2008 BMW 5-Series

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By  Bengt Halvorson, Editor

2008 BMW 5-Series 535xiT
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In assembling this review of the new 2008 BMW 5-Series Sports Wagon, the seasoned car reviewers at TheCarConnection.com handpicked some of the best critical reviews covering this vehicle to draw a consensus opinion. TheCarConnection.com's editors have also driven the 2008 BMW 5-Series Sports Wagon to help bring you the most useful information.

Likes:
- Smooth and powerful turbo six
- Crisp, responsive handling
- Manual transmission offered
- Wide range of useful technology options

Dislikes:
- iDrive remains unnecessarily complex
- Back seat isn’t very spacious
- Disappointing crash-test performance
- Only offered with all-wheel drive

The 5-Series is offered in an extensive line of sport-sedan models that is joined by a single Sports Wagon model. The Sports Wagon isn't much different in length than the sedan, but its wagon body style takes better advantage of available space and permits a large, continuous cargo area with the backseats folded.

The 2008 BMW 5-Series Sports Wagon model gets BMW's stellar 300-horsepower, 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and xDrive all-wheel-drive system as its only powertrain, resulting in its nomenclature, 535xiT. There's a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions; the automatic comes with paddle shifters that may be of use in high-performance driving or on mountain roads.

The Sports Wagon has excellent handling and braking, along with a firm but absorbent ride and impressive standards of refinement inside the cabin. Although with all-wheel drive--requisite in the 2008 BMW 5-Series Sports Wagon--the steering feel isn't quite up to the standards of the rear-wheel-drive (sedan) model.

The front seats in the 2008 BMW 5-Series Sports Wagon are tremendously firm and supportive, and they're among the best in any luxury vehicle in this price range. Even better are the optional 20-way power Multi-Contour front seats, which include adjustable lateral and lumbar support and an articulated backrest. In back, they're also quite comfortable but a bit less spacious than expected.

Standard-feature content on the 2008 BMW 5-Series Sports Wagon is as extensive as rival models, but it's the astonishing list of high-technology options that really differentiates the model. They include an active steering system, adaptive bi-xenon headlamps, a head-up display, active cruise control, high-beam assist, front and rear parking aids, infrared-based night vision, a lane-departure warning system, heated rear seats, and a power rear sunshade. BMW’s pesky iDrive is standard, and its unintuitive operation blemishes the high-tech fun.

When the federal government tested a 5-Series, it earned a three-star rating in frontal protection for the driver--the lowest mark typically awarded--but five stars in the other dynamic tests. The bad news didn't end there; the insurance-industry-supported IIHS found the 5-Series sedan to be just "marginal" in side protection and "acceptable" for the sedan and wagon in the seat-based rear-impact test. However, there's an enviable list of standard safety features in the 2008 BMW 5-Series Sports Wagon, including front side airbags, tubular head-protecting airbags for front and rear outboard occupants, and electronic stability control. Rear side airbags are optional.

The Bottom Line:
The 2008 BMW 5-Series Sports Wagon is a great alternative to an SUV for those who prefer to drive enthusiastically.

Other Choices:
If you like the 2008 BMW 5-Series Sports Wagon, also consider:

- Saab 9-5 SportCombi
- Audi A6 Avant
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon

The Audi A6 Avant is the 2008 BMW 5-Series Sports Wagon's closest competitor, but the Avant only comes with the 255-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6 engine, not the larger, 350-horsepower V-8 that's available on the sedan. As with the Sports Wagon, all-wheel drive is standard, though the Avant has a slightly softer ride, and its handling isn't as sharp as that of the 5-Series, nor does it offer such advanced technology features. The E-Class is offered only in 268-horsepower E350 trim, with standard 4Matic all-wheel drive, but there's also a wagon version of the exclusive, 507-horsepower E63 AMG performance model. Overall, the E-Class is a little roomier inside. The Saab 9-5 SportCombi is now a quite dated design. It comes with front-wheel drive and turbocharged four-cylinder power, and its powertrains aren't as refined as those of the other rivals, but it's packaged well, with excellent seats, plenty of headroom, and more useful cargo space.

Buying Tip:
Check out the possibility of a lease. BMW is known for offering some factory-subsidized deals with especially low monthly payments, so you might be able to afford to lease the 2008 BMW 5-Series Sports Wagon if buying one digs too deep.