Has the BMW 5 Series Been Forgotten?

With the market for luxury cars growing thanks to the rise of new names in the market like DS, and existing brands like BMW expanding their lines, it seems like the long beloved 5 Series may have fallen to the wayside recently. But why? And is it doomed to stay there?

Sibling Rivalry

BMW is a name recognised across the world and it’s not likely to go away any time soon, so what could be pushing the 5 Series into the shadows? The answer is in fact its own nearest relatives, the 4 and 6 Series.

The 4 Series, a line of executive coupés spun off from the 5 Series, and the 6 Series, a line of larger grand tourers originally derived from the 7 Series, both feature more organic, playful designs than the older 5 and 3 Series, featuring sleek curves for a sporty style and engines to match. By comparison the 5 series may seem businesslike, even stiff, with its squarer frame. A more traditional executive car, while ideal for both business and family use, may have less currency with shifting demographics, and so the line has lost some currency in the last couple of years.

The New M5

Of course, BMW isn’t going to want what was once their most profitable line to fade from consciousness, and stern traditionalism isn’t all the 5 Series has going for it. There is also the M5, a variant developed by the German manufacturer’s motorsport division. It should come as no surprise that this is a sportier variant, packing more punch while retaining the saloon body of the main line, and this year is set to bring us a new entry to revitalise the series.

Frank van Meel, CEO of BMW M, has dropped hints that will feature a new powertrain giving it all-wheel drive and a brake horsepower of around six hundred. The change in drive is set to be carefully tuned to produce the right levels of torque and give the feeling of a high-traction rear wheel drive car to really capture the feeling of power people expect from a performance vehicle. The new model is also set to use a new, lighter frame.

Is That It for the Standard 5 Series?

New variants are still in production, so probably not, and the existing configurations are solid enough that we should still be seeing them on the road for a while yet. There are plenty of places to find a used BMW 5 Series for sale if you want to try the line out for less. We recommend the 2012 GT model for day-to-day use and the E39 M5 if you want a bit more power behind you.