BMW 5 Series 2024: priced in Australia from $114K, i5 M60 xDrive flagship detailed

---

BMW Australia has at last confirmed local pricing and specification for its eighth-generation 5 Series.

But if the new fully-electric i5 has piqued your interest, the big news is that neither model is going to come in cheap.

Starting from $114,900 before on-road costs, the new BMW 5 Series will launch in Australia by the end of 2023 and will include three variants: 520i, i5 eDrive40 and the flagship i5 M60 xDrive. 

BMW says the new 5 Series is the most “advanced interpretation” yet, and will be offered with a single combustion-petrol model. 

Meanwhile, the i5 will be priced from $155,900 before on-road costs and will stretch as high as $215,900 before on-road costs for the flagship i5 M60 xDrive variant. A full-blown M5 has not yet been confirmed, however its development has been rumoured. 

What you need to know about the new BMW 5 Series

BMW’s latest sedan is larger and wider than its predecessor, and now measures in at 5060mm long (up 97mm), 1900mm wide (up 32mm)  and 1515mm tall (up 36mm). 

Unlike several modern BMWs, the new 5 Series goes without the enlarged kidney grille design like what is seen on the BMW 7 Series or the M3 and M4. 

All 5 Series embarking for Australia will be fitted with the M Sport package as standard – as Australians often love highly-specced vehicles. 

How has the interior of the 5 Series changed?

BMW has installed its curved display into the 5 Series which encompasses a 12.3-inch instrument cluster display and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. 

New to the 5 Series is the integration of a BMW Interaction Bar, which essentially extends across the entire dashboard and uses touch-sensitive control panels. 

Standard on the flagship i5 M60 xDrive is the use of BMW’s Crafted Clarity glass which is used for the iDrive controller, start/stop button and gear selector rocker switch made by Swarovski. 

Vegan elements in the interior will debut in the 5 Series for the first time – called Veganza – that covers the seats, dashboard and door panels. Owners can optional Merino leather, if they wish to do so. 

Standard specifications listed

The entry-level 520i includes the following features as standard:

• 19-inch M alloy wheels 
• Remote engine start 
• Panoramic glass roof
•  M sport suspension 
• Automatic tailgate 
• M sport package
• Ambient lighting 
• Sports seats 
• Dual-zone climate control
• Adaptive LED headlights 
• Wireless phone charging 
• 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
• M Alcantara and Veganza upholstery 

The i5 eDrive40 adds:

• Larger 20-inch M alloy wheels
• Adaptive suspension 
• Acoustic protection for pedestrians 
• BMW iconic sounds
• 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system
• Merino leather upholstery 
• Metallic paintwork 
• Five-year complimentary Chargefox subscription 

The flagship i5 M60 xDrive adds the following features:

• 21-inch M alloy wheels
• Adaptive M suspension system
• BMW Clarity glass appointments 
• Front seat ventilation 
• Four-zone climate control
• M rear spoiler 

Available options and packages for the new BMW 5 Series

M Sport Plus package – $4200 for i5 eDrive40, $4000 for i5 M60 xDrive

• 21-inch M alloy wheels
• M red brake callipers 
• M lights in shadow line 
• M seat belts
• Black radiator grille frame, grille struts, tail light trim strip
• M carbon mirror caps 
• M carbon rear spoiler 

Enhancement package – 520i: $5400

• 21-inch jet black alloy wheels
• Metallic paintwork 
• Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system

Comfort package – (520i/i5 eDrive40 – $5700, i5 M60 xDrive: $3200)

• Steering wheel heating 
• Roller sunblinds 
• Active seat ventilation
• Comfort seats 
• BMW CraftedClarity glass trim pieces
• Rear seat heating 
• Four-zone climate control 

Powertrains and electric performance explained 

Beginning with the new 520i – the only combustion 5 Series available at launch – the variant is powered by an ‘all-new’ turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. This engine is paired in typical BMW fashion with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. Outputs for the turbo-petrol are 153kW/330Nm.

Stepping up the range into the pure-electric i5 eDrive40, this variant has been fitted with a rear-mounted electric motor that produces outputs of 250kW/430Nm and is powered by a 84kWh battery pack. This model is claimed to be able to sprint to 100km/h from rest in six seconds. 

The flagship electric 5 Series, the i5 M60 xDrive, uses a dual electric motor setup that combines to produce a significant 442kW of power and up to 820Nm of torque using M Sport Boost. 

The M60 xDrive has a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of just 3.8 seconds. 

WLTP electric range for the i5 eDrive40 is a claimed 582km, whereas the i5 M60 xDrive is 516km. 

How safe will the new BMW 5 Series be?

BMW states that every new 5 Series will be fitted with the company’s Driving Assistant Professional, that includes steering and lane control assist, along with distance control and stop & go function. 

Parking Assistant Professional that includes automated parking controlled from outside the vehicle within 200 metres is also standard. The My BMW app can be used to park the vehicle. 

BMW 5 Series 2024: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• 520i: $114,900
• i5 eDrive40: $155,900
• i5 M60 xDrive: $215,900