BMW 5 Series Touring

ON THE ROAD

Performance
The six-cylinder petrol engines are carried over from the previous Five and have the same creamy power. There's a choice of three diesels - all offer plenty of pull even when fully loaded, especially the 535d, which makes you question why anyone would buy a petrol V8 version. All Fives get a six-speed manual or auto ’box.

Ride & handling
Every 5-series Touring has self-levelling rear suspension to ensure that heavy loads don’t affect its road manners. In fact, the Touring falls only fractionally short of matching the saloon’s supreme abilities, with agile handling and incredible poise. We prefer the optional Active Steering for its extra sharpness, but sports suspension and larger alloys upset the Five’s supple ride.

Refinement
When pushed, the engines emit a suitably sporting bark, but this is entirely down to the driver. Opt for a relaxed style and they are muted. The diesels are a shade more audible than their petrol counterparts, but there's a sporting thrum rather than an unpleasant clatter. Wind and road noise are well contained at motorway speeds

OWNERSHIP

Buying & owning
The Touring carries a hefty premium over saloon versions of the 5 Series but with contract hire rates competitive the 5 will be a firm favourite among business users. The 520i and 520d will be the most attractive to company users thanks to their lower emissions. Strong residual values will appeal to private buyers.

Quality & reliability
BMW’s attention to detail oozes from every joint in the 5-series. This careful approach is evident in the cabin where top-notch materials are used and put together to make a hugely appealing interior. With proven mechanicals from the previous car, reliability should not be an issue.

Safety & security
Twin front, side and head airbags are standard, and rear side ’bags are optional. Every car has traction control, stability control and anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution. The saloon version scored 95% in our Security Supertest 2005: our attack testers could not gain entry to the car nor drive it away.

IN THE CABIN

Behind the wheel
BMW has replaced the profusion of buttons for the stereo and ventilation with simple rotary dials. They can also be worked through the iDrive system using a dial behind the gearlever linked to a dash-mounted display. This is much easier to work than the 7-series’ version. The driving position is excellent thanks to multiple adjustment for the seat and wheel.

Space & practicality
While it’s not as capacious as a Mercedes E-class estate, the Touring offers more space than its predecessor and most of its rivals. Practicality is helped by a well shaped boot, although the rear seats don’t fold totally flat. An electrically operated tailgate is an option. There’s ample head and legroom for those in both front and rear seats.

Equipment
All models come with climate control, steering wheel-mounted controls for the stereo, plus the iDrive which operates the audio and ventilation systems. Every car is fitted with a CD player and electrically powered seats. Options include a head-up display that projects vital information on to the windscreen in the driver’s line of sight, and speed-dependent power assistance for the steering.