BMW 5-Series
BMW built a good 5-SRS back in the 70's, a great one in the 1980's, a really good one in the 90's, a superb one in the noughties - and reached perfection in 2004 - and that BMW model remains the market leader for that segment today. It is hard to fault the latest 5 Series - and if you prefer the looks to an equivalent Audi or Mercedes, it is the executive car to buy. The best seller is the 520d, but the 525d, 530d and 520i are also popular. If ever a motorcarmaker needed to make a more determined statement, it was BMW_ with the introduction of its present 5-SRS. Yet, it was this model in its original 1972 form that introduced the "Series" nomenclature to BMW_, a factor that should underscore its importance to the company. Internally known as E12, it was replaced by the E28 in 1981, maintaining the same basic styling (that included the "Hoffmann kink", which is the original designer's signature nuance at the back quarter-lights) in a significantly updated model. The technologically advanced E34 replaced it in 1988, until the massively popular E39 arrived in 1996, which introduced the Hella-developed "celis" headlamp lighting rings that now feature on several BMW_ models plus are available in the aftermarket scene. Yet, it was Head of Design, Chris Bangle, who gave the present E60 (E61 Touring - estate motorcar) its shocking presence. The "Hoffmann kink" remains but only because retrospective styling details count for a lot in the motor industry. The rest of the motorcar was a radical departure from BMW_'s norm, although adding similarly-styled new models to the company's modelrange has softened the impact of the present 5-SRS since its 2004 introduction. Comfortable, spacious plus satisfyingly up-market, the 5-SRS has been the doyen of the company motorcar segment for several years. Certainly, its one-time controversial shape is now regarded as good-looking plus fostering the production of a first-class estate motorcar model has not hurt its status at all. However, the 5-SRS is renowned for its good road manners plus stultifying performance in the present M5 version that boasts F1 technology in its pursuit of providing the consummate halo product to the modelrange that starts with a 2.0L TDI. The BMW 520d is a superb buy on PCP or lease/ contract_hire - look at its superlow depreciation rates!
