2011 BMW 5 Series Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 BMW 5 Series review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2011 5 Series, and includes BMW 5 Series safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The BMW 5 Series is a midsize luxury sport sedan. Competitors include the Acura RL, Audi A6, Cadillac STS, Hyundai Genesis, Infiniti M, Lexus GS, Lincoln MKS, Jaguar XF, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Saab 9-5, and Volvo S80.

Every eight years, BMW redesigns its 5 Series sedan. That’s the case for 2011, and highlights of the new car include more traditional and conservative styling, a more modern and technologically advanced cabin, and numerous technologies designed to improve comfort, information, entertainment, safety, and the driving experience.

There are three flavors of 5 Series for 2011: 528i, 535i, and 550i, the latter two available with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

As is expected, every 5 Series model is well equipped. Key features include leatherette seats, Dark Burl Ash wood interior trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power front seats, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, memory settings for the driver, and a sound system with a CD/MP3 player, a USB/iPod port, and HD Radio. Additionally, the 528i is equipped with BMW Assist, which includes Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and a Safety Plan with Automatic Crash Notification service, automatic Xenon adaptive headlights with LED corona rings, adaptive brake lights, rain sensing wipers, and heated side mirrors. A power sunroof is also included, and the 528i rides on 17-inch alloy wheels.

Moving up to the BMW 535i does add much in the way of standard features. Rather, the upgrades are largely mechanical in the form of a turbocharged six-cylinder engine, bigger 18-inch alloy wheels, and access to the xDrive all-wheel-drive system. A manual gearbox is standard on the 535i, while xDrive models have the same automatic transmission that’s installed as standard equipment on the 528i as well as a hill descent control system. All 535i models also get Dakota leather.

The BMW 550i sits at the top of the lineup, and in addition to its twin-turbocharged V8 engine and unique set of 18-inch alloy wheels is equipped with a Technology Package (hard-drive navigation and a rearview camera), front and rear Park Distance Control parking sensors, a HomeLink universal remote transmitter, and 18-way Multi-Contour front sport seats.

Don’t think that because 5 Series prices start in the mid-$40,000 range that there aren’t many options. Numerous extra-cost packages can load any model up with another $20,000 in features. Popular ones include the Premium Package (HomeLink, Comfort Access keyless entry and ignition, Park Distance Control, power trunk, Dakota leather on 528i) for the 528i and 535i, the Technology Package (hard-drive navigation and rearview camera) for the 528i and 535i, the Sport Package (18-way Multi-Contour front sport seats on 528i and 535i, Dynamic Damping Control suspension, 18-inch wheels on 528i, 19-inch wheels on 535i and 550i, and Shadowline exterior trim), the Premium Sound Package (16-speaker, 600-watt audio system with satellite radio), and the Convenience Package (Comfort Access keyless entry and ignition, power trunk, power soft-close doors).

That’s not the end of the option package menu. Drivers in colder climates are likely to want the Cold Weather Package (heated front/rear seats, heated steering wheel), while buyers seeking the most opulent 5 Series may wish to add the Luxury Seating Package (four-zone automatic climate control, active front seats with ventilation, power rear sunshade, manual side window sunshades). Technology fans might be interested in getting the Driver Assistance Package (Active Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Top/Side View Cameras, Head Up Display, automatic high beams), while serious drivers may wish to upgrade with the M Sport Package (Sport Package plus Double Spoke wheel design, M Sport steering wheel, aluminum hexagon interior trim, aerodynamic body kit).

Additionally, individual option highlights include a number of appearance improvements, hardware upgrades, and cabin enhancements. Metallic paint costs extra, there are several wood and aluminum trim options, and upgraded Nappa leather can be added to 535i and 550i models. On the technology front, the 5 Series can be equipped with Parking Assistant (finds a suitable parallel parking space and steers while the driver operates the pedals), Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Frontal Collision Warning, Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection, Top View and Side View cameras, a rear seat entertainment system, enhanced BMW Assist services, and a BMW Apps with Smartphone integration feature. Mechanical enhancements include a Sport Automatic transmission with paddle shifters, Active Roll Stabilization suspension, and, on models without xDrive, Integral Active Steering.

When you choose a specific BMW 5 Series, you’re selecting an engine as much as you are additional features. The 528i is the least expensive model, and is therefore equipped with the least impressive powertrain, a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 230 horsepower to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. It requires premium fuel, and is estimated to return 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

Choose the popular 535i and you’ll have a turbocharged, direct injected, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine under the hood. It makes 300 horsepower, but more important is the 300 pound-feet of torque spread from 1,200 to 5,000 rpm. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard on this model, with an eight-speed automatic and an xDrive all-wheel-drive system optional. Premium fuel is required, and fuel economy ranges from 19 mpg in the city with the manual transmission or with xDrive to 30 mpg on the highway with rear-drive and the automatic.

The powerful BMW 550i is equipped with a twin-turbocharged, direct injected, 4.4-liter V8 making 400 horsepower from 5,000 to 6,400 rpm and 450 lb-ft. of torque between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm. The same drivetrain choices as the 535i are available on the 550i, but this car is not particularly fuel-efficient with ratings between 15 mpg in the city for the manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive to 25 mpg on the highway with the automatic transmission and rear-drive.

There are two mechanical technologies requiring additional explanation. Integral Active Steering is optional on the new 5 Series, and electronically varies the steering ratio to reduce the degree to which the steering wheel must be turned at low speeds for parking, making U-turns, and rounding sharp corners. The system includes 2.5-degrees of rear wheel steering, which helps to tighten the turning circle at low speeds and stabilize the car at higher speeds.

Adaptive Drive is available with the optional Sport Package or M Sport Package. It includes Driving Dynamics Control, which adjusts the throttle, transmission, steering, and traction control response according to Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport + settings; Dynamic Damping Control, which automatically sets the suspension to its softest setting based on vehicle speed and instantly firms the suspension when the vehicle encounters an irregular surface; and Active Roll Stabilization, which reduces body roll in corners.

If you learn nothing else about the new 2011 BMW 5 Series, know that this is an exceptionally safe automobile. In addition to six airbags, traction and stability control, a four-wheel vented-disc antilock braking system, and BMW Assist with Automatic Crash Notification service, the 5 Series features numerous safety technologies.

Starting with the braking system, the 5 Series includes cornering brake control, dynamic brake control, brake standby, brake drying, automatic hold, and brake fade compensation features. And when you do use the brakes, the adaptive brake lights illuminate brighter and bigger the harder and faster you stop to grab the attention of motorists following behind.

Optional features include Active Blind Spot Warning, which displays solid and flashing warnings in the side mirrors, accompanied by subtle steering wheel vibration, when the driver signals a lane change and other cars are in the BMW’s blind spots. Related to this feature is a Lane Departure Warning system, which uses a camera to “read” road markings ahead and produces a subtle vibration in the steering wheel if the 5 Series drifts across road markings without the turn signal activated.

The Top View/Side View camera system provides two different functions. In Top View mode, information from the Park Distance Control bumper sensors is collected and a bird’s eye view of the 5 Series is depicted on the dashboard screen to show how close the car is to its surroundings. The Side View cameras in the sides of the front bumper help to “see” 180 degrees ahead when emerging from a blind driveway or alley.

Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection is a new safety feature that employs a thermal imaging camera to detect heat-emitting objects ahead, like people and animals, and shows them on the BMW’s in-dash display screen.

Two additional, advanced safety systems are available on the 5 Series. Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Frontal Collision Warning is an automatic cruise control system that maintains a safe distance from traffic ahead and can bring the 5 Series to a complete stop in traffic. It includes a two-stage collision warning system that features optical and audible alerts, brake standby preparation and ultimately takes automatic braking action if a collision is unavoidable and the driver fails to respond.

If you are involved in a collision while driving the new 5 Series, you’ll be glad to know it gets a 5-Star overall crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)*. It really doesn’t get better than that.

As for long-term reliability, Consumer Reports is not making predictions as this review is written. J.D. Power and Associates says the new 5 Series should deliver slightly better than average dependability over time.

While a four-year/50,000-mile warranty is not particularly competitive among luxury brands, the 2011 5 Series is covered for that duration by BMW’s free scheduled service program. Also, BMW supplies four years of roadside assistance with no mileage cap.

* The IIHS Top Safety Pick rating does not apply to the BMW 550i or models with xDrive.

Performance is one reason people buy a BMW, so we’ll share some stats from the automaker.

• Top speed is limited to 130 mph for all models unless you get the Sport or M Sport Package. Then you’ll be able to attain 150 mph.

• The 2011 528i accelerates to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds.

• The 2011 535i gets to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds (5.6 seconds with xDrive).

• The 2011 550i screams to 60 mph in 5 seconds (4.9 with xDrive).

Incidentally, BMW claims that the 5 Series is the only mid-luxury model that’s still available with a manual gearbox (535i and 550i only).

Handling is another reason people buy a BMW, and while the 528i might not be the fastest model, it certainly would appear that it might be rather fun to toss around. It is the lightest model at 3,792 pounds, and features the best front-to-rear weight distribution at 49.4-front/50.6-rear. By contrast, the BMW 550i xDrive weighs 4,519 pounds and puts 53.9 percent of its weight over the front wheels.

The 528i might also be the quietest model available. It has a coefficient of drag measuring 0.28, while the 535i xDrive and all 550i models measure 0.30.

BMW EfficientDynamics technology, standard on all 5 Series models, aims to improve fuel economy through Brake Energy Regeneration, electric steering, and aluminum construction for the hood, doors, front fenders, and suspension.

Inside, the new 5 Series employs trans-reflective displays, which means that sunlight actually brightens the displays rather than washes them out. How refreshing.

If you’re planning to carry lots of stuff in the trunk, know that it measures just 14 cubic-feet, which is not particularly large.

The redesigned 5 Series is built on the same platform as the BMW 7 Series, but with tidier dimensions, giving it the longest wheelbase in its class. Therefore, it should come as no surprise to learn that the new Five is built on the same Dingolfing, Germany assembly line as the Seven.

The redesigned 2011 BMW 5 Series appears to be one of the best midsize luxury sedans you can buy. Technologically advanced and extremely safe, with continued commitment to serving the right side of your brain as much the left, the 5 Series delivers dynamism and decadence in equal measure.

By Christian Wardlaw