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Sedans BMW 5-Series Article Comments - 2008 BMW 535i Full Test
56 messages, Last post on Jul 25, 2008 at 11:32 AM
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Article comments for Full Test: 2008 BMW 535i - What does BMW's new twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 engine do for the 5 Series? This 2008 BMW 535i test car with an automatic transmission effectively equaled the acceleration of a 2006 BMW 550i equipped with a manual transmission. The 535i's 5.5-second acceleration to 60 mph proves a sedan doesn't need the 550i's V8 engine to be quick. (more)
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Replying to: fishferbrains (Jul 05, 2007 9:45 am) That said, I've driven the new 535i w/Sport Pkg and found the new "comfort seats" to be incredible. They offer additional articulation options (upper back, headrest cushion for neck, etc) and even fit my large frame better. I'm a retired Rugby player (6'5"/260lbs) who really needs comfortable seats, especially now that I've had both knees replaced. I found the new 535i with Sport option to be the 1st car I'd consider giving up my beautiful 2003 for  Whether in the 535 or 528, I'd recommend a lengthy drive and am confident that you will find the seats to be terrific. |
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Replying to: fishferbrains (Jul 05, 2007 9:45 am) Regarding "Bruce - What's your opinion on the "Xi" option. Is it a nice to have or a necessity?" I think you will get different answers from different individuals- all depends on your priorities, and location. But to answer your question, for me, AWD is a necessity. My primary reason is greater confidence and flexibility for traction in adverse road conditions- not just snow, but sleet, freezing rain, regular rain, and particularly ice, everything else being equal such as tires. AWD and RWD each have their own advantages and disadvantages. I have no experience with the 535i, so I cannnot comment on how it compares to the 535Xi. Thanks Bruce
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Replying to: bruceomega (Jul 05, 2007 5:19 pm) Like you, I went for the xi, especially after a dangerous experience with my '96 Mercedes E320 in snowy and icy conditions. I understand that snow tires do wonders in wintry conditions, but I don't want to spend the time and the hassle of swapping tires. My dealer did not have any xi to demo, so I tried both the 528i and 535i. The 528i has plenty of power for the way I drive: Mercedes and Lexus type . It is definitely sportier, bigger, and firmer than my '01 MB C320, and handles much better than my '04 Lexus RX330. I have never owned a BMW because the ride was too firm for me in the past. I think the '08's are a lot softer now. My hearing is sensitive, so I can hear the turbo whistle of the 535i. It moves off the line 2 seconds quicker than the 528i, but I don't drag race So I ordered a 528xi last week, and looking forward to getting it late August or early September.
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Replying to: kcx (Jul 07, 2007 1:05 pm) Let me get this straight, you are willing to spend $2,200 for the "xi" that will get you going in slippery conditions, but won't help you one bit when it comes to turning and stopping? For my money I'll spend $1,200 on a set of winter wheels and tires and get plenty of "go" traction as well as improved "turn" and "stop" traction as well. As for the "hassle" of swapping tires, hmmm, it takes me about a half of an hour in my driveway, and if I get tired of doing that, my local BMW dealer has a program where they will store the off-season set and do the two swaps per year all for a very minimal service charge. After living with a winter tire shod 530i through three very snowy winters here in hilly New Hampshire I can honestly say that unless you live in the Rockies, Sierras or Appliations, you don't need the "xi" option. That said, if you do live in those areas, not only do you need AWD, you need winter tires as well. Best Regards, Shipo
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Replying to: fishferbrains (Jul 05, 2007 9:45 am) Oh, and no Shipo, I did not order the xi given that I live in Texas. |
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Replying to: shipo (Jul 07, 2007 2:34 pm) Shipo, thanks for sharing those info. I was not aware that BMW actually stores tires for you. Also, this is my first BMW, so I am sure there are a lot I can learn from all you who are BMW-experienced  OK, I admit I'm into "toys"  I like options. I like to try out new things. Spending the money on AWD is perhaps as "controversial" as getting the built-in BMW Nav verses a portable GPS, I think Which, incidentally, I did get the BMW Nav among other "toys", I mean options I don't have the luxury or problem of living in the Snowbelt, but in the event of occasional snow and ice here, I have a better chance of "surviving" than a RWD. Like I said earlier, my driving style is not sporty at all. All I want is to own a BMW for change OK, all these are subjective, and we can go on arguing about it Like you, all I am offering are my personal experiences. I may be one of the odd balls in town with an AWD BMW, so be it; It's my toy  If I ever moved to snowy land, I will be prepared with AWD and add snow tires for extra protection
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Replying to: shipo (Jul 07, 2007 2:34 pm) I have no doubt that a good driver with the winter tires you recommend can do a very good job in non-mountain winter conditions with a RWD car the size and weight of a 5 series. I happen to prefer AWD. My reasoning stems from the following: In my early years I owned and drove a variety of RWD cars, and successfully navigated in winter driving conditions. I then switched to FWD for more stability in winter driving- I found FWD cars pulled better through snow and are less prone to rear end sliding. I've seen RWD cars lose control on icy roads and spin out while FWD cars, on the same roads, did not spin out when they lost traction. I should note this was before the advent of winter tires and electronic stability controls. However, I found even on the '06 330Xi with all season tires I recently traded in, that the stability controls did not prevent the tires from losing traction and spinning a little on icy roads. My quickly letting up on the gas stopped the spinning. I do not doubt that stability controls are very useful, but I'm not sure they by themselves are a panacea. I then decided to try AWD as a compromise between performance and traction in adverse road conditions. So far, I have been happy with AWD. The traffic conditions in the Washington DC metropolitan area are a challenge that are compounded by winter weather. Traffic is very congested, and a high percentage of drivers do not seem to know how to drive in winter conditions, meaning you cannot help but get caught in undesirable situations. For example, you can't maintain momentum to go up a hill because the roads are clogged with traffic, or you are forced to come to a stop on a hill, and then start from a standstill. Regarding weather, we have as much problem with sleet, freezing rain and ice as we do snow. My successful RWD winter driving experiences were in this same area, but that was a long time ago when the roads were infinitely less crowded. Today, I feel AWD is more versatile than either RWD or FWD for traction in adverse road conditions. I think AWD and RWD each have their own pros and cons, and choosing between them is a matter of personal priorities. Thanks Bruce
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Replying to: bruceomega (Jul 09, 2007 9:56 am) I want to let you know that I benefited from your reply to Shipo Like you, I find that AWD helps a lot in unfavorable conditions. Compared to my previous cars, I am a lot more confident driving my '04 Lexus RX330 AWD on wet highways, snow and ice then my other cars. I too have owned FWD ('88 and '89 Acura Legends) and RWD ('96 MB E320 and '01 C320). So I really feel that an '08 528xi would be even better I am looking forward to its arrival
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Replying to: kcx (Jul 09, 2007 1:45 pm) Interesting. I hope you enjoy your 528Xi as much as I am enjoying my 535Xi after one week of ownership. I have found Shipo to be very knowledgable, and he has been very helpful to me with information. I was just trying to respond to why someone would choose AWD over RWD, using my own experiences as an example. Thanks Bruce
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Replying to: bruceomega (Jul 09, 2007 9:56 am) Then I bought the 2002 530i SP and a set of winter tires. The difference was so dramatic it has to be experienced to be believed. The 5er went from my worst ever winter driver to my best in one swell foop simply by changing the wheels and tires. With the winter rubber in place, that car was all but unstoppable in anything less than eight inches of rutted snow, and easily as stable as any car I've ever driven when conditions degrade below dry pavement. Your comment that said, "Traffic is very congested, and a high percentage of drivers do not seem to know how to drive in winter conditions, meaning you cannot help but get caught in undesirable situations", is exactly my point. Why would you want a car that can get you going but not one that can turn and stop as well as it goes? I cannot tell you how many times I've been approaching an intersection where I had Right-of-Way only to have someone slide out in front of me with all four wheels locked. In situations like that all of the "go" traction in the world ain't gonna help you, you need either "turn" or "stop" traction to avoid an accident. For my money, if I can't turn and stop, I sure as hell don't want to go. Of course, it's like you said, "...chosing between them is a matter of personal priorities", and those are mine. Best Regards, Shipo |
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