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2008 BMW 5 Series Sedan
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What Changed for 2008:
For 2008, all BMW model designations have been changed to reflect upgrades in engine performance. Although not a completely new model, the 2008 BMW 5 Series has received significant updating, both inside and out. More features have been made standard, and overall technology has been upgraded. One big change for 2008 is the deletion of BMW’s Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG), which was a manual-type automatic design. BMW’s Steptronic shifting is now a no-cost option on all 5 Series models.
Model Lineup
BMW has completely revised its 5 Series model designations for 2008. The 528i sedan replaces the previous 525i, and the new 528xi sedan takes over for the 525xi all-wheel-drive model. The 535 series—consisting of the 535i sedan, 535xi and 535i Sports Wagon—replaces the 530i lineup, and the 550i carries on as before. All body styles are identical save for the sports wagon. The differentiator among the models is the engine size.
In addition to the more efficient Steptronic clutchless-shift automatic transmission—offered at no extra charge—the 528i gets the new engine, new optional 18-inch run-flat tires, and 18-inch wheels included with the optional Sport package.
All 535i and 535xi models get a new engine and larger brakes, and the 535xi Sport package offers optional 18-inch wheels and tires in a staggered width. The 550i offers an optional Sport Automatic that includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and rpm matching during downshifts; Sport button for more dynamic shifting; new aerodynamics package; and the optional Sport package that includes 19-inch staggered-width wheels and performance tires.
In terms of design, all 2008 BMW 5 Series models get reconfigured optical headlight lenses, new white-design taillights, a new front airdam, and a re-shaped rear bumper.
Powertrain
The biggest change for the BMW 5 Series models for 2008 can be found in the engine compartment. The 528i and 528xi get the 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine, good for 230 hp and 200 lb.-ft. of torque. The 535i, xi and Sports Wagon get the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine that makes 300 hp and 300 lb.-ft. of torque, and the 550i sedan carries over with the naturally aspirated V-8 engine with 360 hp and 360 lb.-ft. of torque. EPA fuel economy estimates for the 6-speed manual transmission on the 528i are 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway, while the xi gets 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway. The 528i with automatic transmission is rated at 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway, while fuel economy figures for the xi are the same as for the manual. The 535i with 6-speed manual transmission is as yet unrated, but the 535i achieves 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway; the xi rates 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway; and the Sports Wagon comes in at 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway. The 550i is rated at 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway when equipped with the manual transmission, and 15 mpg city/23 mpg highway for automatic-equipped models.
The standard transmission on the 528i is a Getrag 6-speed manual, while the 528xi and the 550i get a ZF manual 6-speed. All 535 models come equipped with a standard 6-speed manual transmission; a 6-speed Steptronic automatic is optional.
Dynamic Stability Control, or DSC, is standard on the 2008 BMW 5 Series and includes a variety of traction and stability features, such as brake fade compensation; brake standby, which pre-applies brake pressure when the driver lifts off the throttle abruptly; automatic brake drying that helps dry the rotors during rainy weather; comfort stop, which eases brake pedal application for smoother stops; start-off assist, which briefly holds the vehicle when the brakes are released for easier starting uphill; and a modulated anti-lock brake function.
Safety
The list of standard safety and security features on the 2008 BMW 5 Series includes front air bags; side air bags; optional rear-seat side air bags; head-protection system; active front head restraints; and a battery safety terminal. Other BMW safety technologies that come standard on every 5 Series include active steering, which reduces steering wheel movements for improved agility and response, and Xenon adaptive headlights with auto leveling and low-speed cornering for improved visibility at night and when driving around corners.
Technology
BMW offers an optional lane-departure warning system on the 2008 5 Series. A camera mounted on the vehicle’s windshield, near the rearview mirror, monitors lane position at all times at highway speeds. If the system senses that the vehicle is drifting out of its current lane, it will warn the driver by producing a mild vibration in the steering wheel. Optional Active Cruise Control also adds a new Stop & Go feature for 2008, which allows the driver to use cruise control in heavy stop-and-go traffic. The system will bring the vehicle to a complete stop and remain active; a simple touch of the throttle is all that is required to reactivate the cruise control to resume the pre-set low speed. Also optional on the 2008 BMW 5 Series is a navigation system with voice activation and real-time traffic; a head-up display; hi-definition radio; and a separate USB adapter for iPods and MP3 players.
- Significant interior freshening
- Updated exterior design
- New model designations
- More horsepower and torque
- Quicker-shifting Sport Automatic transmission
- Optional lane-departure warning system
- “Stop and Go” feature on Active Cruise Control
- USB adapter for iPod or MP3 player
- Deletion of Sequential Manual Gearbox
- iDrive with six programmable “favorites” buttons
For 2008, all BMW model designations have been changed to reflect upgrades in engine performance. Although not a completely new model, the 2008 BMW 5 Series has received significant updating, both inside and out. More features have been made standard, and overall technology has been upgraded. One big change for 2008 is the deletion of BMW’s Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG), which was a manual-type automatic design. BMW’s Steptronic shifting is now a no-cost option on all 5 Series models.
Model Lineup
BMW has completely revised its 5 Series model designations for 2008. The 528i sedan replaces the previous 525i, and the new 528xi sedan takes over for the 525xi all-wheel-drive model. The 535 series—consisting of the 535i sedan, 535xi and 535i Sports Wagon—replaces the 530i lineup, and the 550i carries on as before. All body styles are identical save for the sports wagon. The differentiator among the models is the engine size.
In addition to the more efficient Steptronic clutchless-shift automatic transmission—offered at no extra charge—the 528i gets the new engine, new optional 18-inch run-flat tires, and 18-inch wheels included with the optional Sport package.
All 535i and 535xi models get a new engine and larger brakes, and the 535xi Sport package offers optional 18-inch wheels and tires in a staggered width. The 550i offers an optional Sport Automatic that includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and rpm matching during downshifts; Sport button for more dynamic shifting; new aerodynamics package; and the optional Sport package that includes 19-inch staggered-width wheels and performance tires.
In terms of design, all 2008 BMW 5 Series models get reconfigured optical headlight lenses, new white-design taillights, a new front airdam, and a re-shaped rear bumper.
Powertrain
The biggest change for the BMW 5 Series models for 2008 can be found in the engine compartment. The 528i and 528xi get the 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine, good for 230 hp and 200 lb.-ft. of torque. The 535i, xi and Sports Wagon get the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine that makes 300 hp and 300 lb.-ft. of torque, and the 550i sedan carries over with the naturally aspirated V-8 engine with 360 hp and 360 lb.-ft. of torque. EPA fuel economy estimates for the 6-speed manual transmission on the 528i are 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway, while the xi gets 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway. The 528i with automatic transmission is rated at 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway, while fuel economy figures for the xi are the same as for the manual. The 535i with 6-speed manual transmission is as yet unrated, but the 535i achieves 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway; the xi rates 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway; and the Sports Wagon comes in at 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway. The 550i is rated at 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway when equipped with the manual transmission, and 15 mpg city/23 mpg highway for automatic-equipped models.
The standard transmission on the 528i is a Getrag 6-speed manual, while the 528xi and the 550i get a ZF manual 6-speed. All 535 models come equipped with a standard 6-speed manual transmission; a 6-speed Steptronic automatic is optional.
Dynamic Stability Control, or DSC, is standard on the 2008 BMW 5 Series and includes a variety of traction and stability features, such as brake fade compensation; brake standby, which pre-applies brake pressure when the driver lifts off the throttle abruptly; automatic brake drying that helps dry the rotors during rainy weather; comfort stop, which eases brake pedal application for smoother stops; start-off assist, which briefly holds the vehicle when the brakes are released for easier starting uphill; and a modulated anti-lock brake function.
Safety
The list of standard safety and security features on the 2008 BMW 5 Series includes front air bags; side air bags; optional rear-seat side air bags; head-protection system; active front head restraints; and a battery safety terminal. Other BMW safety technologies that come standard on every 5 Series include active steering, which reduces steering wheel movements for improved agility and response, and Xenon adaptive headlights with auto leveling and low-speed cornering for improved visibility at night and when driving around corners.
Technology
BMW offers an optional lane-departure warning system on the 2008 5 Series. A camera mounted on the vehicle’s windshield, near the rearview mirror, monitors lane position at all times at highway speeds. If the system senses that the vehicle is drifting out of its current lane, it will warn the driver by producing a mild vibration in the steering wheel. Optional Active Cruise Control also adds a new Stop & Go feature for 2008, which allows the driver to use cruise control in heavy stop-and-go traffic. The system will bring the vehicle to a complete stop and remain active; a simple touch of the throttle is all that is required to reactivate the cruise control to resume the pre-set low speed. Also optional on the 2008 BMW 5 Series is a navigation system with voice activation and real-time traffic; a head-up display; hi-definition radio; and a separate USB adapter for iPods and MP3 players.