BMW 535xi, 2008

After many years of simply not understanding why people so doted on the BMW 5 series, I finally decided to get one to see what all the hoopla was all about.

To be sensible while wanting power, I chose to acquire the 2008 535xi. The xi option was not particularly important to me, living in San Francisco. However I did want to try out the much written about 3.5 liter twin turbo BMW engine.

The car had to be, of course, highly loaded and in like brand condition and this one fit the bill just fine.

When I first drove the car, it felt a bit awkward as I was used to either much bigger cars like the Mercedes S class or smaller sports cars. Even the Mercedes E class felt much bigger.

The seats were rather stiff and extensive technology a bit daunting at first, the gear lever felt weird and the active steering a little jittery.

I also like to be able to turn the radio & climate control completely on / off. Rather hard to do that with the BMW.

However, once I got the car into DRIVE, stepped on the accelerator--gently--it just felt right. The more I drove the car the more it seemed effortless and very solid.

It continued to impress a Mercedes lover like me more and more. This engine is simply a marvel to drive as the power just pours out.

The size, engine, suspension are all superbly crafted to work together creating a very exciting yet safe and enjoyable performance sedan. Sports cars eat your hearts out.

Also at first I thought the car was rather small. Later when my whole family-wife, two grown kids were in the car we were all very comfortable. The BMW engineers have really crafted this car beautifully.

At some point later, I also realized how quiet it was.

The next day when we all checked out of our hotel and packed the car--two full suitcases fit so perfectly in the trunk, it seemed the trunk had been designed specifically for our cases.

Once on the highway, everything about the performance and comfort of the car came into full clarity and I was yet another convert to the msytique of the BMW 5 sedan. Even got 24 mpg!!!!

For a small portion of the drive, we drove thru mountain roads with some nice twists/turns. Here I got to appreciate the rock solid confidence inspired by the XI-all wheel drive system.

Now having driven it for a couple of weeks and finally learnt to use the idrive, bluetooth, programmed the radio stations and gotten used to not being able to turn off the radio and climate control system, I can honestly say this is a magnificent car perfectly suited to our American roads and current cost of gas!

Of course, the overall fit and finish are as good as any other premier luxury car and the quality of the materials leaves nothing to be desired. The original dealer installed after market tint on all windows giving those inside a very private feeling while keeping the interior very cool.

The only compliant I have is that temp. scale on the temperature control knob does not seem to match the system's output. On most cars I leave the setting at 72 and the cabin stays very comfortable. In this car, I have to keep it at about 68 to get the same level of comfort. As the dial is anlog -no digital readout, I can only assume the dial is off. Of course, this is just nitpicking.

This car is an excellent daily driver.

Given our roads, current state of the economy, this may be the perfect family sedan. It combines so many elements---comfortable seating for 4 to 5, generous trunk space, excellent performance at 300hp, BMW fit / finish, superb engineering, one of the highest resale values, state of the art safety and all wheel drive for best possible handling and verstality--lastly, higher than expected gas mileage at mid 20's on the highway.