2005 BMW 5 Series Review

Specifications

Seriously Stylish Sport Wagon

In North America the 5-Series Touring isnt the most popular luxury wagon on the market, with substantially less takers than Benzs E-Class wagon or Audis A6 Avant.

Despite being offered with a wider variety of engines and transmissions and being considerably sportier than most of its rivals, the 5-Series wagon has always been pricey. Its also up against a best selling crossover SUV across its own showroom floor, the X5. The X5 offers more dynamic styling, similar handling in a more popular vehicle segment, plus more performance for less money when available in model year 2003.

Theres a reason no 5 Touring was offered in 2004. The early introduction of an all-new E-60 based 5 wagon is upon us, launched at this weeks Geneva motor show.

The third generation 5-Series sport wagon has grown slightly over the previous car, now measuring 1.6 inches longer at 190.6 inches from front to rear bumper. The 5 Touring is also marginally wider and taller, inline with the sedan.

As a result, a much larger cargo area can now hold up to 17.7 cubic feet with the rear seats upright, and a commodious 58.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. This is a dramatic improvement over the old model, which could only manage a carrying capacity of 14.5 cubic feet with the seats up and 53.9 cubic feet with the seats down.

Although the 5-Series Touring is larger, it weighs approximately 110 pounds less than the outgoing model thanks to the hybrid lightweight construction used on the cars front end.

Upon its release, the 5-Series Touring will be powered by four engines globally, two gasoline and two diesel. Entry-level 525i wagons will receive a 2.5 liter straight six which generates 192 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The slightly heavier Touring model needs 8.1 seconds to reach 60 mph, before attaining a top speed of 144 mph. Average combined city/hwy consumption is rated by BMW at 24 mpg driven.

The high performance version, the 545i Touring, will be equipped with a 325 horsepower (333-hp in Europe) V8 engine that features Valvetronic engine technology. If driving fun is as important to the driver as being able to haul extra cargo, buyers will appreciate the option of BMWs SMG II 6-speed sequential gearbox, optional with the 545i Touring.

European customers also get a newer version of BMWs 2.5 liter turbodiesel engine. The 6-cylinder oil-burner features four valves per cylinder and common rail technology. Output equals 177 horsepower, up from 163, while torque is now 295 lb-ft, up from 258 lb-ft in the previous 2.5-L diesel. With the added punch from the upgraded powerplant, the 525d is capable of reaching 60 mph in 8.2 seconds before topping out at 140 mph. Fuel consumption is rated at a thrifty 34 mpg. Equally impressive is the 530d, which utilizes the same technology but on a slightly larger scale. Altogether a maximum of 218 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque is at the disposal of the drivers right foot. This more powerful engine allows the 530d to scamper to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds and charge to a top speed of 150 mph. Fuel consumption is only slightly higher than the 530d, at 33 mpg. Those that appreciate saving money while improving the environment, new-generation diesels are about 17 percent cleaner burning than equivalently powered gasoline engines due to fuel economy benefits, can hardly wait for 2006 when low-sulfur diesel hits the North American market, making cars like the 525d and 530d feasible.

As the 5-Series Touring shares nearly all its DNA with the 5-Series sedan, expect it to be an excellent on-road performer, even when fully loaded. In order to compensate for the load-carrying capabilities of the wagon, an air suspension system has been added to the rear Z-axle suspension. Aside from offering self-leveling capabilities, it also helps to ensure comfort.

The 5 Touring will ride on standard sixteen-inch alloy wheels, with a variety of optional high-performance wheel and tire packages. Like the sedan, the Touring can be outfitted with such innovative features as Active Drive, Active Steering, Head Up Display, and corner-adaptive xenon headlamps.

At the other end, the tailgate not only benefits from a low loading lip, it also features remote operation via the cars key fob.

On the inside the 5 Touring looks to be much the same as the sedan, with a driver-centric cockpit, extremely high-grade materials and a user-friendly layout. Major controls are routed through BMWs once controversial but now much improved iDrive system.

The 5-Series Touring will arrive in European showrooms later this year and in North America some time thereafter, and should boost sales substantially over the outgoing sport wagon.