Unless comparing to the Bentley, Maybach, Rolls-Royce crowd, BMW builds the best quality interiors. All materials feel luxurious, soft to the touch where needed, with real metals, woods, and of course, leather. With leather in mind the seats are superb; completely supportive yet comfortable enough even over long hauls. The 5's rear DVD entertainment system, available early next year, as well as its superb audio system, make the miles go quickly. Truly, the 5 offers so many standard and optional features that its probably best to drop by your local dealer and pick up the 'book' that BMW gives away as a brochure, or study the more detailed 2004 5-Series preview available in the archives.
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| All materials feel luxurious, soft to the touch where needed, with real metals, woods, and of course, leather. (Photo: BMW AG) |
As for engines, the 530i that I tested featured BMW's well proven 225-hp 3.0-L inline-6. New for 2004 is a standard 6-speed manual that really adds bite to the 5's launch from standstill, while a smooth and effective 6-speed automatic with Steptronic manual mode is available. BMW is also the only manufacturer to offer a sequential manual (SMG) in the 5's class, a great compromise for those who appreciate the convenience of an automatic in heavy traffic but don't want to give up performance.
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| New for 2004 is a standard 6-speed manual that really adds bite to BMW's well proven 225-hp 3.0-L inline-6. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
I didn't get to drive the SMG in the 5, but have experienced it in the M3 - it's stellar. Instead I spent an hour or so with the auto gearbox and about 6 hours, factoring in the plethora of wrong turns I took on my way through New York and New Jersey's pristine countryside, with the manual. Both offered near perfect shifts with intervals well matched to the 3.0-L engine. Acceleration seemed stronger than 225-hp should, a testament to BMW's conservative horsepower rating system. If its power concerns you the 545i, none of which had come off the line when I tested the 530i last month, delivers 325-hp and 330 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels; ample no doubt.