Each of the major players in the mid-luxury class has its own appearance. The Audi A6 is rounded and chunky, the Lexus GS sedans are swoopy and sporty, the E-Class Mercedes-Benz looks, well, like a Mercedes, the Acura TL is conservative, the Infiniti J30 is not conservative, and the Cadillac Catera is unobtrusive.BMW continues to build on its heritage. The 5 Series stands out by presenting a beautifully proportioned elegant face to the world, one that is recognizably BMW in origin from twin kidney-shaped grille to the large taillight clusters in back. The overall shape of the 5 Series body is a well-done evolution of a handsome basic design that dates back more than two decades. New for 1999 are a pair of 5 Series station wagons. They differ visually from the sedans only aft of the C-pillar, where an extended roof and tailgate replace the sedan profile and trunk lid. The tailgate has a commendably low opening, giving access to the luggage bay right down to bumper-top level; if smaller items are to be loaded aboard, the rear glass can be raised separately. There's more to the 5 Series than good looks. Its body shell is extremely rigid, a plus in terms of both safety and noise reduction. With its low 0.30 coefficient of drag, the 5 Series is one of the most aerodynamically efficient sedans on the market. Also aiding in keeping unwanted noise at bay are foam-filled body cavities and redesigned door seals. The 5 Series model line consists of the $39,470 528i and $51,670 540i. Each comes in sedan and sport wagon body styles. The 528i is powered by a 2.8-liter inline 6-cylinder engine. With double overhead cams, four valves per cylinder and BMW's double VANOS variable valve timing, the 2.8-liter engine produces a healthy 193 horsepower and 206 foot-pounds of torque. Variable cam improves torque and reduces exhaust emissions. A new aluminum cylinder block reduces the weight of the engine by 51 pounds. The 540i is powered by a 4.4-liter V8. This twin-cam four-valve design with the variable valve setup generates 282 horsepower and a robust 324 foot-pounds of torque. Aside from their powerplants, the 5 Series cars are remarkably similar, differing mainly in amenities, minor detailing and trunk lid badges. The 528i comes standard with a 5-speed manual; a 4-speed automatic is optional. The 540i comes with a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic that can be ordered with a Steptronic manual/automatic shifter. The $54,470 540i with six-speed manual amounts to a sports sedan. It comes standard with a sports package that includes a firmer suspension; this package is an expensive option on the other models. The sports suspension comes with firmer springs and shock absorbers, specially tuned anti-roll bars, 17-inch wheels and a 0.8-inch lower ride height. The 540i comes standard with a self-leveling rear suspension, an option on the 528i. The 528i comes with 15-inch wheels, the 540i automatic comes with 16-inch wheels. Traction control and anti-lock brakes are standard on all models. BMW's system of traction and cornering-stability enhancement, called Dynamic Stability Control, along with Dynamic Brake Control come standard on manual-transmission 540i sedans and are optional on 528i models. Dynamic Stability Control is a computer-controlled system that uses inputs from a variety of onboard sensors to apply brakes and reduce power to enhance control; Dynamic Brake Control reinforces the driver's pedal effort in emergency braking situations.
|