Test drive BMW 520d / 530d Touring: an alternative

Meeting with the new edition of the "five" performed by the station wagon

With its 730kg payload capacity, the BMW Series 5 solid car is an opportunity to get a lot without buying an SUV, and the new base 190-litre diesel with XNUMXbhp. a perfectly acceptable offer.

When comparing “consumer products” such as a crossover versus a station wagon, the BMW X5 and BMW 5 Series Touring always come to mind. If you exclude the factor of bad roads, what else would force consumers to replace a solid and spacious car of the "five" type with the X5? Yes, we all know about a taller seat and a sense of security, as well as more space in SUV models. Yet…

These thoughts come up again after driving the new BMW 5 Series. However, with a large enough interior volume, it offers much cleaner dynamics than the SUV model with its lighter (over 300kg) weight and lower center of gravity, as well as better aerodynamics, while a dual transmission is also available.

However, an interesting fact is that the price of both models is quite close. Obviously we'll have to talk about this again when the new X5 comes out.

The kingdom of diesel

The 5 Series Touring is the ultimate family car for people and companies that can afford it and stick to their image. The test vehicles for the presentation of the station wagon version of the new 5 Series, internally called the G31, are the diesel BMW 520d Touring and 530d Touring.

Unlike the sedan version, the new station wagon relies primarily on such cars - and more than 80 percent of the sold copies of this car have the letter “d” in the designation. By the way, this is the fifth generation of the 5 Series, which has a station wagon version.

Since 1991, 31 million cars of this variant have been produced, and every sixth “five” is a station wagon. However, by the G530's market debut, buyers will also have a 252i petrol (with a 540-hp two-liter engine) and a 340i (XNUMX-liter unit).

We hit the road in a car with a smaller diesel engine, which, although with a single turbine, already has a pretty solid 190 hp. and a torque of 400 Nm. Quite a machine that does not bother with 1700 kilograms on a 520d. It's the only car that can be ordered with a six-speed manual - all the others have an eight-speed automatic.

Virtually no noise permeates the cabin, thanks to both the state-of-the-art unit and some pretty serious soundproofing measures, including a custom-designed windshield and full engine wrapping to help keep it warm.

However, if you want the unique pleasure that high-performance six-piezo injectors with silky softness, 2500 bar injection pressure and all that 620 Nm can deliver, it is better to focus on the 530d. However, for this you will have to pay an additional $ 11.

730 kg payload

Like the sedan, the Touring has a brilliant combination of comfort and cornering control. The front suspension with a pair of wheel arms decouples the vertical forces from the steering forces, which helps to reduce the impact on the steering system and create a more direct and cleaner steering feel.

Depending on the version, adaptive steering with variable transmission ratio and rear-steer capability is available on request, as well as adaptive dampers, active rear anti-roll bar and of course the Dual xDrive transmission. However, for those who choose the station wagon version, the pneumatic elements of the rear suspension are standard equipment.

The new generation is 36mm taller than its predecessor, eight millimeters wider and has a 7mm longer wheelbase. The cargo volume has been increased from 560 to 570 liters, and the payload has been increased to 120 kg depending on the version and reaches a phenomenal 730 kg.

All this is combined with a weight reduction of up to 100 kg thanks to the use of a mixture of lighter materials in all possible areas - for example, the front and rear lids and doors are made of aluminum, and the barrier between the engine and the passenger compartment is made of magnesium. Obviously, the specialists in the wind tunnel in Munich also did a good job, because the flux factor is 0,27.

In such a premium model, it makes sense for the assistance systems to include the full Bavarian suite, but to that are added adaptive LED front lights (optional) with the option to turn on a 500-meter beam. For those looking for more customization, there is the incredible M package, which includes external aerodynamic elements and a reduced suspension.

And, of course, infotainment and connectivity – in this case in the form of iDrive with a rotary controller, a XNUMX-inch monitor, voice commands and gestures, and connectivity to the mobile world with BMW Connected.