CD Article: 2008 BMW 5-Series

[dave]

Nice cars.

Given the recent VW television ads which pits a Passat against a 525i series, I'd be half-tempted to race against one of these ultimate driving machines.... 

With 300hp, the 535i would be more than enough juice for me...and more then enough to take on a Passat. 

The '98 540i Sport with the 6spd and 280+hp we had was a beast!  I'm sure the twin-turbo 6 will be just as much fun.

Auto-enthusiast, have you tried the i-drive?  Don't let the car rags turn you off it before you try it.  It's really quite simple and only required for advanced settings that are rarely used...or used once initially.  All your simple every-day controls are still the same.  The i-drive we have on the 6 is superior to M-B's COMAND.

I agree with you on the manual vs. SMG.  I've read that there is some performance loss with the manual (which was taken from the previous 400 hp E39 M5).  The problem is that the M5 and M6 were designed around the SMG and BMW only put in the manual option because enthusiasts wanted to row their own.  I would probably try both transmission options before I purchased....but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't miss the SMG unless I was on a track...and if I was looking for a track car...I wouldn't buy an M5/M6.

"Handling limits drop significantly to the point of being similar to an econobox"   

[mdxtasy]

I agree with dave...my limited time with the i-Drive was NOT difficult to operate. 

[ovr50]

Nice cars.

Given the recent VW television ads which pits a Passat against a 525i series, I'd be half-tempted to race against one of these ultimate driving machines.... 

Make sure it's the baby 5...and not a 550i.   But remember, there's no driving sedan out that that quite feels like a BMW. 

Totally right on....!!!!

[jim1957]

I just bought a 2008 M5 and can report it is indeed a dream ride!  This is also my first BMW.  I was actually so impressed with the handling of my friends' 525i (even though it wasn't particularly powerful - and is outgunned in TV commercials by a Passat) that I decided to have a look at the other 5 Series cars.  The styling is a bit different - I hated it when it first came out - but now the older models look really dated to me.

I am simply at a loss to understand the many concerns I read with BMW's i-drive - I personally find it is really simple to use and can't imagine the number of buttons that would have to be spread all over the dash without it (anyone who uses a computer regularly would find it very easy and intuitive). 

My car has the 7 speed SMG transmission which is proving to be lots of fun (my son has an Audi A3 with the two-clutch DSG transmission which is similar to drive -they both shift pretty fast).  I have always owned (and still own) a conventional manual - the SMG is not like an automatic at all which is what I suspect confuses some people. 

The M5 is so high-tech it is hard to imagine it with a conventional 6 speed manual but BMW has just announced that they will be allowing the traction control (DSC) to be turned off with the manual transmission starting with 2007 fall production (and it can be retrofit) - this should help the many enthusiasts that stll want one.

The V10 rumbles and the handling is unbelievable - on par with just about anything.  It is a sports car and sedan in one - really a great engineering achievement! 
   

 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Thanks for piping up Jim with first hand experience.

A whack of impressive cars in your profile!

I too love the new BMW styling, as it really sets them apart and is fresh.

[ovr50]

jim1957 - welcome to the Forum, and thanks for the post on your new M5. You are indeed a fortunate man (although I suspect hard work had a lot to do with it!!!).

I agree with your comment, and others, on the iDrive. My friend in Calgary has a 745i with iDrive and he has zero complaint about it. I have driven his car, and had no problems with it.

Possible to post a pix of your new ride? It would be appreciated, thanks.

Enjoy (as if you won't)...!!  

[jim1957]

Thanks!

I just realized I haven't taken any decent photos yet - just on my PDA - and they are terrible!

It is Silverstone (kind of a Silver-Blue) with an Indianapolis Red interior (kind of dark red).     

I see ovr50 is from Kelowna which is kind of funny since I was just booking tee times at Gallagher's Canyon in early July - the first road trip! 

[ovr50]

Thanks!

I just realized I haven't taken any decent photos yet - just on my PDA - and they are terrible!

It is Silverstone (kind of a Silver-Blue) with an Indianapolis Red interior (kind of dark red).     

I see ovr50 is from Kelowna which is kind of funny since I was just booking tee times at Gallagher's Canyon in early July - the first road trip! 

You will need a minimum of 10 posts on here to be able to post a picture, but that's easy to do. 

Hope you enjoy your drive from Edmonton to Kelowna, and that you enjoy your time here - as you are likely aware, there are about 20 golf courses within 30 mins of town so enjoy. If you need someone to babysit your M5 while you are golfing, feel free to PM me....

[quadzilla]

You will need a minimum of 10 posts on here to be able to post a picture, but that's easy to do. 

You would think with a M5 he should be able to pass go and add pics right away

Thanks!

I just realized I haven't taken any decent photos yet - just on my PDA - and they are terrible!

It is Silverstone (kind of a Silver-Blue) with an Indianapolis Red interior (kind of dark red).     

I see ovr50 is from Kelowna which is kind of funny since I was just booking tee times at Gallagher's Canyon in early July - the first road trip! 

Great car you have there and love the colour combo.  Can't wait to see some pics.  Oh ya, welcome to the forum.

[mdxtasy]

Great rides Jim....love to see the entire stable of toys...past and present.

[JSCC]

Nice cars.

Given the recent VW television ads which pits a Passat against a 525i series, I'd be half-tempted to race against one of these ultimate driving machines.... 

It's okay.
You have "low ego emissions"! 

Wonder how the 528i performs compared to the 525i?

Hope VW/Audi is going to up the 2.0T to 220~230HP soon.

[quadzilla]

Can you even buy a 525 in Canada anymore?

0-100 kp/h
VW 2.0 = 7.8
BMW 528 = 6.9/7.6 (man/auto)

I would think the 525 would come in at 8.0 seconds?

I can't believe VW is bragging about how much faster it is. 

[mdxtasy]

Can you even buy a 525 in Canada anymore?

0-100 kp/h
VW 2.0 = 7.8
BMW 528 = 6.9/7.6 (man/auto)

I would think the 525 would come in at 8.0 seconds?

I can't believe VW is bragging about how much faster it is. 

It's all they got. 

[dave]

Thanks!

I just realized I haven't taken any decent photos yet - just on my PDA - and they are terrible!

It is Silverstone (kind of a Silver-Blue) with an Indianapolis Red interior (kind of dark red).     

I see ovr50 is from Kelowna which is kind of funny since I was just booking tee times at Gallagher's Canyon in early July - the first road trip! 

jim1957, Welcome!  Sounds like you've got a meaty garage 

Post pics when you can.

Are Silverstone and Indianapolis Red "Individual" colours?  If so, did you have any issues ordering?  My dad is replacing his 645Ci with an M6 (manual) this summer and hasn't had much luck getting answers from BMW Canada.

EDIT - just answered my own question at BMW.ca.  Sweet colour combo!!!! 

Also, that is great news about the ability to turn off DSC...that should make for some great tire-melting fun 

[JSCC]

Can you even buy a 525 in Canada anymore?

0-100 kp/h
VW 2.0 = 7.8
BMW 528 = 6.9/7.6 (man/auto)

I would think the 525 would come in at 8.0 seconds?

I can't believe VW is bragging about how much faster it is. 

It's all they got. 

How about the no.s on the 3.6L V6?

[mmret]

Can you even buy a 525 in Canada anymore?

0-100 kp/h
VW 2.0 = 7.8
BMW 528 = 6.9/7.6 (man/auto)

I would think the 525 would come in at 8.0 seconds?

I can't believe VW is bragging about how much faster it is. 

It's all they got. 

How about the no.s on the 3.6L V6?

Wouldn't matter, its still a VW. vs a BMW.

The Passat is without a doubt a very nice car, but putting it up against a 5-Series is kind of stretching.

[quadzilla]

Can you even buy a 525 in Canada anymore?

0-100 kp/h
VW 2.0 = 7.8
BMW 528 = 6.9/7.6 (man/auto)

I would think the 525 would come in at 8.0 seconds?

I can't believe VW is bragging about how much faster it is. 

It's all they got. 

How about the no.s on the 3.6L V6?

VW 3.6 = 6.6
BMW 535xi = 6.0

Keep trying 

[mdxtasy]

Can you even buy a 525 in Canada anymore?

0-100 kp/h
VW 2.0 = 7.8
BMW 528 = 6.9/7.6 (man/auto)

I would think the 525 would come in at 8.0 seconds?

I can't believe VW is bragging about how much faster it is. 

It's all they got. 

How about the no.s on the 3.6L V6?

A VW in the price bracket in the $40's....let's see where that price point comparison is and which cars lead in that area:

Infiniti G35 - spanks the VW
Acura TL - kicks the VW

You can always go and find a car slower than you....marketing at its finest. 

[UmroAyyar]

James reported these numbers for the 2007 Camry SE V6.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/ctc/blog/?p=86
But get on the go pedal full throttle and the front end will feel darty as the tires scream for grip and pull you away furiously with an as tested 0 - 100km/h time of just 6.4 seconds, which was once reserved only for sports cars.

Camry beats Passat? 

IMO comparing the Passat with BMW 5 series is worse than comparing Camry SE with Passat.

[Snowman]

  I get upset when I get a run above 5 seconds.