2004-2008 BMW 5-Series: Road Test

Neither six-cylinder engine has much low-rpm torque, but they keep pulling to provide adequate acceleration. The smooth 3.0-liter six provides fine performance, but does not feel as strong as BMW's claimed 6.6-second 0-60 mph time with manual transmission, or 6.9 with automatic. A manual-shift 530i took 7.1 seconds to reach 60 mph, versus 7.7 seconds for an automatic 525i and 6.9 seconds for an AWD 530xi with automatic. The V8 is stronger at all speeds. An automatic 545i did 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Most rival six-cylinder engines have more horsepower than the 5-Series' sixes. BMW's manual transmission provides silky smooth action. Automatic works well with the 3.0, but can be a bit tardy on downshifts. Performance reaches startling heights with the 500-horsepower M5, but its Sequential Manual Transmission delivers shockingly jarring shifts even in full-automatic mode. Fuel economy is about as expected, with automatics slightly less frugal. A 525i with automatic averaged 18.4 mpg, while a manual-shift 530i averaged 19.7 to 20 mph, and a 545i with automatic achieved 17.7 mpg. All engines require premium fuel. The 5-Series' combination of ride and handling is among the world's best. Ride quality is smooth and stable at any speed. The Sport package increases firmness and allows ruts to pound through, but the ride never becomes harsh. Well-balanced and agile, a 5-Series is always composed, maintaining its reputation as the luxury sports sedan others strive to match. Active Steering is a boon to low-speed maneuverability, also reducing the need for high-speed steering correction. Very little body lean is evident in fast turns; almost none with Active Roll Stabilization, but its activation point is inconsistent. Braking is strong, stable, and straight. Virtually no wind rush is noticeable. The only real road noise comes with Sport Package tires, and even those are hushed on most surfaces. Solid build quality translates to few creaks and rattles. The 3.0-liter six always is smooth, with a muted growl in aggressive acceleration. Unfortunately, drivers must interact with the standard iDrive setup for anything other than the simplest audio and climate adjustments. That complicates most functions and diverts driver attention. Apart from iDrive, the control layout itself is simple and convenient. Elegant interior decor benefits from top-notch materials. All but the very tall get good head and leg room up front on firm, supportive seats. Power seats and tilt/telescoping steering make it easy to find a comfortable driving position. Over-the-shoulder and aft visibility rank only average. Despite fine head room, leg and toe space are limited in the back seat. Taller riders may want more head clearance, but should have legroom problems only with front seats all the way back. Long, firm rear cushions provide fine comfort. Decent trunk space is accessed by high liftover. Hinges are covered to prevent crushing packages, but they do gobble up space. Interior storage space is minimal.

Value for the Money
Overall, the 5-Series delivers a formidable blend of luxury, sport, and engineering. Prices were steep when new, iDrive confounds, and six-cylinder engines feel underpowered--outperformed by those of several rivals. Still, with the addition of available Active Steering and Active Roll Stabilization, BMW improved upon the 5-Series' world-class handling--without compromising its admirable ride quality. Each 5-Series bristles with technology, but not all of it is beneficial. Active Steering, for instance, is a love/hate item. High resale values keep secondhand prices on the hefty side.