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2004 BMW 5-Series
Date Published: 2/20/08

2004 BMW 5-Series
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MSRP:
$39,800 - 58,300

Invoice:
$36,380 - 53,215

Class:
Premium Midsize Car

CG Award: (What's This?)
2004 BMW 5-Series
Expert Rating Summary
Category 525i, auto. Rating (See All
Ratings)
Premium Midsize Car Average Rating
Acceleration 6 6.4
Fuel Economy 5 4.6
Ride Quality 9 7
Steering/Handling/Braking 7 6.8
Quietness 8 6.7
Controls 4 6.7
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 8 7.2
Room/Comfort (rear) 7 5.6
Cargo Room 3 4
Value within Class 7 5.8
Total Score: 64 60.8
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
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2004 BMW 5-Series Review
New styling, new features, and more V8 power highlight the redesigned 5-Series for 2004. Gone is the wagon body style, leaving sedans that are slightly larger than the 1997-2003 generation. Four models are offered. The 525i retains a 184-hp 2.5-liter inline 6-cyl engine. The 530i carries over a 225-hp 3.0 inline 6. The 545i and 545i 6-Speed models use a 4.4-liter V8 with 325 hp, up from 290 in last year's 540i. All but the 545i come with a 6-speed manual transmission. Standard on the 545i and optional on the 525i and 530i is a 6-speed automatic with manual shift gate. Standard on all are ABS, antiskid/traction control, front side airbags, and front and rear head-protecting tubular side airbags. Rear torso side airbags are optional. Included on the 545i 6-Speed and optional on the other models is a sport suspension teamed with run-flat tires, plus BMW's Active Steering that electronically varies steering ratio and assist, and BMW's Active Roll Stabilization, designed to counteract body lean. All models have BMW's iDrive, which uses a console "joystick" knob to control entertainment, navigation, communication, and climate functions. Options include rear DVD entertainment, navigation system, front and rear park assist, heated front and rear seats, and adaptive cruise control designed to maintain a set following distance. Added midyear were optional head-up instrument display, satellite radio, plus, for all but the 545i automatic, sequential manual transmission. SMT is essentially a clutchless manual operated via console lever or steering-wheel paddles; it can also be set to shift like an automatic. BMW Assist emergency and concierge service and a tire-pressure monitor are standard.
News
Though missing for '04, the 5-Series wagon will soon return along with a new high-performance M5 sedan. The redesigned 2005 wagon will come in 6-cyl 525i and V8 545i models with more luggage space, separate-opening liftgate glass, and standard self-leveling rear suspension, plus most features of the latest sedans. Sales should be underway by summer.

Due by year's end, the next M5 exchanges the previous model's 4.9-liter V8 for a new 40-valve 5.0-liter V10 based on a BMW racing engine. If the recent "Concept M5" is any clue, horsepower should check in at a stout 500, and there's talk of 0-60 in just 4.5 sec or less. Expect the usual muscle-model upgrades including beefier running gear, stiffened and lowered suspension, "aero" body add-ons, and low-profile performance tires on 19-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels.
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