It used to be that owning a BMW was seen as a sign of prestige and success. But when you look on the roads these days, it seems that everyone is driving a BMW. The majority of BMWs on the roads are the smaller 3 Series. So what do you do If you desire a BMW, but still want to stand out from the common folk? Well, perhaps you should look at the far less common, and more expensive, BMW 5 Series.

The BMW 5 Series is the mid-range BMW sitting between the ubiquitous 3 Series and the seriously expensive 7 Series. The BMW 5 Series is available in a 2.5 litre 6 cylinder, a 3.0 litre and the far sportier M5, which since 2004 has been powered by an awesome V10 high performance engine.

The entry level 5 Series

If you are considering up-scaling to a BMW 5 Series, then the BMW 525i with its 2.5 litre powerplant will generally offer most the best opportunity, as this is the cheapest 5 Series model available. The BMW 525i offers luxury motoring and is great for cruising on the highways. If you want something with a little more get up and go, then you may need to consider the BMW 530i which is powered by a more powerful 3.0 litre engine.

Some of the features you can expect on a later model BMW 525i include:

?leather trim

?front and rear power windows

?heated mirrors

?cruise control

?navigation system

?leather multi-function steering wheel

?audio system with steering wheel controls that includes remote 6 stacker CD and six speakers, and

?on board computer with average speed and fuel consumption and remaining fuel range.

After a wagon?

If you're in the market for a wagon, but you also want luxury and performance, then there is always the 530i Touring Wagon. Later models boast 190 kw of power and can do 0 to 100km/h in just under 7 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h. You'll also get good fuel performance too. Claims of just under 10 litres per 100 kilometres may not be easy to achieve, but just over 10 litres per 100 kilometres certainly is. For the safety conscious, the later models of the 530i Touring Wagon include eight airbags and a wide range of other electronic safety options.

Alternatively, if you want a wagon, the BMW X5 may be a better option as it will generally be cheaper, but is a more versatile vehicle as it has soft road capabilities which the 530i Touring Wagon does not.

High performance luxury motoring

If you want a luxury car that you can drive hard with complete confidence, then you will certainly want to test drive the BMW M5. This is the high performance version of the 5 Series with later models including a 5.0 litre, 40 valve V10 engine that produces 373 kw and pushes you from zero to one hundred in just 4.8 seconds. Of course, for this kind of performance you will pay a lot extra than the more sedate 525i or 530i. These cars cost over $220,000 brand new and you probably won't get a later model one owner car at too much of a discount to this price.

If you really, really want one of these machines but don't have enough money for a late model, then perhaps you could look at an earlier model M5, although even a much older model may still cost you a pretty penny.

If you want a car for mainly travelling about town, then you should dispense with your high performance fantasies as the BMW M5 is not well suited to city driving. It is after all, a high performance car and is at its best being driven hard out on the open road.