Best Reviewed
Sports Sedans
- Best sports sedan overall 2011 BMW 3 Series sedan *Est. $34600
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- Luxury sports sedan 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan *Est. $49400
- High-performance sedan 2011 BMW M3 Sedan *Est. $55900
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- Performance and handling
- Wide range of sophisticated powertrains
- Available manual transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD)
- High price
- Complicated iDrive user interface
- Stiff ride on bumpy pavement
- Average crash-test results
Reviewers have great respect for the BMW 5 Series and acknowledge that it is a formidable sports sedan. The 5 Series carries a long list of negatives, however, starting with its premium price. Most reviewers also dislike BMW's complicated iDrive cabin control system, and are not impressed with the average scores the 5 Series earned in a government frontal crash test and an Insurance Institute side-impact test. Consensus indicates that the "Best Buy" in the 5 Series is the 300-horsepower BMW 535i (*est. $44,600) with a twin-turbo inline six-cylinder. The 535i reportedly provides nearly as much performance as the heavier 360-horsepower V-8-powered BMW 550i (*est. $58,500, but at a much lower price and with better fuel economy. Reviewers prefer the 2009 Jaguar XF (*est. $49,200 to $63,700), which performs better and is lower-priced than the BMW 550i in two prominent comparisons. In addition to the Jaguar, the Audi A6 (*est. $42,950 to $72,350) and other rivals offer warm, well-designed interiors that make the 5 Series' cabin look cold and bland, critics say. The Mercedes E-Class (*est. $51,200 to $85,300) and the Infiniti M (*est. $43,900 to $52,750) are also comparable alternatives.
Comparisons of four similarly equipped sports sedans conducted by Edmunds.com and Motor Trend are highly informative. Edmunds.com also has a detailed full road test of the BMW 535i.Car and Driver test-drives each of the new BMW 5 Series models and gives opinions on strengths and weaknesses. Kelley Blue Book includes the 5 Series on its list of "recommended" cars, while CNet.com provides a good report on BMW's user interface, iDrive.
Our Sources
1. Edmunds.com
Edmunds.com tries out four top European V-8-powered sports sedans: the BMW 550i, the Jaguar XF Supercharged, the Audi A6 4.2 and the Mercedes E550. The top-rated car is the Jaguar, which clearly beats the second-place BMW. Editor Ed Hellwig criticizes the BMW's "stiff-legged" ride over rough roads and pinpoints other areas in need of improvement.
Review: Comparison Test: 2008 V-8 Luxury Sport Sedans, Ed Hellwig, May 11, 2008
2. Motor TrendDetails/Subscribe
Four luxury sports sedans go toe-to-toe: the Jaguar XF Supercharged, the Lexus GS 460, the Mercedes E550 and the BMW 550i. The BMW places third behind the Mercedes and the first-place Jaguar. While the BMW is said to be "exceptionally fun,"" writer Ron Kiino criticizes the car's ride, its interior and its engine, which falls short of the competition.
Review: Private Reserve Cabs: Luxury Sport Sedan Comparison, Ron Kiino, Nov. 13, 2007
3. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Editors of Consumer Reports conduct a road-test review of a 2008 BMW 535i. Data on historical reliability based on owner surveys is also included.
Review: 2008 BMW 5 Series Review, Editors of Consumer Reports
4. Edmunds.com
Chief road test editor Chris Walton explains that the BMW 535i features the new-for-2008 twin-turbo six-cylinder, which it shares with the BMW 335i. This engine is reported to be the best for the 5 Series based on zero to 60 mph acceleration times that are almost match the V-8-powered 550i.
Review: 2008 BMW 5 Series Road Test Review, Chris Walton, June 1, 2007
5. Car and DriverDetails/Subscribe
Car and Driver editors test-drive various 2008 BMW 5 Series models and offer solid technical information and driving impressions. The twin-turbo six-cylinder is named the "Best Buy" for its strong power, good fuel economy and its price, which is lower than the heavier V-8 550i.
Review: 2008 BMW 5 Series -- First Drive Review, Jared Gall, May 2007
Kelley Blue Book editors list the BMW 5 Series as one of their "recommended" models and say it is "the most technologically advanced entry" in its class. Negatives include the iDrive interface and the car's price, which is high compared to notable competitors.
Review: 2008 BMW 550 4-door 550i Sedan Review, Editors of Kelley Blue Book
7. CNET
CNet.com writer Wayne Cunningham gives his general impressions of the BMW 535i and describes its technology features. Cunningham claims the 535i's navigation system with live traffic information is "the best we've ever seen in a car." The iDrive interface, however, is quoted as being "not a favorite."
Review: 2008 BMW 535i, Wayne Cunningham, Aug. 3, 2007
This review is a short, descriptive write-up based on other published reviews as well as time the editors spent behind the wheel of a BMW 535xi wagon. The review, which pertains to all 5 Series models, points out BMW's below-average crash-test results. A separate review covers the BMW M5 sedan.
Review: 2008 BMW 5-Series Review, Bengt Halvorson
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