BMW 525d RANGE
The 525d Further Fleshes Out BMWs All-Out Assault On The Diesel Executive Sector. Andy Enright Assesses Its Chances
Until the latest 525d model appeared,
BMW were fighting the executive diesel battle with one arm tied behind their backs. Whereas Mercedes could offer no fewer than three different diesel variants of their E-Class, BMW had but one model to offer. Granted, it was the mighty 530d and it did account for over forty per cent of all 5 Series sales during the first few months the car was available but a broader range was required. With the arrival of the less expensive 525d, BMW may well have turned the corner in establishing market dominance.
Of course, less expensive doesnt necessarily mean inexpensive. At £28,710 a pop for the SE saloon £30,785 for the Touring estate and £3,160 more in each case for the Sport derivatives, the BMW 525d represents a significant investment for many, but one drive will be enough to quell any concerns regarding value for money. Using the same second-generation common-rail diesel technology as the 530d, this model cranks out a respectable 177bhp at 4,000rpm, but as with all diesel engines, the torque rather than flat-out power is more impressive. With 400Nm of torque to call upon at a lowly 2,000rpm, the BMWs engine feels massively muscular when pulling away from junctions or onto roundabouts and its inherent flexibility thus keeps gearchanging to a minimum, further reducing driveline stress and promoting a very smooth ride.
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To put that torque figure into perspective, the BMWs engine feels stronger than that of a
Porsche 911 Carrera from pull away. Unlike its illustrious compatriot, however, the
BMW will turn in an average fuel consumption figure of 42.2mpg and emit just 179 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometre. Couple these figures with cast iron residual values and its instantly apparent that this car will be hugely popular with those whove managed to ascend a decent way up the slippery corporate pole.
Euro IV emissions compliance means that it sidesteps the punishing three per cent taxation surcharge too. Its too good to reserve purely for fleet buyers however. Private buyers looking for a car that pretty much does it all should put the 525d on their shortlists. Its quick enough to offer some fun behind the wheel.
The 525d will accelerate to 60mph in 7.9 seconds and run on to a maximum speed of 143mph which not so long ago were the sort of figures youd expect of a three-litre petrol executive saloon. Standard equipment is impressive. The 525d offering a six-speed manual gearbox, air conditioning, Parking Distance Control, 17" alloy wheels, electrically adjustable seats and Brake Force Display, BMWs novel safety system that increases brake light intensity the harder you hammer the middle pedal. Upgrade to the Sport trim level and you get some of the M5s styling flair without the price tag. You know the drill, wider air intakes, bigger wheels, sports suspension, flared side sills, it will prove a popular choice even at what is a sizable premium. Tempting options also include Active Steering, Dynamic Drive, adaptive xenon headlamps and dealers will also take orders for the Heads-Up Display system that projects important safety and driver information into the drivers line of sight on the windscreen.
"The BMWs engine feels stronger than that of a Porsche 911 Carrera from pull away"
It may not have escaped your attention that some disgruntled commentators have noted that this generation Five isnt the step forward its predecessor was and theyre probably right. That said, the last car was so far ahead of the pack at launch that it was only very late in its life that the Mercedes E-class started taking a few verdicts from it. Claims that a little of the edge has been taken off the Fives dynamics at the very limit somehow matter less with a leggy diesel version than they would with, say, a more coltish petrol engined version. The V10 M5 will doubtless show that BMW has plenty of reserve left in that particular tank.
Such is the reputation that diesel 5 Series models have carved that the 525d will doubtless be in serious demand as a used vehicle. Factor that in with low ongoing running costs and you have a car that if you can stomach the upfront price actually makes a very economical car to run. This is reflected in reasonable leasing costs which should see it achieve a good deal of popularity. Even the initially surprising styling is starting to bed in quite nicely on this particular eye.
Although certain BMW trademarks like the kidney-shaped grille and the cut back rear window pillar remain, Burkhard Goschel, BMWs head of research and development claims "the days of lookalike BMWs are over from now on each volume model will display its own unmistakable personality." This is in contrast to
Audi and Mercedes whose models appear increasingly homogeneous. At first glance, the 5 Series seems to incorporate cues from both the Z4 and the 7 Series. The oddly proportioned bootlid is reminiscent of the 7 Series whilst the flame surfaced flanks reflect the light in a similar way to the Z4. Much of the focus has gone into developing innovative technology but at the same time keeping weight from creeping up.
More space is coupled with a weight saving of up to 65kg, due in no small part to lightweight aluminium including much of the chassis and bodywork of the car and the suspension components. Much thought has gone into the way electronic systems blend with good old manual ones. BMW have taken the notion that electronics should aid rather than replace manual systems and the active steering system is a good example. Rather than developing the sort of pure drive-by-wire systems that often isolate the driver from road feedback, BMW has instead developed a system that maintains a link between the front wheels and the steering wheel but which adjusts the power assistance dependent upon speed and yaw rate, promising quick turn-in when you punch the car into a corner but without the accompanying nervousness at high speed that many such cars demonstrate.
This system is networked to the Dynamic Stability Control system, reducing the interventions DSC has to make. The BMW 525d is something of a grower. The styling may not sit easily on your eye at first and the cars dynamic reserves arent immediately obvious. The 530d offers more of an instant wow factor but when you make a dispassionate review of the two cars comparative merits, the 525d SE emerges as the better buy for more people more of the time.
It wont garner too many headlines and there will always be some who will prefer the more sober suited looks of the 5 Series German rivals, but for those who do take the plunge, theyll be rewarded with an excellent car.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: BMW 525d Range
PRICE: £28,710 - £33,945 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 16
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 7.9s / Max Speed 143mph
CO2 EMISSIONS: 179g/km
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 42.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and window airbags / ABS / DSC
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/mm 4841/1846
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