BMW 545i Reviews

BMW's 545i with M package is not the real deal. The real M5 model won't get here until mid-year and is going to cost substantially more than this dressed-up 5 Series.The "M-lite" has a few of the bits, some of the body trim and a sportier suspension package ... and it is a beauty.As a base proposition the 545i is impressive. Add on the $3000 M Sport package and it actually represents good value, not something that is often said about BMW's extensive options list.The best of the add-ons is definitely the sportier suspension package, which adds an additional level of confidence to an already impressive handling deal.In addition, there is a set of M-badged light alloy 18-inch rims shod with 245/40 rubber, an attractive aeropackage, sport steering wheel, M-badged door sill finishers and a stylish aluminium dash treatment.Even without the extras, the 545i is an impressive argument that luxury, refinement and style need not lack muscle.At $151,900, the 545i is priced for what it is -- an upper end vehicle. Importantly, it delivers on what it promises.Much has been said and written about Chris Bangle's particular design theme which has, if nothing else, kept BMW under discussion through the renewal of its entire model range.On the 5 Series, the often confronting Bangle surfaces and folds actually look good, very good in fact. It may be the scale, it may be the final refinements of an idea, for whatever reason, it works.The first impression of the 545i's interior is one of space, luxurious space.Front and rear passengers are treated equally generously with ample shoulder, head and leg room.In typical BMW fashion the seats are supremely comfortable with a huge range of adjustment for the driver and three memory positions to ensure that once you have found a suitable spot you can go straight back to it.The aluminium strip treatment on the dash is a welcome change from the usual wood. The look is sporty and modern without being in the least "cheap". While the look and feel are important, to BMW, and many of the marque's faithful, it is the car's manners and performance that are the key indicators of success or not.The 245kW 4.4-litre V8 has the urge to lift the 545i's considerable 1635kg away from stationary with impressive verve on the way to governed 250km/h top speed.The big sedan will get to 100km/h in a claimed 5.9 seconds, but its real talent is using the 450Nm of torque through an impressive mid-range for quick acceleration when overtaking or merging.As a highway cruiser, it is simply superb. The active steering is as clever as it is useful.An electro-mechanical actuator adds positive or negative steering angles to the driver input, depending on speed. It means the steering ratio varies between 1:10 and 1:20 as speed increases with 1.7 turns lock-to-lock for agility at parking speeds and three turns for stability at highway speed.

To me, it can be overly complex and distractive to the driver.So I went for a long lesson; the one that BMW owners attend, with information about how the system works and what it can do and a hefty book as homework.For an owner, or prospective owner, of a BMW fitted with iDrive, get prepared for some lessons because that's possibly the only way you'll get to appreciate how the system works and what it has to offer.Not everyone may need the exhaustive list of iDrive options fitted to the BMW 5-series and 7-series, including systems such as audio, television, ventilation, navigation, communication and comfort.By the same token, not everyone is taken by the styling of the 545i.What everyone would appreciate is the car's ride quality and startling performance.Though the sedan looks a bit bulky – it's a pinch heavier than a Falconthe 4.4-litre V8 pumps out a hefty 245kW of power and a meaty 450Nm of torque at 3600rpm.Matched to a six-speed auto box, with sequential change if you want it, the performance is outstanding.The 545i also has superb handling, thanks to an active suspension system that works in concert with BMW's similarly active steering set-up.Turn off the stability program and the big sedan lightens up beautifully, producing controllable oversteer with excellent steering feel.Keep the stability program on and the big car holds a line through the corners with a near-flat stance. It is quite a remarkable and confidence-inspiring mount.The big surprise through all this is how the passengers were virtually unaware of the car's speed and cornering prowess.It remains quiet, unfussed and its performance potential is very understated.Of course, the 545i has all the necessary trimmings.Aside from a host of functions that can be tailored to the owner, the car sits on a long wheelbase for excellent rear head and leg room.The seats are perforated leather, with optional cooling air fans in the front seats that dry your sweaty back while you make that business call on the hands-free phone.The sound system is one of the best on the market, with a graphic equaliser that powers 10 speakers.There's a sunroof; "comfort" seats with ventilation and electric lumbar, bolster and thigh adjustments, rain-sensitive wipers and 10 airbags.The cabin design resembles the "edge" styling of the exterior, so it's restrained only by the dark colours chosen by the interior decorator.It's a great car, but don't think all the goodies it offers comes at an affordable price. At $150,000-plus, it's the perfect express for the executive in a hurry.

It's simply so safe with its intelligent driver aids like dynamic stability control and its secondary safety measures such as comprehensive crash protection and airbags.Now, add 75kW of power and $43,000 to the price and you've got the BMW 545i, a V8 4398cc six-speed auto with a whopping 245kW of power.Yes, there are other differences, such as an alarm system, comfort seats, dynamic stability control, 10-speaker sound system, DVD and TV, voice-recognition system, xenon headlights and leather steering wheel.But it is that strong and willing engine that makes all the difference.Thanks to the dynamic stability control you can use all its awesome power without giving yourself or your passengers too many unexpected thrills. It is oh so quiet in the cabin, with only a gentle rumble from the V8 when under any duress.Even winding the windows down doesn't feed in any more of its dulcet tones.So you either enjoy the cabin quiet or turn up that 10-speaker sound system and rock the neighbourhood with duff-duff music.After driving several BMWs with the iDrive system, I'm getting more and more capable.iDrive uses one big all-purpose control like the mouse on a computer.You can click it down, push it forward and back, move it side to side and then dial it around clockwise and anti-clockwise.Each movement is mirrored on the screen display.After a while, it kind of clicks in your brain and it becomes much easier – not really second-nature, but certainly logical.However, you can't make more than one or two choices without having to avert your eyes from the driving task.There is nothing you can really do by feel, without looking at the screen.With separate controls, you can feel your way to the volume, tone controls and various other functions. You can't do that with iDrive.You have to watch where you are in the on-screen menu and make your selections.For example, changing the tone settings requires half a dozen clicks, dials and shoves before you even get to the settings, let alone adjusting them.Consequently, it is vital that you take the time to program in your voice commands so that you can operate the system hands-free.Dashboard-mounted TVs switch to a blank screen when you are moving and most will show the picture when you stop or are moving slowly.It's actually against the law to watch the screen when you are not parked.This TV screen only works when the parking brake is engaged.

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