Business Car Manager car review verdict

We’ve long been fans of the frugal yet luxurious variants of BMW’s 5 Series, and the 520d remains the plum choice where running costs and company car tax are key considerations.

The current, sixth generation 5 Series has already shifted over a million units, globally, for BMW since launch in 2007. Now facelifted, the obvious benefit is the standardisation of a previously pricey option: sat nav.

The other benefit is invisible but of real consequence: lower drag based on better under-car panels and front apron, and EU 6 emissions compliancy ahead of schedule.

This explains the low taxes, and yet much as we have said of other ‘grown-up’ eco-models such as VW’s Golf Bluemotion, there is now little sense in the 520d being marketed as an eco-car.

Why? Because along with BMW’s decision to kill off the previous EfficientDynamics badging, the frugal models have gone mainstream. 

Only you will know if you’re willing to pay the extra £3000 for the M Sport body kit: the standard 520d will appeal to numerous owners as well.

Out there on the road, the 520d M Sport looks svelte, goes fast enough, maintains composure on all except the worst British surfaces, and remains hugely desirable. Even as recently as five years ago, the thought of achieving £30 VED and 18% company car tax for any executive car, let alone a BMW 5 Series, was the stuff of fantasy, and yet here we are.

No doubt there will still be a handful of punters who go to the other extreme, the 550i with its doubled price tag, new 4.4 litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine and otherworldly pace – but in the real world and on crowded British roads, it’s a huge price tag for some bragging rights, while the 520d M Sport packs the looks, reduces the company car tax bill and still scores massively in most other areas.

It’s a best of all worlds car.

The Low Down…

…and what it costs