On sale from 20th March from £27,280

• The current E60 version of the 5-Series has been a real success story in the UK. Not everyone liked the styling initially, but it has been the most successful version so far, and a tough act to follow.

• The all-new F10 model is the sixth incarnation of the car, and it seems as if practice makes perfect.

• Taking some design cues from the 7-Series and 3-Series and highlighting some classic BMW lines, the result is a sporty and elegant car that should alienate very few.

• The interior is cheerier than often seen in BMWs, helped by the large standard fit 7” screen for the i-drive and the leather upholstery (also now standard).

• Around 90% of the sales are expected to be diesel, with a healthy proportion being the up-rated 2.0 litre in the 520d which now produces 184bhp and a meagre 132g/km of CO2. Corporate buyers will love it.

• The very small price premium that the new car has over the old one (just £130 in the case of the 520d) when the improved specification is considered, this car is quite a proposition.

• Of course, the all important options such as navigation systems and automatic gearbox (and the new sport auto is worth every penny), do push up the price significantly.

• The Touring version will be with us before the year is out. Details of the M-Sport model (an essential choice with E60, but might not need to be default a choice with this car) are yet to be announced.


Verdict – The new 5-Series is hard to fault. Better specified, lower CO2 with better mpg, and more powerful. Better looking inside and out, and the handling is just as you would want and expect a BMW to offer. With prices starting for roughly the same as a top spec Mondeo, but with slightly different residual values, why wouldn’t you have one?

JK - March 2010