Far From "Just a Wagon"
The most recent iteration of BMW's mid-size line of 5-Series sedans arrived on North American motorways as a 2004 model. Since then the edgy-shaped, sharply sculpted muscular Bimmer has only been available in a 4-door sedan configuration, leaving those needing the services of a wagon to settle for the smaller 3-Series wagon or for something manufactured under a competitor's roof- but 2006 changes all that. BMW has overcome its wagon shortage by morphing the exotic shape of the 5-Series into such without emasculating the car's bold stance and aggressive lines. In the rebirth BMW upped the ante by adding their sophisticated xDrive, intelligent all-wheel-drive (AWD) technology to the
sleek wagon- which incidentally is referred to by BMW as a 'Touring' model, or 'T' for short. No self-respecting builder of premium European motorcars would dare have a "wagon" in their fleet, unless of course it is an 'Estate Wagon'. For our purposes though, I will continue to refer to the 530xi as a wagon, much to the chagrin of the Bavarian Motor Works company.
As hard as it may be to push the "cool" factor behind the wheel of a 4-door wagon, the 530xi Touring is drenched in "coolness," especially when equipped with the BMW's M Sport Package, which includes the M Aerodynamic appearance package and BMW's aluminum cube-pure, metal interior trim. But the M Sport Package doesn't end with just good looks, it also adds 18-inch double-spoke alloy wheels, sport seats, a multi-function leather steering wheel, high-gloss shadow-line paint and an anthracite roof liner; not to mention a sprinkling of discreetly located "M" badges. But what's an M Sport Package without the spoils of BMW's Premium Package to give it grace along with gusto. My tester
indulged with both packages, landing me the additional loot of heated front and rear seats, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, a ski bag, BMW's Storage Compartment Package, Park Distance Control and premium Harmon/Kardon audio. Apart from possibly a navigation system, this wagon was as pork-barreled as some political parties of late.
But it doesn't really matter how much pork-barreling or content a manufacturer squeezes into an offering if that offering is more "off" than "on" when it is on rather than off. That may be a tongue twister, but it's founded in logic. Throwing a spoiler and fancy wheels on a fundamentally flawed-handling car isn't going to make it any better, and that's not what BMW is about- no far from it actually. When you start with a primary building block as impressive as BMW's 530i sedan, the battle to create a competent handling wagon is pretty much won before its begun.
The most recent iteration of BMW's mid-size line of 5-Series sedans arrived on North American motorways as a 2004 model. Since then the edgy-shaped, sharply sculpted muscular Bimmer has only been available in a 4-door sedan configuration, leaving those needing the services of a wagon to settle for the smaller 3-Series wagon or for something manufactured under a competitor's roof- but 2006 changes all that. BMW has overcome its wagon shortage by morphing the exotic shape of the 5-Series into such without emasculating the car's bold stance and aggressive lines. In the rebirth BMW upped the ante by adding their sophisticated xDrive, intelligent all-wheel-drive (AWD) technology to the
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| BMW has overcome its wagon shortage by morphing the exotic shape of the 5-Series into such without emasculating the car's bold stance and aggressive lines. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
As hard as it may be to push the "cool" factor behind the wheel of a 4-door wagon, the 530xi Touring is drenched in "coolness," especially when equipped with the BMW's M Sport Package, which includes the M Aerodynamic appearance package and BMW's aluminum cube-pure, metal interior trim. But the M Sport Package doesn't end with just good looks, it also adds 18-inch double-spoke alloy wheels, sport seats, a multi-function leather steering wheel, high-gloss shadow-line paint and an anthracite roof liner; not to mention a sprinkling of discreetly located "M" badges. But what's an M Sport Package without the spoils of BMW's Premium Package to give it grace along with gusto. My tester
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| Apart from possibly a navigation system, this wagon was as pork-barreled as some political parties of late. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
But it doesn't really matter how much pork-barreling or content a manufacturer squeezes into an offering if that offering is more "off" than "on" when it is on rather than off. That may be a tongue twister, but it's founded in logic. Throwing a spoiler and fancy wheels on a fundamentally flawed-handling car isn't going to make it any better, and that's not what BMW is about- no far from it actually. When you start with a primary building block as impressive as BMW's 530i sedan, the battle to create a competent handling wagon is pretty much won before its begun.