I tested the 550i with a six-speed manual transmission and was very impressed by how much fun it was to thrash around. Changes for 2008 represent the most significant model-year update since the current 5 Series was launched in 2003. This car has just about everything you could ask for in a luxury sedan, including the features, comfort and convenience of full-size luxury models, the sporting character of smaller ones, and a good compromise between interior space and physical bulk. Active front head restraints are also standard. Safety The 5 Series comes with side-impact airbags for the front seats and optional side-impact airbags for the backseat. A revised lane departure warning system is also available for 2008.
The company has a real sleeper in the 535i now, but buyers could find a number of better luxury-performance values than the 528i. Cutting-edge features in the 528xi include a head-up display that projects critical information into the driver's line of vision, an Active Cruise Control system that maintains a pre-set distance from the car ahead, Adaptive Brake lights that shine larger and brighter in an emergency situation, and a Park Distance Control system, which provides an audible alert to help drivers park. It's still loaded with the technology that's made it a benchmark for critics and auto industry engineers alike, and some of its systems and features have a dark side. This has value on long freeway grinds, but it's annoying when you're clipping apexes on a favorite stretch of back road. The 5 Series remains a truly sporting sedan that stands out in the fiercely competitive market for mid-sized luxury cars.
The rear-wheel-drive 535 is equipped with a number of cutting-edge features, including a head-up display that projects critical information into the driver's line of vision, an Active Cruise Control system that maintains a pre-set distance from the car ahead, Adaptive Brake lights that shine larger and brighter in an emergency situation, and a Park Distance Control system, which provides an audible alert to help drivers park. The 535xi is helped by a shorter final drive, but the real key is torque that ramps up early and stays ramped up for a long time. Most folks will need to circle the car very slowly to see the changes hint: check out the head- and taillights. Inside are such features as a three-spoke leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, 10-way powered front seats, a two-way power glass moonroof, an iDrive system with an on-board computer, a tire pressure monitor, automatic climate control, Bluetooth wireless for hand's-free calling, power windows, power door locks with a keyless remote entry system, and a full range of airbags. The 535xi is only 0. The new 528i, formerly the 525i, is the most powerful entry-level 5 Series to date. Consequence Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The package did alter the look and feel of the car; ev. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse. The engine was linked to either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with three shift modes, including a manual shift mode. That beats a Hemi-powered Dodge Charger by a good half-second. It's available with a conventional manual transmission, which is increasingly hard to find in this class.
However, those who put driving satisfaction first should put the 5 Series near the top of their test-drive list. The 535xi was further handicapped, albeit only slightly, by the six-speed Steptronic automatic. Even the base 528i boasts spirited performance, with decent fuel economy to lower operating costs. This mid-size luxury sedan remains a true sports sedan in any of its variations, including the 535xi wagon and other models with all-wheel drive. The entry-level 5 Series is the 528i, replacing the 2007 525i. No surprise that the coupe was quicker: 0 to 60 in 4.
This option alerts the driver via a vibration in the steering wheel whenever the vehicle wanders inadvertently into another lane. Fortunately, it can be switched off. I tested the new 550i with the Sport Package, which adds 19-inch wheels and tires, more aggressive front and rear body panels, and black tailpipes. Cruise control is now of the advanced variety, which measures traffic speed ahead of you so it can work in heavier traffic. Send David an Hide full review. There are slight upgrades to trim pieces, more console storage and, yes, even bigger door pockets. Modestly refreshed for 2008, the latest 5-series Bimmers get some optional techno-tweaks.
The 528i is powered by a 230-hp inline-six-cylinder engine. There is a slight delay in acceleration off the line or when trying to hustle out of slow-moving traffic. The i-Drive point-and-click control system, for example, takes time and energy to learn, and drivers who aren't willing to invest the energy, or those who just prefer things simple, might want to look at another car. The limited-production M5 can out-accelerate, out-brake and out corner some expensive sports cars, with comfortable seating for five. The 300-hp six-cylinder in the 535i matches some V8s, while the V8-powered 550i delivers true high performance by any definition.
Most folks will need to circle the car very slowly to see the changes hint: check out the head- and taillights. But consider how the 535xi stacks up against with its 360-hp, 4. Side curtain airbags are standard. Now familiar, the 5 Series' flared-nostril front end and overall appearance may still make it difficult for some buyers to embrace. There are also all-wheel-drive versions of both these models, named 528xi and 535xi, respectively.
The most intriguing is a video-based lane-departure warning system that vibrates the steering wheel when its brain decides you've deviated from your intended path without meaning to. I tested the new 550i with the Sport Package, which adds 19-inch wheels and tires, more aggressive front and rear body panels, and black tailpipes. Nevertheless, despite the gizmology overlay, these sedans continue to deliver a level of competence, comfort, and response that sets the pace in their class. Performance There are three distinct 5 Series models. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. The previous models earned top scores in front-end collisions by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but they were not tested in side collisions.