User Reviews BMW 5-serie

= 102%* = 104 km/u = 19%

i brought this car after looking at this website saying it was a 5 star match and now i am selling the car because it isnt up to the job and will end up loosing 2 to 3 k on my car as a result

= 104%* = 101 km/u = 18%

Although a large heavy caravan , this outfit works really and is very stable

= 94%* = 104 km/u = 19%

Even at 93% ratio, this car is an excellent towcar. Great torque, performance. It just seems to smile at hills. I would urge anyone wanting to tow a caravan, to consider a BMW as the engines are so well suited. Usually get between 25-30mpg.

= 94%* = 99 km/u = 10%

this car and caravan tows extremely well together,however hit a hill not so good, 3rd gear above 3500 rpm should be ok any less will need to change down,average mpg on 62 mile run would only return 23 mpg.go for 525 deisel tows no problem at all.

= 80%* = 110 km/u = 24%

What performance and you don't even know the baileys on the back superb ride gets you there before you know it

= 94%* = 107 km/u = 21%

525D Sport Auto is absolutely brilliant with Swift Challenger 530 (2005). Towing long journeys or short is so easy, and safe.

= 83%* = 114 km/u = 41%

Well changed the 320dse auto for the 525dse auto and wow what a difference, had to check the caravan was still there. The torque of this engine makes it a great towcar.
The optional towbar is an engineering marvel.

= 81%* = 105 km/u = 19%

TOPS used twice whitby+newquay 180+ 700+ round trips at 37 mpg at allowed speed,45mpg+ unloaden lots of power total comfort

= 79%* = 103 km/u = 21%

this is the second 5 series I have used as a towcar the first being a 520 which was a bit sluggish hence the change to the 525i. the car is a great towcar although given the choice over I would pick a manual as the auto doesn;t like going into top gear although I tend to use the steptronic box while towing to overcome this. The only major drawback for the 5 series for towing is the fuel economy which depending on the terrain can be anything from 15mpg to 22mpg while towing. and the best thing about the car is pulling onto a site setting up the van taking off the removable towbar and exploring all the new twisty roads as the 525i is the best car I have ever owned or driven

= 98%* = 97 km/u = 18%

We have purchased a 2007 Sterling Eccles Moonstone and tow with a BMW 528i SE '99 Auto
With 190bhp thru an Auto box I thought this would be a perfect partnership.
Altho new to towing, I was surprised by the amount of "surging" I get when pulling away in mid speed terms (30 - 55mph) which is a bit annoying but probably normal for an auto box towing.
No worries with hills or anything but the box stays in 3rd at 4000rpm when motorway hills appear but sits at 60mph easy enough.
Other than that the mirror extenders are awful !! Who can recomend good ones and where from ? The amount of vibration is a waste of time and I can't see a thing above 10 mph !

= 89%* = 109 km/u = 14%

I have towed with a few different cars in the past, but none compare to the 5 series. Towing is effortless. Motorway driving is easy, cruises along great. Fuel consumption isn't much different to when driving solo. There seems to be very little drop off of performance when towing. Also both car and caravan sit perfectly level. By far the best tow car I owned and because it's a heavy car I haven't had problems with snaking and it's great under braking. its a pleasure to tow with. Only grumble, whilst driving in auto it tends hunt for gears on even slight inclines, this isn't a major issue as I just switch to manual.

= 81%* = 125 km/u = 30%

Changed from a BMW 330i Touring to the 530d auto in May. I thought the 330i was good but the 530d leaves it for dead. I was not sure about the 8 forward gears on the auto but they work very well indeed, so much so you would not think there was a van on the back. The fully electric towbar is amazing no more getting down on my knees when it is wet or muddy to attach a detatchable towbar! This is my dream set up.

= 89%* = 109 km/u = 29%

The 2002 BMW 530D auto pulls the 2008 swift challenger 540 fully loaded and with 4 adults like a dream. the suspension is rock solid on the car (sport model) and the excelleration is very rapid. there is no snaking of the van at all. suggest the westfalia detachable towbar as this looks best when not towing.

= 99%* = 116 km/u = 44%

pulls like a train a dream to drive and to tow with

= 92%* = 118 km/u = 45%

The BMW is a brilliant car although it seems to be a bit low on the suspension for the twin axle. Seems nose low really but that could because of the m-sport susp. Pulls like a train up hills tho and does 30+mpg when brand new!!! CAr is comfy for long runs quiet, effortless and relaxing. Cannot emphasise how superior this car is for towing with over my Audi A63.0 tdi quattro!!

= 86%* = 118 km/u = 47%

Towed the 2009 Coachman Pastiche 460/2 all summer behind the 2009 BMW 530D SE (with the new i-drive & hard disk sat nav) and have been extremely happy. Occantionally the auto box hangs on too long before changing up but other than that no complaints at all. The BMW tow bar is electric and stows neatly away behind the bumper when not in use.

= 85%* = 111 km/u = 26%

Forget a diesel!!! Get a BMW 530i. (2001 auto sport) The torque is excellent (280 Nm) and cruises along motorways and most other roads including mild inclines without changing the auto box down. Steeper hills and the auto box does not over rev the engine like many cars.
The 3 litre engine delivers around 23mpg fully loaded which is excellent for a petrol engine. There is another advantage to the BMW 530i - a new tow hitch costs circa #340 with single electrics. BMW quoted me #1200 What??
I cannot fault this vehicle, Minor service is #120 at BMW and major service every 3 years is #450.
Excellent

= 103%* = 121 km/u = 16%

This combination seems perfect for me effortless towing

= 92%* = 127 km/u = 48%

I used to have a 2008 bmw 520d sedan which had plenty of power and got 9.5 km/l with the caravan but often got unstable when overtaken by vans and trucks. The 535d touring has oodles of power and still gets 9.0 km/l and with the automatic transmission, it's always comfortable and well matched on revs yet ready to accelerate immediately; the manual 520d wasn't able to use 6th at 90-100 km/h and I often oscillated between 4th and 5th. Great car for a 1.7 ton camper; smooth, powerful, quiet.

= 97%* = 105 km/u = 19%

I have towed a number of Conquerors with diesel Mitsubishi Shoguns (LWB) and diesel Chrysler Grand Voyagers. My current BMW 2.0d Touring Estate is the perfect balance a driving car and for towing. The performance of the 2.0d BMW is well acclaimed, and it gives excellent performance in all conditions. The only 2 things I would mention are the weight ratio, which you have to be aware of, which comes with experience, and the site conditions when you arrive/leave. It is not a great combination in mud!
The BMW 2.0D is definately the best car I have had for the balance between driving and towing.

= 83%* = 105 km/u = 10%

Towed this for the first time last week. Never towed a caravan before so was apprehensive. First impression was that I could feel something was behind me. I drove on B and A roads including the A303 dual carriageway. On the B and A roads the performance of the outfit was nice and rock solid. on A303 the 520 was able to accelerate briskly to 60 mph and apart from the windy conditions catching the van every now and again the unit was solid and stable. I had to use 4th gear more than usual when cruising up hills. I suppose this is to be expected. Very pleased with my 520. Still would like a 530D

= 86%* = 114 km/u = 30%

Very comfortable towing. Power not an issue. Great load space in the car to take weight out of the van. Heavy car makes braking safe once driven with manners.

= 71%* = 115 km/u = 29%

very well matched outfit .will tow all day at 60mph no problem. only getting 23mpg though. will do over 40mpg av otherwise.

= 82%* = 115 km/u = 22%

The best towcar I have had in 35 years of towing. Good noseweight, extremely stable,and instills confidence. Gives over 30 mpg when towing, better than my previous car running solo. My only concern is keeping within the towing speed limit. I travel,on long journeys, extensively with my caravan,300 miles plus. This used to be tedious.esp on M25,behind a long colum of HGVs. Now I am able to overtake them, without holding up others. A truly first class towing car.

= 92%* = 114 km/u = 19%

Fantastic towcar - self levelling rear suspension on the BMW touring a godsend. Will pull this twin-axel van anywhere. Very smooth power delivery. Makes a mockery of the 4x4 owners struggling up the hills in their Disco's and Nissan's.

* Calculated weight ratio according to the British Towing Code (loaded weight caravan / kerb weight car)