Overview of the Bmw 5
The 5 Series, born in 1972 and arriving in Australia a year later, was once regarded as the finest sedan in the world. It's also been available in wagon form, while in 2009 a rather quirky GranTurismo variant with a higher seating position and bigger interior was added (and actually based on the 7 Series limo). The range is topped by the M5 performance model, which is considered legendary for some generational models - such as the E39 (1998-2003).
BMW 5 SERIES GENERATIONS (SINCE 1996)
1996-2003
2003-2010
2010-2017
2017 onwards
RUNNING COSTS
Fuel Consumption (2014 onwards)
2.0L 4-cylinder turbo diesel: 4.8 to 4.9 litres per 100km
3.0L 6-cylinder turbo diesel: 5.1 to 5.6 litres per 100km
2.0L 4-cylinder turbo: 6.2 litres per 100km
3.0L 6-cylinder turbo: 7.2 to 8.0 litres per 100km
4.4L V8: 9.9 to 10.5 litres per 100km
= Highly economical.
= Good economy.
= Average fuel use.
= Heavy consumption.
Servicing
BMW's Service Inclusive package for the 5 Series costs from about $1695, covering five years or 80,000km. BMW 5 Series parts and accessories can be found on Gumtree.
SIMILAR MODELS TO BMW 5 SERIES
Audi A6
Jaguar XF
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Lexus GS
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: BMW 5 SERIES (2010 TO 2016)
Let's get something straight here: These are complex, sophisticated, expensive machines and unless you really know your way around them, an independent pre-purchase inspection is an absolute must.
It's not that the 5 Series is inherently faulty, but there's so much going on in one of these that you really need to call in an expert.
That said, there are a few things you can look for while whittling the short-list down.
That starts with a rattling noise from the turbo diesel engine that is often traced back to stretched timing chains.
This is seriously bad news on early versions of the turbo diesel as the whole engine has to be removed to replace the chains (they were at the back of the engine). In some cases, the crankshaft also had to be replaced as a result, meaning that a new motor was often a cheaper option.
The VANOS variable valve timing system can leak and fail. A check-engine light on the dash and/or a weep of oil at the front of the engine is the first clue. Again, this is an expensive fix.
The electric coolant pump on some variants can also fail leading to overheating. If this has occurred, there's a good chance the engine could be damaged beyond economical repair.
