BMW 5-Series Touring 530d M Sport auto 5d Owner Review

This is my second 530d Touring. My old 2011 'F11' was a fantastic car, quiet, smooth and very quick given its size. After 75k miles it was time for a change. Given my experience of the F11, I didn't seriously consider an alternative car, a testament to how good the old car was. The new 530d Touring, known as 'G31' is better in every respect. Difficult to believe, but its true. I'm normally quite critical, looking for areas that could be better, but so far I haven't found anything I would change. Its more refined, even though my new car is running on 20" alloys, sharper, significantly more efficient (F11 typically averaged 41 mpg on my commute, the new G31 has averaged 47.8 mpg over the first 1000 miles) and effortlessly quick, with a very big torque surge. I purchased the car as a used vehicle, but in reality it was registered in Jan 2018 by BMW UK, but had only covered 18 miles in the first 6 months. I would recommend the full electric sports seats, so comfortable with the electric side bolsters, together with the reversing camera, a must on such a large car. Be aware that on the new model this is an option, but was standard fit on the old F11. Don't be concerned by the M-Sport Plus option pack. In my opinion it doesn't damage the cars ride or refinement. My old F11 was an SE version running on 19" alloys, but the new M-Sport Plus version with 20" wheels is more compliant, hard to comprehend and counterintuitive, but its true. I'm still in the 1.2k run-in phase, but overall I'm blown away by its brilliance in every area. Its true what the reviews say, this is the best large estate you can buy.