| Year Make Model | 2011 BMW 5 Series 535i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) |
| Vehicle Type | RWD 4dr 5-passenger Sedan |
| Base MSRP | $50,475 |
| Options on test vehicle | Dark Graphite Metallic ($550); Dynamic Handling Package ($2,700 -- includes Electronic Damping Control variable rate electromagnetic shock absorbers, Active Roll Stabilization [ARS] hydroelectrically actuated stabilizer bars); Sport Package ($2,200 -- inclludes sports leather steering wheel; 19-by-8.5-inch front and 19-by-9-inch rear V-Spoke [style 331] alloy wheels with 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 rear run-flat performance tires, increased top speed limiter, 20-way [14-way power adjustments, plus 2-way power headrests and 4-way power lumbar support] front power seats, active head restraints for the front seats; memory settings for the front passenger seat, Shadowline exterior window trim ); Dakota Leather ($1,450); Side and Top View Cameras (Late Availability) ($800); Park Distance Control ($750); Sport Automatic Transmission With Shift Paddles ($500 -- eight-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel); Rearview Camera ($400); iPod & USB Adapter ($400). |
| As-tested MSRP | $60,225 |
| Assembly location | Dingolfing, Germany |
| North American parts content (%) | 5 |
| Configuration | Front engine, rear-wheel drive sedan |
| Engine type | Turbocharged, direct-injected, inline-6, gasoline |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 2,979cc (182 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum, aluminum |
| Valvetrain | Double overhead camshaft |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.2 |
| Redline, indicated (rpm) | 7,000 rpm |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 300 @ 5,800 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 300 @ 1,200 |
| Fuel type | Premium unleaded (required) |
| Transmission type | Eight-speed automatic with console shifter and steering-mounted paddles with sport/competition modes |
| Transmission ratios (x:1) | I=4.714, II=3.143, III=2.106, IV=1.667, V=1.285, VI=1.0, VII=0.839, VIII=0.667 |
| Final-drive ratio (x:1) | 3.077 |
| Suspension, front | Independent multilink with two lower control arms and double ball joints, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Independent multilink, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Steering type | Electric speed-proportional power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 17.1 |
| Tire make and model | Goodyear Excellence |
| Tire type | All-season front and rear |
| Tire size, front | P245/40R19 94Y |
| Tire size, rear | P275/35R19 96Y |
| Wheel size, front | 19-by-8.5 inches |
| Wheel size, rear | 19-by-9 inches |
| Wheel material | Alloy |
| Brakes, front | 13.7-inch two-piece solid steel discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Brakes, rear | 13.6-inch two-piece ventilated steel discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 2.3 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 3.9 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 5.9 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 8.6 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 14.3 @ 95.1 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 5.6 |
| 0-30 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 2.6 |
| 0-45 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 4.3 |
| 0-60 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 6.4 |
| 0-75 mph, trac ON (sec.) | 9.1 |
| 1/4-mile, trac ON (sec. @ mph) | 14.6 @ 95.7 |
| 0-60, trac ON with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 6.0 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 28 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 110 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 64.9 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) ESC ON | 62.0 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.84 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) ESC ON | 0.84 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 42.3 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 73.4 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 67.0 |
| Engine speed @ 70 mph (rpm) | 1,750 |
| Acceleration comments | Wide range of settings means wide range of results from Normal/Drive to Sport+/DSC off. At worst, it stumbles off the line, then gets with the program at 3,000 rpm. At best, it's still not "snappy" off the line but at least the boost is present for a decent run. Very smooth upshifts in every mode but it seemed to delay 1-2 in Sport mode. Hit the traps in 4th gear. |
| Braking comments | Highly susceptipble to pavement irregularities, hence 10-foot variance in otherwise fade-free runs. Some smoke from front pads but no loss of performance. Anti-dive suspension and lots of rebound damping. Firm pedal. |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: Hard to balance on the line with assist varying wildly. Requires constant steering with DSC off. With DSC on it requires virtually no steering as throttle was more consistent (clearly managed by ECU). Steering weight was appropriate but utterly lacks feel. |
| Test date | 8/24/2010 |
| Test location | California Speedway |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 81.3 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 31.9 |
| Barometric pressure (in. Hg) | 28.7 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 2.0, crosswind |
| Odometer (mi.) | 1,396 |
| Fuel used for test | 91-octane gasoline |
| As-tested tire pressures, f/r (psi) | 35/38 |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 20 city/30 highway/24 combined |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 22.7 combined, 25 best, 20 worst |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 18.5 |
| Driving range (mi.) | 518 |
| iPod/digital media compatibility | Optional iPod via propietary cable, generic aux jack |
| Satellite radio | Optional Sirius |
| Bluetooth phone connectivity | Standard |
| Navigation system | Optional |
| Telematics (OnStar, etc.) | Standard 48 months trial subscription |
| Smart entry/Start | Optional -- ignition, doors, trunk |
| Parking aids | Optional parking sonar front and rear |
| Blind-spot detection | Optional |
| Adaptive cruise control | Optional |
| Lane-departure monitoring | Optional departure warning |
| Night Vision | Optional |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 4,056 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 4,080 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 52/48 |
| Length (in.) | 193.1 |
| Width (in.) | 73.2 |
| Height (in.) | 57.6 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 116.9 |
| Track, front (in.) | 63.0 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 64.1 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 39.2 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 41.4 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 36.1 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 40.5 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 38.3 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 58.3 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 56.2 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Step-in height, measured (in.) | 15.5 |
| Trunk volume (cu-ft) | 14.0 |
| Cargo loading height, measured (in.) | 27.0 |
| GVWR (lbs.) | 5,159 |
| Tow capacity, mfr. claim (lbs.) | Not Published |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 12 years/Unlimited miles |
| Roadside assistance | 4 years/Unlimited miles |
| Free scheduled maintenance | 4 years/50,000 miles |
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