BMW 520d SE

What is it?

TAX-BUSTING addition to BMW’s new Mk6 5-Series range that remains a class act despite intense competition. Priced from £28,045.

What’s hot?

• Smooth looks move BMW back to a classical pose
• Enhanced rear passenger leg room
• Much improved CO2 of 129g/km for this model (manual)
• Extraordinary eight-speed auto transmission is an option
• Leather is included in the price, SE is now ‘base spec’
• The best head-up display we’ve seen (but it’s an option)
• Class leading fuel economy of 57mpg
• Tremendous interior and build quality
• Handling best in class, rear wheel drive dynamics
• BIK is just 18% – despite this being a large exec cruiser

What’s not?

• USB interface remains a £205 option on this model
• Don’t forget the estate car is released in September
• Options rapidly increase the price, an age-old BMW gripe

What you need to Know?

P11D Value:	27,990
Monthly Rental*:	389 (CH)/£457 (PCH)
Tax Band when posted:	18%, 18%, 19%
Monthly BiK:	Click link for BIK
Engine:	2.0-litre turbo diesel
CO2 Emissions:	129g/km
Power/torque:	184bhp
Economy:	57.6mpg

Monthly contract hire (CH) and personal contract hire (PCH) rentals generated by Concept Vehicle Leasing. Based on a 36 month lease at 10,000 miles a year, 3+35 payments.

Business Car Manager Road Test Rating

As large as a last generation 7-Series, BMW’s new 5-Series is a completely grown up executive car exuding masses of refinement. By the same token it’s a bit bigger and a bit less sporty, although the rear-wheel drive and handling remains as sweet as ever. For the same reasons the four-cylinder engine fitted to this model is perfectly mated to its purpose: getting from A to B in a princely state of calm. With a 0-62mph time of 8.1 seconds it is more than adequately powered, and we appreciate BMW’s decision to make SE the ‘base spec’, which now includes leather.

However, making you pay £205 for a USB interface is scandalous, and even then you’ll need to buy an additional cable to play an iPod through the hi-fi. Add other options such as metallic paint (£640) and the excellent head-up display (£940) and very quickly the stated OTR price is a distant memory. But all the BMW virtues of beauty, brawn and universal sophistication still make this car extremely attractive, just as £90 VED will underpin high predicted residual values.