The 530i adds the bigger six-cylinder engine, slightly larger brake discs and 17-inch alloy wheels. The 525i and 530i come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed automatic transmission is optional ($1,275). The 525i and 530i come standard with leatherette upholstery. Leather upholstery comes as part of a Premium Package on the 525i ($2,000) and 530i ($1,800), which includes a universal garage door opener and the swanky interior lighting package with ambient light, auto-dimming and outside lighting.
The 545i comes with the six-speed automatic, leather upholstery, a power glass sunroof, a three-function garage door opener in the overhead console and more elaborate auto-dimming interior lighting. It gets still bigger brakes to complement the powerful V8. BMW's racy Sequential Manual Gearbox is available on the 530i ($1,500) and 545i (no charge).
Options: A Cold Weather Package ($750) with heated seats, heated steering wheel and headlight washers; on-board navigation system ($1,800); active cruise control ($2,200); SIRIUS Satellite Radio ($595); head-up display ($1,000).
The M5 version, the screaming high-performance four-door worshiped by enthusiast drivers, was introduced in September 2004, featuring a V10 engine and seven-speed sequential manual gearbox. BMW says it has no plans to sell a 5 Series wagon in the U.S. Next Page