Article Comments - 2008 BMW 535i Full Test

56 messages, Last post on Jul 25, 2008 at 11:32 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Sedan, Wagon

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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#45 of 56 Re: Thanks for the suggestions... [bruceomega] by topspin628 Jul 10, 2007 (4:48 am)
Replying to: bruceomega (Jul 09, 2007 7:06 pm) I am thinking of the 535xi as my next ride. How about a full review? Would love to hear it. Thanks Replies to this message: bruceomega (Jul 10, 2007 8:08 am) topspin628 (Jul 10, 2007 2:59 pm)
#46 of 56 Re: Thanks for the suggestions... [shipo] by bruceomega Jul 10, 2007 (5:58 am)
Replying to: shipo (Jul 09, 2007 7:11 pm) Shipo, "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." I agree, this is a real problem. AWD is not a pancea, I was trying to focus my comments on traction. I've never driven with winter tires. Way back when I owned RWD cars; e.g., 1966 Chevy Impala, they were called snow tires and you only put them on the rear. I also discovered that heavier cars do better in snow, and cars with low ground clearance do not do well. I used to have a '73 Alfa Spyder as my daily driver, and I would actually take that out in light snow, with several bags of sand in the trunk, but found that accumulations over 10 snowflakes deep were a real problem. At those times, I switched to our '74 Saab and car-pooled with my wife. Once, someone smashed into my Alfa, and while it was in the shop for repair, I had a big, heavy Ford RWD as a loaner. I was surprised at how well that car did in the snow, although I could still do donuts if I wanted. Thanks Bruce
#47 of 56 carwash issue with 5 series X-Drive by bruceomega Jul 10, 2007 (7:33 am)
I ran into a surprise this past Sunday when I tried to take my new but slightly dirty 535Xi to the carwash we have been using for some time, and they told me they cannot wash a 5 series BMW with X-Drive. They showed me a printed statement that said there was something about the drivetrain / suspension layout on 2006 and 2007 5 series X-Drives that would cause a problem with their equipment (you get out of the car and it pulls the vehicle through the car wash). I have no idea if the 2008 cars have the same issue, but the carwash would not take my car. Has anyone else run into anything like this? I emailed the car wash company, as they have about a dozen locations in the area, and they said the issue exists at all their facilities. I emailed my CA, and he said he had not heard of this before, but did not have any recommendations for an alternate car wash. Interestingly, I had taken my previous 330Xi there many times without a problem, and I think that has a lower ground clearance. Bruce Replies to this message: kcx (Jul 10, 2007 7:18 pm) bruceomega (Jul 11, 2007 5:25 am)
#48 of 56 Re: Thanks for the suggestions... [topspin628] by bruceomega Jul 10, 2007 (8:08 am)
Replying to: topspin628 (Jul 10, 2007 4:48 am) topspin628, Well, I think the 535Xi is great, but my basis for comparison is an '06 330Xi. The catalyst for upgrading was the occasional harshness in the 330Xi, and I think the RFTs were at least part of the problem. I like firm, but not harsh, and our '06 X3 did not have the harshness on the same roads, so that got me started on looking at alternatives but it wasn't the only reason I changed. I stayed with the standard 17", 50 series, all season tires and wheels on the 535Xi. I think the optional 18" wheels look great, but I was leery about lower profile / RFTs. The 535Xi is much smoother, quieter, roomier, and more powerful. Its also a larger, more expensive, more luxurious car. I am amazed at the combination of ride quality and handling. Although I think it handles very well, I'm not sure I would call is as tossbale as the 330Xi. OTOH, it is the most stable and sure footed feeling car I have ever driven on the highway. My wife and I both like the higher seating in the 5 vs the 3. The 3 felt sportier because you sat lower to the ground, but the 5 is easier to get in and out of, and is more comfortable. We got the 20 way multi-contour seats and they are well worth their cost. The new car is noticeably more powerful and responsive than the 330Xi. I rarely feel the need to put the 535Xi in Sport Drive mode, as reglaur Drive has a lot of get up and go. In the 330Xi, there was a more noticeable difference between regular Drive and Sport Drive mode, and I found myself frequently putting it in Sport Drive for spirited driving. Thanks Bruce Replies to this message: topspin628 (Jul 10, 2007 2:59 pm)
#49 of 56 Re: Thanks for the suggestions... [bruceomega] by topspin628 Jul 10, 2007 (2:59 pm)
Replying to: bruceomega (Jul 10, 2007 8:08 am) Good review, thanks. I also think the comfort seats are the way to go though I'm not sure they are as good as the ones on the 7 series. Interesting re the car wash. I will be anxious to see what the deal is. I wouldn't want to have to hand wash my car. Please keep us posted. Thanks
#50 of 56 Re: carwash issue with 5 series X-Drive [bruceomega] by kcx Jul 10, 2007 (7:18 pm)
Replying to: bruceomega (Jul 10, 2007 7:33 am) ...they cannot wash a 5 series BMW with X-Drive... Bruce, My 528xi is only a few days into production so I can only offer what I read regarding automatic car wash. The '08 Owner's Manual on page 61 tells how to prepare your car's transmission for an automatic car wash, with special mention of the Comfort Access feature. I could not find this same information in the '07 manual. So perhaps BMW is aware of this issue and added this information in the '08 manual Perhaps you can provide this information to the car wash company and assure them that when it is done right, they can have your business without damaging their equipment Replies to this message: bruceomega (Jul 11, 2007 5:25 am)
#51 of 56 Re: carwash issue with 5 series X-Drive [kcx] by bruceomega Jul 11, 2007 (5:25 am)
Replying to: kcx (Jul 10, 2007 7:18 pm) kcx, Thank you for the lead, I haven't read my manual yet. I don't have comfort access, but I'll check to see what the manual says. Bruce
#52 of 56 Hey folks? by pat HOST Jul 11, 2007 (8:10 am)
This is s'posed to be a discussion about the article linked at the top of the discussion. Maybe you could check the list of other topics here in the 5-Series group for more appropriate places for these questions and comments. Replies to this message: hendjaz (Jul 13, 2007 8:20 pm)
#53 of 56 Re: Hey folks? [pat] by hendjaz Jul 13, 2007 (8:20 pm)
Replying to: pat (Jul 11, 2007 8:10 am) Pat, I was looking for general information/discussion about the 08 535i and this appeared to be the only thread with that narrow focus but I guess not. Where would this discussion be located? Thanks.
#54 of 56 Re: Thanks for the suggestions... [shipo] by kef207 Jul 18, 2008 (2:23 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Jul 09, 2007 7:11 pm) Not to belabor the point, but ... xDrive is primarily a RWD system that shifts power when wheel slippage is detected. In normal driving, BMWs equipped with xDrive are RWD cars with all the performance entailed. xDrive is technically not an AWD system. To maintain control, say when swerving to avoid the car sliding through the snowy intersection, you have to keep the tires from slipping. That is what xDrive does in dry conditions (on sand or gravel) or in wet conditions (with rain, ice and snow). True, xDrive will not help you stop, but a set of locked up snow tires are as good as skis. Driving purists will not like xDrive because it intervenes between the driver and the car. Sometimes a little slip and spin is not a bad thing and usually a lot of fun. There is no finer luxury sport sedan than the 535i in any conditions. I opted for the '08 535xi in deep sea blue. The posted article was accurate in my book, although I still hate iDrive and the funky shift knob (the CA had to teach me how to put the car in drive, c'mon BMW). I have to drive in New England winters for a living and I like the extra confidence of xDrive. xDrive is one of things Bimmer owners either love or hate. One group are snobs and the other yuppies. Can't we all be brothers and sisters and just get along? Replies to this message: shipo (Jul 18, 2008 4:35 pm) cctdi (Jul 25, 2008 11:32 am)