When Will the BMW 5 Series Undergo a Model Change?
4 Answers
Whether it's Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Audi, no car model has ever undergone a model change before serving for less than 7 years. Typically, the model change occurs every 7 or 8 years. Calculating based on the shortest 7-year interval, the BMW 5 Series underwent a model change in 2017, so the next model change would be no earlier than 2024. However, if the competitiveness of the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class strengthens, it might shorten the model change cycle for the 5 Series. Here is an introduction to the BMW 5 Series: 1. Positioning: The domestically produced 5 Series is a high-end sedan. The current generation 5 Series was introduced in 2004. The BMW 5 Series is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding series in automotive history. Its peak era began with the third-generation E34 (1988-1996), and today's 5 Series is the third-generation product of the E34. 2. Style: The BMW 5 Series is positioned between the sporty and stylish 3 Series and the noble and elegant 7 Series. It perfectly blends dynamism with elegance and the functionality of a high-end business sedan, combining BMW's great traditions with a forward-looking, progressive spirit and timeless aesthetic standards. The Brilliance BMW 5 Series is the latest model in its series.
I remember the BMW 5 Series typically has a generational cycle of around 7 years. The previous generation G30 was launched in 2017, so this update is actually quite punctual. The all-new 5 Series made its global debut in October 2023, known as the G68 long-wheelbase version in China, and officially went on sale in January 2024. The new 5 Series features significant design changes, with a front grille featuring illuminated borders and taillights redesigned into boomerang shapes, giving it a more youthful and dynamic overall appearance. The interior has been completely revamped with a 12.3-inch + 14.9-inch curved dual-screen setup, paired with BMW's latest iDrive 8.5 system. What I'm most concerned about is the powertrain options—currently, there are the 520Li and 530Li for the gasoline versions, the plug-in hybrid version is retained, and for the first time, a pure-electric i5 variant has been added. The rear seating space has been slightly enlarged, and the seats are softer, but the most noticeable upgrade is in the autonomous driving assistance system, which now supports features like automatic lane changes on highways.
Now is the time to buy the new 5 Series, as the latest generation model codenamed G60/G68 actually completed its redesign at the end of 2023. The timeline for this redesign is very clear: global release in October, domestic debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November, and official sales starting in January 2024. A particularly important change is that the domestic long-wheelbase version has more luxurious rear seat configurations compared to the overseas standard version, showing that BMW has really put thought into the Chinese market this time. The new car has grown by almost 10 cm in size, but the drag coefficient has dropped to 0.23, which will definitely improve fuel and electricity consumption. I compared the interiors of the old and new models and found that there are far fewer physical buttons, with all operations now done on the screen, which may take some time to get used to. The starting price is over 430,000 yuan, but be aware that there are many optional extras, such as the 31-inch giant screen in the rear, which is limited to the Executive version.
The BMW 5 Series follows a roughly seven-year generational cycle, with the seventh generation taking over fully in 2024. The design has sparked considerable debate—the Hofmeister kink has been replaced with full-black trim, and the rear features concave curves. These radical changes take some getting used to. The powertrain lineup is quite interesting: the gasoline version sticks with a 2.0T + 48V mild hybrid setup, with the 530Li maintaining its power output but torque increasing to 400 Nm; the all-electric i5 boasts 340 hp and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in under 6 seconds; the plug-in hybrid version offers up to 100 km of pure electric range. The most surprising aspect is the chassis tuning—it still drives like a true BMW, with strong suspension support during cornering, yet feels more forgiving over speed bumps compared to the previous model. With the increased weight, the braking system has been upgraded to front four-piston calipers, now standard across the lineup. The new infotainment system supports gaming and video apps, so you won’t have to rely on your phone while parked and waiting.
