The executive benchmark: rear-wheel-drive balance, superb diesels, a huge spread from frugal 520d to the M5, and the most complete used market in Poland.
The F10 is the 5 Series that sold in enormous numbers in Poland. Its inline-six diesels (525d/530d/535d, N57) are among the most durable engines of the decade when serviced; the four-cylinder 520d is economical but early N47 units had the timing-chain problem everyone talks about. The ZF 8-speed automatic is excellent. xDrive exists on most versions from 2011. Buy on history and on whether the known items were done, not on the badge.
Lighter, quieter and far more digital than the F10, with the same excellent B47/B57 diesels and the ZF 8-speed. The 520d and 530d are the core of the market; the 540i is the sweet petrol six, the M550i a V8 sleeper and the 530e the company-car plug-in. Post-2020 LCI cars have mild hybrids and the nicer cabin.
Larger, fully digital eighth generation with the curved display, mild-hybrid four-cylinders, plug-in hybrids and the electric i5 alongside. Mostly nearly-new dealer stock in Poland.