Familiar looks with improved road feel (used)

The BMW 5-series may still look familiar on the outside, but what matters the most is how it feels on the road. Does the new 5-series feel like a proper BMW? That’s the real question.

The previous few generations have often been described as lacking in the fun to drive department. BMW has been focusing more on road comfort rather than road dynamics. It’s faster than majority of its competition but some rivals are becoming even more talented with each generation, making it harder and harder for the 5-series these days.

The standard 2-liter turbo four is the way to go honestly. It offers decent flexibility and running costs that are respectable. The optional plug-in hybrid is a great alternative if you are willing to put in the miles to make up for the higher purchase price. The 540 and M550 offer the performance that many would come to expect from a 5-series. We would stick with the 540 trim if you have to have a six-cylinder BMW, while the turbocharged eight-cylinder in the M550 could be seen as a bargain M5 rendition.

Our tester car was the 540i with xDrive all-wheel-drive system fitted optionally. This maybe the sweet spot in the 5-series range if you are seeking a striking balance between performance and running costs; you may pay a little bit more in terms of purchase price but your investments will be well protected as BMWs tend to have strong residual value.

On the road the 540 engine is silky smooth and very potent when you need it to be. However, since this is a BMW and we didn’t really care too much about shoving it around corners and bends. We decided to just drive it casually and discretely. The engine doesn’t feel overpowered when you aren’t driving it like a hooligan; and the overall feel of the transmission is pure perfection. What we like the most however is the steering isn’t overly heavy but weighs up nicely where it matters the most. We’ve driven BMWs in the past and the steering has either been extremely heavy or lackluster feeling. You can select from several driving modes depending on your mood. We left the 5-series in Eco-pro mode which helps to boost fuel economy since majority of our driving was mixed stop/start traffic. Visibility is decent all-round with wind and road noise so well suppressed that it could be considered an Achilles heel.

The infotainment system in our tester car is vastly improved over the previous generation. We can honestly say the interior looks better and feels better too in terms of quality materials and the plastics used around the dashboard. The iDrive interface is light years better than it has ever been, with improved graphics and menus that are easier to navigate through. The front seats offer superb comfort with easy adjustability. The rear seat is best left for four-passengers as the massive transmission tunnel makes having three abreast a bit of a squeeze. Boot space is decent too; the only car that may have the 5-series beat is the Volvo S90.

Our tester car came fitted with WiFi Hotspot, LED headlights with auto high beam assist and electrically operated front seats with lumbar support. Also fitted standard is 19-inch alloy wheels, integrated body-kit, dual-zone climate control and 12-speaker premium sound system powered by Harman Kardon.

You may find that the 5-series is rather dull looking compared to the Volvo S90. However, the only real difference between the two is you can option for a silky smooth turbo six-cylinder and a turbo-eight-cylinder that makes it a real bargain M5. It’s hard trying to fault the 5-series for what it is good at, but easy to loathe it for what it falls short in. BMW maybe hitting all the right notes with this 5-series but it certainly takes the wallet to really want one because there are options far cheaper and just as talented.

Likes: The interior is much improved over the previous generation. The plug-in hybrid offers decent running costs while the M550 could be considered the bargain M5 that everyone will want.

Dislikes: It’s not the most exciting looking car on the block; typical BMW being stingy on standard kit and making the desirable options expensive.

Devon test drives a gem of a wagon from BMW (Used)

There’s one BMW that really does catch our attention the most and it’s not one of the wicked fast M-cars. It’s the 3-series sports wagon. It’s one of the rarest gems you’ll find in BMW line-up that we think is worth paying the premium for. Even if it means passing up the better X-range of sport utility vehicles; here’s why.

Performance: There are two engines to choose from. The 328i has the 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 240hp while the 328d has a 2-liter turbo-diesel producing 180hp. If you do tons of highway driving the 328d makes the most sense financially. Otherwise the 328i will suit most buyers.

On the road: We have yet to test drive a BMW with the standard suspension. Our tester car came equipped with the pricey adaptive M Sport Suspension and it really does make the 3-series wagon dreamy to drive. Handling is excellent and steering is responsive with plenty of feedback. The standard xDrive offers traction at the bucket loads. Both engines don’t really sound great at idle. Even the gasoline counterpart sounds like a diesel at idle. Wind and road noise however is well suppressed. 

Behind the wheel: There’s plenty of room for the driver to get comfortable. The steering wheel and seat offers plenty of adjustments. Most functions are operated through BMW’s iDrive system which has been vastly improved. It’s much easier to operate and really does beat Mercedes system by a long shot. Passenger space in the rear seat isn’t huge but if you are willing to share the space it is bearable. The boot offers plenty of space but becomes enormous when the rear seats are folded down.

Equipment: Engine stop/start system, auto dimming rearview mirror and electric interior tailgate release all come standard. You’ll have to pay extra for xenon-headlamps, comfort access and the adaptive M Sport Suspension which we think is an option worth having if you want the most engaging driving experience with your 3-series wagon.

Buying & owning: The 3-series wagon is expensive and there’s no hiding that fact. But compared to its rival the Volvo V60, the 3-series offers slightly better fuel economy thanks to the diesel engine and will hold its value well partially thanks to the fact that a 3-series wagon is very hard to find on dealer lots.

Quality & safety: The interior feels very upscale and classy. Much of the materials used feel long lasting and durable. BMW has had a very respectable reliability record with the 3-series. So we see no major issues for it. However we strongly suggest an extended warranty if you are planning to keep the 3-series long after the standard warranty is over. Standard safety kit includes stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes. Six airbags come standard as well. All 3-series come with theft deterrent system as well as deadlocks to keep theft away. However you want to keep in mind that an alarm system is only offered as an option.

The BMW 3-series wagon is a great alternative to the large range of sport utility vehicles and crossovers out there. If you want an engaging vehicle that’s lighter and much more fun to drive, the 3-series wagon clicks all the right buttons. However you’ll have to pay extra for the adaptive M Sport suspension to make it ride and handle the way it should. You could pick one of the X-range sport utility vehicles, but none of them have the appeal of the 3-series wagon. This is why we think it’s the best of the 3-series range.

Likes: It’s the most practical and stylish 3-series of the range. Turbo-diesel engine option is the way to go.

Dislikes: We have yet to drive a BMW with the standard suspension and from what we’ve heard it’s disappointing; it’s expensive compared to the Volvo V60 the only other real competitor it has.

Devon’s Choice: The 328d makes the most sense because most owners will do tons of highway driving. Thus picking the diesel in this case is a no brainer. Plus it’s much more efficient than the gasoline engine. Only downside is you'll have to pay extra for the adaptive M Sport suspension so it rides and handles the way it should.

Devon test drives niche BMW

Looking for a vehicle that is truly unique without having to pick a typical coupe or sedan? The 3-series GT fits the bill perfectly. But is it worth the premium though?

The standard 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces 240hp. You can step up to an optional 3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder which produces 300hp. Both engines can only be had with all-wheel-drive. Pick of the range is a mere matter of taste here. The standard engine seems like a good deal until you compare it to the 3-series touring which is more versatile for similar money. The top of the range slowly enters into 5-series territory and only really makes sense if you want a 5-series with similar engine but don’t want to cough up the money.

On the road the 3-series GT is best had with the expensive adaptive M suspension. Without it the steering is heavy and the ride and handling are utterly disappointing. The adaptive M suspension lets you adjust the ride comfort for sporty and or comfort. We’d highly suggest leaving it in comfort mode because it really does help make the 3-series GT ride like a dream. In sport mode the ride is just too firm for our tastes.

The standard engine at idle sounds like a diesel engine, there’s just way too much clatter. The biggest disappointment is the stop/start system. When the engine reengages the whole car shutters. This is disappointing because the 3-series GT isn’t a cheap proposition to begin with. At least wind and road noise are well suppressed and with the adaptive M suspension the 3-series GT is a comfortable long distance cruiser.

This is where the 3-series GT and any other BMW becomes an expensive proposition, the options list. Standard form offers rain sensing windshield wipers, power tailgate, automatic climate control and HD radio. You’ll have to step up to the top of the range to add xenon headlamps, auto-dimming exterior mirrors with power fold feature and Bluetooth hands free connectivity for your mobile phone.

Buying a 3-series GT like any other BMW isn’t going to be cheap and discounts will be hard to come by. We aren’t even sure of resale value with the 3-series GT due to the fact that it is still far too new to really say. Reliability is iffy with BMW. Most owners complain of things going array after the warranty expires and the extended warranty is pretty expensive choice too. So picking it is again a mere matter of preference if you plan on keeping your 3-series GT long after the standard warranty expires.

The 3-series GT is for those who want to be different and are willing to pay the premium to have it. All others should look at the 3-series touring.

Likes: Both turbo engines are punchy and smooth. There’s plenty of space for five and the boot is of decent size. It’s very distinct looking.

Dislikes: It’s very distinct looking. Stingy standard kit, expensive options list. Stop/start system makes the whole car shutter when engine reengages.

Devon test drives the new 320i sedan

If you considered a BMW 3-series in the past, most likely you were turned away because of the BMW price tag. The new 320i however knocks $3,000 off the price tag and a much less powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This all sounds good on paper, but are you really buying a 320i because of the badge? Let’s find out.

Performance: The 320i comes with the same 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder but only produces 180hp instead of 248hp. Most will think it’s too watered down, but in our opinion we found this engine to be quite enough. City and highway driving never felt underpowered and the overall impression of the engine itself is quite good. Fuel economy isn’t too much different than the 330i which is a little disappointing considering the decrease in horsepower.

Ride & Handling: The 320i rides and handles the way a BMW is supposed to. Sharp handling, precise steering and excellent body control. The all-wheel-drive version has oodles of grip, but the sweet spot is the rear-wheel-drive configuration. You can really kick the car into corners and it feels much lighter and more engaging to drive hard.

Refinement: Some wind noise will sneak into the cabin at highway speeds. This however can be drained out when you turn the radio on. Road noise and suspension noise are well suppressed. The turbo engine has an addicting turbo whirl that adds a bit to the overall sporty nature of the car.

Behinid the wheel: Drivers will be greeted with plenty of adjustments for the driver’s seat and steering wheel. The instrumental panel has a minimalistic approach in terms of how the controls are laid out. Most are hidden away in the standard iDrive system. BMW has vastly improved the interface and made it less fiddly than the previous version.

Space & Practicality: There is plenty of space for both front and rear passengers. Headroom and legroom are plenty. The boot offers a decent size too, although you’ll have to pay extra for split folding rear seats.

Equipment: The 320i comes well equipped considering that the price drop between it and the 330i. Automatic climate control, iDrive interface, and an eight-speed automatic are standard. You’ll have to pay extra for leather seats, xenon headlamps and a sunroof. Considering the amount of kit you get already, the only option that makes sense would be the Xenon headlamps. The cool corona ring day-time running lamps are definitely worth the extra money.

Buying & Owning: The 320i doesn’t really offer much of a fuel advantage over the 330i, which is disappointing because it would broaden the appeal. The price between the two trims isn’t that significant to really make this version of the 3 series a real bargain. Running costs should be decent if you keep a light food on the accelerator pedal, resale value should be strong as with all BMW Cars.

Reliability: The quality materials used inside the cabin are up to par with the price tag. Everything feels high quality and long lasting. Although some plastic around the glove compartment look rather cheap, reliability is reasonable for the 3 series.

Safety: Front and side curtain airbags are standard as well as knee airbags for front passengers. Adaptive brake lights, anti-lock brakes with traction control and electronic stability program should help aid in traction. An engine immobilizer and anti-theft deterrent keeps theft at bay, an anti-theft alarm is optional.

The 320i is the cheapest way into the 3-series line-up. It may skip a few of the desirable features that you’d want, but for the price and what it offers it’s quite enough. However, like all cars there are downsides. The fuel economy benefits aren’t significant compared to the 330i. Some may view it as a watered down 3-series, while others will say there are rivals that offer much more for this price. If you like the BMW badge but couldn’t afford a 330i, this maybe your new way in. Otherwise we’d say go with the 330i.

Likes: Attractive starting price should lure new buyers. Sharp steering and handling, turbo engine is smooth and doesn’t feel underpowered. Halogen headlights are weak.

Dislikes: Some will see it as a watered down 3-series. No fuel economy benefit compared to the 330i which has 68 more horsepower. Add on the options and this entry-level is about as expensive as the 330i.