BMW has made the 5-Series more appealing with important additions to the European range – two at the very top, along with an entry level model, the 518d, which “minimizes buying and operating costs.” The first two are the M5 and M6, fitted with the new Competition Package, which ups the power to 567 hp (575 PS) and “also adds Sport suspension settings, Sport steering, Sport exhaust with Black Chrome exhaust tailpipes and exclusive 20-inch Double-spoke M light-alloy wheels.”
The M5 is wearing its fresh updates for the model-year change, so the optional extra performance also comes with a host of improvements over the previous model. It gets the exact same power boost as the M6, with which it shares its engine, and in basic form starts £73,505. The Competition Package adds another £6,700 to that, so you’ll be paying at least £80,205 if you want to get to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.2 seconds, instead of 4.4.
When it comes to the M6, the option costs £6,500 for the Coupe and Convertible, so it’s a bit cheaper, and £5,500 for the four-door Gran Coupe variant. With the Pack fitted, the drop-top, which is the most expensive of the bunch will set you back £105,880.
However, you can still get yourself inside a 5-Series for a lot less than that, because you can now buy the £29,830 518d. That price is for the basic SE-trim sedan, and if opt for the more spacious Touring model, it will rise to £32,155. It’s powered by the familiar 143 hp 2.0-liter diesel engine, now EU6-compliant, it provides leisurely pace in the smaller 3-Series with good torque (360 Nm / 265.5 lb-ft) – it shouldn’t have a problem negating the extra weight of the bigger 5.
As expected, it returns excellent economy, with the sedan averaging a claimed 62.8 mpg (4.5 l/100km) – this will be an excellent tax-dodging tool for many upper-medium execs in the UK.
By Andrei Nedelea
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