2009 BMW 5-Series: Tester's Comments
2009 BMW 5-Series ▼
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- MSRP: $45,800 - $85,500
- Invoice: $42,135 - $78,660
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Find out what the Consumer Guide Automotive testers had to say about the 2009 BMW 5-Series. See if the 2009 BMW 5-Series is right for you.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2009 BMW 535i xDrive Sports Wagon |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | 535i/535i xDrive |
| Arrival Date: | 03/12/2009 |
| Engine: | Turbocharged dohc I6 |
| Bodystyle | 4-door wagon |
| Transmission: | 6-speed automatic |
| 4WD/AWD: | Yes |
| Base Price: | 55,400 |
| Price as Tested: | 74,020 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 2734 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 3412 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 678 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 33.826 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 20.04 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Cold Weather Package (Heated Steering Wheel, Ski Bag, Heated Front Seats, Retractable Headlight Washers), Premium Package (Automatic Tailgate Operation, Universal Garage Door Opener, Auto-Dimming Mirrors, Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror), Comfort Access System, Multi-Contour Seats, High-Beam Assistant, Lane Departure Warning, Active Cruise Control, Park Distance Control, iPod and USB Adapter, Navigation System, Head-Up Display, Night Vision, HD Radio, Satellite Radio w/ 1 Year Subscription, Logic7 Sound System, Anthracite Headliner
From the Back Seat
Damon Bell
BMW's 5-Series remains an industry benchmark for its remarkable combination of handling prowess and supple ride quality. And for my money, BMW's glorious twin-turbo 3.0-liter 6 is one of the greatest engines ever, even when it's saddled with the extra heft of the 5-Series platform (not to mention the added pounds of the wagon body style and all-wheel drive). What's not for my money, though, are the extravagantly priced, relatively frivolous options ($2200 for Night Vision? $2400 for Active Cruise Control?). Our well-loaded tester stickered for a sobering $74,020, almost $18K over the already steep $55,400 base price.
Ed Piotrowski
$17,795. That's the cost of the options, according to the Monroney on this test AWD 535i wagon. This caused the as-tested price on this specific model to a staggering $74,000 and change. At that price, this car is not what you would call a strong value. Digging deeper into the options list, there is probably about $14,000 worth of options that can be eliminated without taking away from this car's world-class powertrain, ride, and handling. At a bit less than $60,000, the 535i xDrive wagon makes for a rather compelling alternative to a premium SUV.
John Biel
It's hard to argue that a BMW 5-Series isn't an excellent car, and the turbocharged station wagon in this test was no exception to that point. The trick is to not get too carried away with the options, otherwise its cost threatens to outstrip its intrinsic value.
Rick Cotta
Even a short drive is enough to make one appreciate the coddling comfort and exemplary driving dynamics of BMW's 535i xDrive wagon. But impressions may go downhill with more exposure. Most of my complaints center on electronic gadgetry that just isn't well thought out. And it's not so much the infamous iDrive system, which isn't the annoyance it used to be; no, it's the constant beeping and scratching that accompanied my all-city commute, much of it likely attributable to something within our tester's $19,000 worth of options. Limited cabin storage, on the other hand, comes standard. Still, if money were no object, a carefully optioned 535i xDrive wagon might well top my list of luxury haulers.
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