Short review of BMW 528i/535i
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Price as tested: CDN$65700 (528i) CDN$83000

5-Series, just like its smaller 3-Series silibings, receives engine upgrades this year. 528i receives similar engine upgrade as 328i. The sweet 3.0 liter straight-6 increases horsepower from 215 and torque from 218 lb/ft to 230 and 200, respectively. This engine upgrade feels more significant in 5 than 3 simply due to former’s weight. It makes the entry-level 5 more powerful and the old car’s sluggishness has become a thing of history. The 3.0L I-6 in 530i has received 335i’s stunning Biturbo engine. An awesome 300 horses and pounds feet of torque have made this mid-level 5-Series a screamer. This biturbo engine is so good that any enthuisast can forget upgrade to V8 550i. As good as 255 hp 530i did, the biturbo 535i just makes a great thing an even better drive.

The biggest contradictions between 528i and 535i are the steering feel. Since the 535i comes with Active Steering, its driving feel has become artifical and almost numb consider BMW’s usual standards. On the other hand, 528i feels very much a BMW with its weighty steering and precise corrections due to the demise of Active Steering in that tester. As usual, 5-Series got an excellent chassis as a fundamental in anything with good dynamics. 50/50 perfect front/rear balance and an uninstrusive DSC-3 are the ingredients in making a nicely balanced luxury sports sedan.

The facelifted 5-Series receives the nifty shifter as the new X5. While its a marvel design, it takes some time to get used to. As we have mentioned in all previous 5-Series reviews, we are still remain firm on our verdict that current 5’s use of materials and fit-and-finish are a notch below its top-notch predecessors. Anything wearing a blue and white propeller emblem costing over 60 large grand deserves better plastic materials. Thankfully, its leather materials remain soft and substantial. It got the usual firm support as one expects from a famed German manufacturer. The leather sports seats in our M sports packaged 535i have to be some of the bests in the business.

Overall ratings: 3.5/5 (528i) 4/5 (535i)