Lexus Announces Pricing for 2010 GX 460 SUV
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2008 BMW 5-Series Quality Review

July 8, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

a nice place to reside during a commute
Cars.com

some ruts register with authority
ConsumerGuide

an extremely balanced machine
Edmunds

air of firm luxury remains
Kelley Blue Book

Despite an interior received coolly by reviewers, the 2008 BMW 5-Series scores high for comfort and quality.

The New York Times considers the 5-Series to have a "cold, synthetic-looking interior" and says it "badly needs a makeover." Minor tweaks are performed for 2008, but they include the addition of that “aggravating electronic shifter,” Car and Driver reports. It’s still “handsome but not as elegantly turned out as that of the new E-class,” Automobile observes. Edmunds agrees, noting “competitors offer more stylish and less austere environments.”

Seating is a virtue in the new 5-Series. Edmunds says, “Supportive seating is provided in both the front and rear, and even adults won't mind sitting in the commodious backseat.” Automedia writes “seat cushioning is firm, but comfortable for long hauls.” Kelley Blue Book reports that the 2008 BMW 5-Series 10-way adjustable seats (20-way adjustment is available as an option) are "the most comfortable and supportive in the class," whether one is traveling on the open freeway or curving back roads. And while the backseat is large, “this is really only a four-passenger car," Automedia says, adding, "The center rear is hard and uncomfortable, worsened by a huge hump on the floor to straddle.”

Edmunds points out the 5-Series sedan “has 14 cubic feet of trunk capacity.”

The BMW 5-Series continues a BMW tradition of tightly assembled, highly finished vehicles. “Build quality and materials inside the 5 Series are still outstanding,” Edmunds says. Anachronistically, the 5-Series’s standard upholstery is vinyl, Automedia observes, probably a nod to its civil-service duties as a fleet machine in Germany. ConsumerGuide notes a minimum of wind noise; road noises become apparent only when riding on the optional "high-performance" tires available with BMW's "Sport Package" of options.

Conclusion

The 2008 BMW 5-Series offers superior comfort for its class, though its cabin can appear a bit plain.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:a nice place to reside during a commuteCars.comsome ruts register with authorityConsumerGuidean extremely balanced machineEdmundsair of firm luxury remainsKelley Blue Book Despite an interior received coolly by reviewers, the 2008 BMW 5-Series scores high for comfort and quality. The New York Times considers the 5-Series to have a "cold, synthetic-looking interior" and says it "badly needs a makeover." Minor tweaks are performed for 2008, but they include the addition of that “aggravating electronic shifter,” Car and Driver reports. It’s still “handsome but not as elegantly turned out as that of the new E-class,” Automobile observes. Edmunds agrees, noting “competitors offer more stylish and less austere environments.” Seating is a virtue in the new 5-Series. Edmunds says, “Supportive seating is provided in both the front and rear, and even adults won't mind sitting in the commodious backseat.” Automedia writes “seat cushioning is firm, but comfortable for long hauls.” Kelley Blue Book reports that the 2008 BMW 5-Series 10-way adjustable seats (20-way adjustment is available as an option) are "the most comfortable and supportive in the class," whether one is traveling on the open freeway or curving back roads. And while the backseat is large, “this is really only a four-passenger car," Automedia says, adding, "The center rear is hard and uncomfortable, worsened by a huge hump on the floor to straddle.” Edmunds points out the 5-Series sedan “has 14 cubic feet of trunk capacity.” The BMW 5-Series continues a BMW tradition of tightly assembled, highly finished vehicles. “Build quality and materials inside the 5 Series are still outstanding,” Edmunds says. Anachronistically, the 5-Series’s standard upholstery is vinyl, Automedia observes, probably a nod to its civil-service duties as a fleet machine in Germany. ConsumerGuide notes a minimum of wind noise; road noises become apparent only when riding on the optional "high-performance" tires available with BMW's "Sport Package" of options. ConclusionThe 2008 BMW 5-Series offers superior comfort for its class, though its cabin can appear a bit plain.  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.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 BMW 5-Series

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 BMW 5-Series

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 BMW 5-Series near you

See the BMW 5-Series in Other Years:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy