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2009 BMW 5-Series Review
The benchmark for luxury sports sedans.
2009 5-Series Review Summary & Specifications
The BMW 5 Series is a true driver's car among mid-sized luxury sedans. It mixes comfort, performance, high-tech features and passenger-friendly accommodations in a fairly compact package. Any 5 Series is remarkably well balanced, and satisfying to own and drive.NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent J.P. Vettraino filed this report from Detroit, with Mitch McCullough reporting from Charlottesville, Virginia.
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| Vehicle Category | Luxury Cars |
| Editor | New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup | BMW 528i ($45,800); 528xi ($48,100); 535i ($51,100); 535xi ($53,400); 535xi Sport Wagon ($55,800); 550i ($60,400); M5 ($85,500) |
| Engines (standard) | 4.8-liter dohc 32-valve variable valve timing V8 |
| Engines (optional) | 230-hp 3.0-liter inline 6; 300-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6; 360-hp 4.8-liter V8; 500-hp 5.0-liter V10 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 6-speed manual |
| Transmissions (optional) | 6-speed manual; 6-speed Steptronic automatic; 7-speed sequential manual gearbox (M5 only) |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | front-impact airbags with dual threshold deployment, front passenger side-impact airbags, full cabin curtain-style head-protection airbags, Intelligent Safety and Information System control with fiber-optic connections and post-impact safety measures, tire pressure monitor, antilock brakes with Dynamic Brake Control auto-proportioning, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Stability Control anti-skid electronics, seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters, BMW Assist with automatic collision notification, SOS button, roadside assist and locater and concierge services |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | rear-passenger side-impact airbags ($385); Lane Departure Warning system ($950) |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles; includes scheduled maintenance |
| Assembled In | Dingolfing, Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-831-1117 |
| Manufacturer URL | www.bmwusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 45800 |
| Model Tested MSRP | BMW 550i ($60,400) |
| Standard Equipment | Dakota leather upholstery, automatic climate control with separate left/right temperature and distribution controls and active charcoal micro-filter, 10-way power front seats with power head restraints and driver's seat memory, dark poplar wood trim, AM/FM/CD with 10 speakers and two sub-woofers, cruise control, power tilt-and-telescope leather steering wheel with fingertip cruise, audio and phone controls, power windows with key-off and one-touch operation, keyless entry with multi-function remote, power heated side mirrors with reverse tilt-down on passenger side, xenon adaptive headlights and halogen fog lights with automatic control, 17x7.5-inch cast-alloy wheels, power glass sunroof, Park Distance Control parking aid, integrated three-button universal garage door opener, power outlets in front-passenger foot well, rear center console and trunk, rechargeable flashlight in glovebox |
| Destination Charge | 825 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Sport Package includes Active Steering, Active Roll Stabilization, 19x8.5-inch cast alloy wheels with W-rated run-flat tires ($4,700); Cold Weather Package includes heated front seats, steering wheel and high-pressure headlight washing jets ($750); on-board navigation system ($1,900); Logic7 audio ($1,200) with six-CD changer; HD Radio ($350); Sirius satellite radio ($595) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | 1300 |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested | 72020 |
| Horse Power | 360 @ 6300 |
| Torque | 360 @ 3400 |
| Fuel Economy | 15/22 |
| Wheelbase | 113.7 |
| Length/Width/Height | 191.1/72.7/57.8 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 37.5 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.1/NA/41.5 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.1/NA/36.0 |
| Trunk Volume | 14.0 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | independent with dual-pivot lower wishbones, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | independent four-link, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Ground Clearance | |
| Curb Weight | 3946 |
| Stock Tires | P245/35WR19 front, 275/30WR19 rear, run-flat |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/vented disc with ABS and electronic brake proportioning |
| Fuel Capacity | 18.5 |
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