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You can often tell how successful a model has been when it gets a refresh. If the changes are modest (say, a styling tweak and a modest slug of extra equipment), then the car is probably selling well.
That's the case with the BMW 5 Series sedan. Now in its sixth generation, the latest 5 Series has been the fastest selling yet, with over a million sold worldwide in three years.
Then again, if you see substantial upgrades as part of a refresh, then the manufacturer is likely tackling a few criticisms to give a struggling model a boost. Case in point, the 5 Series GT. Its awkward looks and odd position within the lineup have made it a much slower seller, so it gets a rear-end restyle along with repackaged accommodations.
U.S.-Bound Diesel
Likely to be bigger news than the GT's makeover is that the 5 Series sedan will be available with a diesel engine. Dubbed the 535d, it puts out a stout 254 horsepower and an even stouter 414 pound-feet of torque, enough to deliver a 0-62-mph sprint in an admirably brief 5.3 seconds.
And though BMW has yet to publish mileage figures for the car, you can expect the numbers to come out looking far more impressive than the 535i.
The other major engine development is the arrival of a new version of the 4.4-liter V8 in the 550i. It's now equipped with Valvetronic breathing gear and a twin-scroll turbo, so power climbs from 401 hp to 444 hp to yield an impressive 0-62-mph time of 4.6 seconds. An all-wheel-drive 535d xDrive will be available as well.
The rest of the engines in the range remain largely unchanged.
Torque Storm
We enjoyed the mounds of torque delivered by the oil-burning straight-6, finding it far more flexible than expected. To experience the full storm of its 414 lb-ft of torque it's best to switch the eight-speed auto into Manual mode, select 2nd, slow to a 1,000-rpm crawl and crush the accelerator like an unwelcome cockroach.
There's a brief gathering of speed until 1,500 rpm arrives, at which point the BMW hunkers down under the sheer force of torque muscling its way to the rear wheels, the ensuing surge as exciting as anything a gasoline engine can muster 4,000 rpm later.
Still more surprising, if you're used to the historically compact rev ranges of older diesels, is that the thrust keeps on coming through to 5,000 rpm, before petering out over the final few hundred revs. This diesel is memorably quick and better yet, makes a smooth, low, muffled rumble that's just as entertaining as the slightly synthetic-sounding crescendo of the 535i.
Upgraded Suspension
The 5's chassis has also seen a light rethink in the form of retuned dampers for improved comfort, quietness and reduced roll, besides some fresh mapping of the electric power steering to sharpen its precision.
These dynamic upgrades are subtly apparent on the admittedly shelf-smooth Bavarian roads we sampled it on. The ride is smoother, the cabin is a little quieter and body sway, never a big issue in a 5 Series, is tightly controlled. The natural balance that comes from this car's rear-drive layout makes it impressively wieldy through curves without feeling nervous.
That said, we still consider the optional electronic dampers to be a 5 Series essential for a compliant ride on turbulent terrain, and if you have them it's useful to firm the BMW's body control for seriously hard charges.
The revised steering feels a little more accurate, too, even if you need the Sport setting for the most consistent, confidence-building rim resistance. This you select via BMW's increasingly familiar "driving experience" rocker switch on the center console. It toggles among the fuel-saving, throttle-dulling, Eco Pro mode and the Comfort+, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes, the last of these partly disabling the stability control.
Each setting adjusts the steering feel, throttle sensitivity, transmission and, if they're fitted, the firmness of the electronic dampers. It works to good effect, though you quite often find yourself wanting a combination of softer suspension, say, and a sharper throttle. Configuring these settings individually, Audi-style, would be better.
Modest Styling Changes
And at first glance, you might think that the entire car is unchanged. Spotting a 2014 model-year 5 Series sedan isn't easy at first, but from the front it's identifiable by remodeled lights and a resculpted nose section that mirrors the hooded-eye look of the 3 Series.
The rear bumper is new, too, as are the taillights. The side indicators now live in the mirror housings rather than on the fenders, and some versions flaunt modest dashes of extra brightwork.
The biggest change inside is a switch to flat-screen, reconfigurable gauges. They're red-lit when you select Sport, for instance, while the speedo readout goes digital — and there are some detail decor enhancements. The infotainment system's capabilities can be optionally deepened with an iDrive controller that doubles as a mouse, besides allowing the dictation of texts and e-mails.
Later this year there'll be an optional self-parking system requiring no control inputs of any kind, and a traffic jam assistant allowing the 5 Series to steer, accelerate and brake with no intervention from the driver at speeds of up to 19 mph in traffic.
Is It Enough?
There's no question, then, that the 5 Series diesel we drove is a very accomplished car. And it was more sporting than you might expect, with the 3.0-liter diesel sounding keener and producing more instant go than the gasoline-powered 535i.
It's fast, quiet, rides well and delivers the effortless journeying that cars like this are supposed to be about. It also has a roomy, beautifully crafted cabin, packed with electronic convenience items if your wallet is fat enough to afford them.
Of course, the diesel model is just one small piece of the larger 5 Series pie. The rest of the lineup will likely attract the bulk of the sales in the U.S., and the minor nips and tucks made to all the models will surely keep them competitive. The only downside to this latest refresh is its modesty. Anyone hoping for some big changes to the 5 Series this time around will have to wait another couple of years, and BMW doesn't seem too worried about it.
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
Used 2014 BMW 5 Series listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2014 BMW 5 Seriess for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 548 used and CPO 2014 5 Seriess listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 17,900 and mileage as low as 0. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2014 BMW 5 Series. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 300 on a used or CPO 2014 5 Series available from one of 2,630 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2014 BMW 5 Series ?
Save up to $300 on one of 56 used 2014 BMW 5 Seriess for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $17900 as of Apr 24, 2018, based on data from 18 dealers and 204 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2014 BMW 5 Series trim styles:
The used 2014 BMW 5 Series 535i xDrive is priced around $26932 with average odometer reading of 41929 miles.
The used 2014 BMW 5 Series 535i is priced around $23200 with average odometer reading of 65602 miles.
The used 2014 BMW 5 Series 528i xDrive is priced around $22258 with average odometer reading of 51096 miles.
The used 2014 BMW 5 Series 528i is priced around $19770 with average odometer reading of 56588 miles.
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What options are available on the 2014 BMW 5 Series?
Available BMW 5 Series 2014 Submodel Types: Sedan, Hybrid, M550i xDrive, Diesel, Wagon
Available BMW 5 Series 2014 Trims: 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive, 530i, 528i xDrive, 530e xDrive iPerformance, 530xi, 525i, 540i, 535i xDrive, 535xi, M550i xDrive, 528xi, 535i, 528i, 535d xDrive, 530e iPerformance, 545i, 525xi, 540d xDrive, 550i xDrive, 550i
Exterior Colors: Titanium Silver Metallic, Carbon Black Metallic, Deep Sea Blue Metallic, Monaco Blue Metallic, Bluestone Metallic, Mediterranean Blue Metallic, Dark Graphite Metallic, Jet Black, Titanium Gray Metallic, Black Sapphire Metallic, Jatoba Brown Metallic, Orient Blue Metallic, Alpine White, Callisto Grey Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic, Amethyst Gray Metallic, Deep Green Metallic, Space Gray Metallic, Aspen Silver Metallic, Atlas Cedar Metallic, Azurite Black Metallic, Dark Graphite Metallic II, Platinum Gray Metallic, Cashmere Silver Metallic, Glacier Silver Metallic, Mojave Metallic, Oxford Green Metallic, Silver Gray Metallic, Tasman Green Metallic, Barbera Red Metallic, Champagne Quartz Metallic, Electric Red, Frozen Bronze Metallic, Mineral Grey Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Mystic Blue Metallic, Platinum Bronze Metallic, Pyrite Brown Metallic
Interior Colors: Black Dakota w/Contrast Stitching/Piping leather, Black Nappa premium leather, Black premium leather, Black Dakota leather, Beige leatherette, Cognac Dakota w/Contrast Stitching/Piping leather, Canberra Beige/Black Dakota w/Contrast Stitching/Piping leather, Black Nappa w/Contrast Stitching/Piping premium leather, Black leatherette, Cinnamon Brown leather, Mocha Nappa w/Black premium leather, Black Dakota w/Blue Contrast Stitching/Piping leather, Cinnamon Brown Dakota leather, Black, Amaro Brown Extended Merino premium leather, Ivory White Dakota w/Contrast Stitching/Piping leather, Ivory White Nappa w/Black premium leather, Venetian Beige leather, Canberra Beige/Black SensaTec leatherette, Black leather, Everest Gray leather, Gray, Mocha Nappa w/Contrast Stitching/Piping premium leather, Night Blue Dakota w/Contrast Stitching/Piping leather, Oyster/Black leather, Beige, Everest Gray Dakota leather, Ivory White Nappa w/Contrast Stitching/Piping premium leather, Natural Brown premium leather, Beige premium leather, Gray premium leather, Oyster and Black Nappa premium leather, Venetian Beige/Black Dakota leather, Black Dakota w/Exclusive Stitching leather, Venetian Beige Dakota leather, Venetian Beige/Black SensaTec leatherette, Auburn premium leather, Black SensaTec leatherette, Cream Beige premium leather, Ivory White Dakota w/Contrast Stitching/Piping and Dark Coffee Dashboard leather, Ivory White w/Oyster Nappa premium leather, Mocha w/Black Nappa premium leather, Oyster and Black Dakota leather, Sand, Silk Gray/Black Extended Merino premium leather, Smoke White/Black Full Merino premium leather, Venetian Beige SensaTec leatherette, Veneto Beige leatherette
Popular Features: Electronic Folding Mirrors, Pre-collision safety system, Keyless Entry/Start, 360-degree camera, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Auto Climate Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Aux Audio Inputs, Bluetooth, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Navigation, Post-collision safety system, Power Driver Seat, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Sunroof/Moonroof, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, USB Inputs, Upgraded Headlights, AWD/4WD, Mobile Internet, Adaptive Cruise Control, Leather Seats, Back-up camera, Parking sensors, Heated seats, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Heads up display, Blind Spot Monitoring, Cooled Seats, Lane Departure Warning, Upgraded Stereo
Engine/Mechanics: 4, 6, 8 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL, AUTOMATED_MANUAL
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (recommended), premium unleaded (required), regular unleaded, diesel
Drivetrains: all wheel drive, rear wheel drive
Used 2014 BMW 5 Series Overview
The used 2014 BMW 5 Series is offered in the following submodels: Diesel, Sedan. Available styles include 528i 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A), and 535i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A). Pre-owned 5 Series models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2014 5 Series comes with rear wheel drive or all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 8-speed shiftable automatic.
