BMW 5 Series (2017-2023) review | A brilliant all-rounder and an exciting sports saloon

What is the BMW 5 Series?

Is this generation of the BMW 5 Series the best second-hand executive saloon money can buy? That's the big question. After all, for a long time, the 5 Series reigned supreme in head-to-head tests with its rivals, offering the unbeatable combination of an involving driving experience, a brilliantly supple chassis and a tastefully upmarket interior. And when it’s parked next to its enormous, and somewhat inelegant, successor, it wouldn’t be hard to argue that the older car is the more desirable.

Mind you, in the years before this seventh-generation (also known as G30) model came on stream, its biggest rivals, the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, were busy upping their game, and the challenge they presented to the G30 5 Series was tougher than ever. As if that wasn't enough, the beautifully appointed Volvo S90 and sleek Jaguar XF give potential buyers of the 5 Series a wide range of alternatives to choose from.

In 2023, BMW updated the 5 Series model range with the all-new G60 version, alongside which BMW brought in the addition of the related i5 all-electric saloon and estate.

How practical is it?

You only need to climb aboard to start to understand why the 5 Series was so well-regarded. For one thing, it’s one of the roomier executive saloons or estates out there, with a huge amount of space, especially up front, where you'll also find loads of usefully sized spots to stow your odds and ends.

In the back, you shouldn't be short of room either, although here the 5 Series is bested by the Volvo S90. The boot's a good size, at 530 litres, but it isn't an entirely useful shape, with odd lumps running down each side of the floor that make the floor itself quite narrow.

On the plus side, you could specify the 5 Series saloon with folding rear seats that had a 40/20/40 split. Trouble is, these were only ever an optional extra, so buying second-hand, you’ll have to look out a model that has them fitted.

If you want more boot room (and split-folding seats as standard) the estate model (badged Touring) offers 560 litres of carrying capacity. What’s more, its longer roof means it’ll offer more head room to rear-seat passengers.

It should be noted, though, that the plug-in hybrid models cut boot space to 410 and 430 litres respectively.

What’s it like to drive?

Where the 5 Series really excels is out on the road. Entry-level SE models ride nicely; there's still a touch of background vibration, but compared with the equivalent E-Class or A6, the BMW is the pick of the pack (though if you can find an E-Class fitted with the optional air suspension, it's smoother still).

M Sport versions have a stiffer setup that's less comfortable, though, so make sure you can live with this before you choose one of these. The extra weight of larger-engined and four-wheel-drive models (badged xDrive) makes them feel just a touch less supple, too.

The 5 Series is still a really lovely thing to drive once you get it up to speed on a back road, flowing intuitively from corner to corner more sweetly than most of its rivals, the Jaguar XF excepted.

Even at launch, the G30 featured a fairly expansive engine range, which stretched from the 187bhp four-cylinder diesel 520d right up to the six-cylinder 540i with 335bhp.

Later on, more options joined the line-up, including the 518d, which offered an even more frugal option at the entry level with 148bhp. At the top of the range, meanwhile, BMW released the M5 models. These truly felt like four-door supercars, and ranged from 591bhp in the standard model, right up to 626bhp in the extremely special, limited-run M5 CS.

Plug-in hybrid versions – badged 530e and 545e – were also available, replacing the old ‘ActiveHybrid’ full hybrid versions of the old F10 5 Series.

And when the G30 was facelifted, its four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines all gained the addition of 48-volt mild hybrid technology, which boosted power and fuel economy. At the same time, a tub-thumping 523bhp V8 petrol engine with four-wheel drive – badged M550i xDrive – was added at the top of the range.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

Once ensconced in the 5 Series’s driver’s seat, you're greeted by a beautifully finished interior replete with a big, glossy central screen, splashes of metal, and - if it's your preference - chunks of real wood.

By contrast with Audi, BMW opted to retain physical buttons for the air conditioning, which is a relief as it means you don't have to fiddle with a distracting touchscreen if you want to adjust the heating while you're on the move.

However, it isn't all perfect inside the G30; the standard virtual dials' hexagonal screen layout is rather crowded and difficult to read at a glance. Happily, that big central screen is easier to use, with quick responses and an intelligent menu layout that’s actually more intuitive than the one you’ll find in the later G90 5 Series.

Equipment levels are pretty generous, with leather upholstery, heated front seats and sat nav coming as standard on even the entry-level SE model, while upgrading to the popular M Sport gives you sportier styling, bigger wheels and stiffer suspension.

BMW 5 Series running costs

On paper, the 530e looks to be the most economical 5 Series by a long shot, but as its fuel economy will vary wildly depending on how often you charge it up, the most consistently frugal 5 Series of all in the real world is actually the 520d.

You can expect to see as much as 55mpg day-to-day if you keep the specification simple, though M Sport models with larger wheels and heavier equipment will see that drop to around 50mpg. If it's a petrol version you're after, the 520i with an automatic gearbox should achieve somewhere between 40 and 45mpg on average.

At the other end of the scale, the M550i’s huge power output and heavy four-wheel drive system result in some rather slender fuel economy figures – don’t expect to see more than 25mpg even when you’re driving carefully. The M5, meanwhile, will be even worse.

It’s worth noting that at the facelift in 2020, mild hybrid technology was added to four- and six-cylinder versions of the G30. That means these models can achieve even more impressive fuel economy figures than their pre-facelift equivalents, and are well worth looking out if you can stretch to them.

Keep in mind that most 5 Series retailed at more than £40,000 when new, which means they trip over the threshold for additional car tax. That means examples that are less than six years old will face relatively high tax bills until they reach that age.

Maintaining a 5 Series is, generally speaking, more expensive than an Audi A6, but cheaper than a Mercedes E-Class, which pitches it roughly in the middle of the road by comparison with its chief competitors. You can opt to spread the cost of your annual servicing by choosing one of BMW's service plans, which offer simple monthly payments and are transparently priced. That said, at this age, you might be better off taking your 5 Series to a good independent BMW specialist. Prices will be much lower than at a main dealer, and the level of care and respect your car will receive will usually be just as high – and perhaps even higher.

All of the 5 Series' engines use metal timing chains, and you shouldn't have to replace these for the entire life of the car, unlike rubber timing belts, which are the alternative and still used from time to time on cheaper cars.

BMW 5 Series reliability

It’s a tale of two halves when it comes to the reliability of the 5 Series. Petrol and plug-in hybrid models scored highly in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, with a 96.3 per cent rating, though diesel models did considerably less well, with owners citing issues with particulate filters and other emissions control systems fitted to these engines.

BMW’s reputation for reliability has steadily improved over the last few years, meanwhile, which suggests that it might be wiser to buy the latest 5 Series your budget will stretch to – hopefully you’ll better feel the effects of those improvements.

BMW warranted the 5 Series for three years from new, which means the warranty on almost every example will now have expired. Keep an eye out for cars that had an extended warrant purchased for them by a thoughtful previous owner – but if you really want an executive car that’s still covered, look at a Lexus ES instead.

Lexus will give you a full year’s warranty if you take it back to a main dealer for a service, and it’ll continue to do so until the car is 10 years old, giving you much more peace of mind than you’ll get with the BMW.