Saloon · 2017–2024

BMW5 Series

Executive mile-crusher. 520d is the UK staple; M Sport is everywhere; M5 is another planet. Touring estates are gold.

Best for: High-mileage premium buyers.

Indicative running costs ~£2,512–£4,456 / year

Power: 190–530 hp
Economy: 45–60 mpg
Fuel: Diesel
Boot: 530 litres
0–60: 8.5–12.5 sec 0–60 mph
Ins. group: Grp28–45

Owner essentials

The lookups people actually search for — pressures, oil and spare status. Confirm against the V5C engine code and door sticker.

Tyre size

Commonly 205/55 R16 – 245/40 R18

Tyre pressure (cold)

Often ~32–38 PSI cold — door sticker is law for loading

Engine oil

Low-SAPS 5W-30 C3 (or maker approval) for most modern diesels with DPF

Oil capacity

Typically ~4.5–6.5 litres

Spare / puncture kit

Spare, space-saver or sealant kit — check the boot well

ULEZ

Most post-2015 Euro 6 diesels are ULEZ compliant — still check the plate on TfL

Need a PSI ↔ bar converter? Tyre pressure tool →

UK running costs

Ballpark annual ownership for a private BMW 5 Series at ~8,000 miles/year.

~£2,512–£4,456 / year

Cost	Indicative yearly figure
Fuel	~£879/yr @ 60 mpg, £1.45/L, 8,000 miles
Road tax	~£195/yr typical post-2017 standard rate
Insurance	£1,000–£2,500+ (indicative)
Servicing	~£360–£520 for a typical annual service
Tyres (avg)	~£200–£360 averaged over a set

· Assumes ~8,000 private miles/year — scale up/down with your mileage.
· Insurance is the wild card: age, postcode, NCB and claims history matter more than the car alone.
· Figures are illustrative UK ballparks for planning — not quotes. Use our running-costs tool for a custom budget.

Custom running-costs calculator →Journey fuel cost →Road tax estimator →

Variants & trims

GTI / ST / R-Line / AMG Line are not the same thing — match the boot badge and V5C engine code.

6 listed

Variant	Engine	Power	Economy	Road tax
520d / 530d Diesel volume. 2.0–3.0 diesel · 45–60 mpg	2.0–3.0 diesel	190–286 hp	45–60 mpg	~£195*
520i / 530i Petrol. 2.0 petrol · 35–45 mpg	2.0 petrol	184–252 hp	35–45 mpg	~£195*
530e PHEV Plug-in. 2.0 PHEV · Variable	2.0 PHEV	~292 hp	Variable	~£195*
M Sport Trim. Various · 30–55 mpg	Various	190–530 hp	30–55 mpg	~£195*
M5 Competition Super saloon. 4.4 V8 · 22–28 mpg	4.4 V8	625 hp	22–28 mpg	~£195*
Touring Estate. Various · 25–60 mpg	Various	190–530 hp	25–60 mpg	~£195*

*Indicative annual UK VED. Confirm on GOV.UK.

Full specifications

Engine2.0 litre

Gearbox5- or 6-speed manual; automatic varies by trim

DimensionsApprox. 4.0–4.6m long · 1.7–1.8m wide

ServiceUsually 12 months or 10,000–20,000 miles; confirm by VIN and handbook

InsuranceTypically groups 28–45

Road taxDepends on first registration date, CO₂ band and fuel type — confirm on GOV.UK

CO₂Varies by engine, gearbox and trim — check the V5C or GOV.UK vehicle enquiry

Tyre sizeCommonly 205/55 R16 – 245/40 R18

Tyre pressureOften ~32–38 PSI cold — door sticker is law for loading

OilLow-SAPS 5W-30 C3 (or maker approval) for most modern diesels with DPF

Oil capacityTypically ~4.5–6.5 litres

ULEZMost post-2015 Euro 6 diesels are ULEZ compliant — still check the plate on TfL

Buying a used 5 Series

1Touring vs saloon
2M Sport run-flat costs
3Timing chain / oil issues on some diesels

· Confirm the exact engine code, trim and gearbox on the V5C before ordering parts
· Check the latest MOT history and advisories on GOV.UK
· Compare cold-start behaviour, warning lights and service invoices before buying

Common faults to check

Inspection prompts — not a diagnosis.

Air suspension on some Tourings
Battery drain / modules
Oil leaks

BMW 5 Series FAQs

Is a used BMW 5 Series expensive to run in the UK?

As a rough guide, many owners should budget ~£2,512–£4,456 / year including fuel, tax, insurance, servicing and tyres at ~8,000 miles/year. Hotter trims and young drivers cost more.

What tyre pressure does a BMW 5 Series need?

Often ~32–38 PSI cold — door sticker is law for loading. Pressures change with load and wheel size — the legal reference is the sticker in the door shut or fuel flap, not the sidewall maximum.

What oil does a BMW 5 Series take?

Low-SAPS 5W-30 C3 (or maker approval) for most modern diesels with DPF. Capacity is Typically ~4.5–6.5 litres. Wrong oil on wet-belt / LongLife engines can be an expensive mistake — confirm by engine code in the handbook.

What are common BMW 5 Series problems?

Buyers most often watch for: Air suspension on some Tourings; Battery drain / modules. Always cross-check MOT history and a pre-purchase inspection.

Is the BMW 5 Series ULEZ compliant?

Most post-2015 Euro 6 diesels are ULEZ compliant — still check the plate on TfL

Owner handbook

Official BMW manuals for exact oil grades, torque figures and fuse maps. We link out; PDFs stay with the manufacturer.

BMW owner manuals ↗

Guides & tools

More BMW

3 Series

2.0 Diesel

1 Series

1.5 Diesel

X1

2.0 Diesel

Reviewed October 2026. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Cost figures are illustrative UK planning ranges, not insurer or DVLA quotes. Manufacturer handbook and UK model-year specifications GOV.UK MOT guidance and vehicle test standards Owner and workshop inspection patterns; verify against the specific VIN