2008 BMW 5 Series

The 360-horsepower BMW 550i V-8 virtually defines the words "sports sedan.'' You can get an over-the-top M5 V-8 model with 500 horsepower in the 5-Series line, but it's a limited production car for hard-core auto buffs that lists at $82,900. BMW began offering sports sedans in America decades ago, when it took a more lively approach to building cars than archrival Mercedes-Benz. The compact two-door BMW 2002 opened up the market for affordable sporty foreign four-seaters in the early 1970s. And the larger 1975 530i sedan led the market for mid-size sporty sedans. BMW has never been without a sporty 5-Series sedan, and the 550i is a solid example, although Mercedes, Infiniti and Lexus have become formidable rivals. The 2008 5-Series line has minor styling changes and revised interiors. It offers a variety of improved models with more powerful six-cylinder engines. They start with the $44,300 528i and include the $54,000 all-wheel-drive 535xi all-wheel drive station wagon. But, aside from the M5, the 550i sedan is the most formidable 5-Series model. My beautifully built 550i test car had a $4,600 Sport Package, which contains a sport suspension, special front seats that provide unusually good support, an Active Roll Stabilization system that allows first-class handling without compromising ride comfort, sport steering wheel and dual exhaust outlets. That package also contains enormous 19-inch staggered-width wheels with huge performance tires and a body kit that gives the 550i the racier appearance of the M5. With its V-8 generating 360 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque, it's hard to imagine why anyone would want to spend the extra money for the M5, but some people just have to own the highest horsepower model. Give the 550i the Sport Package and it almost resembles the very aggressive looking M5. The 550i has a smooth, ultrasophisticated 4.8-liter V-8, with dual overhead camshafts, two-stage induction system and such esoteric items as "Valvetronic'' variable intake-valve lift and steplessly variable intake and exhaust-valve timing. Some gearheads might be stumped by complicated features of this engine, but the bottom line is that it provides a seemingly endless flow of power and torque. The 0-60 mph run only takes 5 seconds, and the car reportedly hits 100 mph from a standing start in 12.1 seconds. Those figures indicate that fast merging onto expressways and quick passes on highways are no-sweat maneuvers. And the engine is so flexible that one can easily drive as low as 30 mph in the manual transmission's sixth gear. The V-8 works with either a six-speed automatic transmission (not offered for the M5) or the six-speed manual gearbox that was in my test car. The manual transmission shift lever generally works well, but can get balky if rushed. And the 550i has BMW's typical long-throw clutch that calls for rather high effort to depress. A downshift to fourth gear provides the best comfortable passing time. The 550i seems rather large for a mid-size sedan, but all such sedans seem to be getting bigger these days. It weighs approximately 4,000 pounds, partly because it's loaded with comfort, convenience and safety equipment. Estimated fuel economy is 15 mpg in the city and 22 on highways with the manual transmission and 15 and 23 with the automatic. But then, this is no economy car. At $58,500, the 550i is hardly inexpensive. And there's an imposing list of costly, desirable options, such as the $4,600 Sport Package, that can cause the base price to escalate. Among extras are a $1,400 active steering system that helps low-speed maneuverability, $2,400 active cruise control that helps prevent the car from hitting a vehicle ahead of it, $1,900 navigation system and $2,200 night vision system that significantly enhances night vision. My test car had a bunch of options that caused its bottom line price to total $69,045, although I could have easily done without some of the extras. My test 550i had fast, accurate steering and stable handling, with little body lean when whipping around curves. The ride was on the firm side with the Sport Package, but always supple enough to be comfortable. With a sport suspension and superwide 35-series tires in front and even wider 30-series tires in back, I expected rough roads to upset the car a bit, although they didn't. However, such tires have a drawback because they have little sidewall area to protect the super-expensive wheels from damage when pulling up to curbs. The brakes are exceptionally powerful, stopping the 550i as if it were a smaller sports car. I wouldn't be wary of driving this car on steep mountain roads. There is plenty of room in the quiet, upscale interior for four tall adults. Even the standard front seats provide good support during spirited driving. Large outside door handles make it easy to enter and large inside handles are slightly angled to make them easier to grip -- a thoughtful touch. Gauges can be quickly read, although BMW's iDrive system still seems needlessly complicated; it uses a console knob to control climate, entertainment, navigation and communication functions. However, to make things easier, iDrive has added six programmable memory buttons that can be used for anything from radio station presets to navigation destinations or auto-dial telephone numbers. Faults include power window controls set too far forward on the driver's door, easily causing a driver to open a rear window instead of a front one. There's little interior storage space, and BMW's traditional old-style fuel economy dashboard gauge is a distraction with its constantly swinging needle. Pop-out cupholders in the rear armrest are handy, but one wonders how long the plastic hinges for their cover will last. The trunk is long and deep, with a low wide opening. Its manual hinges have covers to prevent crushing cargo. Costly options and iDrive diminish the 550i's appeal, but it's still exceptional in most respects. 2008 BMW 550i PRICE: $58,500. LIKES: Very fast. Superb steering, handling and braking. High quality. DISLIKES: Costly accessories. Long clutch throw. Confusing iDrive system. Window control location.