Road test review: BMW 520i Sedan
Thursday, 28 January 2021
BMW 520I
Base price: $99,990
Powertrain and economy: 2.0-litre turbo-petrol inline-four, 135kW/290Nm, 8-speed automatic, RWD, combined economy 6.8L/100km, CO2 156g/km (source: RightCar).
Vital statistics: 4936mm long, 1868mm wide, 1497mm high, 2975mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 530 litres, 18-inch alloy wheels.
We like: Faster than it looks on paper, high levels of tech, comfy cruiser.
- We don't like: Too many M badges for a non-M car, noticeable vibrations between 80kmh and 100kmh, similar price as a higher-spec 3 Series.
The 5 Series has been refreshed for 2021, bringing small design changes, tech improvements and pricing changes. Let’s start from the bottom, shall we?
That looks an awful lot like the old 5 Series. You sure they changed it?
I think so… facelifts don’t always equate to a new face, despite the phrasing. According to BMW, the new models get an upgraded iDrive system that has over-the-air update capability, BMW Drive Recorder, BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and Android Auto compatibility as well as Apple CarPlay. Both phone interfaces are wireless as well.
**READ MORE:
* Road test review: BMW M8 Competition
* First drive review: BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
**
There are also more options to be ticked, like M Multifunction seats, red brake calipers and M Individual wheel options.
Visual changes include sleeker LED headlights, a (slightly) enlarged kidney grille with longer and wider pieces, while M-Sport models get a different front fascia. Around back, the taillights have new L-shaped inlays to match the headlights and slim black surrounding trim.
In a nutshell, the update brings the 5 Series visually closer to the new 3 Series while updating its onboard tech.
There are four 5 Series models this time around, not counting the range-topping M5, starting with this $99,900 520i, followed by the 530e Plug-in Hybrid ($129,900) and then the v8-powered M550i xDrive Pure at $149,900 and the full-fat M550 xDrive at $174,900.
Once upon a time, the 520i was powered by a two-litre engine. Is that still the case now that everything has gone turbo?
For a change of pace; yes, it actually is!. There’s still a two-litre inline-four under the bonnet but, thanks to everything going turbo, it’s better than the figures make it look. On paper, 135kW/290Nm is only just okay, but BMW has managed to keep the weight of the 520i in check with an unladen mass of 1655kg. That means it feels surprisingly light on its feet
Part of that is due to modern vehicle architectures making good use of lightweight materials like aluminium but a bigger part is down to BMW not giving the 520i all-wheel drive. That means the entry 5 Series is rear drive, a collection of words that have probably perked the ears of about a third of you reading this.
Wait, what? A rear-drive large sedan in 2021?
That’s what I said. Though remember those power figures – this isn’t a powerful machine. The four-cylinder feels designed more for extending fuel range rather than what you might find crackling inside a hot hatch.
Although, get it out on some dry roads and it’s clear that BMW is still trying to provide a driver’s car, despite all the health, safety and emissions requirements. As standard, BMW New Zealand applies the M Sport package which adds larger 19-inch wheels, M Sport suspension and M Sport brakes, among a handful of aesthetic changes.
The improved suspension and brakes are welcome additions, as are the larger wheels. The 520i is relatively happy being pushed, though we did notice a funny vibration in the cabin at between 80kmh and 100kmh.
That’s all well and good, but why am I seeing M badges on a non-M car?
Honestly, it should be made illegal to put M badges and colours on a car that isn't a proper M car (or at least an M-Sport car) regardless of extra packages or options.
Our 520i had little Ms just behind the front wheels and on the steering wheel, the seatbelts had red and blue stitching and there are even M specific door sills and floor mats. There are probably more I didn’t spot too.
If you like that stuff on a base model car, take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror. Let’s not even talk about the M colours being applied to one side of a 318i’s grille. Just because AliExpress sells things for $2 including shipping doesn’t mean you have to buy it.
The M Sport pack also added black accents to the exterior, which would look quite good with any other colour than the solid grey our tester came in. While not exactly the same, the colour combination looked far too close to what Audi does with its RS models. I do like the brown interior but maybe do away with the yuck plasticky fake wood trim next time.
Any other cars I should consider?
Here lies a bit of a problem. By itself the 520i is actually not a bad car. It performs well, offers good fuel consumption and looks good, M badge nonsense aside.
But priced at a hair under $100k puts it against some strong competition, not the least of which coming from BMWs own ranks. For about seven grand less, you can get a 330i Sedan which uses the same engine as the 520i but tuned for 190kW/400Nm and has broadly similar standard kit.
Depending on your priorities, you can spend $94,900 on the 330e plug-in hybrid, which is more fuel efficient (obviously) and more powerful again, with a combined output of 218kW/420Nm.
The nearest Audi is the A6 Sedan ($112,500) while Mercedes-Benz’s closest offering is the $99,900 E 200.