BMW 5 Series520d xDrive M Sport 4dr Auto
£22,700
£22,700
£18,750
£29,995
£34,000
£36,500
£15,000
£31,700
£35,890
£26,000
£17,341
£21,430
£25,000
£19,990
£28,161
£20,990
was
£32,950
£1,000 off£21,200
£21,190
1-18 of 198 vehicles
What is the most popular colour for BMW 5 Series ?
What is the most popular gearbox for BMW 5 Series ?
What is the most popular fuel type for BMW 5 Series ?
What is the most popular engine for BMW 5 Series ?
What is the average mileage for BMW 5 Series ?
28753
How many BMW 5 Series cars are available for sale?
198
BMW has pretty much perfected the 5 Series formula by now. The very first model arrived in 1972, more than 50 years ago, and the very latest eight-generation car arrived in 2024. From 2017 to 2023, the seventh generation of 5 Series ruled the roost - and it’s just as good as a used buy as it was as a new car.
The 5 Series’ strengths are numerous, from the way it drives to the image it projects. BMW’s constant development means it’s always kept pace with the latest technologies too, and that includes powertrains: where once there was a mix of petrol and diesel models, plug-in hybrids are also now available, and that’s before you get into some of the high-performance options or the availability of the 5 Series Touring estate. Read more about BMW’s class-leading executive saloon below.
The BMW 5 Series is popular for good reason. It’s one of the best executive saloons available, with an ironclad image, great driving characteristics, plenty of space, and plenty of equipment. That the same can be said of so many prior generations of 5 Series too, shows that BMW really knows what it’s doing by now.
In many ways there’s not a lot of difference between the 5 Series and its closest rivals, but one area the BMW has long had the edge is driver appeal. The 5 Series is a large and quite heavy car these days, but it’s still rewarding to drive, with precise steering and excellent handling. It doesn’t come at the expense of ride quality either - for just cruising around, the BMW is comfortable and pliant, and makes light work of long trips.
The 5 Series’ interior helps. In its time on sale between 2017 and 2023, the model we’re covering here saw several small updates which improved its features and technology, but all get a spacious cabin with an excellent driving position, comfortable seats (with standard leather trim), and a big boot - especially in the Touring estate. Build quality is up with the best too, and all it really lacks is the flash you get in some rivals.
For flash, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class still has the edge, with its S-Class inspired cabin, while Audi’s twin-touchscreen layout in the A6 also feels more high-tech than the BMW - though it’s arguably not as easy to use as the BMW’s layout. The Mercedes is the pick for outright comfort, but neither German alternative handles as well as the BMW. One car that gets close is the Jaguar XF, though that’s limited in its engine choice compared to the 5 Series. More left-field options include the Volvo S90 and Lexus ES (and older Lexus GS).
The easiest 5 Series to recommend is the 520d. If that sounds a little unexciting, consider that it still has impressive performance (with acceleration that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a sports saloon a few decades ago) and has economy figures of nearly 60mpg on paper. The availability of xDrive all-wheel drive gives you options too. Stick with SE trim unless you prefer the M Sport’s looks too - the lower-spec model’s smaller wheels help the 5 Series ride more like a luxury car.
The BMW 5 Series Saloon’s exterior dimensions are:
The BMW 5 Series Saloon’s boot space is:
Only a handful of earlier, lower-specification 520d SE models will avoid the government’s hefty VED surcharge here - most of the 5 Series range in this generation cost more than £40,000 brand new. That means a bill of £600 per year for most 5 Series, and £10 less for the hybrids. The handful that cost under £40,000 new get a lower rate of £190 per year.
There’s a wide range of trim levels and engine options in the 5 Series range and this is reflected in a similarly wide range of insurance group ratings - going from group 28 at the lowest end, to group 46 at the top (not including the high-performance BMW M5).