BMW 5-Series Saloon (2010 - 2017) 520d (190bhp) M Sport 4d Step Auto Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
In their own words
We've had loads of different cars as my wife has moved companies multiple times. Of all the cars I've driven the BMW 5 Series is the most pleasurable to drive. I can now say I am a fan of BMW cars. Provided this one proves to be reliable, and I have no reason to doubt it would be, then it'll probably be another 5 Series after this one.
I bought second hand, I got the 520D M Sport with the M Sport Plus pack. So it has 19 inch alloy wheels, Privacy tinted rear Glass, a Rear spoiler and Harmon Kardon sound system. Finished in White, I think it's a very good looking car. I genuinely look forward to driving it every day I go out. And I find myself taking the car to get washed more often to keep it looking it's best.
It feels great to drive, very responsive, handling is great, makes solid progress. I never feel like it's under powered and I can overtake effortlessly. This has me questioning the need for the 3 Litre version, although I suppose the 530d upwards gives a good adrenaline rush when putting the foot to the floor.
The electronics in the car are very handy, I like how easy it is to use the hands free to call people. It stores the last people you called, so you can use the steering wheel to quickly call them with a push of one button, then using the little scroll option on the steering wheel. I like the ability to save locations on the sat nav into the number buttons on the car audio system. Basically anything you can highlight on the screen you can save as a short cut by holding in the button you want it saved to. The same as you would do with radio stations. So I have my wife's work, my sons school and the house address saved a few numbers. I simply press the number once and the sat nav loads the map up and directs me.
If you're after a good combination between power, handling, economy and driver convenience then the 520D M Sport Auto ticks all the boxes. If you're unsure on whether to spend a little bit extra to get the 5 series, trust me you won't regret it. No other car I've owned/driven gives the same driving pleasure.
How reliable do you find the car?
This is our third 5 Series the first two were company cars. We've had a 2012 520D M sport Auto, a 2013 518d SE Manual and a now we've bought a 2015 520D M Sport Auto. None of them have given us any reliability issues at all. Although the most recent car we've only had since August this year.Does the car do everything you expected it to do?
Drives like you would expect it to given the BMW marketing as the Ultimate Driving Machine. My car does not have the VDC option, yet it handles beautifully. So I'm not sure why motoring journalists say it needs the VDC to feel like a BMW. We've had three 5 Series and a 3 Series convertible... all of them were the most pleasurable driving cars we've had. The Jaguar XF Sport is pretty good to though, but not as good as the BMW 5 Series.About their car
- Fuel type Diesel
- When purchased August 2018
- Condition when bought Used
- Current Mileage 22,000 miles
- Average MPG 45 mpg
