- sedan 114,552
- 1,641 below average
- 10,000 good
- Houston, TX
- 5 years
- autoshopper.com
- 1,641 below average sedan 114,552 black
2009 bmw 5-series review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. The benchmark for luxury sports sedans. introductionthe bmw 5 series is the definition of a high-end sports sedan. Every version of the 5 series puts an emphasis on driving and, in its market category, it is the target at which all competitors are aimed. This mid-size luxury sedan remains a true sports sedan in any of its variations. The same goes for the sport wagon and the all-wheel-drive models. Regardless of engine size or equipment level, the 5 series delivers lively acceleration, precise handling and outstanding brakes. It's available with a conventional manual transmission, which is increasingly hard to find in this class. the 5 series line represents a wide range, from the bmw 528i to the 550i to the bmw m5. There's a wagon for those who want more room for cargo and bmw's x-drive full-time all-wheel drive for drivers in the snow belt. the bmw 528i boasts spirited performance, with decent fuel economy to lower operating costs. The bmw 535i matches some v8s with its 300-horsepower six-cylinder, while the v8-powered bmw 550i delivers true high performance by any definition. The limited-production m5 can out-accelerate, out-brake and out corner some expensive sports cars, with comfortable seating for five. the 5 series is loaded with the technology that's made it a benchmark for critics and auto industry engineers alike, and some of its systems and features have a dark side. The i-drive point-and-click control system, for example, takes time and patience to learn, and drivers who aren't willing to take the time, or those who just prefer things simple, might want to look at another car. however, those who put driving satisfaction first should put the 5 series near the top of their test-drive list. for 2009 there are only minimal changes. A new m sport package is available on all versions of the 5 series, and includes package-specific wheels, seats, aluminum trim, steering wheel and a body kit. When ordered on sedans without the all-wheel-drive xdrive, it also includes active roll stabilization and sport suspension. There are also seven new buttons arranged with the i-drive, to allow quicker access to the radio, cd-multi-media function, phone, navigation and other features. The current-generation 5 series was launched for the 2004 model year and received a major update for 2008. lineupthere are two six-cylinder engines, a v8, and an ultra-high performance v10, manual and automatic transmissions and optional all-wheel drive. The 5 series sports wagon is offered only with the more powerful six-cylinder and all-wheel drive. the 528i 45,800) is powered by a 3. 0-liter inline-6 generating 230 horsepower. The 528xi 48,100) adds bmw's xdrive automatic all-wheel drive system. All 535 models add xenon adaptive headlights. A sport automatic 500) transmission adds paddle shift bars on the steering wheel and shifts more crisply in manual mode. the premium package for 528i 2,400) and 535i 2,200) adds dakota leather upholstery, a universal garage door opener and the swanky interior lighting package with ambient light, auto-dimming and outside approach lighting. the bmw 550i 60,400) is powered by a 360-hp 4. 8-liter v8. The 550i comes with park distance control parking assist and all the features in the premium package. A sport automatic 500) transmission adds paddle shift bars on the steering wheel and shifts more crisply in manual mode. the m5 85,500) is powered by a hand-built 500-hp 5. 0-liter v10, with suspension and brakes enhanced to match all the power, and a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed sequential manual gearbox. the lane departure warning system 950) is camera based, and notifies the driver via mild steering-wheel vibration of any movement that might indicate an inadvertent lane change. The stop and go feature for active cruise control 2,400) is uses radar to keep the 5 series from moving too close to the car ahead without driver intervention; the stop and go system works even in heavy traffic, accommodating speeds all the way down to a complete stop, and then resuming to the set speed. option groups include the cold weather package 750), with heated front seats, heated steering wheel and heated, high-pressure headlight washers; the sport package 2,900) with active steering and active body control, larger wheels with performance tires, more potent brakes and sport seats; logic7 audio 1,200) with 6cd changer. Stand-alone options include a navigation system 1,900), a folding rear seat 475), sirius satellite radio 595), and an auxiliary ipod/usb jack 400). Hd radio 350) delivers enhanced digital audio quality, with fm reception that compares to cd quality and am reception comparable to analog fm. Bmw's head-up display, or hud 1,200), projects speed and other data on the windshield, while night vision 2,200) uses a thermal-imaging camera that monitors the road ahead and displays images on the navigation screen before they might be visible to the naked eye. safety features are comprehensive. Passive safety equipment includes front airbags with dual threshold deployment, front-passenger side airbags and curtain-style head-protection airbags for all outboard passengers. All 5 series models come with antilock brakes with dynamic brake control auto-proportioning, dynamic traction control, dynamic stability control anti-skid electronics, seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters. The standard bmw assist communication package includes automatic collision notification, an sos button, roadside assistance and locater service. Beyond the lane departure warning system, optional safety features include rear passenger side-impact airbags 385). walkaroundmany find the five-passenger 5 series a near-perfect size. It seems more substantial than some small luxury or sport sedans, with more usable interior space. At the same time it's not so physically bulky as large sedans, and easier to maneuver in tight spaces or park. bmw's recent approach to exterior design has been discussed as frequently as any in the car world, and more than occasionally criticized. On the 5 series at least, the curvy front-end, flat sides and high rear deck stand out less than they once did. That could simply mean we've grown more familiar with the shape, rather than more appreciative. the critics contend that, with the kabuki-eyebrow look in front and the chunked-off shape of the trunk lid, the 5 series seems almost like two halves taken from different cars. It also has a few too many lines. Those character lines crossing the rear end, or the double creases framing the hood, seem a bit overdone. In any case, none of this seems to have hurt 5 series sales, and five years into its model run the current generation has subtly evolved. the clear headlight covers have chrome surrounds highlighting individual lights inside. The chrome edging on bmw's trademark double-kidney grille is flush with the surface on the front air dam, while the full-width air intake below the front bumper curls up in the corners to match the shape of the headlights. In back, the rear lights are covered with the same clear glass as the fronts, and the turn signals are leds. those comma-shaped, wraparound taillights apply a technology introduced by bmw that has spread to a number of makes. The company calls them adaptive brake lights, and they illuminate more intensely, over a larger area, when the abs system engages or, in other words, when the brakes are being applied as hard as possible. The point is to inform drivers in cars following the 5 series that it's stopping quickly, possibly in an emergency situation. It could help, but only if the driver following correctly interprets the increased intensity of the brake lights. the 5 series sports wagons offer more load-carrying potential and versatility than the sedan. The rear gate opens electrically, with a switch on the key fob or dashboard, and swings very high for easy access to the load floor. A big reflector on the bottom of the gate adds an element of safety in darkness. the gate also has a soft-close feature. When it's lowered, it automatically closes itself, with no slamming required. The glass window opens separately, which is convenient when dropping a briefcase or a couple of bags in back. interiorthis 5 series sedan is roomy, warm and inviting. Front and rear passengers have sufficient shoulder, head and leg room, and the cabin space puts the 5 series on solid footing with key competitors like the mercedes e-class, audi a6, and lexus gs. the finish and quality of materials inside are quite nice. Soft plastics covering the dashboard and doors are handsome and rich to the touch, and the seats feature a draped-leather look, with the upholstery hung loosely rather than pulled taught over the seat frames. Leather inserts in the front door panels compliment the seats. the door panels have a two-tone finish, with the tops covered in black while the lower portion matches the interior color. The look adds depth and enhances the visual integrity of the doors and dashboard. The same goes for the amount of wood trim, which flows from the i. AM/FM✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ Climate Control✔ Cruise Control✔ Navigation System✔ Sport Package✔ Alloy Wheels
10,000 Houston, TXHouston, TX 5 years at autoshopper.com