- 176,115
- 565 below average
- 3,799 good
- Huntington, WV
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- autoshopper.com
- 565 below average 176,115 silver automatic
2001 bmw 525 review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. The benchmark for luxury sports sedans. introductionbmw's 5 series remains the quintessential midsize luxury sports sedan. Each model presents a distinct personality and price range, and all are wonderful cars in their own right. the 5 series sport wagons (525it and 540it) are fantastic. They offer much better handling than any sport-utility vehicle and better performance than most sedans; judged logically, they make a lot more sense than bmw's own x5. a new 525i sedan drops the price of entry for 2001, and some minor styling revisions freshen the appearance of all models. lineupbmw's 5 series comprises three sedans and two wagons. Retail prices for sedans: 525i 35,400); 530i 39,400); 540ia 51,100); 540i 53,900). Wagons: 525it 37,200); 540it 53,480). 525i, 530i, and 525it sport wagon come almost identically equipped with a long list of standard equipment and leatherette (vinyl) upholstery. Montana leather upholstery 1275) is optional. The 530i gets automatic air conditioning, instead of the manual controls on the 525 models. Both now come with 16-inch wheels, but with a different design to distinguish the 530i. 525i, as its nomenclature suggests, comes with a 2. 5-liter fuel-injected six-cylinder engine. This is a new double overhead-cam inline-6 with bmw's double vanos system, which means it has variable valve timing for strong power and good fuel economy at all speeds (184 horsepower and an epa-estimated 20/29 miles per gallon city/highway). 530i comes with a more powerful 3. 0-liter six-cylinder engine that generates 225 horsepower and 214 pounds-feet of torque. (this is the model we tested for this review; it's the successor to the 528i.) all three models come standard with a getrag five-speed manual gearbox, though the ratios are specifically tuned for each. An optional five-speed automatic transmission 1275) is available that features adaptive shift logic and a steptronic shifter; the steptronic works just like a regular automatic in normal mode, but the driver can slap it over to the left and shift manually when desired for better control on winding roads or heavy commuter traffic. 540 models are powered by a 4. 4-liter v8. The 540 models come standard with montana leather upholstery, burl walnut trim, automatic air conditioning, xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps,. 540ia is a luxury model that comes standard with the five-speed steptronic transmission, a self-leveling rear suspension, 16-inch wheels and 10-way power seats. 540i is a special sports model with a 6-speed manual gearbox, sports suspension with firmer springs and shock absorbers, specially tuned anti-roll bars, a lower ride height, and 17-inch wheels with larger rear tires. In addition to dual two-stage smart front airbags (that can detect whether someone is in the passenger seat, all models come with front door-mounted side-impact airbags and bmw's unique head protection system, which deploys tubular inflatable cushions in the areas of the front occupants' heads. Rear seat side-impact airbags 550) are an option and can be activated and deactivated at any time by the dealer. The overall shape of the 5 series body is a well-done evolution of a handsome basic design that dates back more than two decades. 5 series sport wagons differ visually from the sedans only aft of the c-pillar, where an extended roof and tailgate replace the sedan profile and trunk lid. The tailgate has a commendably low opening, giving access to the luggage bay right down to bumper-top level; if smaller items are to be loaded aboard, the rear glass can be raised separately. The 5 series sport wagons offer a larger cargo capacity than the new bmw x5 sport-utility. the 5 series body shell is extremely rigid, a plus in terms of both safety and noise reduction. With its low 0. 30 coefficient of drag, the 5 series is one of the most aerodynamically efficient sedans on the market. Foam-filled body cavities and well-designed door seals help keep noise at bay. interiorthe 5 series interior gets high marks for comfort and appearance. The leatherette that comes standard on 525 and 530 models is attractive, with brushed-aluminum accents. This was part of the sport premium package 4300), which also includes the sports suspension and other features. Ten-way seat adjustments and a power tilt-and-telescopic steering column help the driver fine tune seating position. the 5 series center console is much more elegantly designed than the somewhat disappointing console in the 3 series cars. The 5 series perfunctory cupholders show bmw is still struggling, or is not concerned, with this most american of features. studying the audio system owner's manual is needed to fully master the bmw business cd car radio as it's called. It automatically changes volume according to speed, ties into a cellular telephone, and has tuning features useful for traveling from city to city. It's a good-looking system with buttons linked to fields displayed digitally. the map lights work very well, but a compass would be useful. It has all kinds of buttons on it to control audio and other functions that may require a trip to the owner's manual to fully master. driving impressionthe 530i's engine is smooth and responsive. It glides along quietly when cruising, feeling like finely engineered machinery. Freedom from vibration is an inherent benefit of inline-6 engines, and bmw's are among the best. nail the throttle and there's a growl akin to bmw's race engines. By comparison, a 525i accelerates from 0-60 in 7. 3 seconds with the manual, 8. 0 seconds with the automatic. At the same time, the 530i returns an epa-estimated 21/30 mpg city/highway, though that drops to just 18/26 mpg with an automatic transmission. All these bmw engines require premium unleaded fuel. both the 2. 5-liter and 3-liter engines are updated for 2001: a fully electronic throttle system replaces the electromechanical type. As a result, throttle response is even more precise than before. Also, a new intake manifold and increased valve lift improve performance. we've tested the 540i in the past and found the 32-valve v8 to be quiet and unobtrusive, making itself heard only when pushed hard. When pushed hard, it's powerful, covering 0-60 mph in just 5. 8 seconds with the manual, 6. 1 with the automatic. The v8 has not been changed this year. the 5 series bmws offer superb handling, regardless of suspension package and powerplant. They are true sports sedans, tracking precisely through corners with minimal body roll. for the ultimate in razor-sharp road behavior, the sport suspension package is the choice. Stiffer springs and shock absorbers result in a slightly harsher ride quality, but enthusiasts may find this tradeoff in comfort is more than made up for by driving pleasure. Rippled pavement in downtown washington was quite noticeable through the seat of the pants. It responds quickly to a tip of the throttle, droppin. Anti-lock Brakes✔ Heated Seats✔ Power Seats✔ Bucket Seats✔ Air Conditioning✔ Sport Package
3,799 Huntington, WVHuntington, WV at autoshopper.com