Test drive BMW 5 series E60 2003 - 2007 sedan

Again on "five"

The rafting of outstanding qualities allowed the BMW 5th series to become a favorite of the Bavarian brand fans. The new five deserves an excellent assessment to an even greater extent.
 
I do not want reproaches in excessive sentimentality, and yet sad: the current BMW of the 5th series leaves the stage - a really good, balanced car. However, the new Bavarian five (by the way, this is the fifth generation of the model) in many ways more perfect, which the author of these lines was convinced in full.
 
The presentation of the car was arranged on Sardinia - the Italian island, repentant of plague mountain serpentines, so the conditions of acquaintance with the novelty turned out to be extremely tough.
 
Before plunging into a sea of \u200b\u200bsled sensations, consider the design of the car. What were guided by BMW stylists, creating this indignant, familiar five -year chastity image? Obviously, their views at the design stage were directed into the future. After all, no matter how good the old appearance of the model is, he faded and bored.
 
The style of the new machine is a promising branded modern, a kind of symbiosis of BMW sports of the third series and the respectability of the flagship seventh. You need to get used to this design, realize it. It’s not easy to assess the portrait with a condachka. In addition, a living car is perceived differently (better!) Than with an absentee photographic acquaintance.
 
The salon of the new machine is completely rethought. The front panel is decorated in the seven -spirit. Classic elements (for example, the central console) are not forgotten, emphasizing the dynamic character of the car in their appearance. The finish can be beige, gray, brown and black. As for the upholstery, the basic configuration offers structured fabric, and optionally - its combination with skin or clean skin.
 
The salon has become significantly more spacious. The increased (62 mm) base, 48 mm and a 40 mm increase in growth are affected. At the same time, the length of the car increased by only 66 mm, which made it possible to maintain relative external compactness. The most noticeable changes in the back seat are the epicenter of criticism of the predecessor. Now here you can freely put your legs, straighten your shoulders and raise your head high. Even three passengers will be able to avoid territorial disagreements.
 
The trunk added in the amount of 60 liters. If, instead of ordinary, basic tires, use the self -supporting ones (more on this later), then due to the absence of a spurt of the cargo compartment, it will increase by another 35 liters - from 520 to 555. At the same time, the frame design of the back of the rear seat made it possible to make a folding hatch of the subsidiary for transportation for transportation long -meters.
 
Equipping the fifth series with all kinds of amenities and safety means reached a level at which it is unnecessary to mention such banal things as an electric package or audio system, ABS, parking sensors or many air pillows. A mass of additional benefits is already available in the basic configuration. These include, for example, a climatic installation with layer -laying temperature control, a multifunction steering wheel with music control buttons, phone and information display, front seats with electric drives and much more.
 
The number of optional devices is almost limitless. Among the most interesting are a projection display, which came to the automotive industry from aviation. With its help, the data of the speedometer, navigator, the autodiagnostics system of malfunctions and active cruise control are displayed directly to the windshield (it, unlike ordinary, not only supports the given pace, but also monitors compliance with a safe distance). The virtual picture on the glass is created in the area of \u200b\u200bthe hood and does not lose brightness either during the rain or in the sun. We only note that if the driver puts on glasses with polarized glasses, the picture may disappear.
 
Among the optional raisins are athermic glass reflecting the infrared light, with the help of which the temperature of the heating of the car standing in the sun drops without energy costs. By the way, glazing can have a polycarbonate layer and in this case withstands the blows of a hammer or ax. The already mentioned active cruise control and the adaptation system of any mobile phone that supports Bluetooth (Nokia 6310, Siemens S55, Ericsson T39) is interesting to the car communication network is set to introduce a four-digit code during the first registration, after which the telephone can be controlled directly From the steering wheel.
 
The list of options includes bixenon headlights, two of which monitor the angle of rotation of the wheels, and the front seats are breathtaking in the number of electric regulations. In addition to the usual settings, you can put forward the front of the seat under the knees, adjust the height of the headrest and the lumbar back, tilt the upper back to the desired angle. Massage of the flowing spinal muscles and ventilation are provided.
 
The driver's seat of the new five gives a feeling of bliss. I just have to configure for a long time: I want to use all the reserves of adjustments. It is necessary to do this only once: the chair has the memory of three provisions.
 
About the habit of putting the left hand on the edge of the window will have to forget: high. But on the door armrest, the hand lies like a glove. And the right rests on the central armrest, which, incidentally, moves in the longitudinal direction. Here, next to the KP lever and handbrake, there is a controller of the branded system of comfort and Idrive service. Compared to seven Idrive, this one is easier and clearer. On the central display (monochrome in the standard, color optionally), a four -zone menu is displayed - communications, navigator, music, climate. Depending on the configuration, the penetration depth in the menu increases.
 
The layout of a well -read dashboard, as well as competently dispersed around the steering wheel of governing bodies, is no question. It remains to press the gas.
 
The 530i sedan, equipped with a three-liter in-line six with a Bi-Vanos system, smoothly regulates the gas distribution phase, is capable of dynamic driving. Less than 7 seconds to hundreds and 250 km/h maximum speed (artificially limited) is an excellent result for one and a half -ton car. It is quite tangible, but by no means an explosive pickup begins in the region of 3000 min-1 and after about 5000 min-1 smoothly decline. In practice, this is expressed by confident, assault.
 
Five disposition with a new 6-cylinder 3-liter diesel engine equipped with a second-generation sommon Rail in injection, is somewhat different. (Instead of squeezing the same fuel volume to high pressure, Common Rail regulates it: only the amount that needs the engine at the moment.) BMW 530D is almost as much as possible (7.1 C to 100 km/h/h/h/h to 100 km/h/h/h to 100 km/h/h ) and fast (245 km/h maximum speed), but more than 530i impulsive. Perhaps this is due to the gigantic torque of the engine - 500 nm at 2000 min -1. And one more thing: the diesel version is much more economical. Due to the rapid warm -up of the glow of incandescent (only the tip of the electrode is heated to the maximum), the 530D motor instantly starts when, overboard above +5 C. And when on the street, for example, -20, the pre -trial period is 2 seconds.
 
530d is as acoustic comfort as 530i. During a ride at a speed of about 140 km/h in the cabin of both modifications, only the rustle of tires is heard.
 
New six -speed KP (in the standard - manual) are ideally consistent with the engines, allowing you to fully realize their potential. The gear ratio corresponds to a specific option for the motor.
 
In gasoline versions, the sixth gear - increasing and serves to obtain maximum economy. And 530d at the sixth reaches the maximum speed - here in the foreground is the improvement of running qualities.
 
Tandem KP - the engine is optimally agreed. So, 530i in second gear is able to accelerate to 115 km/h.
 
On mountain serpentines, a long third gear turned out to be more in demand. In conditions of endless turns, rise and descents, the new five opened in all its glory. Demonstrating complete obedience to the steering wheel, the car provoked to go much faster than common sense recommended. And - no undesirable consequences (even a hint of them), except for one: it was worth it, having left the steering wheel, to take the passenger’s place as your humble servant, not inclined to seas, began to stir up - the vestibular apparatus was not ready for overloads, when Which the car remained absolutely calm.
 
Such behavior of the machine is due to several reasons. The first is the perfect weight: gasoline versions for each wheel account for 25% of weight, and 530d, due to a heavier engine, is distributed along the axes in relation to 52/48. This was achieved, applying light alloys: the entire front of the five, up to the windshield, from aluminum (75 kg Down). To the steel monocu body, the front line is glued and glued, which guarantees the reliability of the connection and galvanic neutrality.
 
A pendant and even a cardan shaft are made from aluminum. Half -shafts - hollow. This was not just dropped by a kilogram of weight with each, but also reduced the unsubstantiated masses, contributing to the comfort of movement.
 
The five owes its magnificent driving qualities to increase the tracks of the front and rear wheels (by 46 and 56 mm), an increased wheelbase.
 
One of the main roles in the impeccable behavior of the sedan on the road is the suspension. At the same time, you can’t call it unnecessarily stiff. All the unevenness that came across in the path (although not comparable to Russian) dissolved in the bowels of the chassis, transmitting only an echo of their influence to the body. Such soft stiffness of the chassis of the business class sedan is quite justified. By the way, a clamped sports suspension is offered as an option.
 
Dynamic Drive helps to make a car more obedient - a system of counteracting the rolls. Active transverse stability stabilizers transform hydraulic pressure into a stabilizing moment, reducing the trend of the body to the roll even with active driving.
 
The five is equipped with a system of dynamic control of the exchange rate stability (DSC) and smart tracshn control (DTC). The first counterattles skidding by braking of individual wheels, the second regulates the traction, allowing, when necessary, a planned slip.
 
The ease with which the car passes by slalom is the result of the use of active steering. This design, which includes an electric motor and a system of gears built into a divided steering shaft, allows you to change the gear ratio of the steering mechanism. At low speeds, you have to twist the steering wheel much less - it becomes sharp, like that of the map (from the emphasis to the stop - not three, as usual, but two revolutions). Such a good cannot be appreciated in slow hairpins, where, as a rule, you do not have to tear off your hands from the helm for interception. With acceleration, the steering wheel on the contrary is village.
 
Active steering, which has a constant mechanical connection between the steering wheel and wheels, guarantees the possibility of managing even when the driver’s assistance is refused. Working in conjunction with DSC, it helps to stabilize the position of the car on the road. After trying two cars - with ordinary and active steering - you can see how significant the difference is. It is only a pity that in the second case there is no clear zero.
 
Five brakes are super in all respects: by grasping, effort, information of the pedal.
 
On a winding highway, an alarming thought sometimes slips about what will happen if the wheel bursts in the next turn. But in this case, the five has an answer - the mentioned self -winging tires that are not afraid of punctures. Thanks to reinforced sidewalls, tires even with a complete leakage of air allow you to drive 150 km at a speed of up to 80 km/h. Moreover, thanks to the specific rim profile, the tire of the tire sits on it without a hint of jumping.
 
Sales of the new five in Russia will begin in July. In addition to 530i and 530D, a two -liter 520i will be delivered. Estimated price - $ 50 thousand, which is quite adequate for a car, which is again made by five.
 
Technical characteristics of the BMW 5-Series 530i O BMW 5-Series 530d
 
The body is a sedan
Number of places, people. - 5
Equipped mass, kg - 1570 (1580)* O 1670 (1685)
Full mass, kg - 2055 (2065) O 2155 (2170)
Dimensions (length/width/height/base), mm - 4841/1846/1468/2888
Trunk volume, l - 520/550
Maximum speed, km/h - 250 (245) O 245 (243)
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, s - 6.9 (7.1) o 7.1 (7.3)
Control consumption of fuel, l/100 km:
- City cycle - 14.1 (14.2) O 9.5 (10.6)
- suburb - 7 (7.5) o 5.5 (6.3)
- mixed - 9.5 (9.9) O 6.9 (7.8)
The volume of the fuel tank, l - 70
Engine:
- Type - in order, 6 -cylinder, gasoline diesel
- working volume, cm3 - 2979 o 2993
- Power, L.S. at MIN -1 - 231/5900 O 218/4000
- torque, NM at min -1 - 300/3500 O 500/2000
Transmission-6-speed, mechanical, rear-wheel drive (6-speed, automatic)
Tire size - 225/55R16
Wheel suspension - independent, spring
Wheel track (front/back), mm - 1558/1582
Brakes - disk, ventilated
Steering - rack type, with an amplifier
Price (for a car with benz. Dvig. 2.0), $ - from 47000
* - In brackets, data for a car with an automatic gearbox is given.
 
Text: Igor Kuznetsov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel