The 2008 5 Series is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sedan, luxury sports sedan, or luxury wagon, available in 6 trims, ranging from the 528i Sedan to the 550i Sedan.Upon introduction, the 528i Sedan is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, I6, 230-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The 550i Sedan is equipped with a standard 4.8-liter, V8, 360-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.

The 2008 5 Series is freshened for 2008.

When people ask us to recommend luxury cars, the BMW 5 Series is invariably high on the list. Wealthier shoppers may gravitate toward the newer models loaded with technology, but older 5 Series cars can be just as satisfying to drive and own.

Introduced for 2004, the current BMW 5 Series is by far the most radical. On the surface, it incorporates bold styling cues that depart from BMW’s traditional styling language established over the preceding four generations. Inside, a system called iDrive corrals audio, climate, navigation and communication functions using a central LCD screen and console-mounted control dial. We’ve found iDrive cumbersome to use, although it is more sophisticated than the button-heavy layout in older 5 Series cars.

The driving experience hasn’t changed much, as the 5 Series still has sharper reflexes and more road feel than any other car in its class. There’s still a choice of inline six or V8 power, and you can still get a manual or automatic transmission on whichever model you choose. But there’s a lot more technology working behind the scenes, including a stability control system that can do everything from helping you avoid skids to drying off the brakes when it’s raining. An optional active steering system can vary the steering ratio to reduce effort in tight turns.

If you like the styling and aren’t intimidated by its hefty dose of electronics, the current-generation BMW 5 Series is an excellent choice for a midsize luxury car. The only significant drawback is high pricing.

2008 5 Series Models:
2008 BMW 5 Series 528i Sedan
2008 BMW 5 Series 528xi Sedan
2008 BMW 5 Series 535i Sedan
2008 BMW 5 Series 535xi Sedan
2008 BMW 5 Series 550i Sedan