2011 BMW 550i Review by BMW Blog

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It is indeed the survival of the fittest in the automotive world. Let’s see how the 2011 BMW 550i did on a review by BMW Blog. Does it fit in the 5 Series fleet which is known to provide the needs of the consumer? Here’s and excerpt from the review.

Where’s The Beef? Qualms and Quibbles:

We enjoyed every minute we spent behind the wheel of BMW’s latest 5 series; mile after mile we grew more attached to the car. It was difficult to let go of the keys.

Of course, as an independent automotive journal, we are obliged to report all technical glitches that we experience while testing a car. The following is a consideration of areas we see for improvement.

Firstly, we are disappointed with the 5 series’ standard “Drive by Wire” steering setup. As highlighted earlier in the article, we found the steering relatively uncommunicative with numb on-center feel. We long for the honest, unadulterated feel of direct mechanical steering. While we appreciate the role electronic steering plays in the interests of efficiency, this trade off compromises driver enjoyment too severely. Why not make this technology an option for those who would trade (negligible) energy savings for steering feel. Telepathic steering feel is synonymous with “BMW,” and for those among us who own BMWs to drive them – we wouldn’t trade steering feel for the world.

About half way along our journey from Philadelphia to Toronto, we had a hankering for a hearty dinner. Otherwise flawless in its operation, the navigation system led us to a false address. Pulling up to a residential home we thought, “that doesn’t look much like a steak house.” Turns out it wasn’t.

While probing BMW’s lane departure warning system to its limits, we found that it can be foiled by heavy rain. This is ultimately a moot point as the system operated without fail until subjected to severe weather, and its optical limitations are understandable.

Speaking of heavy rain, it appears that the windshield wipers could use an additional, higher speed setting. There is no “freak-out mode” for heavy downpours while driving on the highway. Otherwise having ample traction and sufficient visibility, our speed was limited strictly by the windshield wipers! Dropping down from 100 km/h to 80, we wonder how the 5 series will handle the autobahn at higher speeds in soggy weather.

Conclusion: After 38 years of evolution, BMW’s 5 series continues to impress. As necessity dictates, this 5 series has adapted to consumer demands, becoming more powerful, efficient, comfortable, spacious, luxurious and intelligent. We cannot recall a more beautiful, classic shape among modern BMWs, its sculpture and lines will have you throwing looks over your shoulder every time you walk away.

In our exhaustive testing from the open road, to extra-urban traffic, to the racetrack: BMW’s latest addition of the 5 proved versatile, practical, and dynamic through it all.

With 5.5 million copies sold, BMW’s 5 series represents the benchmark in its class. This beast’s evolution has bred beauty. It’s still the king of the mid-size jungle.

The Numbers:

Base Price (MSRP in American Dollars): $59,700

Weight: Curb weight 1830 kg (4,026 lbs), Weight distribution 51% Front / 49% Rear

Engine Specification: 4.4 Liter Reverse-Flow Twin-Turbo V-8 (N63) 407 hp @ 5,500 rpm / 442 ft-lbs @ 1,750-4,500 rpm 92.5 hp/L

Body / Suspension / Drivetrain Layout: Length Width Height (4899 / 1860 / 1464 mm), Front: Double track control arm axle with separate lower track arm level, aluminium, smallsteering roll radius, anti-dive / Rear Integral-V multi-arm axle, aluminium, with steering function, anti-squat and anti-dive, double acoustic separation, Front Engine / RWD

Performance: 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) 5.0 sec, Top Speed 250 km/h (155 mph) electronically limited, Power to Weight Ratio 9.9 lb/hp

Fuel Consumption: City / Highway mileage of 15.4 / 10.7 L/100 km (15.3 / 22 mpg), Drag co-efficient 0.30 (Cd)

See the full review at BMW Blog.