Pros:Aluminum body panels for weight savings
Improved handling through suspension changes
Bumper mounted cameras
Fuel efficient for a 2 ton car
Cons:
Blandness has set into the 5 series styling
Manual transmission drivability not top notch
Pricey in comparison to competition
Seat coolers are missing
The sixth generation of the 5-series BMW has finally graduated in the handling and technology areas to keep up, if not ahead of its competition. Large improvements have been achieved through technology provided by its bigger brother the 7-series including a double wishbone style front suspension and cool safety features like bumper mounted cameras. The 300 hp inline six now has direct injection and a twin scroll single turbo which provides torque from 1200 RPM.
Driving Impressions:
I’ve been a big fan of the BMW’s and have owned or driven many of them (3’s, 5’s, 6’s, 7’s, M3, M5.) BMW, also known as the driving machine, adheres to their reputation again in the 2011 535i. Our test model had the slick-shifting six speed manual transmission and was able to achieve 21 MPG in town and about 27 MPG on the highway through normal driving. Even spirited driving returned a respectable 18 MPG.
From the moment you push the Start button, the engine roars to life and you get a feeling like you are in a large luxury vehicle. However, once on the road, the 5-series feels like it’s shrinking as the dynamics of the suspension, brakes and engine work together to provide a confidence inspiring drive. Pick up some speed, toss the car through turns, no problem. The new electronic steering, though a little dead on center, provides precise input and you can carve through canyons like it was a 3-series or Z4. Large brakes slow the car amazingly well. When you lay in a 300 hp engine with 300 lb-ft of torque, the drive can get playful pretty fast.
When you get on the throttle, power really builds above 2500 RPM and would estimate the 0-60 to be around 6 seconds. Not bad for a car of this heft. It really shines on the freeway and passing at speed with great car control. The new double wishbone style of suspension allows for larger brakes and stopping this cruiser, even with four adults in the car, is effortless.
Handling
BMW gives you choices here “comfort-normal-sport1-sport2” and with increasing stiffness in suspension as well as responsiveness of the throttle. The difference between sport and sport 2 is minimal on the street, maybe if I had it at the track the story would be different. The Michelin tires performed well in the mountains and the car ate up turns in the Sport mode with ease. No it doesn’t handle like a C6 Corvette, but it has top notch handling for a sedan.
Build
Great quality you come to expect from a $65k vehicle, perfect lines and great paint. They also incorporated soft close doors, illuminated door handles, self open and close trunk lid, and a power sunroof sunscreen — all great features even though some weight was added. I looked around the engine compartment and the engine design has become easier to maintain (for those future DIY folks) because the twin scroll single housing turbo takes up less room than twin turbochargers.
Interior Comfort and Ergonomics
This car is pretty substantial; almost the size of the 7-series two generations back, but the handling is superb for a vehicle this size. The door sills are a bit higher in this model than previous ones so the vehicle feels like it wraps around you. The dash and center console are fairly large providing even more of the envelop feeling….you feel safe, but at the same time you may feel a bit claustrophobic (especially shotgun) until you get used to it.
The front seats give you multiple adjustments for thigh support, headrest fore/aft, four way lumbar, and heat. All the things one would need to make a true driver’s car. BMW claims to have increased rear seat room by 0.5 inches and the legroom in the back is decent, but nowhere near the 7-series. If you are over six feet tall and driving, the back seat passengers will be cramped. The Bavarians have always been a bit behind their competition in the air conditioning area and this new 5-series is no exception — no air-cooled front seats.
The much maligned iDrive, now in its fourth generation, is much easier to operate and a lot more intuitive than previous iterations. They also installed an MP3 adapter, but didn’t sync well with our iPods and iPhones. Save yourself the additional $400 for the MP3 option and use it towards a good aftermarket system afterward.
Styling
The exterior design of the new 5-series has softened a little.When you look at it from the side, you could mistake it for a Lexus LS460. Even Infiniti has done a better job than BMW with exterior design if we were to look at the new Infiniti M. We recommend ordering it with the sport package which provides the better looking 19 inch wheels. Another design area which could use improvement is around the front fog light. Somehow it just does not blend well when looking at it from the side.
Value
The cost of all that aluminum and electronics are not cheap and this has driven the price of this car way up. It’s not that the competition from Detroit and Japan are being sold for that much less, it’s just that the new 5-series doesn’t offer a significant leap in any area to justify the higher price. If you are loyal to the BMW moniker, that’s different, but if you are looking for value, there’s plenty of competition at this level for less green.
Who should buy it?
This is the perfect car for the well heeled family person with kids beyond the minivan stage. It’s a fantastic commuter and capable of taking clients out when needed. It’s not the Gen-Y 3-series or IS350 commuter. For the performance oriented, you will want to go with the 550i to attain 400HP and seats more directed towards track use….but that’s another review.
The Cost of Luxury Isn’t Cheap
BMW provides a fantastic mid-sized car that you can enjoy as well as sharing that joy with family or friends. It hauls around up to four other passengers in comfort and has go fast capabilities while giving the option of sedate and comfortable. BMW has updated their 5-series but took a safe design approach to reel in the older Gen-X and young boomers. Unfortunately, the price has gotten out of reach for a lot of people during a slow economic recovery. Only time (and sales numbers) will tell.
BUILD INTERIOR PERFORMANCE HANDLING STYLING VALUE OVERALL
RATING 4.0 4.5 4.25 4.25 3.0 2.0 3.7/C+
Source: www.carreview.com
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