BMW 5 Series

What is the BMW 5 Series?

The BMW 5 Series is an upper mid-size car, offered mainly as a saloon and, in some generations, as a Touring estate. It sits between the 3 Series and the larger 7 Series in BMW’s range. BMW introduced it in 1972 as a successor to the New Class; it was the first model to use the brand’s three-digit series naming system.

The saloon has remained central to the range, while Touring estates have added a more spacious body style. The eighth generation introduced an electric version alongside petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid models.

Generations

The second generation E28 ran from 1982 to 1988; the third generation E34 from 1989 to 1996; the fourth generation E39 from 1997 to 2003; the fifth generation E60 and E61 from 2004 to 2010; the sixth generation F10, F11 and F07 from 2011 to 2017; the seventh generation G30 and G31 from 2017 to 2023; and the eighth generation G60 and G61 began in 2024 and continues today. The first generation, E12, preceded these and launched in 1972.

The 5 Series has grown from a saloon into a family that has also included Touring estates. Its design and cabin technology have changed over successive generations, and the latest generation adds an electric model to the range.

Engines, power and official economy

The 5 Series has been offered with petrol and diesel engines, as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. EU registration figures from 2010 to 2025 cover engines from 2.0 to 4.4 litres and outputs from 100 kW (136 PS) to 353 kW (480 PS). In the UK, the listed engine range reaches 4.8 litres, with outputs up to 360 kW (489 PS).

The lowest listed conventional consumption in the EU is 4 L/100 km on WLTP. The lowest plug-in hybrid weighted figure is 0.6 L/100 km, also on WLTP; it assumes some driving is electric. The lowest figures are 7.6 L/100 km on the US EPA test and 7.9 L/100 km on Canada’s 5-cycle test. European figures use WLTP or NEDC, which differ from the EPA and Canadian 5-cycle procedures. Figures from different markets are not directly comparable.

Where was it sold?

The 5 Series has been sold across Europe and North America. Official figures cover the EU from 2010 to 2025, the UK from 2000 to 2026, France from 2012 to 2026, the United States from 1984 to 2027, and Canada from 1995 to 2026.