2008 BMW 5-Series - Expert Reviews
Expert Reviews from Around the Web
We have scoured the web for expert reviews of this car and found the best ones for you to read. Found 9 reviews. This list is displayed in ranked order based the reviews we think are the best.| Ranking | Details |
|---|---|
| #1 |
2008 bmw 5 series Professional Edmunds ReviewSource: Edmunds...Safety: Standard safety equipment includes stability control, antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags and front-and-rear side-curtain airbags. Rear-seat side airbags are optional and, due to safety concerns, you must specifically request that your dealer activate the bags if you order this option. A new optional lane departure system alerts the driver via a shaking steering wheel if the car starts to veer out of its lane, while a night vision system illuminates possible hazards out of regular headlight range. Both Hill-Start Assist and Hill Descent Control are standard on AWD models, in... |
| #2 |
2008 BMW 535 Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...A folding backseat isn't standard on this car; it costs extra. Consider me dumbfounded. Furthermore, I was peeved to find that the silver trunk-release button on the key fob is also the panic button, if you hold it down long enough. As much as I love the stainless steel look, I'd like to see a panic button that's colored with its purpose in mind. It's for a PANIC situation, during which time I'd rather not have to remember which silly button (is it the lock, the unlock or the trunk release?) also happens to double as the panic button. Let's get a bit more user-friendly, shall we? I felt safe... |
| #3 |
2008 BMW 550 Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...LED turn signals are new to the front and rear of the 5 Series and feature clear glass housings instead of amber-colored capsules. 550i models have an optional Aero Package that looks almost as aggressive as the high-performance M5's exterior. A gaping front air dam, bulging side skirts and a sporty rear bumper push the 550i's looks as far as they can go before entering M5 territory (and price). Interior A new MP3 adaptor allows drivers to control their player using steering-wheel controls. Under the Hood The 528i's revised inline-six-cylinder engine produces 230 hp, up from 215. The 550i... |
| #4 |
2008 BMW 528 Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...LED turn signals are new to the front and rear of the 5 Series and feature clear glass housings instead of amber-colored capsules. 550i models have an optional Aero Package that looks almost as aggressive as the high-performance M5's exterior. A gaping front air dam, bulging side skirts and a sporty rear bumper push the 550i's looks as far as they can go before entering M5 territory (and price). Interior A new MP3 adaptor allows drivers to control their player using steering-wheel controls. Under the Hood The 528i's revised inline-six-cylinder engine produces 230 hp, up from 215. The 550i... |
| #5 |
2008 BMW 528 Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...I tested the 550i with a six-speed manual transmission and was very impressed by how much fun it was to thrash around. It felt light and easy to control and didn't rattle my teeth like performance-oriented models like the M5 do. Safety The 5 Series comes with side-impact airbags for the front seats and optional side-impact airbags for the backseat. Side curtain airbags are standard. BMW says the backseat side airbags are optional so owners can choose whether they want the added security. Active front head restraints are also standard. All 5 Series models come standard with BMW's Dynamic... |
| #6 |
2008 BMW 535 Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...The suspension absorbed bumps easily, yet it is firm enough to counteract body lean in turns and keep the car from feeling light at high speeds. The 535i feels so solid and composed on the highway that it's obvious that the car was developed in a country where high-speed driving is a matter of national pride. BMW brakes are among the best around, and the 535i stops with authority. Anti-lock, traction control and stability control are all standard equipment. Inside, the 535i uses BMW's iDrive system for controlling many of the car's functions. This system can be tremendously frustrating... |
| #7 |
2008 BMW 550 Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...including stability control, traction control, active cruise control (it uses radar to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you), rain-sensing wipers, adaptive brake lights (the more "urgent" the braking, the larger and brighter the brake light area becomes), antilock brakes and even "brake drying," which senses when the brakes get wet, and applies just enough pressure to dry them off. The 550i test car represented the upper end of the lineup, with a base price of $58,500. The tester had quite a few options on top of that, including a cold weather package ($750) that added... |
| #8 |
2008 BMW 535 Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...NUTS & BOLTS 2008 BMW 535xi Complaints: Detractors say the car suffers from a technological overload. Drive, acceleration and handling: If you can find a premium luxury sedan with better ride and handling, buy it. Acceleration? It's fast enough to get you into trouble quickly, especially in Virginia, which has significantly increased fines and other penalties for speeding and reckless driving. Head-turning quotient: Powerful, rich, decisive, edgy, which means it has little appeal for people who desire something more poetic, romantic or sensual. Body style/layout: The 2008 BMW 535xi is a... |
| #9 |
2008 BMW 535 Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...LED turn signals are new to the front and rear of the 5 Series and feature clear glass housings instead of amber-colored capsules. 550i models have an optional Aero Package that looks almost as aggressive as the high-performance M5's exterior. A gaping front air dam, bulging side skirts and a sporty rear bumper push the 550i's looks as far as they can go before entering M5 territory (and price). Interior A new MP3 adaptor allows drivers to control their player using steering-wheel controls. Under the Hood The 528i's revised inline-six-cylinder engine produces 230 hp, up from 215. The 550i... |
BMW 5-Series Related News
BMW Announces M Performance Bits For 3 And 5 Series Sedans
In years past, upgrading a car for better performance usually meant going to the aftermarket for lighter wheels, bigger brakes, enhanced aerodynamics and additional... May 4, 2012 by Kurt Ernst
BMW Launches M Performance Parts For The 1, 3, And 5-Series
In addition to the new M Performance vehicles being unveiled next month at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, BMW will also be launching a new range of M Performance Parts. Similar... February 17, 2012 by Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1
2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Priced From $61,845
The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 made its debut last fall, and since then we've been waiting to learn what the 5.7-second to 60 mph luxury hybrid sedan would cost. Now we know... January 27, 2012 by Nelson Ireson
2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Priced From $61,845
Though we pretty much already know everything there is to know about the 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5, the eco-friendly sedan has finally made its U.S. debut with an appearance... January 9, 2012 by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
BMW Supplying 4,000 VIP Cars For London Olympics
If you’ve ever visited London, England, you’ve likely come to the realization that driving is perhaps the worst way to get around the city. Thanks to... January 3, 2012 by Kurt Ernst
Why should I also consider these?
The 2008 BMW 5-Series's chief competitor, the E-Class, has more of an emphasis on comfort than the 5, with a roomier-feeling interior and a softer ride.
The A6 also feels a bit more spacious and comfort-oriented, but its performance--especially from the available 4.2-liter V-8--doesn't come close to matching that of the 550i's 4.8-liter V-8.
None of the competition offers a manual transmission either.
The Cadillac STS brings plenty of high-tech options and respectable performance, but it doesn't have the prestige of the 5-Series.
There's also the Infiniti M35 and M45, which bring brisk performance and some rival high-tech features such as a lane-departure system, but their cabins aren't as quiet and refined as those of the 5-Series models.
