BMW Faqs

The first new-age Bimmer that got all of our attentions was the Frankenstein’s trunk lid 7 Series in 2002. The extravagant new 5 Series sedan for 2004 with its Dame Edna headlights and overly indulgent sculpting later followed. Since then, the 7 Series has been slightly toned down and spy shots of the next-gen 7 promise an even less frigid exterior. But now we finally get the somewhat overdue toned-down 5 Series.

Echoing the comparative safety of the present 3 Series design, the 2008 5 Series (to make its public debut at this year’s Geneva auto show in March) manages to remain unique in ways that we like while fixing the bits we never did, like that overly edgy front end. In a overt nod to Asian-market preferences, the face is decidedly less confrontational and more friendly.

There is more brightwork around the grille and headlamps, and lenses on head and taillamps are now clear units that remove some of the 5’s brooding nature. The profile feels more stretched out than before, less chunky, while the forward air intake is bigger and reaches lower down to the ground for better cooling and better stance. In back, the horizontal lines first seen in the new 335i sedan have an influence here.

For North America to get further excited, this is the look of 5 Series that will introduce BMW’s outstanding diesel sixes to the New Continent by 2008. We’ll get the 535d with Variable Twin Turbo technology and the 530d with a single Variable Turbine Geometry unit. Both satisfy regulations in all 50 states and are sheer thrills to drive while also providing outstanding cruise distances and low emissions.

Regarding the straight sixes and V8s that use gas engines, much has been done to freshen up these as well. All current US market engines, the two 3.0-liters in the 325i and 330i, 4.8-liter V8 in the 550i, plus the same sixes in the 525xi sedan and 530xi sedan and sports wagon, now get a slight power and torque bump, a more responsive automatic transmission, and better mileage per gallon.

First step was to incorporate BMW’s latest High Precision Injection (HPI) engines into the 5 Series lineup. 2900-psi piezo injectors sit between the valves of each cylinder and spurt fuel right in the vicinity of the spark plug, thus wasting as little fuel as possible running down the sides of the cylinder. Also, through Brake Energy Regeneration while the engine is not under throttle, the car battery draws energy from the alternator in a way that never scavenges power from the engine. The alternator is completely disconnected whenever the engine is on throttle.

All North American new 5s will come with the optional and new shift-by-wire six-speed automatic. The comfy redesigned electro-sequential shifter on the console makes possible additional stowage room, among other benefits. You can also order optional steering-wheel paddle shifters for the 530i, while the 550i gets them anyway. In Europe, this new shift set-up is standard only on the sensational 535d.

This new Tiptronic-style box reacts 40 percent more quickly to shifter input and the shifts timings themselves have been cut in half. The six-speed box is now attached directly to the engine via a modified torque converter that eliminates all slippage, making shifts more solid and acceleration more sporting while also saving fuel through mechanical efficiency.

As an added option when you have the paddle shifters, you can upgrade to the Automatic Sports Transmission that gives you instantaneous shift timings and brisker throttle response. In the handling department, the entire steering system should prove lighter in the hands with considerably reduced mechanical friction, we only hope it doesn’t get too light and numb-feeling.

For all of this tweak-happy midlife goodness, anticipate sticker prices to bump up only $750 for the 525i sedan to as much as $1,250 for the 550i range-topping four-door. Look for base prices of $44,250 on the 525i, $50,500 on the 530xi sedan, $53,000 on the 530xi Sports Wagon, and $59,750 on the 550i. North American deliveries start in April 2007 after start of deliveries in Germany on March 24th after the show in Geneva.