2007 BMW 5-Series Review Summary & Specs
525i Sedan
A luxury sedan for drivers.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
The BMW 5 Series mixes comfort, performance, high-tech features and passenger-friendly accommodations in a relatively compact package. Yet with Active Steering, Active Roll Stabilization and an available manual transmission, the 5 Series is more obviously engineered with an emphasis on the driving. It's remarkably well balanced, and satisfying to own and drive. Even with its love/hate exterior styling, the 5 Series remains a luxury sedan benchmark.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent J.P. Vettraino filed this report from Detroit, with NCTD editor Mitch McCullough reporting from Charlottesville, Virginia.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Luxury Cars |
| Editor |
J.P. Vettraino |
| Model Lineup |
BMW 525i ($43,500); 530i ($47,500); 530xi Sport Wagon ($52,100); 550i ($58,500); M5 ($81,200) |
| Engines (standard) |
4.8-liter dohc 32-valve variable valve timing V8 |
| Engines (optional) |
215-hp 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve inline 6; 255-hp 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve inline 6; 360-hp 4.8-liter dohc 32-valve V8; 500-hp 5.0-liter dohc 40-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
6-speed Steptronic automatic |
| Transmissions (optional) |
6-speed manual; 6-speed Steptronic automatic; 6-speed sequential manual gearbox |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
two-stage front airbags with dual threshold deployment, front-passenger side 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, seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters, BMW Assist with automatic collision notification, SOS button, roadside assist and locater and concierge services; antilock brakes with Dynamic Brake Control auto-proportioning, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Stability Control |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
rear-passenger side airbags ($385) |
| Basic Warranty |
4 years/50,000 miles; includes scheduled maintenance |
| Assembled In |
Dingolfing, Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone |
1-800-831-1117 |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.bmwusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$43,500 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
BMW 550i ($58,500) |
| Standard Equipment |
Dakota leather upholstery; automatic climate control with separate left/right temperature and distribution controls and active charcoal microfilter; dark poplar wood trim; 10-way power front seats with power head restraints and driver's seat memory; 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 of center console and trunk; rechargeable flashlight in glovebox |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
Sport Package includes Active Steering, Active Roll Stabilization, 18x8-inch cast alloy wheels with W-rated run-flat tires ($2,800); Cold Weather Package includes heated front seats, steering wheel and high-pressure headlight washing jets ($750); Night Vision thermal imaging system ($2,200); on-board navigation system ($1,800); rear passenger side-impact airbags ($385) |
| Destination Charge |
695 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
1300 |
| Price as Tested |
$68,430 |
| Layout |
rear-wheel drive |
| Horse Power |
360 @ 6300 |
| Torque |
360 @ 3400 |
| Fuel Economy |
17/25 |
| 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 |
37.7/NA/41.5 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
37.0/NA/36.0 |
| Trunk Volume |
14.0 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
|
| Front Suspension |
independent with dual-pivot lower wishbones, coil springs over struts and stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension |
independent four-ling with coil springs, gas-charged shocks and stabilizer bar |
| Ground Clearance |
|
| Curb Weight |
3924 |
| Stock Tires |
P245/40WR18 front, 275/35WR18 rear, run-flat |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
vented disc/vented disc with ABS and electronic brake proportioning |
| Fuel Capacity |
18.5 |