BMW 5 Series (G60/G61) – Model Year 2025
Country of Manufacture
Sedan (G60): Dingolfing, Germany
Touring (G61, from March 2025): Dingolfing, Germany
Long-wheelbase version for Chinese market: Shenyang (BMW Brilliance) - China
Brief Description
The new eighth generation adopts a more “monolithic” design: arrow-shaped LED DRLs, optional Iconic Glow grille, and flush door handles. Inside, the Curved Display (12.3″ cluster + 14.9″ infotainment) features BMW Operating System 9 with smartphone-style QuickSelect and a two-spoke steering wheel. The CLAR platform has been lightened (–40 kg for equivalent trims) and supports mild-hybrid petrol/diesel, two plug-in hybrids, and two full-electric i5 variants. Sedan dimensions: 5,060 × 1,900 × 1,505 mm; wheelbase 2,995 mm. The Touring retains the same wheelbase and offers up to 1,700 L of cargo space.
Powertrains (Euro 6e)
| Powertrain | Power / Torque | 48 V M-HEV | Drivetrain | Transmission | 0–100 km/h | WLTP* |
|---|
| 520i 2.0 I4 petrol | 208 hp • 330 Nm | yes | RWD | 8-Steptronic | 7.5 s | 5.9–6.5 l/100 km |
| 520d 2.0 I4 diesel | 197 hp • 400 Nm | yes | RWD / xDrive | 8-Steptronic | 7.3 s | 4.8–5.3 l/100 km |
| 540d xDrive 3.0 I6 | 299 hp • 670 Nm | yes | AWD | 8-Steptronic | 5.8 s | 5.3–5.9 l/100 km |
| 530e PHEV | 299 hp • 450 Nm | 19.4 kWh net | RWD | 8-Steptronic | 6.1 s | 1.1–1.3 l/100 km • EV ≈ 103 km |
| 550e xDrive PHEV | 489 hp • 700 Nm | 19.4 kWh net | AWD | 8-Steptronic | 4.3 s | 1.0–1.2 l/100 km • EV ≈ 87 km |
| i5 eDrive40 BEV | 340 hp • 430 Nm | — | RWD | 1-speed | 6.0 s | 582–592 km |
| i5 M60 xDrive BEV | 601 hp • 820 Nm | — | AWD | 1-speed | 3.8 s | 516–560 km |
*WLTP combined average values.
Cargo Capacity
Sedan ICE: 520 L
Sedan PHEV: 430 L
Sedan i5: 490 L
Touring: 570 L (seats up) / 1,700 L (folded) – PHEV −110 L
PROS
Why it convinces
| PRO | Reason |
|---|
| Complete powertrain range | Efficient mild-hybrids, two PHEVs with over 80 km EV, and i5 BEVs with up to ~590 km range. |
| BMW driving dynamics | 50:50 balance, variable steering, Pro adaptive suspension (with rear-steer) reduces body roll by 8%. |
| Infotainment OS 9 | Curved Display, QuickSelect, natural voice control, 5G OTA updates, optional AR HUD. |
| Level 2+ ADAS | 210 km/h cruise, lane change assistant, Remote Parking; hardware-ready for L3 “Personal Pilot”. |
| Touring comfort | Power tailgate with split glass, 40/20/40 bench, flat floor + rail system. |
| Real-world efficiency | 520d <5 L/100 km highway; 530e covers 55–60 km EV in winter; i5 consumes 18–19 kWh/100 km at 120 km/h. |
| Strong residuals | 530e and i5 eDrive40 M Sport expected to retain 70% of MSRP after 36 months (fleet data 2025). |
CONS
Noted drawbacks
| CON | Detail |
|---|
| No manual transmission | Only 8-Steptronic or single-speed (i5). |
| High mass of PHEV/BEV | 550e and i5 M60 exceed 2.3 tons; require 19″ wheels with XL tires. |
| Expensive options | Two-tone Individual paints, B&W Diamond audio, Executive Lounge pack: +€12,000 easily. |
| Firm 21″ wheels | 245/35-21 and 285/30-21 transmit bumps; 20″ better balanced. |
| Slow AC charging on PHEVs | 530e/550e max at 7.4 kW: ~3 hours on home wallbox. |
| Cold diesel noise | 20d still noticeable during cold morning starts. |
Estimated Running Costs
| Service | Parts (€) | Labor (€) | Interval |
|---|
| Oil 0W-20 + filter (6 L) | 190 | 120 | 30,000 km / 24 months |
| ATF 8-Steptronic | 310 | 210 | 90,000 km |
| Brake fluid + xDrive check | 110 | 150 | Every 2 years |
| Cabin filters + sanitation | 95 | 85 | 30,000 km |
| Coolant + HV check (530e/550e) | — | 200 | 30,000 km |
| Front discs + pads (540d) | 380 | 200 | ~60,000 km |
| AdBlue (diesel) | 12 L / 10,000 km | — | — |
Indicative Prices
| Version | Power (hp) | Price (on the road)* |
|---|
| 520i | 208 | €62,000 |
| 520d | 197 | €63,800 |
| 540d xDrive | 299 | €72,800 |
| 530e | 299 | €68,900 |
| 550e xDrive | 489 | €87,500 |
| i5 eDrive40 | 340 | €73,300 |
| i5 M60 xDrive | 601 | €104,900 |
*VAT included; IPT and registration fees excluded.
Known Issues & Fixes (community reports)
| Issue | Suggested Solution |
|---|
| B-pillar creaks on cobblestones | Felt-kit 51 95 40; lubricate clips with PTFE spray. |
| Curved Display lag after OTA | Hard reset (30 s volume button) + OS 9 patch 25-08-15; replace head-unit if issue persists. |
| Frozen charge flap (i5) | Flap software update + silicone spray for seals. |
| Steering vibration 110–130 km/h | Wheel balancing, check front arm silent blocks. |
| Iconic Glow LED headlight condensation | Check venting; replace projector if water visible after >24 h. |
Summary
The 2025 BMW 5 Series raises the bar for executive sedans and wagons, offering a powertrain portfolio ranging from 5 L/100 km diesel to the 100% electric i5 M60 rivaling V8s—framed by OS 9 infotainment, Level 2+ ADAS, and premium finishes. Demanding options and the added weight of PHEVs/BEVs are the main trade-offs, but for those seeking efficiency, top-tier comfort, and trademark BMW dynamics, the new “Five” remains the benchmark in the segment.
Verdict — BMW 5 Series Sedan / Touring
(G60 / G61 – Model Year 2025)
One year after launch, the eighth generation of Bavaria’s “business class” expands its offering: the G61 Touring debuts, the 48V mild-hybrid powertrains grow to four, the 530e/550e plug-ins gain 55 kW DC fast-charging, and the electric i5 models receive a software update that increases WLTP range to 604 km (eDrive40). New Frozen paint colors, standard Adaptive “Arrow” headlights on M Sport, and Curved cockpit with iDrive 9 across the range. Main rivals: Mercedes E-Class W214, Audi A6 C8 facelift, Volvo S/V90, Tesla Model S facelift.
| Area | Where it excels | Where it matches | Where it lags behind |
|---|
| Design & image | Long-hood proportions, optional Iconic Glow grille, M Sport Pro pack more aggressive than E-Class AMG Line. | Frozen paints, high-quality Veganza/Merino interiors. | Cabin less dramatic than MB Hyperscreen or 2025 A6 curved OLED display. |
| Dynamics | Gen 2 CLAR chassis, rear-wheel steering and 48V active roll bars (Integral Active + eDSC); 550e 0–100 in 4.3 s. | Stable braking (374 mm discs), M Adaptive Comfort standard on 530e/550e. | i5 M60 weighs 2,305 kg: less agile than Model S LR on twisty roads. |
| Real-world efficiency | 520d Touring: 5.1 L/100 km at 130 km/h; i5 eDrive40: 17–18 kWh/100 km highway (better than EQE). | 530e: 19 kWh/100 km EV in urban use. | M60 uses +1 kWh/100 km more than Taycan RWD MY25. |
| Charging / electrification | 550e/530e DC 55 kW → 10–80% in 28 min; i5 up to 205 kW (10–80% in 30 min). | Accurate pre-conditioning via iDrive 9. | Model S at 250 kW, EQE 170 kW (but lower efficiency). |
| Comfort & NVH | 64 dB @130 km/h (double glazing), 20-way massaging Comfort seats, air suspension on i5 Touring. | Comfortable 19″ run-flats; Executive Drive Pro smooths out bumps. | 21″ M Performance run-flats stiffer than standard A6 tires. |
| HMI / Infotainment | iDrive 9 (<3 s boot), QuickSelect, optional AR-HUD, full-screen wireless CarPlay / Android. | Refined “Hey BMW” voice assistant, AirConsole video streaming. | Mercedes Hyperscreen and Audi MMI XXL offer more “wow” effect. |
| Practicality | Sedan: 520 L; Touring: 570–1,700 L, 40/20/40 split seats; 2,000 kg tow rating (except i5 M60). | 10.9 m turning circle with rear steer. | 530e/550e lose 90 L of trunk; i5 has no frunk. |
| Running costs | Service Inclusive 5 yrs / 60,000 km €850; reduced tax on 520d. | 18″ tires 225/50 ~€190 each. | 21″ PS4S €340 each + 0.5 L oil/4,000 km on 550e. |
| Depreciation | 520d/530e Touring: 72–74% after 36 months; i5 eDrive40: 70%. | — | M60 / 550e: 66% (due to higher tax and operating costs). |
| Safety & ADAS | Full L2+: ACC 210 km/h, Eye-Steering lane change, 200 m Remote Parking; 130 km/h Highway Assistant hands-free. | — | Level 3 pending EU approval (MB offers it above 60 km/h in DE). |
Who it's for
Fleet drivers covering long distances → 520d/540d: 5 L/100 km, 1,000 km range, executive-level comfort.
Wall-box commuters → 530e Touring: 90 km real EV range, reduced fringe benefit, true wagon practicality.
E-premium clients → i5 eDrive40: 582–604 km WLTP, 205 kW DC charging, near-silent driving.
Business GT customers → 550e xDrive: 489 hp system output, 4.3 s 0–100 km/h, 90 km EV range.
Who should look elsewhere
Display fetishists → Mercedes E-Class Superscreen, Audi A6 2025 OLED cockpit.
Lightweight & ultra-sharp steering lovers → facelifted Alfa Romeo Giulia.
Ultra-fast charging >250 kW → Tesla Model S LR / Audi A6 e-tron (2026).
Recommended Configurations
530e Touring M Sport + Innovation Pack (AR-HUD, Driving Assistant Pro) + 18″ Aero wheels: 299 hp, 90 km EV, usable trunk, and light tax.
i5 eDrive40 Sedan + air suspension + 20″ aero bi-tone wheels: 340 hp, 604 km WLTP, 205 kW fast-charging.
BMW 5 series: pros, cons, costs and common fixes 
