Review BMW 520i

Now it's about to roll into BMW dealerships in the form of an entry level 5 Series that matches the 520d diesel model in performance and undercuts it on price by enough to offset the differences in fuel consumption.

It also gives BMW a vehicle to take on the Mercedes-Benz E250, a car that has proven to be a winner for the three-pointed star.

VALUE

The bottom line is $77,900 for a BMW 520i generating 135kW/270Nm with official fuel use of just 6.4 litres/100km, thanks to stop-start technology and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Basic kit includes adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, auto wipers and lights a six-speaker sound system with USB input, Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming and a seven-inch screen for the satnav system. Spend another $20,300 and the same 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder has been overclocked in theBMW 528i to produce 180kW/350Nm while using just 0.3 litres/100km more fuel.

That extra cash also upgrades the wheels to 18-inches, adds xenon headlamps, an upgraded satnav system with a 10.2-inch screen, a heads-up display and electric seats.

TECHNOLOGY

Brakes that recover energy to help run the ancillary systems rather than drawing power (and petrol) from the engine and an idle stop/start system are standard on the 5 Series duo as BMW ekes every last drop out of their fuel efficiency.

The engine itself is a lightweight 2.0-litre four-cylinder with a twin-scroll turbocharger, and the "double-vanos" system which adjusts the camshaft profile to vary inlet and exhaust valve operation. It's not new, just more refined than ever.

The eight-speed automatic is impressively smooth and quick to change gear to match acceleration or braking. Inside, the display screen will now show web pages (using the paired Bluetooth phone as a data access point) when the car is stationary.

STYLE

The Bangle design of the previous E60 model has been replaced with a far less contentious look. It is understated - the new 5 Series looks like a grown-up 3 Series. There's a bit more weight around the haunches but the creases on the bonnet the concave door design disguise the larger size well ,w hile the changes in colour as the light bounces off the various planes give it a classier feel.

The interior is open and the horizontal layers and colour contrasts - grey instrument binnacle/display screen, a piano black or alloy st rip housing the air vents, then sound sytem/aircon controls embedded in cream a swathe of cream-coloured leather - enhance the impression of space.  It works for me.

SAFETY

If you must have a crash, a 5 Series BMW isn't a bad car to do it in. ANCAP rates it 36.53 out of 37, mainly due to the rigidity of the cabin and lack of movement in the pedals and steering column during the 64km/h offset frontal impact test.

The 5 Series is also fitted with an active bonnet - it lifts up to protect pedestrians - and the safety body says the design earned maximum points in the areas likely to be the impact point for a child's head and scored highly for in those areas where an adult cranium is likely to contact.

DRIVING

An eight-second 0-100km/h time is respectable but doesn't do the 520i justice.  It is a better performer than the number suggests. There's a moment where the engine spools up to overcome momentum but maximum torque is available from 1250rpm and at that point no-one will pick this is a 2.0-litre donk.

That performance carries through right to the 6500rpm redline, making the 5 Series an easy car to peddle quickly. The auto 'box hangs on to gears if the right foot is planted or short-shifts to save fuel at lighter throttle loads and is rarely noticed in either case, which is the sign of a sorted transmission.

Driving feel is typically BMW, with good feedback from the wheel and tenacious grip, while the new multi-link suspension lets the driver know what surface they are rolling over without letting that disrupt the drive. And the interior quality is such that, unless your passengers spot the 520 badge on boot, they won't pick this as the base car.

VERDICT

Buying a mid-sized prestige sedan just got tougher. The 520i is a well-executed executive's car with the driving dynamics and features buyers demand and the bonus of the best fuel consumption in its class. That makes the BMW an attractive business case.

BMW 520i

Price: $77,900

Warranty: Three years/unlimited km

Resale: N/A (5 Series average 56 per cent)

Service intervals: 25,000km/12 months

Engine: 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder, 135kW/270Nm

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive

Body: Four-door sedan

Dimensions:  4899mm (L), 1860mm (W), 1464mm (H), 2968mm (WB), 1600mm/1627mm tracks front/rear

Weight: 1685kg

Thirst: 8.0 litres/100km 98RON, 149g/km CO2

Posted in: BMW