BMW Reviews
BMW i5 M60 xDrive 2024 review: snapshot
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By Chris Thompson · 25 Nov 2023
The first electric 5 Series that BMW’s M division has had a crack at is here. It’s the i5 M60 xDrive, and it starts from a hefty $215,900, before on-road costs.For that, there’s plenty under the bonnet… er, on the axles. It’s fitted with an 84kWh battery for its all-wheel drive dual-motor set-up to draw its power from, which in total make a whopping 442kW/820Nm.BMW claims it’ll hit 100km/h in 3.8 seconds, but at the cost of some range - only 506km compared to the other i5’s 550km.Interior upholstery is Merino leather as standard, while a 12.3-inch instrument display paired with a 14.9-inch multimedia display headline the interior tech, plus a head-up display, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging tray and BMW’s ‘new’ 'Interaction Bar' as seen in the 7 Series are included.BMW’s ‘Adaptive Suspension Professional’ with Integral Active Steering (rear-wheel steering), also includes active anti-roll in the M60, making its suspension the best in the 5 Series range.Both i5s come with BMW’s ‘Iconic Sounds’, drive sounds composed by Hans Zimmer instead of engine sounds heard through a 655-watt, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system.It also has a Mode 2 and Mode 3 charger, cable, and a five-year Chargefox subscription.The 5 Series comes with 'BMW Driving Assistant Professional' as standard, with active cruise, lane assist and departure warning, front and rear cross traffic alert, collision prevention and intervention systems - about 40 safety systems are featured including an augmented reality dash display.Airbags include front and side airbags for driver and passenger including one between the two occupants, as well as curtain airbags front and rear. ANCAP hasn’t crash tested the new 5 Series.BMW’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty on its new cars includes the i5, and servicing is undertaken based on condition, not time or distance intervals.
BMW i5 eDrive40 2024 review: snapshot
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By Chris Thompson · 23 Nov 2023
This is the first electric BMW 5 Series, the i5, here in two variants. This one is the ‘entry’ i5, the eDrive40, rivalling the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQE.From $155,900 before on-road costs, the i5 eDrive40 is a single-motor rear-drive electric car with an 84kWh lithium-ion battery providing juice to a 250kW/400Nm synchronous motor.Using 16.56kWh per 100km, the base i5 has a claimed 550km maximum range.Interior upholstery is Merino leather as standard, while a 12.3-inch instrument display paired with a 14.9-inch multimedia display headline the interior tech, plus a head-up display, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging tray and BMW’s ‘new’ 'Interaction Bar' are included.The eDrive40 comes with BMW’s ‘Adaptive Suspension Professional’ with 'Integral Active Steering' (rear-wheel steering), plus an acoustic protection system to make ‘electric car noises’ to warn pedestrians.It also includes BMW’s ‘Iconic Sounds’ for the occupants - a system that uses orchestral sounds composed by Hans Zimmer instead of engine sounds - pumped in through a 655-watt, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system.It also has a Mode 2 and Mode 3 charger, cable, and a five-year Chargefox subscription.ANCAP hasn’t crash tested the new 5 Series, but it comes with front and side airbags for driver and passenger including one between the two occupants, as well as curtain airbags front and rear.BMW says the 5 Series has about 40 safety systems including 'BMW Driving Assistant Professional' as standard, with active cruise, lane assist and departure warning, front and rear cross traffic alert, collision prevention and intervention systems and even an augmented reality dash display.BMW has an industry-standard five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty on its new cars, while servicing is undertaken based on condition, not time or distance intervals.
BMW 520i 2024 review: snapshot
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By Chris Thompson · 21 Nov 2023
The new entry-point to the BMW 5 Series range is still a 520i, as it moves into a new generation, but the differences are there. Now, it’s the only petrol version on offer, and even it has some mild electrification.
BMW 5 Series 2024 review
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By Chris Thompson · 21 Nov 2023
More than half a century of 5 Series pedigree has led BMW to this, the first electric version of its venerable sedan, the i5.
BMW i7 2024 review: xDrive60 M Sport
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By Laura Berry · 27 Aug 2023
The BMW 7 Series has waited almost half a century for the fully electric i7 xDrive60 M Sport and not only do we think it's been worth the wait but the limousine may have reached its ultimate form - well almost.
BMW M2 2024 review
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By Andrew Chesterton · 07 Aug 2023
Is the cheapest BMW M car still the best? We put the powerhouse M2 to the CarsGuide test to find out.
BMW M3 2023 review: Touring
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By Andrew Chesterton · 01 Aug 2023
The BMW M3 Touring has been decades in the making, with those mad hatters at the German brand's M division finally turning their attention to building what could be the world's best station wagon. Does it live up to the hype? We put it to the CarsGuide test to find out.
BMW XM 2023 review
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By David Morley · 24 Jul 2023
BMW was one of the first premium automotive brands to venture into the SUV pond. And now it's pushing the boat out even further with the large, luxurious XM, a five-seat (only) hybrid that's all about the well being of those located in the rear seats. Do the efficiency benefits of it's V8 petrol-electric powertrain offset the impact of its substantial footprint?
BMW iX1 2023 review
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By Byron Mathioudakis · 04 Jul 2023
BMW's expansion into electrification takes an unexpectedly democratic turn with the iX1 xDrive30, the EV version of the X1. Keenly priced and well-equipped, the German-built small SUV delivers competitive range as well as strong and smooth performance. Impressive interior design and family-friendly packaging round out an enjoyable and dynamic luxury alternative to the Tesla Model Y. Check it out.
BMW X7 2023 review: xDrive40d
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By Tim Nicholson · 22 Jun 2023
You don't get much bigger and bolder than the BMW X7 - especially with its striking new front-end design. There's a lot more to the facelift than that face - loads of changes have been made inside and under the skin. Is it still one of the top picks for families with fancy taste and a healthy budget?