BMW 5-Series Saloon (2010 - 2017) 520d M Sport 4d (2012/62) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Owning a BMW says you are someone who cares about quality. The M-Sport styling possibly makes you look like a wide-boy (but in the nicest sense), and the 5-series suggests you are doing ok for yourself.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They love it!

Would you buy this car again and why?

For the quality, specification, value for money, drive/handling, fuel efficiency and the fact that it is so practical - yes, I definitely would have another one. However, as this is now my third BMW (all of which have been great by the way), I will be choosing a different brand of car next time. The reason: because in spite of all the good things about it - the interior of the BMW (as nice as it is) doesn't feel like its changed much in 12 years (and thats across models too) - and when I get a new car, I want to feel like I've really got a new car!

What are you likely to buy next?

Range Rover Evoque.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

Yes

What price did you pay?

£35,215

When did you buy the car?

November 2012

Did you get a good deal and why?

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Mine is a company car, and the 5-series BMW is extremely good specification, quality and value for money.

What was the dealer like?

What's it like to drive?

The default 'comfort' mode is fine. The car is comfortable, accelerates well if you're not racing and isn't too thirsty. The 'Sport' mode is better. Acceleration is noticeably more responsive to the pedal and the ride is firmer - but its still a large saloon, so its not something you will ever want to 'throw' around.

What's it like to park?

Full, front and rear audio and visual parking sensors make this car very very easy to park.

Have you had any problems with the car?

With the last couple of cold winters, the roads have more and more pot-holes in them and the low-profile alloys are completely trashed. This would probably be typical of any car with low-pros, but I have also experienced buckled wheels, which occurred on my last 5-series too and anecdotally I have heard BMW alloys could be more susceptible to buckling than other brands... I don't know how true this is, but I do know that I am not driving at high speed through pot-holes!!

What's most practical about your car?

The size of the boot. Its incredible how much we can get in there. The 5-series is perfect for a family who (like me) doesn't want a people carrier.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The media player and its integration with my iPhone. I'm not sure what 'option' this is, because it came with the M-Sport - I didn't choose it separately (and actually didn't realise it had it until the car arrived and I plugged it in!!) I was so very pleased!