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2004-2007 BMW 5-Series
Date Published: 2/20/08

2004-2007 BMW 5-Series
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Price Range:
$24,600 - 72,200

Class:
Premium Midsize Car
2004-2007 BMW 5-Series
Expert Rating Summary
Category
BMW 5-Series 530i w/automatic Rating
Performance 6
Fuel Economy 5
Ride Quality 8
Steering/Handling/Braking 8
Quietness 8
Controls/Materials 4
Interior Room 8
Room/Comfort (rear) 7
Cargo Capacity 3
Value within Class 6
Total Score: 63
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
Chart: One rating chart provided for a representative model
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2004-2007 BMW 5-Series Review
New styling and features, plus more V8 power, highlighted BMW's redesigned 5-Series for 2004. Gone was the wagon body style, leaving sedans that were slightly larger than the 1997-2003 models. BMW competed against the Audi A6, Lexus LS 430, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedans, along with the Acura TL/RL and Infiniti M. Four models were offered: 525i, 530i, 545i, and 545i 6-Speed. The 525i retained a 184-horsepower 2.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine; the 530i carried over a 225-horsepower 3.0-liter inline six. Both 545i models used a 4.4-liter V8 that produced 325 horsepower, up from 290 in the 2003 540i. The 525i, 530i, and 545i 6-Speed came with a six-speed manual transmission. Standard on the 545i and optional for the 525i and 530i was a six-speed automatic with manual shift gate. All 5s had BMW's iDrive, which used a console "joystick" to control entertainment, navigation, communication, and climate functions. Antilock braking, BMW Assist emergency and concierge service, a tire-pressure monitor, and traction/antiskid control were standard. Front side airbags and front/rear head-protecting tubular side airbags also were standard. Rear torso side airbags were optional. The 545i 6-Speed had a sport suspension, run-flat tires, and BMW's Active Steering that electronically varied both steering ratio and assist. BMW's Active Roll Stabilization was designed to counteract body lean. With the optional sport suspension, the 525i, 530i, and 545i added Active Roll Stabilization, run-flat tires, and Active Steering. Options included DVD entertainment, a navigation system, front and rear park assist, heated front and rear seats, and adaptive cruise control designed to maintain a set following distance. Later in the model year came an optional head-up instrument display and satellite radio, plus, for all but the 545i, a Sequential Manual Transmission (SMT). Essentially a clutchless manual operated via a console lever or steering-wheel paddles, the sequential manual could also be set to shift like an automatic.
Year to Year Changes
2005 BMW 5-Series: Minor equipment shuffling highlighted the 2005 model year. The 545i joined other models with a standard six-speed manual transmission. Six-speed automatic was optional for all, and the 530i and 545i could have BMW's Sequential Manual Transmission. All 5-Series models except the 525i had 17-inch tires.
2006 BMW 5-Series: Wagons rejoined the 5-Series lineup. All-wheel drive became available this year, on the 530xi sedan and wagon and the 525xi sedan. BMW's rear-wheel-drive sedan lineup included the 525i, 530i, and 550i. Engines gained power. The 525i exchanged its former 184-hp 2.5-liter engine for a 215-horsepower 3.0-liter. In 530i models, the 3.0-liter engine gained 30 horsepower (now 255). A new 360-horsepower 4.8-liter V8 for top models prompted a name change from 545i to 550i. BMW also revived the high-performance M5 sedan, with a seven-speed SMT, unique sport suspension tuning, 19-inch tires, and a 500-horsepower V10 engine.
2007 BMW 5-Series: 5-Series carries over unchanged.
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