The UK journalists at AutoExpress had the opportunity to test drive the new 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring. We have attended the launch event as well and our review will be up soon, but in the mean time, let’s hear their thoughts on the new 5er Touring, along with a short comparison against its main competitor: Mercedes E-Class Estate.
“When it comes to premium estate cars, outright size isn’t the be all and end all. If it was, everyone would buy the Mercedes E-Class and BMW wouldn’t bother making a new 5-Series Touring at all. But when it comes to BMWs there’s usually more than meets the eye.
Despite being marginally larger than before, with a total loading space of 1,670 litres, the new 5-Series Touring is still 280-litres down on the mighty Merc – but it’s by no means small.
The BMW will still swallow a couple of mountain bikes, carry four people and their golf clubs in business class style or transport the whole family, together with baby paraphernalia, anywhere you want to go.
But is the driving experience up to scratch? For lugging loads along Snowdonia’s mountain passes, no other car comes close. There’s an abundance of grip and unflappable body control. That said the new 5 Series Touring doesn’t feel quite as involving to drive as its predecessor, although it’s still a cut above the E-Class.
On the plus side the new car is much more capable at ironing out the bumps in our battered British roads. In fact the 5 Series Touring’s suspension, which includes a self-leveling pneumatic system at the rear, is the car’s most impressive asset.”
Continued at AutoExpress
Author: Horatiu B.
Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2010/06/15/bmw-5 ... toexpress/