What is it?
You know how we say that choosing dynamic options carefully is crucial when specifying an executive German saloon? In the case of the BMW 5-series, we might have stumbled on a lovely combination.
First, details of the rest of the 5-series’ facelift, which we’ve now driven in the UK. The mid-life refresh brings with it the introduction of a new base diesel model, the 518d, while other engines now meet Euro 6 emissions levels. There are also a few exterior and interior updates.
The exterior ones you’ll become familiar with over time, such as the additional contours around the grille and a restyle around the lower air dam. Inside, the styling is much the same, but satellite navigation now comes as standard and more of BMW’s connectivity technologies have been incorporated.
Join the debate
jer
Adaptive dampers
Try looking nationally for a s/h 5 series with adaptive dampers, last time I looked it was a couple percent only and these must be to be avoided ex press cars
. They really should be standard if BM want to live up to their strap line.
A "518" M-Sport an oxymoron?
evanstim
Try and find ANY S/H BMW with adaptive dampers
We usually buy our vehicles ex-BMW staff cars, 6 months old with around 2-3,000 miles.
We searched months and months for an F31 3 series with adaptive dampers. In 6 months' searching, we only found one, and then, the dealer (Sytner Birmingham) played silly buggers - saying the price they could sell to us had to be £1,200 higher than the price at which they were advertising it. (Huh?)
In the end, after a heated discussion with the dealer, we ordered a new one - but from another dealer, of course.
Verdict on the Adaptive Dampers? Worth every penny. And yes, BMW should make them standard.
bomb
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Autocar really do need to look at more standard cars. I know they can only drive what the manufacturer supplies but, like jer said, take rates for these types of adaptive damper options is minute.
The driving experience described when testing these cars only matches a fraction of the real-world market, something has to give.
Frightmare Bob
bomb wrote: Autocar really do
Autocar are clearly aware of the problem, as the following quote demonstrates: " It had adaptive dampers (we’re still to try a 5-series without them; please send all offers to Autocar Towers)"
Sam_notts
New 2.0D4 in S80, 104 CO2'S,
New 2.0D4 in S80, 104 CO2'S, 0-60 8.4secs, 70.6 mpg, yet when tested in the S60 A/C didn't rate it.. If they couldn't lower the co2 from the 520 then why bother?!
405line
Ridiculous
So, you have to pay extra to make these ugly cars handle correctly. I think BMW are taking the P*ss as there is little other reason to buy a BMW, it not like they are pretty, their technical abilities are their reason for being otherwise you may as well buy something better looking that handles about the same.
winniethewoo
@405line
Huh? Maybe for you. You wouldn't believe the amount of derision I had to take when I "downgraded" from a BMW 3 series to a VW Golf. I kept explaining that the Golf was so complete a car, that I'd rather keep the 7k difference and invest it for the future... to which the majority of people replied "but you could have got a BMW or AUDI!".
90% of the people I know don't care about how well their car drives, as long as its reasonably competent. They do care about identifying themselves with a prestigious brand. Actually to be fair, only a couple of them are snobs. The others are really busy and use brands to shortlist. They wouldn't know or care about what adaptive dampers are and what they do.
A bog standard debadged 518d with leather and an auto box will be right up their street!
Overdrive
405line wrote:So, you have
Looks are a subjective thing. You might not like it, but others might. More to point, where exactly did the article state that: "you have to pay extra to make these ugly cars handle correctly"?
Will86
Adaptive Dampers or an Auto Box?
When you start adding up the price of all these options, speccing a BMW to the level recommended by motoring journalists starts to become expensive. My father was faced with the above dilemma (albeit on a 3 series) and in the end went for the superb 8 speed auto and standard dampers. If you can't have both, my advice is go for the automatic - it makes a much bigger difference to the driving experience.
Andrew 61
If the 5 series is on your
If the 5 series is on your shopping list then this new engine option looks promising and ripe for remapping? Save your £1700, spend £4/500 on fettling it back up to 180 bhp and coupled with the shorter final drive ratio you have a slightly faster more economical and better riding 520d ?
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