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Rovaniemi, Finland, is a frozen city at the Arctic Circle where only the steel-hearted survive. Well, and Santa Claus, according to the local tourism bureau. Although we never ran into ol' Saint Nick, Rovaniemi was the perfect location to sample the new all-wheel-drive 2006 BMW 5 Series, which will go on sale this spring.
The all-wheel-drive 5 Series is the latest in a gaggle of new all-wheel-drive premium sedans. For decades, well-to-do car buyers in snowy climates have had only two choices, an Audi with quattro and a Mercedes-Benz with 4Matic. But now other premium brands are on to the all-wheel-drive trend. Cadillac made sure the new STS had it for 2005. And the Infiniti M35 and Lexus GS 300 are onboard for 2006.
And now BMW will make its xDrive all-wheel-drive system a $2,000 option on both the 525 and 530 sedans, and standard on the late-arriving 5 Series wagon, which will be sold only in the 530 flavor.
No V8, but More Power
Although there are no current plans to install xDrive on the V8-powered 545i sedan, there's little reason to worry about the six-cylinder AWD models feeling underpowered, as both the 525 and 530 feature the new 3.0-liter magnesium/aluminum engines first seen in the 2006 BMW 3 Series. For the 525xi, that means 215 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. On the 530xi, there's 255 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque.
The rear-drive 525i and 530i also get the new engines. Either way, you'll have your choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic with Steptronic. The xDrive system adds about 170 pounds to the cars' curb weight and a couple tenths of a second to their 0-60 times — BMW estimates a manual-gearbox 530i can sprint to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, while a 530xi can do it in 6.6. The difference is greater on the 525 models — 7.3 seconds on the 525i versus 7.9 on the 525xi. Fuel economy is affected as well, with 21 city/29 highway estimates for rear-drivers and 20/27 for AWD models.
A few of the main roads in Rovaniemi had been plowed and sanded, which gave us an opportunity to sample the new engine in the 530xi. Although the jump in horsepower is what you'll read about, we were more impressed by the extra low-end torque, which made the manual-shift testers easy to launch.
A sport package will be available, and you can even get 18-inch wheels if you want them.
What Makes It Winterproof
The 5 Series borrows xDrive from the X3 and X5 sport-utilities. The system is electronically controlled and uses a multiplate clutch for infinite variation in the front/rear power ratio. The system works hand-in-hand with BMW's Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system, using data taken from the yaw rate and steering angle sensors to adjust the distribution of power.
Further, when DSC takes corrective braking action on a single wheel, torque is automatically redirected to the wheel opposite it. This means the BMW 530xi can keep moving even if only one wheel has traction.
The Ultimate Ice Driving Machine
All of the 530s we drove wore non-factory winter performance tires (no studs). On public roads covered with packed snow and ice, the combination of xDrive, DSC and snow tires made the car basically unstoppable.
But it wasn't until we took a few dozen laps around an ice track that we understood why the 530xi would make a fantastic winter car for an enthusiast.
To accommodate drivers of varying skill and guts, DSC now has three modes. In between "completely on" and "completely off," there's a "Dynamic Traction Control" setting that scales back the intervention without taking away the safety net. This mode worked best on snow-dusted ice: It lets the 530xi's wheels spin enough to let you have your fun while gently stepping in to realign the tail. Skidding is still a possibility if you go into turns too hot, but the car's electronics keep you out of most other trouble in a manner that builds you up rather than beats you down.
Switch off the stability control altogether, and the advanced driver is left with a responsive and predictable ice-driving machine. If there's any traction to be had, the xDrive system sniffs it out.
Unexpected Features
With a self-satisfied wink in Audi's direction, BMW threw a few unexpected extras into the all-wheel-drive 5 Series. Both Hill-Start Assist and Hill Descent Control are standard in case you need to conquer the Grim Reaper's driveway. There's even a Trailer Stability Control feature that uses the brakes to keep trailers hitched to the 530xi from swaying out of control…in the event that an owner takes advantage of the car's 4,410-pound tow rating.
We doubt many buyers will ever need these curiosities, but we know plenty who will be delighted by the prospect of driving a BMW 5 Series that smirks at Old Man Winter.
Used 2006 BMW 5 Series listings and inventory:
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What's a good price on a used 2006 BMW 5 Series ?
Save up to $273.7 on one of 16 used 2006 BMW 5 Seriess for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $4900 as of Apr 20, 2018, based on data from 14 dealers and 17 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2006 BMW 5 Series trim styles:
The used 2006 BMW 5 Series 530xi is priced around $7355 with average odometer reading of 121689 miles.
The used 2006 BMW 5 Series 525i is priced around $6596 with average odometer reading of 126055 miles.
The used 2006 BMW 5 Series 530i is priced around $6486 with average odometer reading of 76304 miles.
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What options are available on the 2006 BMW 5 Series?
Available BMW 5 Series 2006 Submodel Types: Hybrid, Sedan, Diesel, M550i xDrive, Wagon
Available BMW 5 Series 2006 Trims: 528i xDrive, 535i xDrive, 530i xDrive, 528i, 540i xDrive, 535i, 550i xDrive, 530e xDrive iPerformance, 540i, 535xi, 535d xDrive, M550i xDrive, 528xi, 530xi, 525i, 530e iPerformance, 545i, 530i, 525xi, 540d xDrive, 550i
Exterior Colors: Black Sapphire Metallic, Dark Graphite Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic, Glacier Silver Metallic, Space Gray Metallic, Carbon Black Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Deep Sea Blue Metallic, Bluestone Metallic, Mediterranean Blue Metallic, Callisto Grey Metallic, Cashmere Silver Metallic, Titanium Gray Metallic, Jatoba Brown Metallic, Orient Blue Metallic, Monaco Blue Metallic, Platinum Gray Metallic, Atlas Cedar Metallic, Azurite Black Metallic, Dark Graphite Metallic II, Jet Black, Titanium Silver Metallic, Amethyst Gray Metallic, Aspen Silver Metallic, Deep Green Metallic, Mineral Grey Metallic, Oxford Green Metallic, Silver Gray Metallic, Tasman Green Metallic, Alpine White, Barbera Red Metallic, Champagne Quartz Metallic, Electric Red, Mojave Metallic, Mystic Blue Metallic, Platinum Bronze Metallic, Pyrite Brown Metallic
Interior Colors: Black Dakota leather, Black Dakota w/Contrast Stitching/Piping leather, Black Nappa premium leather, Cinnamon Brown Dakota leather, Cognac Dakota w/Contrast Stitching/Piping leather, Canberra Beige/Black Dakota w/Contrast Stitching/Piping leather, Black SensaTec leatherette, Black Nappa w/Contrast Stitching/Piping premium leather, Venetian Beige Dakota leather, Black leatherette, Cinnamon Brown leather, Black Dakota w/Blue Contrast Stitching/Piping leather, Mocha Nappa w/Black premium leather, Black, Amaro Brown Extended Merino premium leather, Ivory White Dakota w/Contrast Stitching/Piping leather, Ivory White Nappa w/Black premium leather, Venetian Beige leather, Beige leatherette, Canberra Beige/Black SensaTec leatherette, Natural Brown premium leather, Black leather, Black premium leather, Everest Gray leather, Gray, Mocha Nappa w/Contrast Stitching/Piping premium leather, Night Blue Dakota w/Contrast Stitching/Piping leather, Oyster/Black leather, Beige, Black Dakota w/Exclusive Stitching leather, Everest Gray Dakota leather, Ivory White Nappa w/Contrast Stitching/Piping premium leather, Beige premium leather, Gray premium leather, Oyster and Black Nappa premium leather, Venetian Beige/Black Dakota leather, Venetian Beige/Black SensaTec leatherette, Auburn premium leather, Cashmere Beige/Oyster Extended Merino premium leather, Cream Beige premium leather, Ivory White Dakota w/Contrast Stitching/Piping and Dark Coffee Dashboard leather, Ivory White Nappa w/Contrast Stitching/Piping and Dark Coffee Dashboard premium leather, Ivory White w/Oyster Nappa premium leather, Mocha w/Black Nappa premium leather, Oyster and Black Dakota leather, Sand, Silk Gray/Black Extended Merino premium leather, Smoke White/Black Full Merino premium leather, Venetian Beige Dakota w/Exclusive Stitching leather, Venetian Beige SensaTec leatherette, Veneto Beige leatherette
Popular Features: Automatic Emergency Braking, Aux Audio Inputs, Post-collision safety system, USB Inputs, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Navigation, Back-up camera, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Heated seats, Pre-collision safety system, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Heads up display, Keyless Entry/Start, Upgraded Stereo, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, 360-degree camera, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Mobile Internet, Adaptive Cruise Control, Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Auto Climate Control, Bluetooth, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Power Driver Seat, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Sunroof/Moonroof, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, Cooled Seats, Upgraded Headlights, AWD/4WD, Leather Seats, Parking sensors
Engine/Mechanics: 4, 6, 8 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, AUTOMATED_MANUAL, MANUAL
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (recommended), premium unleaded (required), diesel, regular unleaded
Drivetrains: rear wheel drive, all wheel drive
Used 2006 BMW 5 Series Overview
The used 2006 BMW 5 Series is offered in the following submodels: Wagon, Sedan. Available styles include 525i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M), 530i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M), and 530xi 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M). Pre-owned 5 Series models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2006 5 Series comes with rear wheel drive or all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed manual.
