Motor Head {test drive}: BMW 5 Series

Beemer up: BMW 5 SERIES WRAPS UP COMFORT, PERFORMANCE

By Ron Moorhead

The popularity and reputation that have surrounded BMW's 5 Series are without reproach. The car has, since its inception, been a sedan that automotive enthusiasts have revered and coveted. This attraction is sure to continue as BMW introduces the fifth generation of the 5 Series.

While I have found fault with a few features on some new BMWs, the 7 Series iDrive for one, overall I have found these Bavarian motorcars to be full of excitement and driving fun. There are only a few auto companies for which I can say I enjoy all of their models with as much pleasure as I do the BMW lineup. The new 5 Series joins the list with its balance of ride comfort, superior handling and outstanding performance.

With three engine choices, there is sure to be a 5 Series to meet everyone's wants and desires. Starting with the six-cylinder, which produces 184 horsepower, the 5 Series pricing starts at $39,995. The mid-range, and perhaps the car that will be the most popular model, is the 3.0-liter six-cylinder that produces 225 horsepower. This is the same engine that has injected much interest and enthusiasm into the 3 Series.

Then there is the "Big Daddy" 4.4-liter V-8 with 325 horsepower. This is the car that makes the 5 Series a high-performance sports sedan. It must be pointed out that there is a whole lot more to all of these models than horsepower and torque.

The exterior design, like that of the recently introduced 7 Series, is certain to create controversy. It definitely had a number of tongues wagging during the introduction. But then sometimes the motoring press just creates controversy for its own sake and it ultimately means nothing in the real world. Many of my fellow media types could not get over the high line of the trunk lid. You would have thought it was a violation of some sacred law. It's a personal thing.

Though BMW design chief Cris Bangle has created designs that have brought about heated discussions, he has also pushed the envelope in automotive design. But with that said, the new 5 is every inch a BMW and the look that has driven BMW sales for quite sometime continues to tug at buyers' hearts and wallets.

The stately design is one that brings people into the BMW tent, but it is the combination of performance and comfort that keeps them there. In typical BMW fashion, the interior of the new 5 Series is nearly perfect. Every button, switch and control is in its proper place. Today's vehicles feature so many new innovations needing a switch or knob that interiors have gotten cluttered; not so here.

The iDrive information system is included on the new 5 Series. First found on the 7 Series, here it has received a bit of refinement. Found to be slightly complicated in the original version, the iDrive system in the 5 Series is much easier to learn and comprehend. We can't say it is truly intuitive, but it certainly is a system that is easier to grasp. Once grasped, the iDrive allows the driver quick access to controlling sound, heating and air-conditioning systems, as well as the navigation system.

Innovations are the name of the game these days. Some manufacturers, however, seem to think that adding features just for the sake of adding an additional gadget is the thing to do. BMW adds features or technology when they are deemed necessary for safety or improvement of the driving experience. The new 5 has an adaptive headlight system that turns toward the path the vehicle is following. As you turn the corner at an intersection or make a tight turn on a dark country road, the headlights rotate slightly to illuminate your path.

The 5 Series' combination of performance, comfort and innovation raises the bar on how a sports sedan is judged. This sedan offers an exhilarating driving experience while coddling you in comfort.