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Although the BMW 5 Series has established itself as the default choice amongst executive saloons, the Touring variant has remained very much a minority shareholder in the 5 Series success story. Perhaps part of the problem was that its launch coincided with the relentless march upmarket of both large MPVs and luxury 4x4s, giving buyers in this sector a wealth of other options to consider. Indeed, when the BMW X5 4x4 was launched in 2000, some commentators wondered whether a '5 Series Touring on stilts' was really what the market needed. It turned out that was exactly what the market was after and sales of the Touring remained relatively modest. Although this limits choice somewhat for used buyers, it also means that the right car is often a good deal more affordable than you may imagine.
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What you get
There aren't too many surprises with a 5 Series Touring. You know it's going to be beautifully built, great to drive, understated and well equipped - at a price. You really can't finger a poor model in the range, although if we were being really harsh, the 525tds and two-litre 520i aren't the most inspiring drives. The 530d and 540i are the highlights for the mainstream buyer.
"The BMW Touring is a BMW saloon offering an even wider range of practical benefits and values", claims the company's chassis specialist Klaus Faust. "Transport capacity is a significant factor - but not the most decisive one. What counts most is design, dynamic performance and comfort".
So what we've ended up with, in layman's terms, is space without clumsiness, driving satisfaction without overt sportiness. More collie than labrador? You might think so. BMW couldn't possibly comment. They're well aware, after all, that the previous shape 5-series Touring was considered too compromised as an estate car by load-conscious Mercedes E-class and Volvo V70 customers.
Which is why the latest model has a greater emphasis on practicality without losing the active lifestyle attitude that attracted so many customers to its predecessor. Impressive statistics include a 630kg payload and a 2,000kg trailer load capacity. Self-levelling suspension is also part of the deal, as is a usefully flat 65inch-long cargo floor with a natty elasticised load net to keep loose items from sliding around.
As for actual cargo capacity, well that's excellent too; 14.3cuft up to window level when all the seats are taken and 53.5cuft when you split-fold the rear bench flat. Though the jaunty sloping angle of the rear hatch slightly limits the practical use of all this space, BMW has gone to great lengths to ensure that what remains is extremely usable. Take the re-design of the 5-series' light aluminium rear suspension in order to solve the problem of intrusive turrets in the cargo bay.
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What to look for
Just about the only problem reported with the 5 Series has been sticking valves on early 528i models, caused by running them on high sulphur petrol. Most of the cars you'll come across will still be covered under warranty, and the service history should carry the stamps of franchised dealers or well-respected specialists. When paying this sort of money you should expect the best and negotiate big discounts for tired interiors or less than cosmetically perfect bodywork. Avoid dull colours and be aware that V8-engined models won't be so easy to sell on.
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Replacement parts
(approx based on a 520i SE Touring ) BMW spares have gained an enviable reputation for quality and value and consumables are distinctly affordable. A air filter is around £15, whilst you'll pay a similar amount for a fuel filter. Oil filters are around £6, whilst spark plugs are £17. A replacement cam belt is around £24.
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On the road
Even the base models offer respectable performance, although if you can afford it, try to stretch to the 2.2-litre 520i over the basic 2.0-litre variant. All engines are impressive, the 530i mid-ranger offering performance that betters many rivals so called performance models, with rest to sixty occupying around seven seconds on the way to an electronically-limited maximum of 155mph. These are the kind of figures that make you wonder why anyone bothers with the 286bhp V8-powered 540i, which continues at the top of the Touring range.
Of course, speed isn't everything. Even boardroom executives are coming round to the benefits of diesel power, thanks to the huge advances in refinement and performance introduced to the luxury sector in recent times. With the original 5 Series, BMW's 530d led the way, the first car of its kind that could truly satisfy the Director needing to combine 140mph performance with 40mpg parsimony. The facelifted version is just as impressive - and even faster, with output up 9bhp to 193bhp. Even now, with BMW however, the only issue is price. The 525d is also pretty rapid, reaching 60mph in 8.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 136mph, yet manages a combined consumption figure of 42.2mpg, giving an effective range of 650 miles.
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Overall
Although the BMW 5 Series Touring has had a relatively muted response in comparison with its acclaimed saloon sibling, it's much the same car with added practicality without an overinflated price tag. Bargains are to be found if you look hard enough and although it's no longer current, the Touring still offers a cracking drive.
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