BMW never loses sight of its sporting roots, but where does it say sportand luxury are incompatible? Not here.
Interior trim is sumptuous, whether leatherette with brushed-aluminum
accents (528i) or soft leather with burl walnut panels discreetly applied
to center console, dashboard and door panels (540i). Power front seats
with 10-way adjustments are standard, as are power tilt-and-telescope steering
column and power windows, mirrors and locks.
The automatic climate control has separate temperature settings for
driver and front-seat passenger, and the standard audio system has ten
speakers (528i) or 12 (540i). About all one might want to add are a power
moonroof--on the 528i only; it's standard for the 540i--or heating elements
for front seats and even the steering wheel.
Leather upholstery can be ordered to replace the 528i's leatherette
(and wood can replace the aluminum trim). Power-operated rear window sunshades
and manual pull-up rear side window shades can be added to any 5-Series.
Deeply bolstered manually adjustable sport front seats are available at
no cost for the 540i.