Pros :
- Sleek profile.
- Same smooth inline 6 cylinder engine.
- Benchmark in sports sedan handling.
- High overall build quality.
- Lots of electronic gizmos to keep you on, not off, the road.
Cons :
- Hard-to-swallow styling details.
- Softer automatic than the hard-shifting one on the 545i.
- Somewhat underpowered for the price.
- Rear legroom is still somewhat scarce.
- Gizmos include the counter-intuitive iDrive system.
Interior :
Press Coverage :
BMW has set itself the ultimate task in launching a new 5 Series - the benchmark car in its current guise. Innovative technology combined with weight-saving processes, that knock up to 65 kg off the current 5 Series figure, ensure that the best just gets better and provides a genuine new standard for driving dynamics, safety, economy and performance. The inclusion of all-aluminium suspension, second-generation iDrive technology, adaptive headlights and Brake Force Display with the availability of Active Steering, Dynamic Drive Control and Active Cruise Control offer some indication of the seemingly impossible step up from the current 5 Series. The impressive technology on offer is supplemented by more space throughout and a new design, inside and out, that clearly shows the new 5 as the most powerful, dynamic and sporting car in its class.
Rather than developing pure drive-by-wire systems that can isolate the driver from the road, BMW has taken the initiative in developing AFS that maintains a mechanical link between the front wheels and the steering wheel, and retains an 'authentic' steering feel for the driver. Active Steering varies the steering transmission ratio electronically in direct relation to the style and speed of driving and road conditions. Under normal road conditions at low and medium speeds, the steering becomes more direct, requiring less steering effort of the driver (i.e. turns of the steering wheel), increasing the car's agility in, say, city traffic or when parking. At high speeds the steering becomes less direct offering improved directional stability. When cornering at high speeds, or when undertaking sudden movements, the steering stiffens up by monitoring increases in the yaw rate. The system is networked to the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) electronic driver aid and reduces DSC interventions, thereby offering more control to the driver and increased comfort for the passengers.
Dynamic Drive active suspension filters out bumps and suppresses virtually all body roll on cornering through the presence of two active anti-roll bars physically integrated into the front and rear axles. This further enhances agility and stability. Up to 80 per cent of a car's normal body roll in sharp bends is removed by Dynamic Drive, which also has active safety implications since directional stability is enhanced when taking emergency evasive actions.
First introduced on the new 7 Series, Active Cruise Control is a radar-based system that automatically controls the distance to the car in front. The BMW driver selects a comfortable distance he/she wishes to cruise behind other vehicles and the system automatically cuts power if that distance is infringed. Cruise control is still engaged, however, and as soon as the selected distance is available again, the car automatically speeds up to the desired cruising speed.
New active safety measures feature on the new 5 Series with Adaptive Headlights and Brake Force Display reducing the risk of an accident front and rear. Optional Adaptive bi-xenon headlights swivel by up to 15 degrees left and right depending on the car's steering angle, yaw rate and road speed in order to illuminate more of the road ahead when driving through a bend. Brake Force Display enlarges the brake light area when the driver brakes sharply. This technology uses Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology and offers that extra split second for the driver behind to react to heavy braking ahead. This technology awaits homologation in the EU, but once introduced only requires activation of the software already installed in the 5 Series. The new 5 Series will also feature the option of a Head-up display in future models, which presents vital information relevant to the driver directly on the windscreen in his/her line of vision. The driver can select what information is displayed (road speed or navigation instructions for example) and never has to take his/her eyes off the road. This information is displayed in a way that does not impinge on visibility.
The new 5 Series will be instantly recognisable as a BMW, yet it stands out with bold styling that displays the car's agility and dynamic prowess. The muscular front end features dramatic curved headlights that wrap around the bonnet and the car looks more coupé-like than any other large executive car. As well as more interior space, front and rear, and a far larger boot than the current model, the new 5 Series features a modern and dramatic cockpit area of clean lines and clear surfaces. These design cues are based around a second generation iDrive system that is now placed adjacent to the gearstick in the central console. The lines from this console flow into the dashboard, providing distinct and elegant styling. Another interesting detail is the new automatic adaptive air conditioning, which maintains humidity within the car that counteracts the normal drying effect of traditional air-conditioning units. This will be standard equipment on all models.
Bmw.com
Active Front Steering (AFS) because it is capable of varying the steering ratio between 10 to 1 and 20 to 1, depending on vehicle speed. BMW says it is similar in philosophy to the "steer-by-wire" systems used on aircraft, except the BMW version still uses a mechanical link between the steering wheel and front wheels (if the system malfunctions for some reason, the car will default to a 15-to-1 ratio and it can still be driven). The final effect is that, regardless of speed, the driver is often using the same relatively small level of steering wheel input to negotiate a turn. This lack of consistency in steering ratio might sound disconcerting, and we admit that at least once, after slowing down from highway speeds, we went to turn into a hotel entrance and initially used far too much steering wheel input. However, the learning curve with this system was almost instant.
AFS will be optional and is part of the Sport Package on the 525i, and it works in concert with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) to maintain stability by measuring the car's yaw rate and steering angle. The BMW folks told us the system will even "kick back" against steering input if it senses inputs that will result in a spin, though we never felt such intervention.
In fact, we found it difficult to get any sort of unwanted response from the new 5 Series during our brief but intensive seat time. The car's all-new platform feels extremely balanced, and BMW confirmed that the company achieved a 50/50 weight distribution between the front and rear axles by utilizing all-aluminum front suspension and chassis components. Basically, almost everything under the skin and ahead of the firewall is aluminum in a move BMW calls "intelligent lightweight construction." It is the first aluminum-steel chassis combination created by the company, and it uses high-tech bonding agents to ensure that the disparate metal types don't come apart.
Edmunds.com
History:
2001-2003 BMW 525i
2,494 cc / 184 hp / 175 lb-ft / 3750-3800 lbs / 0-60 mph 8.0 sec.
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