Used BMW 520d
Challenger from a class above is within budget and has much to offer
As one of the best executive cars in the business, BMWs’ 5-Series isn’t cheap. Showroom prices start at £27,465, so why have we lined it up against the Superb? To find the answer, pick up a copy of Auto Trader.
The Skoda is billed as an executive-size model with a family car price tag – yet the 5-Series is the genuine article. And, if you are prepared to buy second-hand, you could have a 520d on your driveway for less than the cost of a clever new Czech. Better still, with this kind of budget you’ll be able to buy an 06-plate car through the brand’s Approved Used scheme. With the protection of a 12-month, unlimited mileage warranty and a year’s mechanical breakdown cover, as well as a full MoT and 120-point check, it’s an appealing prospect.
When this BMW was first registered two years ago, it was a class leader. And while its looks initially generated a storm of controversy, they have aged well. We’re used to it now, but the sleek, neatly proportioned design beats the imposing Skoda’s for head-turning appeal.
The 5-Series is fractionally longer than the Superb, although you’ll need a second-hand 7-Series to match the Czech car’s rear legroom. The limousine-style Skoda provides more space and comfort than the German car – and the same applies to the boot. There are only 520 litres of loadspace in the 520d’s rear, and its back seats are fixed, limiting practicality. Its saloon body affects the size of the boot opening, too, ensuring the Superb is the more versatile of the two.
Get behind the wheel, however, and you’ll soon realise why the 5-Series is so highly thought of. Our 16,000-mile example is enjoyable to drive, the rear-wheel-drive chassis providing outstanding grip. Body control is excellent, matched by well weighted steering. For pure pace, though, there’s little to choose between the two cars. The front-wheel-drive Skoda feels more responsive than its prestige rival, and the BMW’s engine is noisier when cruising. The Superb is more comfortable over uneven surfaces and motorways, too.
Put financial concerns at the top of your priorities, and the case for the BMW looks stronger. Thanks in part to the 5-Series’ variable servicing schedule, there’s not a lot to choose between running costs, although it’s reasonable to assume that as a second-hand car, the 520d could be more expensive to maintain in the long term.
However, our two-year-old 5-Series is cheaper to buy and, as the worst of its heavy initial depreciation has already passed, it will retain much more of its value over the next three years.
Is that enough for the used BMW executive contender to knock out the Czech upstart, or will the oversized Superb punch above its weight?
Details
Price: £18,995
Model tested: BMW 520d
Economy
Weighing up the cost of a used car buy isn’t straightforward, as all second-hand models are different. If you’re prepared to go without lots of equipment, you can consider a younger model, while higher-mileage cars offer better trim for similar prices. Always check service histories, tyre wear and overall condition, but even the best kept BMWs are likely to cost more to run than a new Skoda Superb. Our test car did return impressive fuel economy, though.
