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2008 BMW 535i Road Test

This is the new 5-Series, and it possesses what might possibly be the world'smildest facelift. I'm usually keen at picking out the subtler details, but the look of this car has gone by practically unchanged. After staring at it parked next to the pre-facelifted model, you'd really be none the wiser unless the specific details were pointed out. The biggest changes are to the lights, with clear-lensed turn signals up front and awe-striking taillights now loaded with LEDs and neon technology, capable of delivering multiple messages, depending on how hard you slam on the brakes. The update mirrors the equally minor-looking update to Mercedes' E-Class, and should ensure that residuals remain extremely strong when it comes time to sell. It should also come in handy if you've just bought a used, de-badged 5-Series and are trying to pass it off as if it were new.

In place of the

This is the new 5-Series. Can you tell? (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

visuals we were expecting, what we get are some seriously upgraded mechanical goods. Headlining the mid-cycle upgrade is BMW's remarkable 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight six, an engine that just about everyone adores. We've tried it and loved it on several occasions in the3-Series, and in the 5-Series it's just as good. The sequential arrangement of the turbos is, simply put, brilliant, with a quick-spooling, low-boost turbine punting the car off the line, and a bigger, stronger unit that takes over once enough revs are reached. Power and torque

This is the easiest way of telling it's a new 5. 530 and 525 are now gone, replaced by the 535 and 528. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

are literally everywhere, delivering rocketship-rivaling performance with a torque curve BMW itself describes as “as flat as a 14th century map of the world”.

With a few hundred more pounds to haul about over the compact 3-Series, the 535i is fractionally slower on paper, but you'd never know from sitting inside as it's more than enough to make your legs quiver when getting out of the car. Zero to 60 is quoted as taking about six seconds, but our seat of the pants accelerometer tells us that it's every bit as quick off the line and in gear as a 550i. It might

Acceleration is quick. Shockingly quick, thanks to the twin-turbo, direct-injection inline-six. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

not have the sound effects of a V8, but the 535i is pleasing in its own right, with its shrill, almost jet-like whine and silky smoothness. Besides the turbos, the inline-six also featuresdirect injection, plus variable valve timing, which makes it surprisingly efficient. Because turbochargers only wind up when the driver presses down their right foot, it's very easy to get some unexpectedly good fuel economy numbers. We averaged 23 mpg, a figure that's just as awesome as the car's acceleration.

Two additional engines are available for the 5, the entry level 528i, which is the successor to the 525i. It packs a 230-hp 3.0-liter I-6 which makes an extra 15 hp

A view most people - including those who drive high-powered V8 sedans - should get used to seeing. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

over the previous model. And what's a 5-Series without a V8? The wuffly 4.8-liter eight-pot makes an encore performance, untouched and therefore still delivering 360 horsepower, not to mention a lovely soundtrack in the process. Then there's the matter of xDrive all-wheel drive, which is available on both six-cylinder cars, but not the V8. It's no different here than with any other BMW, capable of varying the torque distribution constantly to bothaxles, plus offering the ability to control oversteer and understeer through cutting power to the individual rear wheels. It comes standard on the 5-Series Touring, which, we might add, is only available with the twin-turbo six as a 535xi.

Choices for all engines are between a six-speed manual

You can't see, feel or hear Efficient Dynamics technologies, but they're there and they do have a positive effect on the 5. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

and a six-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox, both of which have no effect on the price. The automatic gets the same sort of shifter as the X5, which besides looking cool saves some space on the console. It's the only notable change to the interior, besides the redesigned door panels. The third six-speed gearbox available on previous 5s, the SMG sequential manual, has quietly departed from the options list. While we're usually all for stick shifts, the automatic the 535i is equipped with isn't at all a bad choice thanks to seamless gear changes and quick reaction times. A sport mode helps things along even more, keepingthe engine's revs high and holding off a little longer on up and downshifts.

Something you might not have known is the upgraded 5-Series purveys BMW's new Efficient Dynamics systems, a group of

Heads Up Display is just one of the many ways the 5-Series communicates with the driver. It displays speed, cruise control and lane departure warning status, from left to right. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

technologies that help to cut back on CO2 and fuel consumption without being detected and without performance loss. Features such as the latest piezoelectric fuel injectors for the direct injection system reduce the engine's thirst for fuel, and lightweight components within the engine help reduce weight, in turn saving gasoline. There are also some pretty clever devices that save energy, such as the electrical coolant pump which taxes the engine less despite providing better capabilities, while the Varioserv power steering pump reduces strain on the engine at higher revs. Also new is the A/C system which features a compressor that can be decoupled to reduce the drag on the engine when it isn't running. Most importantly though, is that none of these features have any effect on the way the car drives, in that they're completely unnoticeable, while having a positive net result.

The only

It takes lots of time to become accustomed and familiar with iDrive, but once you do it's very well organized. New menus and customized buttons help. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

downfall that I can really see with the new 5-Series is that it's still a fairly complicated vehicle to operate, so much so that I'd say it's even a little too complex. I'm no neo-luddite, but without a detailed walk around I was at risk of being lost at the helm, or at the very least overwhelmed. And with an owner's manual that rivals the Encyclopedia Britannica for size and content ... well, you get the point. Slowly but surely, the iDrive interface is improving with each successive generation, with the menus becoming more intuitive than ever, a trend which could be likened to modern computer operating systems. There are customizable buttons on the steering wheel that can bring up menus on the iDrive system, while the new touch-sensitive radio presets can be set for your Blackberry's address book, not to mention all your favorite stations be they on AM, FM, satellite or even a destination on the navigation system. It's sort of like creating shortcuts on your desktop for often-used applications.Interior is pretty much the same as before, pure functionality plus a bit of minimalist design. Note the new shifter at the bottom. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press) />
As if this wasn't enough, the 5-Series provides a borderline sensory overload the first time you set out; the head-up display, vibrating steering wheel of the new lane departure warning system, the in-your-face iDrive display and the sheer performance of it all had my head spinning for the first five minutes. On the contrary, the 5 can be one of the most relaxing drives around. Once the right combination of bolster tautness, neck cradling and thigh support are found, it's completely plausible to spend all day driving, maybe even all week. And it's not just those with the best view that are the most comfortable either, as the 5-Series' generous legroom and supportive rear bench means that those in back should remain pleased over longer hauls, especially with optional rear heated seats. On the move, the 535i is quiet, smooth and generally relaxing.

Add that to the new adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go, plus Curve Speed Limiter that slows the car down during sharp corners, and the 5-Seriesbecomes one of those cars that anyone can drive, even if the person isn't remotely

The ride's really sorted with the M-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels and low-profile runflats. You can thank Dynamic Drive for that. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

interested in driving the vehicle itself. Is BMW doing the unthinkable – taking the human element out of the driving experience? Not even close.

So the 535i comes dressed to impress with enough technology to keep SAE engineers ferociously debating for hours on end, but at the end of the day it's still a fantastic vehicle to drive. With Active Steering, the 535i becomes a touch numb around the center and a little twitchy just after turn in, but it delights with responsiveness that's as crisp as a frosty winter morning. BMW also managed to sort out the ride of the car, which now features a firm, almost elastic ride quality with none of the crashiness of the previous generation car. What makes the difference is the new Dynamic Drive electronically controlled anti-roll bar system. Featuring rollbars that can be electronically decoupled, the system is able to prevent body lean around corners yet still provide a supple ride and most importantly, this is done without resorting to a suspension that involves air bladders or expensive electromagnetic dampers.

With the ride sorted, there's no real reason to shy away from the Sport Package. Actually,

One great drive after another... (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

what you see here is the M-Sport Package that's found elsewhere in other markets. It makes a convincing replica of an M5, with its 18-inch M Double Spoke alloy wheels and aerodynamic bodykit. Besides the wide array of M badges scattered around the interior, there's a special three-spoke sports steering wheel with chunky rim, and sport seats. But I'd have to say we have it much better here in the US. Aside from the bodykit and M badges, we get the same three-spoke sports steering wheel, same matte black shadow line exterior trim, same 245/40R18 tire size up front, but different (and much wider) 275/35R18 rubber out back wrapped around Star Spoke (Style 124) alloys—the same ones found on previous 545i models, which is good. And with ultra-sticky runflat tires, there's more grip at your disposal to discover and enjoy the balance of this machine on a twisty road. The $2,800 Sport Package also gets you 20-way power multi-contour front seats (a $1,200 standalone option, by the way), sport suspension, and Active Roll Stabilization (ARS) which improves overall handling by reducing body roll around corners. We've yet to drive the new 550i, but are almost certain that the 535i the better car when the road starts to wind, as there's about 200 pounds less over the front tires.

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