corners with minimal body roll. Both versions react crisply to steering
inputs, with a tiny subjective edge in feel going to the 528i, which has
rack and pinion steering instead of the recirculating-ball setup found
in the 540i.
The other side of this coin is suprisingly smooth ride quality, even
on nasty pavement. Thanks to advances in shock absorber technology, European
handling no longer equates with a harsh ride.
For the ultimate in razor-sharp road behavior, the manual-transmission
540i, with its standard "Sport" suspension calibrations and slightly
lower ride height is the choice. The stiffer springs and shock absorbers
of this model do result in a slightly harsher ride--all 5-Series are on
the firm side--which may not suit everyone.
All the other elements that contribute to driving pleasure are up to
the standards set by engines and suspensions. The manual transmissions
require a firm hand on the shift lever, but work with precision.
The automatics are equipped with adaptive electronics that use information
from the engines' electronic management systems to tailor shift programs
based on driving style. A "sport" shift program is followed whenever
the 528i's transmission selector is in the "3" position, or the
540's lever is in "4." The 5-Series' disc brakes (with ABS) are
flawless; the standard traction control system operates both in straight-line
driving and during cornering to reduce the risk of skidding. Next Page