2010 BMW 535i

BMW has set the new 5-series a formidable challenge by making it much more of a luxury car

Published on May 25, 2010 07:00:00 AM

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Light on its feet and willing to change direction, the new Five is a car that likes to corner too. The brakes have tremendous stopping power, feel from the brake pedal on turn-in is good despite the regenerative brakes, and the big Five sheds speed rapidly.

It rolls a bit on turn-in initially, but quickly settles down and then grips and goes. The steering has a reasonable amount of weight and accuracy is pin-sharp, but there is some amount of artificial feel in the system. Though this is an impressive driver’s car in its own right, it doesn’t drench you in feel and involvement like the earlier E60. It lacks the fabulously planted feel of the old car and you can’t feel what all four contact patches are doing through the palms of your hands. The new 5-series is still a fantastic handling car, just not to BMW’s standards.

Ride comfort though is shockingly good. The suspension is supple over bumps, it remains almost silent over even the worst ruts and holes, and road noise is very hushed as well. Has BMW been taking ride and handling classes at Rolls-Royce? It does own the company, after all. There is, however, some amount of bobbing at high speeds and the Five does not ride as flat as an E-class. And the long wheelbase and relatively low 141mm ground clearance mean you do have to take a bit of care over large bumps.