From my personal experience, first tooling around Germany up near the Czech border in a 330xi, and then crossing the Continental Divide, partly on dirt no less, in Canadian spec 325xi and 330xi models
 |
| We'll all be in for a treat when the new 525xi and 530xi arrive. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
we'll all be in for a treat when the new 525xi and 530xi arrive. Without doubt the brand's engineers have dialed in enough rear-wheel bias to give the car its classic sporting appeal, as they did when transforming the 2001 3-Series into all-wheel propulsion, and the steering feel should hardly be affected. I remember appreciating the 330xi more than the rear-drive 330i when first driving it in Europe, as its steering was a tad heavier and therefore, more substantial. The rear-drive 3's steering was too light when it first debuted, something that had steadily been improved upon, right up until the car was replaced by the 2006 3-Series, last month.
So, if you live in a colder climate where winter roads can get icy and therefore difficult to manage with rear-wheel drive,
 |
| Bottom line? No matter which 5-Series you purchase, you'll be getting one of the best driving cars the world has to offer. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
a 525xi or 530xi might be just the ticket. Although, if you rarely see snow you might find a conventional 5-Series suits your needs better. Along with the higher price tag, the added weight - 90 kilos (198 pounds) in the 525xi and 75 kilos (165 pounds) in the 530xi - and driveline complexity can sap performance; acceleration and fuel economy. Plus, a good rule of thumb is to always err on the side of simplicity - the less complicated, the less there is to go wrong. Those who might opt for all-wheel drive because they take weekend jaunts up to the ski hill might appreciate the added security BMW's technologically advanced all-wheel drive system offers, but once again the rear-drive car offers some very sophisticated electronic driver aids that go very far in emulating all-wheel drive, and more.
Bottom line? No matter which 5-Series you purchase, you'll be getting one of the best driving cars the world has to offer.
