BMW 5 Series 525d SE

The BMW 525d is a good car. There's something on this car that you just don't like but you can just change them, some other cars can't do that. Even the diesels are fast, I have a 525D (E39). Its really comfortable and luxurious. It handles well. It looks great. When you feel like speeding down the highway, you can or just cruising comfortably, you can to.

I've had my BMW E60 525d SE Touring (manual)since new - 20 months and covered 22,000 miles. On the whole, it's been fault free and enjoyable. There are some niggles for me though.

The pick up in any gear is flat - but only from time to time. It's not turbo lag - I know all about that from my old Saab 9000 Aero. It's really annoying and the dealer can't find it. It's almost a lurch when you squeeze the throttle and worse when you change gear. It is starting to spoil what is an excellent all round motor.

Only other niggle are the sport seats.

When you look at a car like the BMW 5 Series 525d SE, you have to gaze into history to see how it came to be. The original 5-series, codenamed E12 was first seen in Frankfurt in 1972 and became a future classic due to its supple chassis and all round cross-country pace, thanks to a sprightly 2.0 litre, four cylinder engine. The E12 was revised and replaced with the 1988 E34, and weighing only 5% more than the earlier E28, had a stiffer body shell which improved handling. BMW had moved on from the 2.0 unit in the E12, so the E34 had an advantage in the power department too.

With all of this came an expectation to deliver. The BMW 5-series had both the image and diversity of Mercedes counterparts but with that extra pull of undeniable ability. In 1997 the world was given the E39 which leaned on technology, carrying such systems as ASC (Automatic Stability Control) and onboard diagnostics. The looks were easier on the eyes than the E34, with both rounder shoulders and a curvier front profile, the E39 definitely looked capable. The awards that followed proved its worth.

The present day 5-Series, labelled the E60 was released in 2004 and showed an evolution of the E39 in terms of the use of technology; becoming more abundant, and ever more sophisticated. With relations past, the E60 is part of a family whose creation has gone down in history as a turning point for both the BMW brand and the automotive industry itself. The 5-Series defied the notion of bigger means softer, and created a whole new expectation to which others had to compete with, and on all accounts fail. The E60 to all extents and purposes delivers, and leads by example in all but a few areas.

The interior of the E60 is characteristically driver-oriented with comfy seats; though not entirely grasping your body gives you ample support to feel confident. The pedal layout has a personal favourite touch; a floor mounted throttle, placed close enough to the brake for heel-toeing. And the i-drive. Ever-present in all modern day BMW's, it has become both a bane to the people that use it and a decent attempt at changing the interior of the car. It is complicated and places an unnecessarily high amount of specificity into how you want your car to exist, but as with most things it gets easier with practice. It is an impressive piece of kit and sometimes makes you wonder what life was really like before it existed. And it tidies the usual array of buttons and switches found on the standard centre console too.

On the move, the six-speed transmission as with all BMW's is short-throw and smooth, working well with good clutch weight, but the gear knob feels awkward in your palm meaning you have to change from a manly grasp to an effeminate finger-tip flick to feel comfortable. The steering is light at low speeds but adds artificial weight when you have extra purpose in your steps, and given the extreme exterior shape of the 5-series, gives you the confidence to use the car as a serious driving tool.

Here we find the 5-series' ace. Playing to it's inherited genes, the bonnet seems to come closer to you the harder you push, propelled by the fantastic steering feel and well-dampened suspension. The extremities of the Bangle-esque design impulsions are eradicated from physical existence and the 5-series lumbers with delicacy. An extra £200 gives you a sports suspension pack, which lowers the ride height by 10mm giving the BMW a firmer stance and the extra potential to dig deep and grip when you turn in on the brakes, which themselves are a fine confidence-inspiring partner to your left boot. The wheel arches seem better filled too.

The punchy six cylinder diesel engine delivers 259 ft. lbs of torque as low as 2000 rpm, with peak power arriving at 4000 rpm, and delivering 0-62 in a very respectable 8.1 seconds. The six-speed transmission is a five-speed with a cruising gear at the top, though don't be fooled because you still have plenty of pulling power all the way to sixth. BMW have clearly moved on with the diesel unit, yet you can't help but cringe in a morning when you turn it on and hear that heart breaking chug. Thankfully from the cabin all is peaceful and you can't blame yourself for thinking that you were in a petrol car, except you get around 35 miles to the gallon. Compensation, shall we call it?

The E60 is a large four-door saloon that inspires confidence in the driver and an awareness of what a good driver's car is all about. However, what might put potential buyers off is the looks which dote upon the marmite concept of loving or hating it, but it really is such a mixed bag of lines and shapes, you could easily fall in love with one bit and murder your mother over the next. In some colours the 5-Series looks ominous and full of presence and in others it looks problematic. On the one hand you have a tool that gives you what you want and sometimes more, but then you get out and you realise ugly just doesn't quite describe it. Get past that though, and its clear BMW have used past experience and know-how to push the 5-Series well into the 21st Century along with 21st century owners.

The looks may yet become more accepted and the i-drive might yet win the heart of technophobes, but in the meantime, let the driving experience do the talking.

The BMW 5 Series 525d SE is a solid car if not a quick one, but too expensive, with some terrible dealers and very poor support from BMW UK.

Bought the BMW 5 Series 525d SE car new and was really happy. Went on holiday and the car packed up after 3 days. Spent a week with the dealer whilst a new intake valve was dispatched from Germany. Got the car back and it drove weird - jerky, huge turbo lag and scary acceleration that was unpredictable. After a week, the car broke down again. This time my local dealer changed the controller for the intake valve on the turbo and changed the software. Had the car back and it was as smooth as silk for 2 days. Drove it Friday, great! Didn't really do that much on Sat and Sun. Monday morning it broke down again! Took car back to dealer and they said that same fault was logged in car's memory. Also showed air flow meter failure. Technician from BMW GB test drove the car with analysis kit onboard. Deduced faulty air flow meter so they changed it. Took out the car for another test - Turbocharger let go! That was 2 weeks ago, still no sign of my car!!

Total nightmare thus far and am looking for compensation from BMW GB. I have a 520i SE courtesy car and it is just awful -slow, heavy clutch poor fuel economy. Have no hands free in the courtesy car and I spend 90% of my time in the car and 80% of that time on the phone!!!

The stress this has caused me is unbelievable. I have asked for a 530d as a replacement but BMW GB won't go for it. Looks like it's a refund and a trip to my Audi dealer for the new A6 Quattro 3.2Diesel.