BMW 520 Efficient Dynamics Specs, Review,
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Design
Such class-leading emissions and the tax benefits that come with them are just some of the reasons you’ll see so many 5-Series ploughing up and down our motorways. It’s a handsome shape, yet a less distinctive and expressive piece of design than the (famously) "Bangled" version that went before it. For some, the departure of BMW’s flamboyant former design director, Chris Bangle, whose name became a moniker for a whole generation of very different-looking BMWs, will be a relief. The new-generation design of cars, of which this 5-Series was the first, is more sober and elegant. Yet some of us mourn the loss of the expressive design of the previous car.
Technology
Much of what we wrote about in our 3-Series review applies here, because fundamentally the technology architecture is very similar. The iDrive controller is a copy-paste job and none-the worse for it – falling directly into your hand if you rest your arm on the between-seat armrest and working with the same infallible logic.
Similarly, the upgraded sat nav system works intuitively – you input addresses via the rotary controller quickly and easily on the fly. The screen can be split to show the map in different forms, or map and upcoming turn-by-turn directions and the digital lower area of the dash also re-configures to show you turn-by-turn instructions. Opt for the full-colour head-up display, and alongside speed, you’ll also get turn-by-turns projected on to the road ahead, too.
We’ve long held up the BMW 5-Series as the sensible, default choice in this size and class of car, because it drives so well and because BMW has the technology integration and functionality so well sorted. This Efficient Dynamics version of the 5-Series does little to change that view. It drives better than most of the opposition, will fundamentally save you money compared to the opposition. If it’s your company car then it’s better to be in and use on a day-to-day than the only competitor which drivers better than it – the Jaguar XF.
Whether it’s the one to go for in the range depends on how closely you’re watching the pennies and your company car tax bill. In our opinion, the sharper looks and auto option that come available with the regular 520d in MSport trim would swing the balance in its favour, if money were no object. But that will inevitably mean paying more in company car tax, so we understand if you disagree.
In fact, the car that puts the 5-Series in the most questionable light actually comes from its own mother brand. In essence, the 5-Series does little measurably better than the 3-Series, costs more and – unless you carry four or five big people regularly – doesn’t really gain you a lot of valuable extra space.