What Is It?
2005 BMW 530xi sedan and wagon
What's Special About It?
Both Audi and Mercedes-Benz give midsize luxury car buyers the option of getting all-wheel drive with their sedan or wagon. It was only a matter of time before BMW followed suit. Starting this spring, you'll be able to get all-wheel drive on either the 530 sedan or the all-new wagon version. The company even plans to offer an entry-level 525xi sedan for buyers whose need for an all-weather BMW outweighs their desire for spirited acceleration.
Like the X3 and X5, these cars make use of BMW's xDrive system. This electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system uses sensors to predict traction loss and attempts to correct the situation before the tires actually begin to slip. With no limits on the front/rear distribution, xDrive can infinitely vary the power going to the front and rear axles. It can also automatically lock the center differential in the most severe conditions.
The stability control system participates in these efforts to keep the car on the right track, braking individual wheels and thus allowing for side-to-side power transfers. Curiously, the all-wheel-drive 5 Series cars also include hill descent control, a feature typically found only on SUVs. But if you're ever faced with a steep driveway covered in snow and ice, you'll probably be glad you have it.
What's Edmunds' Take?
All-wheel drive is always handy if you live in an area that gets more than its share of snow, and xDrive is one of the most sophisticated systems on the market. However, the 530xi wagon interests us for another reason. Not only do we find its body more attractive than that of the sedan, but this marks the first time since the 2000 model year that BMW has offered its larger inline six engine in the wagon. To us, it's the perfect balance between the adequately powered 525 and the fast but pricey 540. — Erin Riches
2005 BMW 530xi sedan and wagon
What's Special About It?
Both Audi and Mercedes-Benz give midsize luxury car buyers the option of getting all-wheel drive with their sedan or wagon. It was only a matter of time before BMW followed suit. Starting this spring, you'll be able to get all-wheel drive on either the 530 sedan or the all-new wagon version. The company even plans to offer an entry-level 525xi sedan for buyers whose need for an all-weather BMW outweighs their desire for spirited acceleration.
Like the X3 and X5, these cars make use of BMW's xDrive system. This electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system uses sensors to predict traction loss and attempts to correct the situation before the tires actually begin to slip. With no limits on the front/rear distribution, xDrive can infinitely vary the power going to the front and rear axles. It can also automatically lock the center differential in the most severe conditions.
The stability control system participates in these efforts to keep the car on the right track, braking individual wheels and thus allowing for side-to-side power transfers. Curiously, the all-wheel-drive 5 Series cars also include hill descent control, a feature typically found only on SUVs. But if you're ever faced with a steep driveway covered in snow and ice, you'll probably be glad you have it.
What's Edmunds' Take?
All-wheel drive is always handy if you live in an area that gets more than its share of snow, and xDrive is one of the most sophisticated systems on the market. However, the 530xi wagon interests us for another reason. Not only do we find its body more attractive than that of the sedan, but this marks the first time since the 2000 model year that BMW has offered its larger inline six engine in the wagon. To us, it's the perfect balance between the adequately powered 525 and the fast but pricey 540. — Erin Riches
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