Externally, the M Sport package includes M Sports suspension, M aerodynamics (including a rear spoiler) and 18-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside there are sports leather seats, an M leather steering wheel, Anthracite headliner, M Aluminium Hexagon trim and M badging.

You can delete the M Sport suspension if you’re just after the looks and buyers of 535i, 535d and 550i models can opt for BMW Adaptive Drive with individually selectable suspension setup via Dynamic Drive and Dynamic Damper Control.

The two new 5 Series diesel models – 520d (on sale now) and 535d (due in November) – further boost BMW’s diesel lineup which so far this year has accounted for half of all BMW sales in Australia.

The 520d, priced at $83,300, is a four-cylinder turbo-diesel (135kW/380Nm) driving through BMW’s technically superb eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW says the 520d can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 8.1 seconds and returns fuel economy of 5.2l/100kms and exhaust emissions as low as 137g/km.

The 535d, priced at $134,400, is the hero of the 5 Series diesel lineup with its twin turbocharged straight-six engine delivering 220kW/600Nm. Acceleration from zero to 100km/h is 5.7 seconds, the combined cycle fuel consumption is 6.1l/100kms and exhaust emissions are rated at 162g/km.

BMW diesel engines are winning international accolades and challenging many preconceptions about diesel technology as a whole,” explained Stavros Yallouridis, BMW Group Australia Managing Director. “The combination of enormous torque, blistering power and extraordinary fuel economy from our latest diesel engines is winning many fans in Australia.”