1,260 £2,520 525d (218bhp) M Sport 4d £38,265 138 18% £1,377 £2,755 £1,377 £2,755 525d (218bhp) M Sport 4d Step Auto £39,790 132 18% £1,432 £2,864 £1,432 £2,864 525d (218bhp) M Sport (Business Media) 4d £39,830 138 18% £1,433 £2,867 £1,433 £2,867 525d (218bhp) M Sport (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £41,355 132 18% £1,488 £2,977 £1,488 £2,977 525d (218bhp) M Sport (Professional Media) 4d £40,425 138 18% £1,455 £2,910 £1,455 £2,910 525d (218bhp) M Sport (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £41,950 132 18% £1,510 £3,020 £1,510 £3,020 530d (258bhp) M Sport 4d £41,895 155 18% £1,508 £3,016 £1,508 £3,016 530d (258bhp) M Sport 4d Step Auto £43,420 145 18% £1,563 £3,126 £1,563 £3,126 530d (258bhp) M Sport (Business Media) 4d £43,460 155 18% £1,564 £3,129 £1,564 £3,129 530d (258bhp) M Sport (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £44,985 145 18% £1,619 £3,238 £1,619 £3,238 530d (258bhp) M Sport (Professional Media) 4d £44,055 155 18% £1,586 £3,172 £1,586 £3,172 530d (258bhp) M Sport (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £45,580 145 18% £1,640 £3,281 £1,640 £3,281 535d (313bhp) M Sport 4d Step Auto £47,405 148 18% £1,706 £3,413 £1,706 £3,413 535d (313bhp) M Sport (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £48,970 148 18% £1,763 £3,526 £1,763 £3,526 535d (313bhp) M Sport (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £49,565 148 18% £1,784 £3,568 £1,784 £3,568 535i M Sport (Start Stop) 4d £41,740 194 15% £1,252 £2,504 £1,252 £2,504 535i M Sport (Start Stop) 4d Step Auto £43,265 183 15% £1,298 £2,596 £1,298 £2,596 535i M Sport (Start Stop) (Business Media) 4d £43,305 194 15% £1,299 £2,598 £1,299 £2,598 535i M Sport (Start Stop) (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £44,830 183 15% £1,345 £2,690 £1,345 £2,690 535i M Sport (Start Stop) (Professional Media) 4d £43,900 194 15% £1,317 £2,634 £1,317 £2,634 535i M Sport (Start Stop) (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £45,425 183 15% £1,362 £2,725 £1,362 £2,725 520d M Sport (Start Stop) 4d Step Auto £34,800 129 18% £1,252 £2,505 £1,252 £2,505 520d M Sport (Start Stop) (Business Med) 4d Step Auto £36,365 129 18% £1,309 £2,618 £1,309 £2,618 520d M Sport (Start Stop) (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £36,960 129 18% £1,330 £2,661 £1,330 £2,661 520d BluePerformance M Sport 4d £34,270 133 18% £1,233 £2,467 £1,233 £2,467 520d BluePerformance M Sport (Business Media) 4d £35,835 133 18% £1,290 £2,580 £1,290 £2,580 520d BluePerformance M Sport (Prof Media) 4d £36,430 133 18% £1,311 £2,622 £1,311 £2,622 520d BluePerformance M Sport 4d Step Auto £35,795 131 18% £1,288 £2,577 £1,288 £2,577 520d BluePerform M Sport (Bus Med) 4d Step Auto £37,360 131 18% £1,345 £2,690 £1,345 £2,690 520d BluePerform M Sport (Prof Med) 4d Step Auto £37,955 131 18% £1,366 £2,732 £1,366 £2,732 530d (258bhp) BluePerformance M Sport 4d Step Auto £44,415 145 18% £1,599 £3,198 £1,599 £3,198 530d (258bhp) BluePerform M Sport (Bus Media) 4d Step Auto £45,980 145 18% £1,655 £3,310 £1,655 £3,310 530d (258bhp) BluePerform M Sport (Prof) 4d Step Auto £46,575 145 18% £1,676 £3,353 £1,676 £3,353 535i M Sport 4d £41,715 199 15% £1,251 £2,502 £1,251 £2,502 535i M Sport 4d Step Auto £43,240 195 15% £1,297 £2,594 £1,297 £2,594 535i M Sport (Business Media) 4d £43,280 199 15% £1,298 £2,596 £1,298 £2,596 535i M Sport (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £44,805 195 15% £1,344 £2,688 £1,344 £2,688 535i M Sport (Professional Media) 4d £43,715 199 15% £1,311 £2,622 £1,311 £2,622 535i M Sport (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £45,240 195 15% £1,357 £2,714 £1,357 £2,714 523i M Sport 4d £35,645 177 15% £1,069 £2,138 £1,069 £2,138 523i M Sport 4d Step Auto £37,170 178 15% £1,115 £2,230 £1,115 £2,230 523i M Sport (Business Media) 4d £37,210 177 15% £1,116 £2,232 £1,116 £2,232 523i M Sport (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £38,735 178 15% £1,162 £2,324 £1,162 £2,324 523i M Sport (Professional Media) 4d £37,645 177 15% £1,129 £2,258 £1,129 £2,258 523i M Sport (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £39,170 178 15% £1,175 £2,350 £1,175 £2,350 528i M Sport 4d £37,400 182 15% £1,122 £2,244 £1,122 £2,244 528i M Sport 4d Step Auto £38,925 178 15% £1,167 £2,335 £1,167 £2,335 528i M Sport (Business Media) 4d £38,965 182 15% £1,169 £2,338 £1,169 £2,338 528i M Sport (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £40,490 178 15% £1,214 £2,429 £1,214 £2,429 528i M Sport (Professional Media) 4d £39,400 182 15% £1,182 £2,364 £1,182 £2,364 528i M Sport (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £40,925 178 15% £1,227 £2,455 £1,227 £2,455 550i M Sport 4d Step Auto £55,045 243 15% £1,651 £3,302 £1,651 £3,302 550i M Sport (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £56,610 243 15% £1,698 £3,396 £1,698 £3,396 550i M Sport (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £57,205 243 15% £1,716 £3,432 £1,716 £3,432 520d M Sport 4d £33,275 130 18% £1,198 £2,396 £1,198 £2,396 520d M Sport 4d Step Auto £34,200 137 18% £1,231 £2,462 £1,231 £2,462 520d M Sport (Business Media) 4d £34,840 130 18% £1,254 £2,508 £1,254 £2,508 520d M Sport (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £35,765 137 18% £1,287 £2,575 £1,287 £2,575 520d M Sport (Professional Media) 4d £35,435 130 18% £1,275 £2,551 £1,275 £2,551 520d M Sport (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £36,200 137 18% £1,303 £2,606 £1,303 £2,606 525d M Sport 4d £37,615 162 18% £1,354 £2,708 £1,354 £2,708 525d M Sport 4d Step Auto £39,140 160 18% £1,409 £2,818 £1,409 £2,818 525d M Sport (Business Media) 4d £39,180 162 18% £1,410 £2,820 £1,410 £2,820 525d M Sport (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £40,705 160 18% £1,465 £2,930 £1,465 £2,930 525d M Sport (Professional Media) 4d £39,615 162 18% £1,426 £2,852 £1,426 £2,852 525d M Sport (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £41,140 160 18% £1,481 £2,962 £1,481 £2,962 530d M Sport 4d £41,770 166 18% £1,503 £3,007 £1,503 £3,007 530d M Sport 4d Step Auto £43,295 160 18% £1,558 £3,117 £1,558 £3,117 530d M Sport (Business Media) 4d £43,335 166 18% £1,560 £3,120 £1,560 £3,120 530d M Sport (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £44,860 160 18% £1,615 £3,230 £1,615 £3,230 530d M Sport (Professional Media) 4d £43,770 166 18% £1,575 £3,151 £1,575 £3,151 530d M Sport (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £45,295 160 18% £1,630 £3,261 £1,630 £3,261 535d M Sport 4d Step Auto £47,005 162 18% £1,692 £3,384 £1,692 £3,384 535d M Sport (Business Media) 4d Step Auto £48,570 162 18% £1,748 £3,497 £1,748 £3,497 535d M Sport (Professional Media) 4d Step Auto £49,005 162 18% £1,764 £3,528 £1,764 £3,528 Efficient Dynamics 2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014 Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax 520d Efficient Dynamics 4d £30,380 119 13% £789 £1,579 £789 £1,579 520d Efficient Dynamics (Business Media) 4d £31,945 119 13% £830 £1,661 £830 £1,661 520d Efficient Dynamics (Professional Media) 4d £32,540 119 13% £846 £1,692 £846 £1,692 520d BluePerformance Efficient Dynamics 4d £31,375 119 13% £815 £1,631 £815 £1,631 520d BluePerformance Eff Dynamics (Bus Media) 4d £32,940 119 13% £856 £1,712 £856 £1,712 520d BluePerformance Eff Dynamics (Prof Media) 4d £33,535 119 13% £872 £1,744 £872 £1,744 Car Valuations Find used car prices with Parkers accurate car valuations. 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