Ah, the BMW 5er-Reihe, the chariot of choice for those who deem driving a venerated ritual rather than a mundane task. It's a vessel that encapsulates luxury, performance, and, perhaps unexpectedly, a remark on how to execute a balletic U-turn with grace. The turning circle of a vehicle, often an overlooked aspect in the car enthusiast sphere, shines a light on the model's evolution and its adroitness in urban environments. The 5er-Reihe has pirouetted its way through decades, but how does its rotational prowess fare in today's asphalt jungles compared to its ancestors and rivals alike?
BMW 5{series} - How has the turning circle changed over the generations?
From the 10.50m balletic twirls of the pioneering E12 series to the slightly more cumbersome 12.30m of the latest G60/G61, the BMW 5 Series has seen its turning circle expand in tandem with its dimensions, and presumably, its ambitions. As the decades rolled by and the 5 Series grew not just in size but in sophistication, its turning radius similarly swelled, betraying the inevitable trade-off between size and maneuverability. Indeed, the evolution of the 5er-Reihe’s turning circle is a testament to its journey from a sprightly young executive saloon to a mature, if somewhat portly, luxury icon.
BMW 5{series} generations
(Turning circle)
BMW 5{series} generationsGeneration year | Turning circle |
---|
5er-Reihe, Model year 1972 (E12) | 10 m |
5er-Reihe, Model year 1976 (E12 (1. Facelift)) | 10 m |
5er-Reihe, Model year 1981 (E28/E28S) | 10 m |
5er-Reihe, Model year 1988 (5er-Reihe E34/E34S/E345S) | 11 m |
5er-Reihe, Model year 1995 (E39) | 11 m |
5er-Reihe, Model year 1999 (5er-Reihe E39/E39S (1. Facelift)) | 11 m |
5er-Reihe, Model year 2003 (E60/E61) | 11 m |
5er-Reihe, Model year 2007 (5er-Reihe E60/E61 (1. Facelift)) | 11 m |
5er-Reihe, Model year 2009 (F07/F10/F10M/F11) | 12 m |
5er-Reihe, Model year 2013 (5er-Reihe F07/F10/F10M/F11 (1. Facelift)) | 12 m |
5er-Reihe, Model year 2017 (5er-Reihe G30/G31/F90) | 12 m |
5er-Reihe, Model year 2020 (5er-Reihe G30/G31/F90 (1. Facelift)) | 12 m |
5er-Reihe, Model year 2023 (5er-Reihe G60/G61/G90/G99) | 12 m |
The difference in Turning circle between first generation (E12) from 1972 and last generation (5er-Reihe G60/G61/G90/G99) from 2023 is 2 m.
The turning circle of the current generation of 5{series} is 12 m.
Variants
BMW 5{series} variants: 5{series} Limousine vs. 5{series} M5 Limousine vs. 5{series} M5 Touring vs. 5{series} Touring
(Turning circle)
Turning circle: BMW 5{series} variantsVariant name | Turning circle |
---|
5{series} Limousine | 12 m |
5{series} M5 Limousine | m |
5{series} M5 Touring | m |
5{series} Touring | 12 m |
The turning circle compared to other BMW models
In the grand ballet of BMW models, the 5er-Reihe performs with a turning circle that is, shall we say, middle of the pack. It's neither the nimblest twirler like the 2 Series Coupe with its 10.90m turning circle, nor does it demand the swath of tarmac that the colossal X7 does with its 13.00m of needed clearance. It sits comfortably, executing its pirouettes with a 12.30m turning circle in the current G60/G61 generation, showcasing a blend of agility and stature- a juxtaposition of performance and luxury that's just so... BMW.
BMW 5{series} vs other current cars by BMW
(Turning circle)
Turning circle: 5{series} vs. other models by BMWVariant name | Turning circle |
---|
i3 | 9 m |
i3s | 10 m |
8{series} Cabrio | 11 m |
8{series} Coupé | 11 m |
8{series} M Performance Cabrio | 11 m |
8{series} M Performance Coupé | 11 m |
i5 M Performance Limousine | 11 m |
i5 M Performance Touring | 11 m |
4{series} Cabrio | 11 m |
4{series} Coupé | 11 m |
3{series} Limousine | 11 m |
2{series} Coupé | 11 m |
2{series} M2 Coupé | 11 m |
Z4 M Performance Roadster | 11 m |
Z4 Roadster | 11 m |
X1 | 11 m |
X1 M Performance | 11 m |
2{series} Active Tourer | 11 m |
iX1 | 11 m |
iX2 | 11 m |
2{series} Gran Coupé | 11 m |
2{series} Gran Coupé M Performance | 11 m |
1{series} | 11 m |
1{series} M Performance | 11 m |
X2 | 11 m |
X2 M Performance | 11 m |
5{series} Limousine | 12 m |
5{series} Touring | 12 m |
iX | 12 m |
iX M Performance | 12 m |
8{series} Gran Coupé | 12 m |
8{series} M Performance Gran Coupé | 12 m |
8{series} M8 Cabrio | 12 m |
8{series} M8 Coupé | 12 m |
8{series} M8 Gran Coupé | 12 m |
X5 | 12 m |
X5 M | 12 m |
X5 M Performance | 12 m |
X6 | 12 m |
X6 M | 12 m |
X6 M Performance | 12 m |
i5 Limousine | 12 m |
i5 Touring | 12 m |
7{series} | 12 m |
7{series} M Performance | 12 m |
4{series} M Performance Cabrio | 12 m |
4{series} M Performance Coupé | 12 m |
4{series} M4 Cabrio | 12 m |
4{series} M4 Coupé | 12 m |
4{series} M4 CS Coupé | 12 m |
3{series} M3 CS Touring | 12 m |
i4 | 12 m |
i4 M Performance | 12 m |
iX3 | 12 m |
X3 | 12 m |
X3 M | 12 m |
X3 M Performance | 12 m |
X4 | 12 m |
X4 M | 12 m |
X4 M Performance | 12 m |
i8 Coupé | 12 m |
i8 Roadster | 12 m |
i7 | 13 m |
i7 M Performance | 13 m |
X7 | 13 m |
X7 M Performance | 13 m |
How does the turning circle of the BMW 5{series} compare to it's nearest competitors?
How does our beloved Bavarian compare to the motley crew of rivals, you ask? Let's take the gloves off and delve right in. Against the likes of the extravagant Aston Martin DBX and the electric prodigy, Tesla Model 3, the 5 Series asserts itself with a turning circle larger than the Model 3's 11.80m yet more petite than the DBX's behemoth 12.40m. It waltzes around the tight constraints of urban landscapes with more grace than the Audi A8's 12.10m but can't quite match the cheeky agility of the Hyundai Elantra and its 10.10m twirl. It seems, in the vehicular royal rumble of turning circles, the 5er-Reihe positions itself as a distinguished contender, balancing the fine line between luxury and practicality, a true testament to its German engineering lineage.
BMW 5{series} vs. similar cars
(Turning circle)
Turning circle: BMW 5{series} vs. similar carsCar model | Turning circle |
---|
Ligier JS 50 2019 | 8 m |
Aixam Ambition 2023 | 8 m |
Aixam Emotion 2020 | 8 m |
Aixam Minauto 2023 | 8 m |
Casalini 550 2022 | 9 m |
Casalini M20 2022 | 9 m |
Ligier JS 60 2020 | 9 m |
Peugeot 508 2023 | 10 m |
SEAT Ateca 2020 | 10 m |
Skoda Karoq 2017 | 10 m |
Hyundai Tucson 2004 | 10 m |
Hyundai Staria 2021 | 11 m |
Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo 2024 | 11 m |
VW Arteon 2020 | 11 m |
Cadillac XT4 2020 | 11 m |
DS Automobiles DS 7 2022 | 11 m |
Mercedes-Benz R-Klasse 2005 | 11 m |
Mercedes-Benz CLS 2004 | 11 m |
ALPINA XD3 2013 | 11 m |
Jaguar XF 2008 | 11 m |
Hyundai Grand Santa Fe 2013 | 11 m |
Mercedes-Benz GLC 2015 | 11 m |
Hyundai ix55 2009 | 11 m |
Infiniti QX30 2016 | 11 m |
Dodge Journey 2008 | 11 m |
BMW 5er-Reihe 2023 | 12 m |
ALPINA XD4 2021 | 12 m |
Mercedes-Benz GL-Klasse 2006 | 12 m |
BMW X5 2000 | 12 m |
Audi Q8 2018 | 13 m |
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