Review: BMW F11 5-Series Touring (2010-16)

Review: BMW F11 5-Series Touring (2010-13)

Overview

Released in September 2010, the BMW F11 5-Series Touring was a rear-wheel drive, executive wagon. Manufactured in Dingolfing, Germany, the F11 5-Series Touring range consisted of the 520d and 535i models powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and a 3.0-litre twin turbo petrol engine, respectively. The full range is given in the table below.

EfficientDynamics

The BMW F11 5-Series Touring benefited from BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies, including electric power steering and ‘Brake Energy Regeneration’ which controlled alternator output to charge the battery when the vehicle was braking or coasting. From October 2011, the 520d was also fitted with ‘Auto Start-Stop’ technology which enabled the engine to shut down when the vehicle was stationary.

Dimensions and suspension

Compared to the E61 5-Series Touring , the F11 5-Series Touring was 64 mm longer (at 4907 mm), 14 mm wider (1860 mm), 29 mm lower (1462 mm) and had a 82 mm longer wheelbase (2968 mm). Sharing its platform with the F01 7-Series , the F11 5-Series Touring had all-aluminium double wishbone front suspension and multi-link ‘Integral-V’ rear suspension, the latter with a self-levelling air suspension system for greater load carrying capability than its F10 5-Series sedan counterpart.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the BMW F11 5-Series Touring included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, cornering brake control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters for all seats. Furthermore, the bonnet could also rise in the event of a collision to minimise injuries to pedestrians.

From October 2011, the 5-Series Touring range was fitted with BMW’s Active Protection system which – in emergency situations – would tension the front seatbelts, position the front passenger seat for optimal airbag deployment (only for ‘comfort’ seats) and ensure seatbelt position would not interfere with deployment of the front side airbags.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , BMW F10 5-Series sedans with four and six cylinder engines were awarded a five star safety rating which included a 95 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 83 per cent child protection rating. Under ANCAP’s methodology, this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 36.53 out of 37.

Features: BMW F11 5-Series Touring

Standard features for the BMW F11 520d Touring initially included 17-inch alloy wheels with runflat tyres, a six speaker stereo with CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs (MP3/USB/iPod/memory card) and in-build hard drive, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, satellite navigation with a seven-inch display, ‘Dakota’ leather upholstery, four-way power adjustable front seats, cruise control (with brake function), front and rear fog lamps, Bluetooth connectivity, a rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, BMW ‘Parking Assistant’ (self-steering parallel parking), a leather wrapped steering wheel, 40/20/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, a power-operated park brake, 12 volt power outlets, tinted windows, cargo blind, aluminium roof rails, a trip computer and an immobiliser. From October 2011, however, the head-up display was reserved for the 535i.

The BMW F11 535i Touring was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, a twelve speaker HiFi stereo, directional bi-xenon headlights with washers, front seat power lumbar adjustment, steering wheel gearshift paddles, driver’s seat memory settings, a sport steering wheel, proximity key, power-operated tailgate, ambient lighting and rear window blinds. The 535i was also fitted with BMW’s ‘Dynamic Driving Control’, with selectable ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Sport+’ modes.

M Sport package

The BMW F11 5-Series Touring was also available with an ‘M Sport’ package which included 18-inch double-spoke alloy wheels, 15 mm lower and firmer suspension, contoured sports seats, an ‘M’ leather-wrapped steering wheel and an aerodynamic body kit.

Related links

• Press Kit: BMW F11 5-Series Touring (June 2010)
• Specifications: BMW F11 5-Series Touring (February 2013)

Review: BMW F11 LCI 5-Series Touring (2013-16)

Overview

Released in July 2013, the BMW F11 LCI 5-Series Touring introduced Euro 6 emissions compliant engines, fuel efficiency enhancements and subtle styling changes.

As part of the update, diesel engines were fitted with BMW’s nitrogen oxide-reducing ‘BluePerformance’ technology which, depending on the model, consisted of either a nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter or an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) converter with urea injection. Additional fuel saving measures included:

• A coasting function which disengaged the drivetrain; and,
• For models fitted with the Professional navigation system, an Eco Pro Route function.

Visually, the BMW F11 LCI 5-Series Touring could be identified by the additional contour lines surrounding its grille, restructured lower air intakes, integrated door mirror indicator lights and contoured tail-lights. Inside, there was additional chrome trim around the iDrive Control Display, larger storage compartments and cup holders, and new upholstery colours.

Safety equipment

Compared to its F11 predecessor, standard safety equipment for the BMW F11 LCI 535i Touring was extended to include lane departure warning, forward collision warning and pedestrian warning with autonomous braking.

Features: BMW F11 LCI 5-Series Touring

Compared to its F11 predecessor, standard features for the BMW F11 LCI 520d Touring were extended to include a twelve speaker Hi-Fi sound system, extended smartphone connectivity, BMW’s ‘Professional’ navigation system (with the iDrive touch controller and internet functionality), bi-xenon headlights, LED fog lights, an automatic tailgate function and sunblinds for the rear windows.

The BMW F11 LCI 535i Touring was further equipped with a harman/kardon surround sound system, digital radio (DAB+), a head-up display, BMW’s ‘Surround View’ camera system, adaptive LED headlights (with anti-glare high beam assist and variable light distribution), a proximity key, hands-free opening and closing bootlid (BMW’s ‘Comfort Access’), a multifunction instrument cluster and electrochromatic rear view and door mirrors.

Luxury and Modern Line packages

The BMW F11 LCI 5-Series Touring was available with optional Luxury and Modern Line packages. Both packages include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, high-gloss black B-pillar trim and door mirror bases, illuminated door pulls with chrome trim and illuminated door sill strips with aluminium inserts.

The Luxury Line further included:

• Chrome finishes for the trim bars on the outer sections of the lower air intake, the fronts of the kidney grille slats, window recess finishers, trim strip in the rear apron and exhaust outlets;
• Leather upholstery with exclusive stitching;
• Black sports leather steering wheel; and,
• ‘Fineline’ anthracite wood interior trim strips.

The Modern Line package, however, was distinguished by its:

• Matt chrome finishes for the air intake bars, kidney grille slats, rear trim strip and exhaust outlets;
• Exclusive stitching for the optional leather upholstery;
• Dark Pearl interior trim strips; and,
• The Sports leather steering wheel and instrument panel could be specified in the light Oyster shade.

Professional and Exclusive options packages

From March 2015 production, the BMW F11 LCI 5-Series Touring was available with ‘Professional’ and ‘Exclusive’ options packages.

For the BMW F11 LCI 520d Touring, the Professional Package added a head-up display, digital radio, BMW’s ‘Comfort Access’ system, automatically dipping interior and door mirrors, and BMW’s ‘Surround View’ camera system. The Professional Package also included:

• BMW’s Driving Assistant –
  • Forward Collision Warning and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking: operating at speeds between 10 and 60 km/h, the system would warn the driver if a pedestrian or stationary vehicle was detected in the vehicle’s path. If the driver failed to react, the system would automatically apply the brakes to prevent or minimise the severity of a collision;
  • Lane Change Warning System: could identify lane markings and warn the driver via steering wheel vibrations if the vehicle was drifting out of its lane; and,
• ConnectedDrive Freedom: provided access to internet-based services, remote services, real-time traffic information and concierge services

For the BMW F11 LCI 535i Touring, the Exclusive package included BMW’s ‘Driving Assistant Plus’, Lane Change Warning System, Exclusive Nappa leather upholstery, ‘Comfort’ seats with active headrests, heated seats, ‘BMW Individual’ leather instrument panel, automatic tailgate operation, soft-close doors, rear sunblinds and BMW’s ‘ConnectedDrive Freedom’.

Related links

• Press Kit: BMW F11 LCI 5-Series Touring (May 2013)
• Specifications: BMW F11 LCI 5-Series Touring (April 2014)
• BMW Australia: BMW 5-Series Touring
• Wikipedia.org: BMW F10 5-Series