BMW 525i 2004 review

It is by no means cheap – at $90,900 – but is the most affordable dish in the executive sedan range. Rightly or wrongly, BMW has copped much flak over its switch to a bolder, more energetic look for the Five. BMW should not be worried, though, there are far more worrying designs emerging in the prestige market.

Three 5-Series models are available – the 530i with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder, the 545i with a 4.4-litre V8 and our test car with a 2.5-litre in-line six.

The smooth engine isn't the most powerful around with 141kW at 6000 revs and 245Nm of torque at 3500 revs.

It comes with a superb six-speed, three-mode auto with Steptronic as standard.

While this is the entry model, the 525i still comes with leather seats, auto airconditioning, automatic headlights and windscreen washers, central locking, fog lamps, heat-reflecting glass, power adjustment for height and backrest for the front seats, a superb audio system, DVD navigation and 16-inch alloy wheels.

However, if you want some of the clever toys, it'll cost you. The options list includes electronic parking assist ($1680), which beeps when you are close to an object; 17-inch wheels with run-flat tyres ($1550); bi-xenon headlamps with washers ($2110); heated seats ($1170); active cruise control ($4500); alarm system ($975) and adaptive headlights that swivel into corners to enable the driver to "see around the bend" at night ($860).

BMW has fitted the Five with a simplified version of its controversial iDrive system...a knob mounted between the seats which acts as a computer mouse to select various functions, such as the audio and ventilation settings, which are listed on a screen on the dashboard. It's one of those things that looks like a good ideas on paper, but is frustrating to use.

As you'd expect, there's an abundance of hi-tech safety features, including anti-lock brakes, multiple front and side air bags, low-pressure tyre warning system and BMW's Dynamic Drive system (active anti-roll bars which change the spring and/or damper settings to suit road conditions). The system has been borrowed from the 7-Series and helps greatly to keep the car flat and stable when cornering. It comes as an option, though, at $4950.

Add Dynamic Traction and Stability Control to that and you have a car that can usually correct driver error or loss of traction by reducing wheel slip or wheel spin by individually applying the brakes.

On the road

Plant the foot and it takes a while for the Bimmer to pick up its skirt and run like the wind. The fun begins when you get up in the rev range, with the six-speed automatic well cogged to make the best of the engine's peak performance.

This is a car that responds well to being driven on the throttle without heavy fuel consumption.

It is fair to say this is the sweetest 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine around today.

BMW's speed-variable Active Steering is a technical breakthrough, providing variable assistance depending on the speed of the car. At speeds up to 120km/h it needs only 1.7 turns of the steering wheel to go from lock to lock. That makes it a breeze to park and you don't end up crossing your arms when you tackle the suburban roundabout. At higher speeds, when more wheel movement is desirable, a less direct ratio comes into play.

The go-kart steering, however, can catch you out until you get used to it. It is very precise – perhaps too precise at moderate speeds and a little lifeless in feel at low speed.

Push the car hard on flowing country roads and there's a reassuring amount of grip with the backup of traction and stability control systems. It sits flat with terrific poise and balance. BMW quotes a zero to 100km/h acceleration time of 8.7 seconds.

The Five's cabin also has a new look, but it can leave occupants a bit cold because of the almost minimalistic dashboard. Decent and practical in-cabin storage, however, is a bit on the skimpy side.

The bottom line

It doesn't have the same punch of its more expensive 5-Series brothers, but the more affordable 525i is still a class act.