[Xplosiv166]

Hi,

So the car is having a software update, and i was given a new (1000+ miles) 520d GT M Sport, if anybody is interested in pics etc i have it until tomorrow morning.

I was looking forward to it as i have never been in and or driven a 5 series before

Very brief review:

The car is MASSIVE, if you don't like the steering feel in the F30 then you will hate the 520d IMO it is a good 50% worse and whilst it seems ok in the corners it has a lot of body roll. NOTE i have VSS in my F30 so maybe this is the difference??

The engine is super quiet but i am guessing that is down to the extra padding and the fact you sit 100 yards away from the engine.

at first i thought the car was in ECO Pro mode as the performance was well in a word rubbish, but unfortunately it was in Comfort.

But after putting it into Sport mode i noticed a massive.. only joking it was still rubbish. I think 0-60 is done in around 7.8 seconds, maybe i have gotten far to use to having a powerful engine, as that is not a slow 0-60 time. Just feels very slow compared to the 330d.

The sports seats in the 520 are miles better than the F30, the same goes for the interior, everything at least looks and feels premium.

Don't like the placement of the AC controls nor did i like the placement of the Sat Nav screen. Must say i am so glad i have the Pro Nav the business Nav in comparison it is simpy poor IMO and something i was missing after only 10 miles.

The electric hand brake with auto-hold is also something i wish the F30 had.

The 520D GT is a very nice car to be in, but looks terrible from the outside, it is not a car i would buy. But if you had a large family it would be worth considering. I will be happy when i give it back and get my F30 again, i was expecting the 5 series to wow me more but i am let feeling a little underwhelmed.

NOTE: it had the 8 SP auto and i did around 100 miles mixed driving.

[Steven1077]

I looked at buying a 5 series but like you said they are just huge, I would never get one down my road or in my garage, I have enough trouble with the 4 series

[....,,,,..,,..]

Yeah it is a bit of a tank lol.

If the X6 is a panther tank, then this is a tiger tank.

I had a 530 GT luxury for a drive to Scotland.

I think the 520 is a little under powered for the size of car.

It is a Mondeo on steroids (did they copy it?)

We also looked at a 5 series, a tourer, however was just too big

Would definitely not choose a 5GT, a 3GT yes.

[happycow6171]

I really wanted a 535d tourer, comfort seats etc, but were we live needed xdrive, so went down the 335d route.

[dannywooly77]

But it looks weird!

[bwrlane]

Great review. I also have a 330d and wondered for a while about a 520d lower spec for the same money. The added refinement of the 520d would certainly be a benefit on long journeys. On my 330d I find the tyre roar quite wearing at 70mph.

It's a different world to me when people say 0-60 in 7.8 is slow. You certainly don't get the fireworks of the 330d but by any absolute standards this is far from slow

[dopper99]

Too big.
Wouldnt bother buying one (well, unless it was an M5 maybe).

[JustChris]

Yup its a tank....and not a pretty one! Does it still have the dual opening saloon/hatch boot...or did I read that was axed on the new car?

[nordberg]

I love the 5 GT. It's built on the 7 series platform which is why it's such a big beast.

I drove one and I didn't find it as you did. I found it supremely relaxing and a lovely place to be. It's not a 3 series - it's not meant to give you the "BMW driving experience", it's meant to provide comfort and presence and it does both in bucket loads IMHO.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by nordberg

I love the 5 GT. It's built on the 7 series platform which is why it's such a big beast.

I drove one and I didn't find it as you did. I found it supremely relaxing and a lovely place to be. It's not a 3 series - it's not meant to give you the "BMW driving experience", it's meant to provide comfort and presence and it does both in bucket loads IMHO.

Agree with your comments, designed as a real mile eater. But will not appeal to many 3 -series users. Even the current 3-series doesn't appeal to many past generation 3-series users, as it is "too big" these days.

The 5 GT is really a slightly jacked up 7-series hatch. Wider than the 5-series and longer.

A 2.0d engine is stretching it a bit though, really needs the bigger engines to match its market segment, IMO.

HighlandPete

[teaston]

5 GT is a complete munter imo. Wouldn't touch one with a barge pole!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by teaston

5 GT is a complete munter imo. Wouldn't touch one with a barge pole!

Keep barge poles away from them, I believe they tend to eat them

They look bit naff, however the one we had was a nice drive if you accept it's a barge with wheels.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by teaston

5 GT is a complete munter imo. Wouldn't touch one with a barge pole!

I’d have to agree….





What would be the one of the worlds most ugly cars – a 1 series front end and 5 series GT back end.

[matk]

Its a horrible car!

[nordberg]

I love it! It may well be my next car as it suits me much more than a F31!

Definitely needs a 6 pot though.....

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by nordberg

I love it! It may well be my next car as it suits me much more than a F31!

Definitely needs a 6 pot though.....

And very big brakes

[....,,,,..,,..]

The 550i sounds like it would be fun.

Anyone drove one with the big v8 in it?

(X cars don't count)