BMW has sold wagon versions of its mid-sized 5 Series since 1992, developing a small but keen following along the way. The previous E39 edition is regarded as a classic, setting a very high standard for the latest E61 edition. Virtually nothing has been carried over from before, while the wagon also debuts the new Valvetronic 3.0-litre straight six engine. It's also the first BMW load lugger (not including the X3 SUV) with 'flame surfacing' styling. So how does the new 530i Touring shape up?
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BMW E39 530i Touring
Released: December 2000
Ended: April 2004
Family Tree: 5 SeriesARGUABLY the best luxury wagon ever sold in Australia, the previous E39 5 Series edition combined classic BMW styling, a practical body shape and class-leading dynamics in a package that still seems fresh and formidable. The 142kW 528i Touring touched down in early '97, and continued as the sole '5' wagon until the Series II facelift 530i version, complete with a 170kW 3.0-litre 'six', usurped it in late 2000. Two models were sold, the Executive and Sport. Sadly none of the V8 or turbo-diesel variants sold abroad made it to Australia. Nevertheless, as a second-hand proposition, the E39 Touring is extremely hard to beat.
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