Cutting-Edge Technology Enhances Performance, Safety and Comfort
Seats to die for. That was my four-word description of the 535i sent to a colleague. Yes, there's plenty more BMW performance to rave about but their optional 20-way power Comfort Seats deserve exclusive mention.
Visuals
The stance of the 535i is bold and aggressive, especially for a large, mid-size sedan. Exterior mods for 2008 are subtle but they include revised tail lamps and an enlarged lower front fascia intake. With or without the modest alterations, the latest iteration of 5-Series projects sharply defined athleticism from all angles.
A keen eye may still be required to spot interior restyling even though its far more extensive than outer alterations. Much of the dashboard and instrument layout is retained but door panels and the centre console arrangement have been reformatted to enhance a sense of flow within the cabin. To be blunt, the dashboard in today's 5-Series has never left me breathless - no where near in fact - yet the remaining cabin architecture is simply stunning, such that photos fail it miserably.
Technology locked and loaded
More and more advanced safety and vehicular control technology is finding its way into the vault-solid cabin of the 5-Series. Much of it arrives as standard equipment these days however my tester was loaded with several option packages that expanded that list considerably.
The Premium Package added Auto Dimming interior and exterior mirrors plus the aforementioned to-die-for 20-way power seats, seat heating front and rear along with Park Distance Control, not to mention BMW's Logic-7 sound system. The Technology Package really hit home with its Lane Departure Warning program and BMW's Voice Control Head-Up Display Navigation System. Adaptive headlights and taillights arrive as standard equipment on the 535i while Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Traction Control are standard on all 5-Series sedans.
Needless to say, the 5-Series is fully stocked with inflatable safety controlled by BMW's Advanced Safety Electronics System, which is fibre-optically linked to coordinate optimal airbag deployment and inflation depending on the severity and direction of impact.
Seats to die for. That was my four-word description of the 535i sent to a colleague. Yes, there's plenty more BMW performance to rave about but their optional 20-way power Comfort Seats deserve exclusive mention.
Visuals
The stance of the 535i is bold and aggressive, especially for a large, mid-size sedan. Exterior mods for 2008 are subtle but they include revised tail lamps and an enlarged lower front fascia intake. With or without the modest alterations, the latest iteration of 5-Series projects sharply defined athleticism from all angles.
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| The 2008 5-Series has received minor esthetical modifications. |
A keen eye may still be required to spot interior restyling even though its far more extensive than outer alterations. Much of the dashboard and instrument layout is retained but door panels and the centre console arrangement have been reformatted to enhance a sense of flow within the cabin. To be blunt, the dashboard in today's 5-Series has never left me breathless - no where near in fact - yet the remaining cabin architecture is simply stunning, such that photos fail it miserably.
Technology locked and loaded
More and more advanced safety and vehicular control technology is finding its way into the vault-solid cabin of the 5-Series. Much of it arrives as standard equipment these days however my tester was loaded with several option packages that expanded that list considerably.
The Premium Package added Auto Dimming interior and exterior mirrors plus the aforementioned to-die-for 20-way power seats, seat heating front and rear along with Park Distance Control, not to mention BMW's Logic-7 sound system. The Technology Package really hit home with its Lane Departure Warning program and BMW's Voice Control Head-Up Display Navigation System. Adaptive headlights and taillights arrive as standard equipment on the 535i while Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Traction Control are standard on all 5-Series sedans.
Needless to say, the 5-Series is fully stocked with inflatable safety controlled by BMW's Advanced Safety Electronics System, which is fibre-optically linked to coordinate optimal airbag deployment and inflation depending on the severity and direction of impact.
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| The 535i interior has a long list of features. |