BMWs aren’t really made for snow.

The rear-wheel drive action makes for slippy traction even after the lightest of snow falls.

Much of the issue can be resolved by high gearing – pulling away in second gear, for example – and gentle throttling, something a fellow BMW driver failed to appreciate when fish-tailing in front of me one frosty morning.

The 520d continues to live up to expectations – enjoyable to drive, comfortable, spacious, reliable - although I’ve yet to achieve fuel efficiency consistently above 50mpg (official combined is 57.6mpg).

High 40s is the best to date, although that rapidly drops if you want to experience the full power of the 184bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine.

With news that an Efficient Dynamic 5 Series is due early next year, this 129g/km model will no longer be the eco choice in the range.

Expect the ED version to dip below 120g/km with fuel efficiency exceeding 60mpg – an astonishing achievement for such a big, heavy car.

Having briefly swapped the 5 Series for a run out in a Renault Laguna estate, I can heartily recommend headlight washers for this time of year.

The Renault has them and my drive home was fully illuminated all the way.

The BMW doesn’t and the difference is visible - literally.

Every journey ends with a rag and water to clear the road salt from the casing.

Roll on springtime when this will no longer be an issue – sadly for me, however, the 520d will have been returned to BMW by then.