The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is known almost universally as BMW’s biggest folly of recent times. Launched in 2010 here, it remained on BMW’s price lists until early 2017, when it was quietly dropped.
The main problem with the Gran Turismo was that very few people liked its looks. Some even alluded to it being BMW’s version of a Ford Edsel, one of Ford’s major stylistic failures of the past century. After all, a BMW is supposed to be everyone’s epitome of a “pure driving machine”, no matter what the size. Here was this 5 Series that had extremely awkward proportions, being bloated in the middle, and with a much higher roof line that made it look top-heavy..
Reading reports of the car written in 2010, there are phrases like “too ugly to succeed”, and it seems as if the scribes had got it right. At least as far as sales are concerned.
I also remember at about the same time, eaves-dropping on the mobile call of one of the most dynamic premium-pre-owned car salesman in the country at the time outside a television studio, and he was urging his customer to stay well away from the Gran Turismo, as its re-sale value was likely to be poor.
But is the Gran Turismo really so bad?
It’s a funny thing, but with hindsight, the 5 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t look nearly as “shocking” as it was perceived a decade ago. The car has a lot going for it, mainly its extremely generous interior space, which is much more 7 Series than 5 Series. Also, that hatchback configuration offers excellent loading capability, although the boot is smaller than one might suppose.
The engine options on the Gran Turismo are also impressive. You could choose between two turbo-diesels and two petrol engines. The diesel were a 4-cylinder rated at 135 kW and a 6-cylinder pushing 190 kW. The petrol engines were the most impressive: a 225 kW turbocharged straight-6, and a 330 kW turbocharged V8. This latter engine gave impressive acceleration, with 0-100 km/h coming up in less than 6-econds, and easy 250 km/h capability.
I remember attending the original launch of the car and being impressed with the very controlled rise, with a minimum of body roll and very incisive turn-in on fast corners.
Good used buy
Because the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo was never hugely popular, today it represents an excellent buy on the used car market. That’s if you are lucky enough to find one!
AutoTrader currently lists just three examples of the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo currently for sale. A quick glance at the three listings in our New & Used car buying section reveals cars that look to be in excellent condition, varying in model year between 2010 and 2014. Mileages are low, ranging between 90 000 and 144 000 km, and prices range between R204 000 and just under R300 000.
For the price of a new Polo Vivo, for example, you are getting an amazingly equipped prestige car. And somehow in the modern context these cars look less bulbous than they once were, possibly because we have all become so used to large lumbering SUVs!
Top 4 things to know about the 5 Series Gran Turismo
1. These cars may have been off the market for some time, but they are all likely to have been bought by conservative owners who looked after them and were meticulous about servicing them. BMW always maintained that these were cars meant for a very specific buyer.
2. With the cars having been off the market for some time, there is likely to be very little further depreciation. So if you look after a 5 Series Gran Turismo after buying a good used one, you are likely to be able to sell it on for pretty much the same price you paid for it.
3. All four engine options have their pros and cons. If its economy you are after, try and find a low-mileage diesel model. For performance that remains thrilling even in today’s context, go for the V8. The cool thing about the V8 model is that it looks so understated, and you can revel in the knowledge that you are driving one of the performance bargains of the decade!
4. Some spares, particularly body parts, might be a problem. If you are thinking of buying one, check your local BMW for spare parts availability, as few were sold here, and they have been off the market for three years.
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