2005 BMW 5 Series Review

Specifications

Competition from Acura, Audi and Mercedes-Benz Make AWD 5-Series Reality

Whats the best sports sedan in the world? Well, that depends on what type of drive system you like. For someone who prefers all-wheel drive Audi is a brand that often comes up first on the list, and the A4, A6, A8, or one of the Volkswagen divisions “S” derivatives topping the chart.

To those people who prefer rear-wheel drive propulsion, BMW is almost always the benchmark for driving dynamics with the 3, 5 or 7 getting highest marks, or, of course, one of the brands legendary M cars.

The dynamics of BMWs driving experience and the way new car buyers viewed the compact premium segment changed when BMW introduced its all-wheel drive 3-Series in model year 2001, (previous E30 325ix excluded), giving top-tier customers something new to consider and Audi a serious threat to its AWD credentials.

Of course, since this time others have joined the all-wheel drive ranks, such as Infinitis G35x, and most recently the Nissan-owned premium brands M35x, Lexus new GS 300 AWD, and Acuras SH-AWD (Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive) RL.

With BMW seeing success with its all-wheel drive 325xi and 330xi models, it only makes sense taking on newcomers like the Acura RL, the less recent Mercedes-Benz E-Class and old-timers such as the Audi A6 in the all-wheel drive camp.

Enter the new all-wheel drive 5-Series, The new all-wheel drive 5-Series is scheduled to arrive in BMW dealerships across the nation towards the end of next month. North American models will be dubbed 525xi and 530xi, plus there will be a 530xi Touring, or sport wagon, a model that will also be featured in Detroit.

While no V8 or V10 powered cars will feature all-wheel drive, at least at first, the new family of six-cylinder engines will go a long way to make up for the driveline lag of an AWD system.

The 525xi, like its 525i sibling, will feature a new 210-horsepower 3.0-liter engine with 185 lb-ft of torque. Its been years since a 525 model has been offered in the 5-Series lineup (I purchased a 1989 525i after falling in love with the design), and despite its engine displacement not mirroring its model designation, something BMW usually remains faithful to, its reduced power should resultantly lower the price of an entry-level 5.

The top six-cylinder models, the 530i and 530xi, will feature BMWs new 255-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-6, which produces 220 lb-ft of torque.

BMW has made no mention of whether all-wheel drive will be forthcoming on its V8-powered 545, so that it can compete directly with the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class which feature the driveline in V8-equipped models.

From my personal experience, first tooling around Germany up near the Czech border in a 330xi, and then crossing the Continental Divide, partly on dirt no less, in North American spec 325xi and 330xi models well all be in for a treat when the new 525xi and 530xi arrive. Without doubt the brands engineers have dialed in enough rear-wheel bias to give the car its classic sporting appeal, as they did when transforming the 2001 3-Series into all-wheel propulsion, and the steering feel should hardly be affected. I remember appreciating the 330xi more than the rear-drive 330i when first driving it in Europe, as its steering was a tad heavier and therefore, more substantial. The rear-drive 3s steering was too light when it first debuted, something that had steadily been improved upon, right up until the car was replaced by the 2006 3-Series, last month.

So, if you live in a colder climate where winter roads can get icy and therefore difficult to manage with rear-wheel drive, a 525xi or 530xi might be just the ticket. Although, if you rarely see snow you might find a conventional 5-Series suits your needs better. Along with the higher price tag, the added weight - 198 pounds in the 525xi and 165 pounds in the 530xi - and driveline complexity can sap performance; acceleration and fuel economy. Plus, a good rule of thumb is to always err on the side of simplicity - the less complicated, the less there is to go wrong. Those who might opt for all-wheel drive because they take weekend jaunts up to the ski hill might appreciate the added security BMWs technologically advanced all-wheel drive system offers, but once again the rear-drive car offers some very sophisticated electronic driver aids that go very far in emulating all-wheel drive, and more.

Bottom line? No matter which 5-Series you purchase, youll be getting one of the best driving cars the world has to offer.