![]() ![]() BMW Assist is the automaker's connected-telematics system that integrates GPS positioning, cellular connectivity, and something of a concierge service to give you access to a live operator who will assist the driver with locating destinations (and queuing up the vehicle's turn-by-turn directions) or alerting first responder services in the event of an emergency. The navigation system also features traffic data.īluetooth connectivity with BMW Assist is standard on the 535i. The wide screen allows users to split the screen to display secondary data (audio source, trip computers, and turn-by-turn directions) alongside the map, or fill the entire screen with the beautifully rendered maps. Starting at the top of the center console, the BMW's wide-screen hard-drive-based navigation system features 3D terrain data and satellite imagery when zoomed far enough out and, in major metropolitan areas, 3D building data when zoomed far enough in. The 5 Series' cabin tech package checks all of the right boxes, but only if you make sure to check the those boxes when making your purchase, as nearly all of the Beemer's gee-whiz gadgets are optional. Our vehicle was not equipped with this $1,750 option. It steers against the front wheels at low speeds to reduce turning radius, and steers with the front wheels to add stability for highway speed lane changes. ![]() Its long wheelbase and compliant suspension made the sedan quite comfortable for relaxed blasts through the countryside, but its communicative steering never lets you forget that you're driving rather than merely transporting.Īlso available on the 5 Series is a feature called Integral Active Steering, which adds up to 2.5 degrees of rear wheel steering. Thankfully, although the BMW rolls, it doesn't feel like it's floating or is disconnected from the road, and the increased low-end grunt meant that we were almost never caught without enough torque to power the sedan out of turns.Īfter unsuccessfully trying to make a canyon carver out of this Ultimate Driving Machine, we switched modes and tackled a few wider roads with sweeping high speed turns and found the 5 Series to be an excellent grand-touring machine. Body roll was evident and noticeable, despite the ARS system, and the 535i feels as though it's relying too heavily on its gadgets to offset the increased mass. ![]() Tying these systems together is BMW's Adaptive Drive system, which gives you the choice of Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ presets.Įven with the Adaptive Drive set to Sport, the BMW feels heavy through twisty mountain roads. ![]() By checking the box next to the $2,700 Dynamic Handling Package, the 535i gains electronic damping control, which varies the stiffness of the sedan's suspension for a more comfortable or sporty ride, and Active Roll Stabilization (ARS), which uses adjustable antiroll bars at the front and rear of the vehicle to help keep the sedan flat when cornering. Shifts are chunky, with deliberate engagement, and the heavy clutch pedal will give your left leg a workout, but there is little that's more satisfying than rowing through your own gears.īetween the sedan's unibody and where the rubber meets the road there's a good deal of adaptive chassis tech available to the 5 Series owner. Two automatic transmission options are available on the 5 Series, a no cost optional eight-speed and a $500 sport automatic with paddle shifters, but we were happy to find a six-speed manual shifter gracing our tester's center console. ![]()
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