Europeans have long understood that wagons don't have to be boring family trucksters. Unlike the lumbering land barges that populated U.S. highways in the '50s and '60s, sport wagons (well-equipped and usually for a premium price) can be as fun and capable as the sedans on which they are based. Add to that recipe a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and you've got yourself a vehicle that can literally run circles around any sport-utility of similar interior dimensions (and in all weather conditions) while earning far better fuel economy.
That sounds like a nifty theory, but are we Americans rational enough to once again embrace wagons, and specifically this sport wagon? An even better question might be: Are we willing to pay, in this case, $52,000 to stay out of a luxury SUV or dreaded minivan? One drive in the BMW 530xi Sport Wagon and your answer will be "yes" to all of the above.
One size fits all
Currently, BMW's midsize wagon comes in one flavor only: high-output (255 horsepower) six-cylinder engine coupled to BMW's xDrive, an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system, and either a manual or Steptronic automatic six-speed transmission. The 530xi's AWD system utilizes a multidisc clutch which varies the amount of torque split between the front and rear wheels. Driving torque is always sent to the rear wheels and the vehicle's sensors determine how much power and when to shift a portion of it to the front wheels. The maximum amount sent to the rear wheels is 100 percent (clutch fully open), and 50 percent to the front when the clutch is fully locked. The Steptronic multimode automatic will cost you an extra $1,275 over the manual shifter, but it's worth it. It's as intelligent as an automatic gets, plus there's a manual-shift mode in case you feel smarter or particularly racy.
Rear-wheel drive, the standard-output (215 hp) inline-6 and BMW's all-new 4.8-liter V8 are available only in the 5 Series sedan — as is the 500-hp V10. Standard 530xi features include rain-sensing wipers, adaptive xenon headlamps, powered glass moonroof, the ubiquitous iDrive controller (there's no escape from it), plus dual front, front-side and side curtain airbags. It's when you start to tally up all the 530xi's equipment that you begin to realize why the price is north of $50K.
Why you'll love this premium wagon
In a word, driving. This is a classic case of having your cake and eating it, too. In the 530xi wagon, you get as much or more useful interior space as BMW's X5 "Sport Activity Vehicle," and, depending on which X5 model (six- or eight-cylinder), better or equal performance in the wagon. Around town, the 530xi feels like a well-mannered sedan with all the trappings of a luxury automobile. The inline-six engine is whisper-quiet and the transmission is silky-smooth. The car responds earnestly and without hesitation to the demands of city driving without beating its occupants silly with overly aggressive suspension settings. As one would expect from a BMW, the seating is on the firm-but-sporty side, the cabin is free from squeaks and rattles, and unlike some other wagons, doesn't produce booming or thrumming from an empty cargo/luggage compartment.
Take the 530xi Sport Wagon to your nearest favorite road and it offers a newfound willingness to please. Click the Steptronic transmission selector into sport or manual mode and let your conscience be your co-driver. With all four wheels driving the car and 0.86g in available lateral grip, you'll be nothing short of amazed how well this vehicle can charge to the summit. The exhaust note becomes more aggressive as the revs climb toward the 7,000-rpm redline. While 8 seconds to 60 mph is no aircraft carrier launch, it's only a second behind BMW's much more powerful 355-hp X5 4.8is.
What's more, a run through our slalom course reveals why this is, indeed, a sport wagon. Quick, accurate steering, loads of grip and the xDrive all-wheel-drive system combine to produce a seriously competitive 64.5-mph average speed. To put that in perspective, this slalom performance is more than 2 mph faster than that same X5, and ties the limited-edition Dodge Charger SRT8 we recently tested.
Optioned to the hilt
Hope you're sitting down when you read this, because our tester's total price, including options, was $62,865. Added to the $52,095 base MSRP were $10,770 in options including the Premium package, Premium sound, navigation, Sirius Satellite Radio, automatic transmission, head-up (windshield) speedometer display, Cold Weather package and Sport package, plus the larger-wheel/tire package. The only two options we found critical to the performance of our tester were the Sport and 18-inch wheel packages for a worthwhile total of $1,300 in pure driving enhancement. Everything else is icing on the already delicious Bavarian chocolate cake.
Other sport wagons
BMW is not the only gunslinger in an all-wheel-drive, midsize wagon town. A quick check of our listings shows eight in consideration, three of which are thought to be real all-wheel-drive competitors. Audi just released its 2006 A6 quattro Avant wagon, as did Mercedes-Benz with its 2006 E350 4Matic. Volvo continues to offer several versions of its V70 wagon, and the R model best competes with the 530xi. Pricing of the BMW and M-B are similarly in the mid-$50K range, while the Audi and Volvo are between $5K and $12K less expensive, respectively, before adding options. Beyond packaging and pricing, it'd be a good idea to thoroughly test-drive each one before making a purchase to see which best suits your particular driving style and comfort requirements.
Final thoughts
If your idea of a family vehicle means maximizing utility, safety and all-weather capability without sacrificing fun, amenities or options, then the 2006 BMW 530xi Sport Wagon just might be the most perfect family vehicle currently offered. It has acres of room, more than enough comfort and performance to keep both factions of the family happy, and it doesn't carry the stigma of a conspicuous sport-ute or an emasculated minivan. We'll take ours in double-black with 18s and the Sport package setup. That is, of course, until BMW builds the ultimate wagon: a 500-hp, all-wheel-drive M5 wagon. We know it's been done at least once for a BMW exec with pull, but never for public consumption. We can only wait and wish.
That sounds like a nifty theory, but are we Americans rational enough to once again embrace wagons, and specifically this sport wagon? An even better question might be: Are we willing to pay, in this case, $52,000 to stay out of a luxury SUV or dreaded minivan? One drive in the BMW 530xi Sport Wagon and your answer will be "yes" to all of the above.
One size fits all
Currently, BMW's midsize wagon comes in one flavor only: high-output (255 horsepower) six-cylinder engine coupled to BMW's xDrive, an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system, and either a manual or Steptronic automatic six-speed transmission. The 530xi's AWD system utilizes a multidisc clutch which varies the amount of torque split between the front and rear wheels. Driving torque is always sent to the rear wheels and the vehicle's sensors determine how much power and when to shift a portion of it to the front wheels. The maximum amount sent to the rear wheels is 100 percent (clutch fully open), and 50 percent to the front when the clutch is fully locked. The Steptronic multimode automatic will cost you an extra $1,275 over the manual shifter, but it's worth it. It's as intelligent as an automatic gets, plus there's a manual-shift mode in case you feel smarter or particularly racy.
Rear-wheel drive, the standard-output (215 hp) inline-6 and BMW's all-new 4.8-liter V8 are available only in the 5 Series sedan — as is the 500-hp V10. Standard 530xi features include rain-sensing wipers, adaptive xenon headlamps, powered glass moonroof, the ubiquitous iDrive controller (there's no escape from it), plus dual front, front-side and side curtain airbags. It's when you start to tally up all the 530xi's equipment that you begin to realize why the price is north of $50K.
Why you'll love this premium wagon
In a word, driving. This is a classic case of having your cake and eating it, too. In the 530xi wagon, you get as much or more useful interior space as BMW's X5 "Sport Activity Vehicle," and, depending on which X5 model (six- or eight-cylinder), better or equal performance in the wagon. Around town, the 530xi feels like a well-mannered sedan with all the trappings of a luxury automobile. The inline-six engine is whisper-quiet and the transmission is silky-smooth. The car responds earnestly and without hesitation to the demands of city driving without beating its occupants silly with overly aggressive suspension settings. As one would expect from a BMW, the seating is on the firm-but-sporty side, the cabin is free from squeaks and rattles, and unlike some other wagons, doesn't produce booming or thrumming from an empty cargo/luggage compartment.
Take the 530xi Sport Wagon to your nearest favorite road and it offers a newfound willingness to please. Click the Steptronic transmission selector into sport or manual mode and let your conscience be your co-driver. With all four wheels driving the car and 0.86g in available lateral grip, you'll be nothing short of amazed how well this vehicle can charge to the summit. The exhaust note becomes more aggressive as the revs climb toward the 7,000-rpm redline. While 8 seconds to 60 mph is no aircraft carrier launch, it's only a second behind BMW's much more powerful 355-hp X5 4.8is.
What's more, a run through our slalom course reveals why this is, indeed, a sport wagon. Quick, accurate steering, loads of grip and the xDrive all-wheel-drive system combine to produce a seriously competitive 64.5-mph average speed. To put that in perspective, this slalom performance is more than 2 mph faster than that same X5, and ties the limited-edition Dodge Charger SRT8 we recently tested.
Optioned to the hilt
Hope you're sitting down when you read this, because our tester's total price, including options, was $62,865. Added to the $52,095 base MSRP were $10,770 in options including the Premium package, Premium sound, navigation, Sirius Satellite Radio, automatic transmission, head-up (windshield) speedometer display, Cold Weather package and Sport package, plus the larger-wheel/tire package. The only two options we found critical to the performance of our tester were the Sport and 18-inch wheel packages for a worthwhile total of $1,300 in pure driving enhancement. Everything else is icing on the already delicious Bavarian chocolate cake.
Other sport wagons
BMW is not the only gunslinger in an all-wheel-drive, midsize wagon town. A quick check of our listings shows eight in consideration, three of which are thought to be real all-wheel-drive competitors. Audi just released its 2006 A6 quattro Avant wagon, as did Mercedes-Benz with its 2006 E350 4Matic. Volvo continues to offer several versions of its V70 wagon, and the R model best competes with the 530xi. Pricing of the BMW and M-B are similarly in the mid-$50K range, while the Audi and Volvo are between $5K and $12K less expensive, respectively, before adding options. Beyond packaging and pricing, it'd be a good idea to thoroughly test-drive each one before making a purchase to see which best suits your particular driving style and comfort requirements.
Final thoughts
If your idea of a family vehicle means maximizing utility, safety and all-weather capability without sacrificing fun, amenities or options, then the 2006 BMW 530xi Sport Wagon just might be the most perfect family vehicle currently offered. It has acres of room, more than enough comfort and performance to keep both factions of the family happy, and it doesn't carry the stigma of a conspicuous sport-ute or an emasculated minivan. We'll take ours in double-black with 18s and the Sport package setup. That is, of course, until BMW builds the ultimate wagon: a 500-hp, all-wheel-drive M5 wagon. We know it's been done at least once for a BMW exec with pull, but never for public consumption. We can only wait and wish.
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