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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#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)
#55 of 56 Re: Thanks for the suggestions... [kef207] by shipo Jul 18, 2008 (4:35 pm)
Replying to: kef207 (Jul 18, 2008 2:23 pm) Geez, this must be the day for year old (and older) posts to come back and haunt me. "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." To say that I strongly disargree with that statement is an extreme understatement. Like it or not, when comparing an "xi" to a comparable "i" model, the AWD twin will be heavier and have more drag in the drivetrain compared to the RWD models. With that in mind, the "xi" models will not have all of the performance of an "i" model when it comes to turning and stopping, oh, and fuel economy too. Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: cctdi (Jul 25, 2008 11:32 am)
#56 of 56 Re: Thanks for the suggestions... [shipo] by cctdi Jul 25, 2008 (11:32 am)
Replying to: shipo (Jul 18, 2008 4:35 pm) I got both 335xi and 535xi this year; first time I own the Bimmers, the main reason I bought these two cars is the ground clearance on the Xi is about 1.2 inches higher than the " I " . German car is notorious low bottom, my 07 A8 has 4.7 inches, the S8 goes as low as 3.7, this car got scratches on the chin all over, and I don't understand if my 07 Touareg V10 tdi goes back higher ground clearance at low speed, why the S8 does not? All the BMW 3 & 5 regular models get only 4 inches bottom high, and that is worse than E's 4.2 A4 & A6 at the same- 4.2. What is the benfit for awd cars go on the snow roads if the white stuff piles up at 5 inches high? And, by the way, the 5 vs 3 issue? I am 100% for the 5, the 5 don't have the slope driver's leg floor and the terrible bumper run flat tires, plus the in and out designs etc.