The 5 Series is one of BMW’s most popular models in its product portfolio in India. The current F10 was launched in 2010 and now 4 years down the line the Bavarian manufacturer has given the 5 Series a mid life makeover. The car featured here is the 520d in what BMW calls the ‘Modern’ trim and I got to spend a couple of days with it. So what’s new in the updated model? The answers lie below.
The current gen 5 Series in my opinion has the cleanest design lines in all the BMW model lineup currently on sale. The changes to the facelift model are not instantly visible. There are new headlamps and tail lamps for starters. The headlamps are also slimmer than the earlier car, look nice and also get full LED treatment. The front and rear bumpers are new and they get silver metallic enhancements. The signature kidney grille is finished in matte chrome on the Modern trim. It also gets new turbine design 18 inch alloy wheels that add a touch of sportiness to the car.
Step into the interior and you are greeted by a familiar cabin but, with a difference. You get an all beige dashboard which gives a fresh and airy feeling to the insides of the car. The wood trims are also of a lighter shade and there are silver bits on the dash and the steering as well. I particularly like the beige finished steering wheel which is electrically adjustable. The instrument cluster is displayed on a virtual screen and it changes colours according to the drive mode you choose (ECO PRO, COMFORT, SPORT). There is a 6.5 inch screen for the iDrive and is controlled by a dial instead of a touch pad that is seen on the 530d. The front seats get electrical adjust with memory function and lumbar support. The rear seats offer good support and comfort but the higher transmission tunnel would make life difficult for a third passenger. There are manually operated sun blinds for the rear windows and an electrically operated blind for the rear windshield. Other features include dual zone climate control, 8 airbags, re generative braking, paddle shifters, rear view camera and parking sensors. You also get a Harman Kardon audio system with Aux, Bluetooth and Ipod compatibility. However track selection via the iDrive controller is slow and does have a slight delay. This was when I connected the iPod to the system. The car battery is located in the boot and a spare wheel is well, absent. BMW should really provide atleast a spacesaver tyre with the car as standard.
The 520d comes with a 1995cc 4 cylinder diesel motor putting out 184 horsepower @4000 rpm and achieves max torque of 380 Nm which comes up between 1750 to 2750 rpm. The engine is peppy, loves to be revved and thanks to the 8 speed automatic gearbox, shifts are extremely smooth. Engine refinement is an issue though. The motor is noisy at lower rpms and then also at the higher end of the rpm range. Definitely better is expected from a high end German. The engine is at its silent best when driving along at cruising speeds in a relaxed manner. Handling has always been a BMW virtue and the 520d is no different. The car is fun around corners and steering feels is sweet. However there is a considerable amount of body roll while going through the curves. There are three drive modes to choose from while driving: ECO PRO which tweaks the ECU, acceleration responses and gearshifts towards fuel efficiency. Even if you have switched of the Auto Start/Stop function, it automatically gets activated again after choosing ECO PRO. COMFORT mode is for everyday driving while SPORT is for the spirited kind of driving. You get aggressive throttle response and in short the mode to be in, if you want to see the red line at all times. Ride quality is good at city speeds but does tend to get bumpy on the open highway. The expansion joints on the Mumbai Pune Expressway were felt prominently in the cabin.
The facelift 520d has a fresh appeal for sure. There aren’t too many changes to the car but the addition of equipment is a plus. The interior is fantastic too and gives a more premium feel than before. Sure the ride quality is not right up there and the noise levels of the engine can be improved but it is still a fun to drive car, is fuel efficient and has all the strong points that a BMW is known for which makes it a great overall package.
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