Video – 2011 BMW 535i Track Test by Inside Line

The 2011 BMW 535i is a midsized sedan with a 3.0-liter I-6 N55 single twin-scroll turbocharger that produces 300 horsepower. It has a new suspension and a ZF-built eight-speed automatic gear box. The 2011 5 Series is the first of the 5 Series fleet to have electronic power steering (EPS).

Inside Line takes the F10 2011 535i for track testing. This test car has the Dynamic Handling package ($2,500), Sport package ($2,200), and Sport automatic transmission option ($500). This video shows the performance results that they were able to achieve: 0-60 time, 1/4 mile, slalom speed, skid pad lateral acceleration (G’s), and braking distance.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ3gusdmTnc&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

The verdict?

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 with brake torque and DSC off, it’s still not what I’d call “snappy” off the line but at least the boost is in the right place for a decent run. Very smooth upshifts in every mode, but it seemed to delay 1-2 (possibly 3-4) in Sport mode. Crossed the finish in 4th gear.

Braking Comments: Highly susceptible to pavement irregularities, hence 10-foot variance in otherwise fade-free set of runs. Some smoking front pads, but no discernible loss of power. Obvious anti-dive suspension and lots of rebound damping. Firm pedal and straight stops throughout.

Handling Comments: Slalom: With DSC off in Sport, the tires were the limiting factor. Good balance between understeer/oversteer and good steering response but not enough ultimate grip to make it all work. In Sport + DSC on, the brakes would grab abruptly just as I approached a cone (expecting a little slide), so I had to back down the speed to keep from being pulled into cones by DSC. Skid pad: hard to balance/steer on the line with boost varying wildly — requires constant steering with DSC off. With DSC on (Sport +) it requires virtually no steering, and throttle was more consistent (obviously being managed by computer), steering weight was appropriate, but almost no feel.

Source: Edmund’s Inside Line