Looking for advice on 5 series touring...

[RedUn]

Been looking at these on and off for a few months now, figured if your buying an estate you might as well get a BIG one which ruled out the 3 series.

I thinking 3 litre diesel auto and have been looking at low mileage fairly new F11 535d's originally. I've noticed some of the G31 530ds have come down now though and are only a few k more (man maths kicking in!)

Has anyone had either? Both would be ideal? I think the G31 looks a much nicer car but they don't do a twin turbo one? G31 is a lot lighter though so maybe that offsets the extra turbo!?

Never bought a car like this before so any advice appreciated

 

[RedUn]

Appreciate this isn't the most exciting topic but someone must have had an estate :tumbleweed:

 

[Mr Tidy]

Well I'll reply then!

But sadly I can't help you because when I bought my Touring earlier this year it was an E91 325i.

I hope someone can help soon.

 

[IRD]

Not quite what you were hoping for but our daily drive is year old 330d Touring Auto. Great car, love driving it. Powerful and economical. I am sure that the 5 series will be at least as good and probably better.. go try one at the local stealers. You don’t have to buy there.

 

[Steve84N]

My father in law has an F11 520d which I've driven. It's great at covering miles but not very sporty. The 5 series is a bit of a pain to manoeuvre in anything but plenty of space as it has a long wheelbase and is around 0.5m longer than a 3. Massive boot though and decent rear legroom.

You don't say why you want one and what you'll use it for? Your budget allows for some more interesting alternatives like a 340i, C63, or E63 which would be my choice.

 

[Number5]

I've had a couple of 520d Msport F11's. Absolutely great.
I've a large dog and she fits in the back no problem, but I just find it them excellent, practical family buses.
They are comfortable and eat Motorway miles so effortlessley at speed with very little road or engine noise. They are well loaded with toys and will shift when in sport mode, although you're never going to through that tail around a tight bend. However I've got the 8 speed auto with paddles and there's plenty of poke for overtaking.
With a 5 year/60k free servicing package its a no brainer and I've had no trouble in 7 years of driving them. I'm on my second and will happily look again for a 3rd in 12 months time.

They have a great presence on the road too. (Everyone thinks you're an unmarked Police car. it's hilarious !)

 

[RedUn]

Thanks for all the info guys really appreciate it!

I guess I'm not sure what I'm doing I feel like I should have a practical car but I'm very rubbish at being practical, I did look at RS4 avants etc as they are similar money but then I might as well keep the m240 (apart from the extra boot space!) :?

@number5 have you driven the G31? I'd be interested to know your thoughts if you have...

 

[Steve84N]

Doesn't sound like you need a more practical car or otherwise you'd have been forced into one already...

 

[RedUn]

Doesn't sound like you need a more practical car or otherwise you'd have been forced into one already...

That's my man logic too... I'll introduce you to the Mrs :fuelfire: :rofl:

 

[Steve84N]

:lol:

Try and find something else in your house to apply equally illogical thinking to that she'll disagree with to prove why you don't need to spend loads on a massive car.

 

[Crazy Harry]

We've picked up a 520d touring last month on a 16plate. It was to replace the aging Galaxy we ran for 13 years / 220,000 miles as the family workhorse - not quite as cavernous (man the Galaxy was big inside and with the seats out had a flat load area - last thing I moved was a cooker stood upright) but returns around 50mpg so just as economical and a lot quicker away from traffic lights etc. but it wasn't bought for performance.

Interior far more grown up and stuffed full of toys. Only our second BMW after 40 years of Fords but we were tempted after the driving experience in the Zed. A couple of thousand miles in and we're not regretting it and have almost stopped reaching for the gear lever - eight speed auto with impressive kickdown.

 

[RedUn]

Thanks for the review, always helps getting real reviews rather than some journalists! The 5 looks pretty big in the back with the seats down although it's no galaxy is it! They are like vans!

 

[Crazy Harry]

Thanks for the review, always helps getting real reviews rather than some journalists! The 5 looks pretty big in the back with the seats down although it's no galaxy is it! They are like vans!

and with the seats removed a solid floor to load bare. The new ones all have fold down seats so you don't get that solid surface. Still all good things come to an end I just need to get our landy back on the road now so I can move all the junk that I don't want to put into the 5 series.