Driving Impressions

The BMW 5 Series cars are a pleasure to drive, though it's hard to say which model we'd choose. The light-on-its-feet 525i makes clean, satisfying driving without a lot of high-tech drivers aids to get in the way. We're quite happy in one. On the other hand, high-tech systems such as Active Steering or Active Roll Stabilization can quickly demonstrate their value, and there's nothing quite like the thrust developed when you slam the accelerator on the 550i V8. The 5 Series is not whisper quiet like BMW's full-size 7 Series sedan, so a bit more road and wind noise finds its way into the cabin. Yet with the stereo turned up about two-tenths of the way, you won't hear any of it. And the 5 Series feels smaller on the road than its dimensions suggest. Consider its near-perfect weight balance, and a rock-solid body that's free of creaks, rattles or unpleasant vibration, and this BMW is exactly what we'd like a luxury sedan to be: smooth and comfortable regardless of the speed, nimble and reassuring when it's appropriate to travel at a good clip. The 5 Series has nearly all the bells and whistles, and almost nothing to diminish the driving experience. If you decide to pick up the pace, you'll discover handling and overall performance that's hard to match in any sedan. No matter which engine sits under the hood, there's plenty of power to get you up to speed. BMW's inline engines remain one of the great experiences in motoring. The classic straight six delivers a balance of smoothness, torque, and response that V6 engines can't seem to match. Other luxury manufacturers have switched to V6s because they're easier to package, and they've proven easier to certify for stringent emission standards. We're glad BMW sticks with its trademark inline engines. The 5 Series engines were overhauled for 2006, starting with a new inline six cylinder that is the only current production engine with a magnesium alloy engine block to reduce weight. The engines in the 525i and 530i are actually the same size (3.0 liters); the difference in power (215 hp vs. 255) is the result of different controls and intake systems. From a stop or at high-speed roll, the six-cylinder 530i delivers as much acceleration-producing torque as some thirstier V8-powered sedans. Off-the-line acceleration surpasses probably 70 percent of the vehicles on the road, and top speed exceeds anything you'll get away with anywhere outside a desolate Nevada desert. Power delivery in the 530i is very linear, meaning that you'll get the same response and acceleration whether the engine is turning 2500 rpm or 5000 rpm when you step on the gas. Still, those who put a premium on straight-line acceleration might choose the V8-powered 550i. The 4.8-liter V8 produces 360 horsepower and an impressive 360 pound-feet of acceleration-producing torque. The power delivery flows in the same even fashion as it does in the six-cylinder engines. Pushing the accelerator to the floor in this high-performance sedan is a truly enjoyable experience. The 550i will squirt from 0-60 mph in about 5.3 seconds, which is substantially quicker than sports cars such as the Jaguar XK or Nissan 350Z. Top speed is electronically governed at the voluntary limit adopted by most German automakers: a mere 155 mph. For those who don't mind a little work, we heartily recommend the six-speed manual transmission. It's one reason to choose the 5 Series over other luxury sedans, in which manuals are increasingly few and far between. The shifter is tight and reasonably quick, and shifting is smooth, precise and easy. Particularly with the six-cylinder models, the manual transmission maximizes performance potential, as well as the driver's involvement. The great majority will choose the automatic transmission, a six-speed Steptronic, and they won't give up much. The Steptronic reacts to the gas pedal in fine style. Ful

Final Word

The BMW 5 Series mixes comfort, performance, high-tech features and passenger-friendly accommodations in a relatively compact package. Yet with Active Steering, Active Roll Stabilization and an available manual transmission, the 5 Series is more obviously engineered with an emphasis on the driving. It's remarkably well balanced, and satisfying to own and drive. Even with its love/hate exterior styling, the 5 Series remains a luxury sedan benchmark. NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent J.P. Vettraino filed this report from Detroit, with NCTD editor Mitch McCullough reporting from Charlottesville, Virginia.