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The 2008 BMW 5 Series was apparently produced several years ago, yet it still offers cool luxury even by today's standard.
The BMW 5 Series is one of the few cars with a perfect combination of comfort and fun. The vehicle is a luxurious midsize sedan that can give some sports cars a run for their money. You could see that BMW was ahead at the time because no other midsize sedan could offer such features.
The BMW 5 Series debuted in 2004, and since then, BMW has been improving the vehicle. Its most important update was in 2008, after the company added two new six-cylinder engines to the 5's lineup. The car also came with innovative technology, and BMW introduced several optional features for the 2008 5 Series.
The 2008 5 Series offered a lot of technology, but this also became a bit hectic for some drivers because some weren't working or were a bit faulty. But apart from having technical issues, the car is still one of the best luxury midsize sedans.
Let's find out more about the 2008 5 Series and why it's still a good luxury vehicle.
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The 5 Series is offered in sedan and wagon body styles. The sedan comes with different engines in three models: 528i, 535i, and 550i.
The BMW 5 Series had one of the most powerful engine lineups in 2008, although the model names didn't correspond with the engine displacement making the situation confusing. The 528i model came with a 3.0-liter inline-6 that produces 230 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. The 535i had a new twin-turbocharged, 3.0 liter inline-6 capable of creating 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. The third engine in the 550i was more potent than the rest, producing 360 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque.
All three engines have a standard six-speed manual; however, there's an optional six-speed automatic. According to BMW, the manual 550i can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, and the 528i can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds.
The 5 Series can easily maneuver twisting roads and avoid rough patches in expressways. BMW tuned the suspension, making it very capable in corners, and there's also an optional active steering system that improves the vehicle's driving feel.
BMW didn't change the 2008 5 Series interior; it looks similar to the 2007 model. However, there are a few changes like the window switches being relocated to the lower part of the driver's door, and the Steptronic automatic-transmission models have an electronic gear selector that resembles the one in the BMW X5 now resides on the center console.
The vehicle seats five passengers comfortably, and the heated M Sport front seats have a 16-way power adjustment for the driver. The car has a spacious cabin making it one of the most comfortable in 2008, with supportive seats and a roomy backseat that simplifies things. The headroom and legroom are good in the front, but the legroom can be tight for taller passengers.
For infotainment, there's the iDrive that comes with a mouse and an LCD screen control system. The system has six programmable memory buttons that control everything from a radio preset to a frequently traveled destination. The iDrive can be a bit slow, but it's user-friendly.
The 5 Series has high-quality materials, but its rivals offer more luxurious and friendly environments. The sedan has 14 cubic feet of trunk capacity, while the wagon has a 34-cubic-foot cargo when the rear seats are folded.
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The 5 Series has standard safety features like stability control, antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags, and front-and-rear side-curtain airbags. An optional lane departure system alerts the driver by vibrating the steering wheel if the car starts to go out of its lane. Additionally, a night vision system illuminates possible hazards from the normal headlight range.
The NHTSA awarded the BMW 5 Series a perfect five-star rating for side impact tests and passenger-side front impacts. However, the 2008 BMW 5 Series earned only three out of five possible stars for driver front-impact protection.
The six-cylinder models have a Brake Energy Regeneration system, which absorbs extra braking energy and redirects it to power the car's electrical system. Also, the automatic transmission models have Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go. This feature is similar to Mercedes-Benz's DISTRONIC PLUS; it maintains the vehicle's distance at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic.
Even though the 2008 5 Series offers alot of technology features, it's still one of the best BMWs ever made. When they debuted, the 528i, 535i and 550i sedans had a MSRP of roughly $45,000, $50,000 and $59,000, respectively.
Marcus is a car enthusiast who loves writing about them. He travels frequently and always seeks out the best driving roads to really test a car's limits. His favorite cars are anything with a manual transmission, and he's been known to spend hours just shifting through all the gears.