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2008 BMW 5-Series Features Review

July 8, 2008

FEATURES | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

[a] hefty dose of electronics
Edmunds

one of the most tech-savvy vehicles on the road
Kelley Blue Book

offers a wide range of innovations
The Auto Channel

TheCarConnection.com nearly awards the 2008 BMW 5-Series a perfect 10 for a full range of innovative features, but one standard feature detracts from the luxurious package.

Standard equipment on the 5-Series includes a sunroof, power front seats, automatic climate control, iDrive, and vinyl upholstery. The 535i adds lumbar support for the front seats and xenon headlights, while the 550i gets leather upholstery and auto-dimming mirrors.

The options list is extensive. Cars.com reports "a new MP3 adapter" with which drivers can operate their players from the steering wheel (which could be a safety improvement as well). Kelley Blue Book lists Bluetooth wireless connectivity for cell phone users, as well as a 10-speaker AM/FM radio-CD player combination. Other features available include ventilated front seats and heated rear seats; active steering; a head-up display; keyless ignition; HD and satellite radio; and a night-vision system.

The one negative that most reviews agree on is the 2008 BMW 5-Series's iDrive system, which uses a single console knob to control a range of functions, such as the stereo, climate control, and so on. Car and Driver calls iDrive "a curse"; stating that it "complicates most functions," ConsumerGuide suggests that it may even constitute a safety hazard, as it "diverts the driver's attention from the road." Edmunds found it "cumbersome to use," while Kelley Blue Book, which praised its many technological gadgets, called iDrive "improving but arduous." The most damning indictment of iDrive, however, came from the New York Times: "the most illogical, ill-conceived systems controller from any car company." It’s enough to draw down the whole 5-Series driving experience.

Conclusion

The 2008 BMW 5-Series has enough high-tech features to keep anyone happy for a long time, but iDrive still contributes to road-test rage.

FEATURES | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:[a] hefty dose of electronicsEdmundsone of the most tech-savvy vehicles on the roadKelley Blue Bookoffers a wide range of innovationsThe Auto Channel TheCarConnection.com nearly awards the 2008 BMW 5-Series a perfect 10 for a full range of innovative features, but one standard feature detracts from the luxurious package. Standard equipment on the 5-Series includes a sunroof, power front seats, automatic climate control, iDrive, and vinyl upholstery. The 535i adds lumbar support for the front seats and xenon headlights, while the 550i gets leather upholstery and auto-dimming mirrors. The options list is extensive. Cars.com reports "a new MP3 adapter" with which drivers can operate their players from the steering wheel (which could be a safety improvement as well). Kelley Blue Book lists Bluetooth wireless connectivity for cell phone users, as well as a 10-speaker AM/FM radio-CD player combination. Other features available include ventilated front seats and heated rear seats; active steering; a head-up display; keyless ignition; HD and satellite radio; and a night-vision system. The one negative that most reviews agree on is the 2008 BMW 5-Series's iDrive system, which uses a single console knob to control a range of functions, such as the stereo, climate control, and so on. Car and Driver calls iDrive "a curse"; stating that it "complicates most functions," ConsumerGuide suggests that it may even constitute a safety hazard, as it "diverts the driver's attention from the road." Edmunds found it "cumbersome to use," while Kelley Blue Book, which praised its many technological gadgets, called iDrive "improving but arduous." The most damning indictment of iDrive, however, came from the New York Times: "the most illogical, ill-conceived systems controller from any car company." It’s enough to draw down the whole 5-Series driving experience. ConclusionThe 2008 BMW 5-Series has enough high-tech features to keep anyone happy for a long time, but iDrive still contributes to road-test rage.  2008 BMW 5-SERIES STYLING | [8 out of 10] New York Times: "Same carriage, fresh horses" Road & Track: "hard to distinguish a 2008 from a 2007" The Auto Channel: "combines supreme style and presence" The 2008 BMW 5-Series sports a body with avant-garde details that meet with ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

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.

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See the BMW 5-Series in Other Years:

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