Overview

Making an estate car equally practical and stylish is no easy task but the 5-Series Touring comes close. While the looks caused some controversy when the model was first introduced, the angled design has aged well but still stands out. It comes with a usefully large luggage area too and folding down the rear seats is fairly straightforward. True other estates like the Mercedes E-Class and Volvo V70 offer more space, but the BMW is unrivalled when it comes to driver appeal and enjoyment.

In 2007 the 5-Series line-up was revised and the firm introduced the Efficient Dynamics technology to the range which brought more efficient engines with increased power – the frugal 520d is able to return an impressive 53mpg.

Parkers top buying tips

As with all used purchases, do remember to get a car history check. It might just save you from an unpleasant surprise later down the line. Also, don’t forget you can use our valuation tool to get an idea of how much you should be paying for a car. You can also check our reviews section for more information about the cars you are interested in.