Test drive BMW 5 Episode E39 1995 - 2000 sedan

Universal Soldier

He stood to hardships, practical and liked us more than the sedan - this BMW 525xi Touring
 
At the end of the last century (it sounds murderously, although it was recently) one of the authors of this material drove a good thousand miles in southern Germany and Austria in the BMW of the 5th series, in the 39th body. He pinched himself then, because the station wagon seemed to him more quiet and comfortable in comparison with the sedan. And he wrote off this feeling on the specific properties of specific machines. Now, rolling on the sedan and the station wagon of the 5th series of the latest generation, we refuse to pinch ourselves, because we came to the other way together. They agree, sensations can be deceptive, history knew many cases of mass errors. But, perhaps, in our conclusion it makes sense? Therefore, for example, in Europe, universals are mainly bought by travel lovers, and many automakers intend to make cars with this type of body, say, more adapted for family warriors. So or not, and the all -wheel drive Bavarian station wagon literally conquered us.
 
Harmonious functionality
 
The BMW of the 5th series managed to become silent so much, at least on the capital's streets that we will save ourselves from the need to describe the appearance of the car. But we specially note that Touring, in our opinion, looks no less pleasant than the sedan. And no less sports - just look at the sloping line of the roof and a fairly elegant stern. He is solid, harmonious, and at a solemn reception in the country club will not look like a collective farmer, but a franch.
 
It is especially pleasant that you can not only see this harmony, but also feel. With the whole body, it is worth sitting in the driver's seat. L sheathered in the skin and endowed with electric adjustments, including the one that changes the angle of inclination of the back in the shoulder area, this seat has a long trip, like a good aperitif to an exquisite snack. Of course, the length of the pillow can be adjusted using the same servo drive, and the steering column - in height and departure. Yes, and the steering wheel is equipped with heated, which was immediately appreciated on frosty days. Agree, it’s nice to take on a warm rim, and sitting in a warm chair - 3 -speed heating works so efficiently that you are a little distracted, and you already feel like in a pan.
 
And the climate control system in the universal of the 5th series deserves a high rating. What temperature you will put up, you will receive this - we are talking about this because there are more and more cars on the market in which the scale of Mr. Celsius is very freely interpreted. Above the system’s block is the on -board computer monitor, under the right hand, behind the hilt of the automatic transmission selector - the round of the Idrive system. So nothing prevents the car for itself. So that, for example, door locks are closed, barely touched, or so that the headlights shine for another 30-40 seconds after you leave the car. You can also order music - an audio system in a station wagon, by the way, is very good. It sounds at the level, and the buttons on the steering wheel allow you to control it without being distracted from the road. A mount for a mobile phone was found in the armrest, and the on -board computer has a Bluetooth function so that you can connect a cell of any model.
 
It is impossible not to note the scope in the rear seats, which are also equipped with heating. The most comfortable here will be together, although the third person can fit without loss for health. Moreover, the windows of the rear doors are equipped with sunscreen nets. It is noteworthy that the car that we went to the test had a huge panoramic hatch in the roof, extending both over the front and the rear seats. Without romance, the distant path is boring
 
Finally, a roomy luggage compartment. To mark a small luggage in it, it is not at all necessary to open the fifth door - just raise the glass. Moreover, when you press the button, the curtain of the compartment itself will rise up, opening access to the 500-liter cave. The volume of the compartment, of course, can be increased to 1650 liters, just folding the rear seats. And it is not difficult to fix the luggage, a special mesh is included and is attached to the appropriate eye.
 
Full rear -wheel drive
 
For the first time, we happened to get acquainted with the new all-wheel drive transmission of the BMW on the sedan of the 3rd series. Then Xdrive left ambiguous impressions. I especially did not like the tendency to demolish the front axle at the entrance to the turn. Frankly, we expected something like that from the five. And mistaken!
 
Technologically, this is all the same XDRive, which is based on a multi -disc cykte with electronic control. Under normal conditions of movement of 100% torque, it is fed, the front is connected only if necessary, what the computer is watching. When starting from the place of the coupling, it is blocked preventively to provide the car with the best accelerating dynamics. In the movement of the coupling all the time, it changes the degree of blocking in accordance with the program that takes into account the speed of the car, side loads, the angle of rotation of the steering wheel and the operating mode of the stabilization system. Thus, XDRive not only helps to realize the traction capabilities of the engine, but also actively affects controllability.
 
But the fact is that the system is tuned in such a way that the gambling rear -wheel drive character of the car is always felt. Unlike a three -year -old, it does not make up the body of this car to the turn of labor. He threw off the gas before the bend, turned the steering wheel, pressed the accelerator, and the five would like a cute to the turn. Moreover, if the speed is high, the BMW will begin to slide with the rear wheels, demonstrating excessive rotation. One but - the skid develops rapidly, but if you act correctly, then the turns can be held in beautiful controlled slides. Because - this is especially pleasant - in this case, the system of connected all -wheel drive is logical and works almost imperceptibly. The main thing is quite predictable. 525xi behaves, in essence, as an ordinary rear -wheel drive car. He has one answer to all one answer - to the discharge of gas and adding - sliding of the rear wheels. The connected front -wheel drive just helps you when required. And, by the way, gives additional opportunities and new sensations. But they will be upset that the front -line rowing is not as actively as we would like. You know this, and you don’t expect any gifts, and therefore immediately develop simple rules of action in one case or another. In extreme cases, an electronic stabilization system will come to the rescue, which will selectively brake one or more wheels selectively so that the body follow in the direction where the steering wheel is turned. Moreover, the DSC allows some liberties, not spoiling the driver mood at the wheel.
 
At the same time, after several days driving a car, and we were convinced not only to the excellent settings of an all -wheel drive transmission in the snow storm that raged in Moscow, but also that the station wagon is still more comfortable than the sedan. This is expressed, first of all, in sound insulation. The power unit inside is practically not heard. Its bass and pleasant roar begins to penetrate the salon only after 4500 rpm, until this moment, silence. As well as the noise of the tires and the sound of pendants is not heard, which makes trips - both in the city and in long distances - with the most pleasant matter. After all, the capacities of a 2.5-liter gasoline power unit are enough for the steppe movement and for gambling. All 218 hp Always, almost on any coating, they are fully implemented, without slippers. A very quick automatic transmission also contributes to this, which, not only has sports and manual modes, also quickly adapts to the requirements of a particular driver. A couple of times you will quickly accelerate, and the computer will understand what they demand from it, and he will switch to a sports algorithm of work. To match the dynamics and brakes - tenacious mechanisms and a transparent pedal inspire confidence, and transparent steering (good, without Active Steering) allows you to literally feel the car with an interior.
 
And in conclusion, let's say a few words about the suspensions of the car. They are more configured in a sports way, which is why the rolls of the body in turns are minimal. However, at the same time, they strikingly provide a more than decent level of comfort, pit and irregularities do not particularly bother. We are not afraid to say that today these settings are presented, in our opinion, the best.
 
Restraining factor
 
In fact, there may be one thing to complaint to the car - the price. BMW 525xi Touring in the basic, although rather rich configuration, is offered at a price of 63,500 euros. A full-wheel drive modification with a 3.0-liter engine will cost 74 800. However, the heart is on the heart, say that the competitor has one-Mercedes-Benz E-class 4MATIC. And it is not cheaper.
 
Text: Andrey Osipov

Brief technical characteristics BMW 525xi Touring
Engine volume, cubic meter. See 2497
The number of valves per cylinder 4
Power, l. With. at about./min. 218/6500
Max. Torque, NM at about./Min. 250/2750 4250
Acceleration to 100 km/h, p. 8.5
Maximum speed, km/h 232
The average fuel consumption l./100 km. 9.9
The volume of the fuel tank, l. 70
Car mass, kg. 1760
Dimensions, mm. 4843x1846x1491

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 22 (111), 2006]