BMW 5 Series Touring estate (2010-2017) | owner reviews: MPG, Problems & Reliability

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V.disappointed in new 520d M-Sport Tourer Auto. 1st choice was A6 Avant 2.0 Tdi Ultra Auto, but 5 was loads cheaper to lease than Audi. Annoyed as I can choose any car & the old adage 'you get what you pay for' comes back to haunt me. Complaints are: 1. Consumption is PATHETIC. Despite VW scandal, my previous car, a VW CC GT was MOST economical car I have owned out of 30+ cars from virtually all manufacturers except Jag & Alfa. VW consistently returned 42mpg for urban driving with my record of 65.9mpg during a steady A road run. I drive the 5 like a SAINT, in Eco-Pro mode, air con off, tyre pressures 2 psi over & average 31.6 mpg! On same run that produced 65.9 mpg for VW, 5 only achieved 33.5mpg!! Believe it may the EURO 6 spec that is causing the problem. Local dealer no help at all. 2. Auto handbrake defaults back to 'off' every time you switch ignition off. Cannot configure it to stay in auto mode all the time. Therefore, it isn't really automatic, is it? 3. Ditto for Eco-Pro mode. Defaults back to 'Comfort' at every re-start. Irritating & doubly so, given fuel consumption problem. 4. No synchronisation for the 'Dual zone' climate control. Just cheapskate. 5. Average drivers car, not enough grunt, box sluggish to respond at times. Nowhere near as good as my last 5 - 2004 model owned 2004 to 2006. 6. Packaging is so so. Far more room in new VW Passat est. All magazine's over hype the 5. Case of 'Emperors Clothes' or just blinded by advertising revenue??

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Bought BMW 530D SE AUTO TOUURING March 2012. The first problem was after a month when reversing up my steep drive had to rev to over 2000 reves to get it up the drive. A fault notice came up on the display'gear train fault'. BMW did a quick diagnostic and said there was no fault. The odd thing was I towed my twin axle caravan several times after that for about 1500 miles with no problems. I booked the car in for a 2 day diagnostic in October 2012 after the gearbox started having rough down changes. After the 2 days I was telephoned to say it needed a new gearbox, which would be delivered over night. 2 weeks later the box had not arrived from Germany, so after to many excusesI got in touch with BMW customer service. Two weeks later they found the box and was fitted the next day. I explain to BMW customer service that was this what I had not expected from BMW, they agreed and came up with £150 compension.Second issue was spell of diesel for the first 4000 miles, turned out to be the particulate filter trying to clear it sell, no spell from then upto present 9500 miles. MPG from 53 mpg when fully load on trips to Cornwall 42 mpg every day use and when towing a 1650 klg caravan 24 mpg at 60 per hour, motorway use.I chose the options of auto box, tyre pressure sensor, electricaly operated tow bar and tailgate and ajustable suspention which this car needs. I owened a e39 2000 2000 model petrol for 12 years previously this was simpler car to start just turn the key. The 530d foot on brake press ignition button set the suspension into eoc, always defaults to comfort. The car is obviousley its a lot more powerfull car and never know what gear I am in. The auto box is very smooth and no further problems. The steering did seem a lot lighter to start with.

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Since owning I have had every 5 series related problem known to man - the list extends over 2 A4 pages

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Swirl flaps detaching can kill this engine - shocking BMW dont fix them free.

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For an old car it is fantastically reliable - just things that wear out through age and mileage - nothing else

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Only had it a year but being a BMW very little wrong except normal Wear and tear

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I have never had a break down wit any of the BMW s I have owned and this current model is no exception

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Car is very well built, everything feels solid.

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Only trouble in 100000 miles was very recently when I had to have the parking sensors and rear window switch fixed. Other than that, it's been 100% reliable and cost nothing other than servicing and consumables.

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never fails

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Electrical problems. Required new wiring loom after less than four years.

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Too early to say. Owned for just 4 months but no probems so far

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No problems whatsoever

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Never broken down

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As a previous 520d saloon owner with the previous 184bhp, the engine in the new 190bhp car is shockingly lacking in every regard. Internal finish and build quality is good and exactly what you expect from BMW. Going back to the new engine - it feels light and underpowered especially at the lower range from take off and the automatic gearbox seems to hold back the changes to get any power. As for fuel consumption, it's simply shocking. Previous engine averaged 42.6 mpg and mid 50s on a motorway cruise. This version 34 - 36 mpg and on a motorway cruise struggles for early 40s. On the engine I could not recommend this car although I loved my previous one. Sadly disappointing.

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I am very pleased with my car. There is one problem. When it rains the rain off the roof comes in when I open the back passenger door and drops go on the passenger seat. I took it back to the dealers where I bought it. They said they can't do anything with it. They said the have seen it before in other BMW cars. I am disappointed that nothing came be done so I have to live with it! Has anyone had this problem?

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I have had this car from new and always had BMW service. Great car to drive, fuel consumption excellent however...it has recently come out of warranty and problems have started. Rear suspension collapsed repair cost £300.00 (BMW agreed to the cost of the parts but labour rates are eye watering!). Now an alarm sensor is playing up so alarm go off for no reason. The BMW garage informs me that it needs a new sensor total cost £590.00 +vat of which the bulk of the cost is labour. Apparently resetting the diagnostic system takes two hours! Not good, far too expensive to maintain for a private owner.

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It has never broken down in 8 + years of ownership.

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It's been very good so far.

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I 8 months there have been no problems

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Generally good with exception of some largish recent bills for failures to air con, catalytic converter, turbo fortunately all covered by 3rd party warranty

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no complaints when serviced regularly

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No problems experienced so far

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Never had a problem

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Nothing has gone wrong thus far

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good

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No problems to date except required new battery when only 4 months old (original defective)

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Electrical problems that couldnt be identified, Alloy cantinually cracking and needing to be replaced, incredibly high tyre wear at rear, not uniform only on inside edge.

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No issue so far

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No problems

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The best car ever and I had the Mercedes E-Class but this is much better .

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the vehicle has performed as it should with no issues (except tyre wear which to me i'd like them to last longer)

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Other than a Clutch Failure has been totally reliable

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Typical BMW good quality

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VERY RELIBLE NO PROBLEMS AT ALL

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Only had one problem and the dealer is sorting it out.

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Been superb. Corrsion on rear lights, and Gearbox leak

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Only seven months old but OK so far

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So far so good

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NO PROBLEMS EXCELLENT FUEL CONSUMPTION

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No signifocant problems

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No issues

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Comfortable and solid car with good driving experience. However it's been unreliable with a number of electrical problems - mainly relays and rain sensor - but now needs new fly wheel and clutch at £800+Vat. Too compleat for its own good with a lot of expensive components that certainly in our case seem to go wrong. Our neighbour has an 07 5 series touring and has just been hit by a £2500 bill so it's not just us!

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Nothing to tell at the moment

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Tailgate sensor replaced and cigarette lighter fuse (unable to recharge after market Sat Nav

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Load cover had to be replaced as rattling. Rear window demister causes interference on radio.

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In 6 years of ownership the car has always given superb service. Apart from regular servicing (and oil changes at each 5000 miles) and tyres it has had no problems whatsoever.

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Had a number of minor electrical faults when bought but these were eventually repaired at a BMW dealer after vigorous complaint to seller. Vehicle has had two or three other faults which were repaired at my expense.

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In almost 5 years only had one problem, discovered in an MOT, that kept the car off the road. That was resolved the following day and I got the car back within 24 hours.

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Once BMW fixed the delaminating Pirellis (2 complete sets) car has been great

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Quality car and it tells you when to do stuff

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No issues at all

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Multiple problems with this apparently premium car. 1. engine coolant leak, fixed under warranty. 2. rear air suspension fail, fixed under warranty. 3. sat nav fail, fixed under warranty. 4. Automatic luggage compartment cover failing, fixed under warranty but remains to this day problematic as may stick open on occasion. 4. water leak into footwells, out of warranty but goodwill gesture after some persuasion on my part, I still had pay €1,000 to repair leak and replace carpets. 5. small niggles like, BMW badge on door sills coming loose, handles for both side storage compartments not fit for purpose as very flimsy and have, rather predictably, broken. 6. tyre wear on runflats excessive and are expensive to replace, i.e €250 a tyre. I traded in a Merc E-Class for this rubbish and will be trading back to the far more reliable, classier and comfortable Merc this month.

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I am now on my second 520d M Sport, the first being a 2012 model and now my second being a 2014 facelifted model. What a difference in the interior with the new steering wheel and digital displays! I now have the Harman Kardon sound system and panoramic sunroof, and with the cream leather is stunning inside. The 8-speed auto is the best auto I have had. I don't understand all the reviews on this car saying the suspension is too hard on the M Sport models. It's an M Sport so it should have a harder, sportier feel. The car sits at 48-50mpg all day long and on my previous one the Goodyear tyres lasted around 35k miles, which is really impressive.

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Excellent - no problems whatsoever!!

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No defects or faults found

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Too early to say - no issues yet (in 5 months)

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Never had any problem with reliability

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I have not had it long but haven't had any problems yet (touch wood!).

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Battery charging issues

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excellent for age

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Totally reliable

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Generally very good, but problems tend to be electrical: tailgate switch failure, sat nav/idrive system intermittently stops reading disk, wires for tailgate electrics. Also issues with the panoramic sunroof.

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Yes Green thumbs up