BMW 525d: Redefining diesel

By Maxmilian Wechsler

AFTER test driving the BMW 525d recently I can say without reservation that if you’re considering buying a European sedan which is elegant, comfortable, fast and safe – and can afford to spend 4,399,000 baht – then this is the one to go for!

This is not only my recommendation but also the opinion of Nina Hastings and Adam Purcell from The BigChilli, as well as American expatriate Harold Brown, all of whom joined me during the road test as drivers, passengers or both.

Like me, they were genuinely impressed by the quietness of the diesel engine, the roomy and superbly equipped cabin, the smooth and comfortable ride, the excellent braking system and the acceleration – from 0-100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, almost in sports car territory.   

“What a piece of engineering,” remarked Harold after the road test, still surprised at how the 525d had shattered the preconceptions about diesel-powered passenger cars that are common to most of his countrymen.

“Americans usually think of diesel cars as slow, noisy, tank-like vehicles that emit noxious odors and discharge clouds of black smoke. They associate diesel engines with locomotives or the tractor-trailer rigs that crowd the interstate highways in the US.”

This perception is due in large part to a myriad of engineering failures in diesel engines manufactured in the past in the US, especially the infamous Oldsmobiles made by General Motors from the late 1970s until 1985.

“American consumers have tuned out diesel for 30 years, but hopefully with cars like the 525d around, they will change their minds like I have,” Harold said enthusiastically.

I must confess that, until recently, I was also not a fan of diesel engines; the noise and vibration found in even the best models put me off. But I changed my mind completely after a few days with the BMW X3xDrive 20d, which is powered by an in-line 4/4 engine (see the review in The BigChilli, Dec 11). I can certify that the 525d, with its in-line 6-cylinder common rail diesel engine is even better. This is logical, because more cylinders mean less noise and more power, and this applies to petrol engines as well.

“The 525d model is so quiet that while idle you can hardly tell that you are sitting in a diesel-powered car,” said Nina after taking a turn at the wheel. She was also overwhelmed by the handling, well laid-out dashboard with clearly visible dials and easy-to-reach controls. And the driver’s seat “couldn’t be better.”

Nina said the acceleration and overall performance are remarkable considering the size and weight of the car. It all adds up to an extraordinary experience for both driver and passengers, she added. 

Nina’s only unfavorable comment was that she didn’t like the cinnamon brown colour of the seats and dark interior, which she described as “boring.” Everyone liked the black exterior, which looks stately and prestigious in a large car.  

Passengers Adam and Harold praised the comfort of the seats in front and back. “These are perfectly designed with a flawless finishing. They’re so comfortable that you could almost fall to sleep,” said Adam who also commented on the
generous legroom in front and back of the car: “You can stretch and spread your legs without feeling cramped and uncomfortable,” he said, as Harold agreed.

BMW 525 is without a doubt a superbly engineered, robust, top-quality, well-built, fast car made from high quality materials. I’ll go so far as to say that if there were a Nobel Prize for engineering, BMW would have a very good chance of winning for developing such an extraordinary car and engine.

You don’t hear the motor running or any other noises from the outside while sitting in the sound-proof cabin, and with the superb 12-speaker audio system you can escape the hectic world for a while.

Speaking of the cabin, this one is much better than the previous generation of the 5 Series. Everything is placed exactly where you like to have it and where it should be. The current 5 Series is the sixth generation since BMW began the series in 1972, and uses a shortened version of the 7 Series platform that results in the roomy cabin and generous legroom throughout. The boot is also quite large and able to accommodate a lot of luggage.

There might be a negative aspect to all the comfort and quiet, because even when you are doing 200km/h, the tranquil atmosphere inside the cabin makes it feel like you are only doing half that. This could earn you a ticket for speeding on highways where police are using radar guns. Setting the cruise control to an allowed maximum speed should be the answer.

As for the braking, while going 210 km/h on the Bangkok-Chonburi elevated expressway and stepping on the brake, the car stopped quickly without swerving, sliding or spinning. Not long ago an employee of BMW Thailand told me something that I will never forget: “Don’t judge a car by how many seconds it takes to reach 100km/h, but on how many seconds it will take to stop safely at that speed.”  

It is not only the engine inside the 525d but the whole car which is so well constructed. All four of us went inch by inch over its interior and exterior, short of sticking a nose inside the engine or gearbox, but failed to find any significant fault. However, we were a little puzzled by a slot for the electronic key, because when inserted it prevented the lid from closing on a compartment that also includes two cup holders. Maybe the designers could explain this minor glitch.

Still excited a few days after the road test, Harold sent me an email with some further comments on the car: “I was very impressed with the smooth ride and overall comfort of the BMW 525d. As we rolled swiftly down the Bangkok-Chonburi elevated expressway, I was thinking that this car was the king of the road. I felt completely safe while you maneuvered the car at high speed through the traffic (which was heavier than usual because the toll had been lifted that day) to test the performance. Even when we changed lanes often and you had to brake quickly, the ride stayed smooth. There was no jerking around at all.”

A senior sales consultant from BMW Millennium Auto, Thailand’s biggest BMW dealer, described the 525d as a mid-size executive and family car that has sold extremely well since it was introduced to the Thai market in August 2010.

“The car is used by executives more in Thailand than, for example, in Europe, where in comparison with Thailand the 5 Series is ranked like a Toyota Camri. If you are an executive with a driver and sit in the back then you will appreciate the legroom and overall space,” the consultant said.

“Like other models made in Thailand, the car is assembled at a plant in Rayong, with the same reliability and excellent workmanship and quality as those from the factory in Germany.” He added that the production line in Rayong has not been affected by the floods, nor has the supply chain, as has been the case for other brands. 

When the 525d was first introduced in Thailand customers had to wait five to six months for delivery, but production has been increased and the wait is now shorter.

“Right now, the waiting period for the 5 Series and especially for the diesel engines depends on the colour. For some you have to wait two or three months and for others you can pick up the car immediately,” the consultant said, adding that the car comes in five exterior and two interior colours.

He said the 5 Series accounts for 35 to 40 per cent of the total BMW market in Thailand, with 70 to 80 per cent of all 5 Series sold being diesel engines.

Asked why diesels are selling so well, he said:  “Because of three main advantages over the petrol engines: Economy (low fuel consumption), higher torque and better acceleration.”

When asked what makes the 525d better than its competitors, the consultant said: “the acceleration, handling and
braking system are all superior. There are also features for extra convenience such as the iDrive, which integrates the functions of a large number of switches. These can be controlled from one central point, for example to check navigation information or locate radio stations or telephone numbers you have saved.

“The highlight of the car is the Integral Active Steering (IAS), which is a combination of active steering and rear-wheel steering. In critical driving situations, IAS steering can stabilize the vehicle by specifically steering the front and rear wheels before the driver intervenes. The car also has Dynamic Driving Control (DDC), which allows you to adjust suspension from Comfort to Normal to Sport and Sport +.”

“As for major safety features, among others, the 525d, has six airbags located in front, on sides and the head. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) prevents the driven wheels losing traction when you accelerate, or pull away from rest.” 

When the consultant was asked why 525ds assembled in Thailand are not equipped with cameras or night vision as in some sold in other countries, he
replied: “These options would make the car more expensive. Maybe we will add these features here in the future but I can’t say when.”

As always, the 525d comes with the BMW Service Inclusive warranty – good for five years or 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. This car is such a pleasure to drive that it is more than likely to be the latter.