2006 BMW 5 Series New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2006 BMW 5-Series?
BMW adds a station wagon variant to the 5-Series lineup, as well as new inline six-cylinder engines and an xDrive all-wheel-drive system. Based on the same fully-automatic, rear-biased xDrive in the X3 and X5 sport-utes, the AWD system is offered only on 525i and 530i models. Both of those models get new engines for 2006. The 2.5-liter inline six makes 218 horsepower, while the 3.0-liter engine cranks out 258 horsepower. Station wagon models are equipped only with the larger six, and only with xDrive. The 530xiT can schlep up to 56.5 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats folded down.

Advantages of the 2006 BMW 5-Series:

• Strong and smooth engines
• Superb comfort
• Lush cabin materials
• Impressive performance
• Fascinating Active Steering system
• Slick optional xDrive AWD

Objections to the 2006 BMW 5-Series:

• Fussy iDrive control system
• Prices rise dramatically when desirable options are added

Editor's Advice:
If its Bangled styling pleases you, so will the rest of the 2006 BMW 5-Series. This is a fantastic luxury sports sedan, and remains the benchmark against which others must be measured, especially now with all-new six-cylinder engines and an available all-wheel-drive system. If you don't mind the penalty of diminished ride quality, opt for the Sport package, which includes Active Steering and Active Roll Stabilization. Once you live with these two technologies, you'll wonder if you could ever buy another car without them.