BMW 5 series

Which BMW 5 Series Version Should You Buy?

Choosing a BMW 5 Series from these catalogue records means deciding between nine displayed generation entries covering 1981–2021, including restyled forms, Sedan, Estate 5-door and Liftback bodies.

Choosing a BMW 5 Series from these catalogue records means deciding between nine displayed generation entries covering 1981–2021, including restyled forms, Sedan, Estate 5-door and Liftback bodies. The decisive differences are measurable: engines range from 90 hp to 450 hp, acceleration from 14 seconds to 4.6 seconds where recorded, combined fuel consumption from 4.1 to 14.5 l/100 km, and drive choices include RWD and AWD. For economy, the sixth-generation restyled 520d 2.0 AT is the numerical standout at 4.1 l/100 km. For maximum performance, the seventh-generation M550d 3.0 AT reaches 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, while the sixth-generation restyled 550i 4.4 AT xDrive offers the highest output at 450 hp.

BMW 5 Series generations: which era suits which buyer?

The second generation, produced from 1981 to 1987 as a Sedan, has 24 versions in the database. Its displayed choices are Gasoline models with 4 or 6 Inline cylinders, naturally aspirated engines, 4-speed Automatic or 5-speed Manual gearboxes and RWD. The 518 1.8 MT is the least powerful at 90 hp, while the displayed 525i 2.5 MT reaches 150 hp. This generation suits a buyer prioritizing the earliest Sedan represented here rather than speed: recorded 0–100 km/h times range from 14 seconds for the 518 1.8 MT to 9.9 seconds for the 525i 2.5 MT.

The third generation covers 1988–1994, appears as an Estate 5-door and contains 44 versions. The displayed selection extends from the 113 hp 518i 1.8 MT to the 286 hp 540i 4.0 MT and 540i 4.0 AT. It also introduces an AWD choice in the displayed data through the 525ix 2.5 MT and 525ix 2.5 AT. Buyers wanting the quickest recorded third-generation option should choose either 540i 4.0 version: both reach 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds and 250 km/h.

The fourth generation runs from 1995 to 2000 as an Estate 5-door with 39 versions. Its displayed range includes naturally aspirated Gasoline engines and Turbo Diesel engines, but remains RWD. The 540i 4.4 MT is the quickest listed version at 6.3 seconds to 100 km/h, while the 520d 2.0 MT records the lowest combined consumption at 6.1 l/100 km. The restyled fourth generation spans 2000–2004 as a Sedan and contains 29 versions. Its displayed engines range from the 136 hp 520d 2.0 models to the 286 hp 540i 4.4 MT; it retains RWD and offers 5- or 6-speed gearboxes. Buyers choosing between these two forms are therefore also choosing between Estate 5-door and Sedan.

The fifth generation covers 2003–2007 as an Estate 5-door and has 77 versions. In the displayed selection, the Diesel range runs from 150 hp to 218 hp, with 6-speed Manual or Automatic gearboxes and mostly RWD; the 525d 3.0 AT xDrive adds AWD. The restyled fifth generation covers 2007–2010, remains an Estate 5-door and expands to 87 versions. Its displayed 520d 2.0 variants provide 150–177 hp, while the 530d 3.0 MT reaches 235 hp. The restyled 177 hp 520d 2.0 MT improves combined consumption to 5.3 l/100 km, 0.8 l/100 km below the 163 hp 520d 2.0 MT listed for the earlier fifth generation.

The sixth generation covers 2009–2013 as an Estate 5-door with 83 versions. The displayed models are predominantly Turbo Diesel choices with 184–300 hp, 6-speed Manual or 8-speed Automatic transmissions, and RWD or AWD. The quickest displayed variants are the 535d 3.0 AT and 535d 3.0 AT xDrive, both recording 5.7 seconds to 100 km/h. The restyled sixth generation spans 2013–2017 as a Liftback and contains 72 versions. It broadens the displayed choice to Gasoline and Diesel engines with outputs from 184 hp to 450 hp. Some Liftback entries use pneumatic rear suspension, while other displayed entries use spring rear suspension, so the exact specification matters.

The seventh generation covers 2016–2021 as an Estate 5-door and contains 32 versions. All displayed engines are Turbo units with 4 or 6 Inline cylinders; Gasoline and Diesel choices are offered with RWD or AWD. Most displayed versions use an 8-speed Automatic, although the 520d 2.0 MT retains a 6-speed Manual. This is the strongest all-round generation in the supplied figures: combined consumption begins at 4.3 l/100 km, while the M550d 3.0 AT delivers 400 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds.

BMW 5 Series engine and gearbox specs

Repeated names below are separated by generation, drive or power so that each specification remains identifiable.

The strongest specific output among these comparison entries belongs to the M550d 3.0 AT: 400 hp from 2993 cc equals approximately 133.6 hp per litre. The 550i 4.4 AT xDrive produces approximately 102.4 hp per litre, while the seventh-generation 530i 2.0 AT produces approximately 126.1 hp per litre. That makes the 530i a particularly power-dense Gasoline choice without moving to the heaviest or largest displayed engine.

BMW 5 Series performance, mpg and economy

The economy-first choice is the sixth-generation restyled 520d 2.0 AT with RWD. It records 4.9 l/100 km in the city, 3.7 l/100 km on the highway and 4.1 l/100 km combined, while reaching 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and 233 km/h. The corresponding 520d 2.0 MT records 4.3 l/100 km combined and takes 7.9 seconds, so the Automatic uses 0.2 l/100 km less and is 0.2 seconds quicker in the supplied figures.

For the seventh generation, the RWD 520d 2.0 AT records 4.3 l/100 km combined and 7.8 seconds to 100 km/h. The AWD version with the same 190 hp and 400 Nm records 5.2 l/100 km and 7.6 seconds. AWD therefore brings a 0.2-second acceleration advantage but adds 0.9 l/100 km to combined consumption and 90 kg to kerb weight.

Moving from the seventh-generation 530d 3.0 AT RWD to AWD cuts acceleration from 5.8 to 5.6 seconds, while combined consumption rises from 5.0 to 5.5 l/100 km and kerb weight rises from 1640 to 1800 kg. The 540d 3.0 AT then adds 55 hp and 60 Nm over the AWD 530d, reducing the 0–100 km/h time by 0.7 seconds to 4.9 seconds, with combined consumption increasing by 0.5 l/100 km to 6.0 l/100 km.

The M550d 3.0 AT is the quickest displayed seventh-generation model at 4.6 seconds to 100 km/h. Its 6.6 l/100 km combined figure is 2.3 l/100 km higher than the RWD 520d 2.0 AT, but it provides 210 hp more and halves the weight-per-power ratio from approximately 8.7 kg/hp to approximately 4.9 kg/hp.

Where the database does not provide a performance or economy figure, it should be read as not measured. Examples include acceleration and top speed for the fifth-generation 520d 2.0 MT with 150 hp, and fuel consumption for the fourth-generation restyled 520d 2.0 AT.

BMW 5 Series dimensions, weight, ground clearance and wheels

The displayed second-generation versions have a 70-litre tank and 140 mm ground clearance. Kerb weight begins at 1140 kg for the 518 1.8 MT; gross weight for that version is not measured.

Displayed third-generation versions use an 80-litre tank and have 120 mm ground clearance. Kerb weights run from 1420 kg for the 115 hp 518i 1.8 MT to 1685 kg for the 525ix 2.5 AT. Wheel sizes are not measured for these displayed versions.

The fourth-generation Estate 5-door uses a 70-litre tank and 120 mm clearance. The 540i 4.4 MT weighs 1695 kg kerb and 2280 kg gross, with listed wheel choices of 225/55 R16, 235/45 R18 and 235/40 R18. The restyled Sedan retains a 70-litre tank and 120 mm clearance; the 540i 4.4 MT weighs 1585 kg kerb and 2170 kg gross.

Fifth-generation clearance is listed at either 120 or 143 mm depending on the exact version. All displayed versions use a 70-litre tank. Wheel sizes are generally not measured. The restyled generation similarly uses a 70-litre tank and predominantly 143 mm clearance.

The sixth-generation displayed models use a 70-litre tank and 141 mm clearance. Listed wheel sizes include 225/55 R17 and 245/45 R18 on selected versions. The restyled Liftback entries show either 141 or 145 mm clearance; tank capacity remains 70 litres.

The seventh generation uses a 68-litre tank. Most displayed versions have 140 mm clearance, while the M550d 3.0 AT has 130 mm. The M550d weighs 1955 kg kerb and 2620 kg gross and lists 245/40 R19 and 275/35 R19 wheels. Wheel sizes for the other displayed seventh-generation versions are not measured.

Which BMW 5 Series version should you buy?

Choose the sixth-generation restyled 520d 2.0 AT if minimum recorded fuel use is the priority. Its 4.1 l/100 km combined consumption is the lowest supplied figure, yet its 190 hp and 400 Nm still deliver 7.7-second acceleration to 100 km/h.

Choose the seventh-generation 530d 3.0 AT RWD for the strongest numerical balance of speed, economy and weight. It produces 265 hp and 620 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, consumes 5.0 l/100 km combined and weighs 1640 kg. At approximately 6.2 kg/hp, it carries substantially less weight per horsepower than the seventh-generation RWD 520d 2.0 AT at approximately 8.7 kg/hp.

Choose the seventh-generation 530i 2.0 AT with RWD if Gasoline is required without accepting the consumption of the larger displayed engines. Its 252 hp gives 6.5-second acceleration and 6.1 l/100 km combined consumption. AWD reduces the time to 6.3 seconds, but raises combined consumption to 7.0 l/100 km and kerb weight by 60 kg.

Choose the seventh-generation M550d 3.0 AT for the quickest acceleration among the displayed seventh-generation cars. Choose the sixth-generation restyled 550i 4.4 AT xDrive instead if maximum output is the overriding metric: its 450 hp exceeds the M550d by 50 hp, although its 4.8-second acceleration is 0.2 seconds slower and its 9.6 l/100 km combined consumption is 3.0 l/100 km higher.

For an older RWD performance Estate 5-door, the third-generation 540i 4.0 MT and fourth-generation 540i 4.4 MT are the direct numerical candidates. Both have 286 hp and reach 250 km/h; the fourth-generation car takes 6.3 seconds to 100 km/h, 0.1 seconds quicker than the third-generation model. The final decision is therefore not about an assumed reputation or unlisted price. It is about the body, drive system, gearbox, measured speed and measured fuel use that fit the buyer’s priorities.