Test Drive BMW 5 Series E60 2003 - 2007 Sedan

Another dimension

The Black Sedan BMW in the body of the E60 - the echo of the designer revolution of Chris Bangla - has long been not uncommon in the Moscow streets. We see them with a gaze, no feelings were made - in any case, when there are no nameplates, indicating how serious one or another is the instance. Another thing, if a combination of figures 545 bang on the trunk lid! This is the last step in the branded model hierarchy in front of the M5 Monster, the machine with a technical filling, similar to the 645ci coupe. This obliges such.

 
Inside - black plastic, black leather, finishing with a dark tree. Gloomy, but how many solidity! In this performance, the interior of the five looks even more expensive than the bright cheerful salon 645ci. On the windshield at the bottom of the speedometer and information messages of the on-board computer are projected. Compared with the 6th series inside, much more spacious, and the front chairs are much better.

 
About the seats are worth talking separately. They look very respectable - thin perforated leather, an excellent profile. And fit! These chairs have no mechanical adjustment - solid electric drives. The pillow is equipped with a retractable roller for the support of the legs, the back is bent in the adjustment zone to the passenger's shovels, which makes its area fully useful - like a good racing bucket! The head restraint is put forward by the electric motor (there is support for the neck), and when you start the engine, a powerful and tight side support grows from the bowels of the back. To the flight is ready! For a few days, testing never appeared and a hint of fatigue. Therefore, the built-in massage was involved from purely cognitive considerations. I know, we recommend. In general, cool chairs are the best of all in which the serial cars happened.

 
Rear is quite spacious, if you sit together; Places for legs - with a margin. The 545i index suggests a regular presence on the second row of important persons who do not feed bread - give anything to the outside of the world, somehow with curtains. Shutters are mechanical for door windows and one large electrical for rear window. There is heated seats. In general, the packaging of the car is the most rich as possible.
 
4.5-liter eight-cylinder engine is a good test for the chassis of any car. And it is with this motor that demonstrates the entire potential designed in it. No, we have not forgotten about the existence of M5, but it will be incorrect here as a reference, since it is a product of deep factory tuning.

 
Like any other modern BMW model, 545th has perfect weighing on the axes and is equipped with active assistance systems to the driver Active Steering and Dynamic Drive (active steering wheel and no less active hydraulic racks of transverse stability stabilizers, leveling rolls). The steering wheel with a variable gear ratio is very sharp - interceptions are not required even when turning turns in more than 90 degrees. The straight system relaxes a bit, and even 260 km / h at speedometer) in the behavior of the car there is no nervousness - a clear zero, and the black sedan confidently flies forward. Even in the case of emergency braking, the car is practically not knocked down from the course. In turns, advanced stabilizers report the work of the magnificent steering system. Additional clarity.

 
Shock absorbers are ordinary - without fashionable currently active additions, so I want to postpone the company's engineers and testers once again that picked up so successful damping characteristics. Of course, our roads are not sugar for the original German suspension, not adapted for Russian conditions. Sometimes it works hard hard, occasionally samples happen, the suspension do not like pointed hatches and gaping holes in the roadbed, but in general the chassis is very chain and definitely sportily oriented - allowing you to do very much and very much. At the same time, it is not necessary to forget that the possibilities of this car are poorly correlated with the average driver's skills. Her amazing submission relaxes, the speed may seem much less than it really is. Yes, we got at the direct plot of a multibose highway up to 260 km / h, but I do not apply for the title of great riders. Such a trick on the 545th will be able to perform any more or less prepared person - due to its properties and characteristics.

 
For lovers, give a fans in turn. It is possible to fully disable the DTC stabilization system: you press the deactivation key and hold it in this position for a few seconds (if you simply click, the DTC will turn off halfway). But what is the drift in turn at speed, say, 80 km / h for the BMW 545 level car? Farcus, allowing you to get pleasant emotions from the understandable and predicted slip. Having found a common language with the same car, you can go through the same turn, only slightly flashes rubber, and at speeds under 130. It is amazing, but the fact is even on small for the 545th 17-inch winter tires, it seems to be glued to the road linen.

 
In the movement there is no routing on long gentle waves, no rolls and cables - monolith, racks immediately quench the body fluctuations. At the same time, the asphalt sprinkled with snow (we will not talk about ice coatings) I don't really like this car - the wheels are instantly broken into the slip, and it is necessary to dose the fuel supply very carefully, otherwise it is not to avoid a series of spectacular, but completely stupid turns around your axis. Careful with gas! Where are you, summer? Where is the heated roadbed and wide asphalt tires?

 
Tandem Engine - the gearbox has not disappointed again. The outdoor gas pedal cheerfully gives instructions to the engine, the six-speed automatic transmission is guessing your desires. If at 645ci we sometimes enjoy the manual gear mode, then the thoughts did not occur even for the sake of the experiment, all the necessary processes occur so clearly and in a timely manual. Traction and power is always enough and everywhere, and if it is suddenly a little - you need to go on the pedal, the box will throw a pair of gears, and you will leave the pursuers to another dimension. One disorder - fuel consumption. Quietly ride not very happening, and in the city you can easily burn Polbak, passing kilometers 150. The bonfire would be a big one!

 
The output suggests itself. BMW 545i is the most grooved, most interesting in management, the most balanced, stylish and dynamic sedan of the business class from everyone that is in the Russian market. If you do not agree, then ride in this car at least on the passenger seat. We are confident that after that we will get you to the allies.

 
Prices and equipment BMW 5-Series:

 
Five BMW - almost Russian car. The assembly in Kaliningrad allows the company to keep very attractive prices on the model 525i and 530i. Basic equipment involves 2.5 liter engine. The BMW 525i performed by Business with a mechanical checkpoint will cost the buyer at 44.900 euros, with automatic six-speed - in 46.900 euros. The package includes a leather interior, eight airbags, DSC and DTS systems, on-board computer, tire damage indicator, steering wheel heating, R16 alloy wheels with 225/55 tires, alarm with remote control, sunscreen electrical rear window curtain, color monitor (6 , 5 inches), headlight washers, bixenon light, automatic air conditioning. There is also a rain sensor, fog lights, front and rear power windows.

 
Step above - Version 525i Luxury for 53.900 euros, the list of standard equipment which, in particular, included side airbags for rear passengers, 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/50 rubber, transparent hatch, side curtains for rear passengers, front seats electrically regulating , heated the rear seats, the adaptive lighting system, cruise control, CD changer. 530i dynamic costs 61.900 euros. Dynamic Drive and Active Steering systems, sports leather steering wheel, 18-inch discs with 245/40 top and 275/35 tires, sports seats for the driver and front passenger. 530i Luxury pulls at 64.900 euros. This machine has 18-inch discs with a rubber increased 25/40, the Hi-Fi Prologic 7 audio system, a radio installation, a virtual monitor (information is displayed on the windshield). As for the sedan 545i, which visited the test, it is estimated at 84,500 euros, while going to Germany and comes to order. The list of configuration, in particular, includes a special leather finish of NASCA, the V8 engine with the Valvetronic system and velor mats - there are no Caliningrad machines.

 
Text: Leonty Tyteleev

 
 
 

A source: Motor magazine