This car won the 'Executive and Luxury cars' class in 2005.
A small point but an important one for caravanners: the 5-Series Beemer was the only car in the competition to which I awarded full marks in the handbrake department. The car also sailed away up the 17% gradient as if it wasn’t there, while on the fast track it went like a rocket.
Fortunately it’s got brakes that make it stop as well as it goes (ventilated discs front and rear) and the six-cylinder turbodiesel engine is a dream – far more refined than the 6cyl Mercedes’. The 525d Tourer is a good load carrier and its 90kg noseweight limit is above average. You’d expect its operating costs to be high, and you’d be right.
| Make/Model |
Caravan weight |
Drive |
Cyls/CC |
bhp/lb ft@rpm |
Price |
Tested |
| BMW 525d SE Touring |
1,424kg |
RWD |
6/2497 |
177/295@2000 |
£32,000 |
2005 |
BMW 525d SE Touring
