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2009 BMW 5-Series Features Review

June 28, 2009

FEATURES | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

iDrive is still as user-friendly as a shift knob made of razor wire
Edmunds

improving but arduous
Kelley Blue Book

allows users to personalize many electronic comfort, convenience and security features
Autoblog

Lots of features make the 2009 BMW 5-Series sedan and wagon a pleasurable ride, but the iDrive system detracts from the cabin’s function.

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. Edmunds states that the 2009 BMW 5-Series wagon "is only available as a 535xi." Standard features here include "17-inch wheels, a sunroof, power front seats, leatherette upholstery, automatic headlights and wipers, automatic climate control, BMW Assist telematics and iDrive control interface." Autoblog reports that the BMW 2009's "vehicle and Key Memory allows users to personalize many electronic comfort, convenience and security features."

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.

Edmunds advises that the 2009 BMW's complicated "iDrive is still as user-friendly as a shift knob made of razor wire." Car and Driver calls iDrive "a curse"; stating that it "complicates most functions," ConsumerGuide suggests it may even constitute a safety hazard, as it "diverts the driver's attention from the road." Edmunds finds it "cumbersome to use," while Kelley Blue Book, which praises its many technological gadgets, deems iDrive "improving but arduous."

Conclusion

The sky's the limit here with features; the 2009 BMW 5-Series is almost a perfect 10, if it weren't for the still-difficult iDrive interface.

FEATURES | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:iDrive is still as user-friendly as a shift knob made of razor wireEdmundsimproving but arduousKelley Blue Bookallows users to personalize many electronic comfort, convenience and security featuresAutoblog Lots of features make the 2009 BMW 5-Series sedan and wagon a pleasurable ride, but the iDrive system detracts from the cabin’s function. 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. Edmunds states that the 2009 BMW 5-Series wagon "is only available as a 535xi." Standard features here include "17-inch wheels, a sunroof, power front seats, leatherette upholstery, automatic headlights and wipers, automatic climate control, BMW Assist telematics and iDrive control interface." Autoblog reports that the BMW 2009's "vehicle and Key Memory allows users to personalize many electronic comfort, convenience and security features." 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. Edmunds advises that the 2009 BMW's complicated "iDrive is still as user-friendly as a shift knob made of razor wire." Car and Driver calls iDrive "a curse"; stating that it "complicates most functions," ConsumerGuide suggests it may even constitute a safety hazard, as it "diverts the driver's attention from the road." Edmunds finds it "cumbersome to use," while Kelley Blue Book, which praises its many technological gadgets, deems iDrive "improving but arduous." ConclusionThe sky's the limit here with features; the 2009 BMW 5-Series is almost a perfect 10, if it weren't for the still-difficult iDrive interface. 2009 BMW 5-SERIES STYLING | [8 out of 10] Edmunds: “wolf in a flamboyant sheep's clothing,” Cars and Driver: "somewhat unconventional" Kelley Blue Book: "the overall air of firm luxury remains" The 2009 BMW 5-Series features styling that may not appeal to everyone, but it’s still ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The chief competitor to the 2009 BMW 5-Series's sedan is the Mercedes E-Class, and the Audi A6 Avant is the Sports Wagon's closest rival. The E-Class has more of an emphasis on comfort than the 5, with a roomier-feeling interior and a softer ride. The Avant only comes with the 255-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6 engine, not the larger, 350-horsepower V-8 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 Cadillac STS brings plenty of high-tech options and respectable performance, but it doesn't have the prestige of the 5-Series. 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. There's also the Infiniti M35 and M45, which bring brisk performance and some rival high-tech features such as a lane-departure system, but their cabins aren't as quiet and refined as those of the 5-Series models.

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See the BMW 5-Series in Other Years:

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