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Take the
sports-sedan concept and move it upmarket,
adding more room, more creature comforts,
and a plusher feel, and you get the BMW
5-series sedans.
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With their
gathered-leather upholstery, their silky-smooth
six- and eight-cylinder engines, their rock-solid
construction, and their amazingly cushy rides,
these sedans easily go head-to-head with the
platoon of pricey competitors in the class we call
"sedans for the working rich."
 But
what makes the 5-series stand out in this class is
the sheer verve that comes with all this luxury.
These mid-size BMWs take to the cut and thrust of
winding roads with a willingness that belies their
size and weight. Their suspensions remain composed
even when the tires are howling at maximum grip,
and their engines revel near their redlines. What
makes them unique in this class is that the six-
and eight-cylinder models are both offered with
manual transmissions for the most involved drivers
and deliver performance ranging from brisk to
blistering.
For enthusiasts
who demand equal doses of posh and performance,
these BMWs are the sedans of choice.
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Vehicle
Type:
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front-engine,
rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door
sedan
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Base
Price:
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$39,678-$55,578
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Engine
Type:
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DOHC
24-valve 2.8-liter 6-in-line; DOHC
32-valve 4.4-liter V-8
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Power(SAE
net):
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190-282
bhp
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Transmission:
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5-
or 6-speed manual, 4- or 5-speed auto
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Wheelbase:
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111.4
in
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Length:
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188.0
in
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Curb
Weight:
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3450-3800
lb
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EPA
fuel economy, city driving:
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15-20
mpg
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