Could the BMW 520d be the perfect business car? Fleet Voice
I think I’ve just driven the perfect business car. The only reason I’m not more certain is I’m still reeling from just how good this machine is. For the record, it’s the new BMW 520d.
Before some shoot me down in flames and say this claim is all too easy to make when many fleet drivers don’t have the choice of the BMW or any of its rivals, hear me out.
For starters, the BMW 520d costs very little more than a well specced Ford Mondeo or even Volkswagen Golf GTI, and it’s certainly cheaper than the likes of the Golf R. So, on a value for money scale, the BMW scores highly.
It ratchets up its score further with a predicted three-year retained value of 39%, which easily outstrips the 520d’s direct rivals from Audi and Mercedes. As Jaguar doesn’t have a 2.0-litre turbodiesel contender within the XF’s rank, the BMW’s only serious challenger in the driving stakes is out of the running.
Ah, some may think the Jaguar is still the more complete car, and yes it is arguably the better car than BMW’s 530d. However, here we’re talking about the heart of the business fleet sector with a 2.0-litre turbodiesel 5 Series and the 520d asserts its authority by being responsible for 70% of all BMW 5 Series sales in the UK.
If you still don’t think this model is the most important 5 Series, the 520d went on sale in June in the UK and BMW has sold out till November. And this is before most fleet drivers and managers have had a chance to drive the car.
Not that many fleet managers will worry about the 520d’s driving manners. After all, the larger six-cylinder models are superb and it only takes a cursory glance at the facts and figures to get the gist that picking a 520d is about the most sensible decision you could make right now other than not investing in BP right at the moment.
The headline figures are a combined economy of 57.6mpg for the manual version, with the auto turning in a still highly respectable 54.3mpg. Emissions of 129g/km for the manual transmission-equipped 520d (137g/km for the auto) are very impressive and means free road tax for the first year of running this model.
On the performance front, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel produces 184bhp, which for those of us with long memories and an anorak is as much power as the 530d offered 10 years ago. With this oomph on tap, 0-62mph comes up in 8.1 seconds and top speed is 141mph. It also sets the mind working about what the 520d will be like in another 10 years’ time as the current 530d produces 245bhp. Think along these lines and the future for fleet users is very rosy.
It’s not just the benchmark numbers that leave a lasting impression with the 520d. There is so much flexibility in the engine and the way the car drives that it suits every occasion and style of driving. Feeling lazy and want to waft home, the 520d is hushed and relaxing to pilot, and there are plenty of optional driver aids to make this type of driving even more stress-free. Choose from an eight-speed automatic gearbox, active cruise control, a head-up display, automatic dipping for the headlights when on high beam, lane departure warning and parking assist for when you reach your destination.
If you’re more minded to enjoy the drive in a sporty fashion, the 520d’s ride and handling is very well balanced. There’s a slight firmness to the suspension at lower speeds and the optional Variable Damper Control is worth having to help fine tune the suspension, but overall any 520d is a great companion on a twisty road.
The electric power steering of the 5 Series is not quite as full of feel of some keener drivers would like, but for a car that has to appeal to a broad section of business users, the 520d is more than acceptable. It’s also more than a match for the steering feel and precision of an Audi A6 or Mercedes E-Class.
Away from the driving side of things, BMW has finally made the 5 Series a complete package by providing decent rear leg room in its executive saloon. It may not be as generous as the Mercedes E-Class’, but adults won’t feel cooped up in the back of the BMW anymore.
Fleet users choosing the 520d SE will also not feel short-changed when it comes to the specification of their car. A six-speed manual ’box is standard or there’s the option of an eight-speed auto, while ESP and a host of airbags are standard. Also standard is air conditioning, leather seats with part electric adjustment, Bluetooth connection, rear parking sensors, 17in alloy wheels and the latest version of BMW’s iDrive system. Nowadays, iDrive is very simple to use and every bit as effective as Audi’s MMI system, so forget the pub bores who persist with the line about iDrive being difficult to operate.
On top of all this kit, every 520d with a manual gearbox comes with Auto Start/Stop to switch off the engine when the car is sat still in traffic. It’s as easy and intuitive to use as any stop/start system and it’s the first time it’s been fitted to a BMW 5 Series. There are also other elements of BMW’s EfficientDynamics fitted to the new Five that have been seen elsewhere, such as low rolling resistance tyres, regenerative braking to charge the battery and active aerodynamics.
If all of this sounds overwhelming, don’t panic: the 520d is still simply a great executive saloon that’s a doddle to get in drive. BMW has been very succinct in its approach to energy and emissions-saving technology, so the 520d doesn’t feel the need to wear its green credentials on its sleeve.
For those who want to hide these credentials even more, BMW has just opened the order book for the M Sport versions of the new 5 Series. It expects 45% of 520d business users to take this route, while around 90% of the six-cylinder models should be kitted out as M Sports.
There’s also the upcoming 5 Series Touring estate model, which will be offered in 520d form with all of the options for the saloon also available for the wagon. If you need a little extra space, then the 520d Touring will be the best car for you. In the meantime, the 520d saloon can bask in the knowledge that it is, probably, the most complete and best business car on the road today.
Alisdair Suttie
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