Edmunds blogs about the top three best features of the 2011 BMW 5 series (F10). Their choices are the Dynamic Handling Package, the automated parking assist with parking cameras, and the Eight-speed automatic transmission. What do our own F10 owners / test drivers think? Feel free to chime in.
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Weekly Top Three: Best Features Of The 2011 BMW 5 Series
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor, Edmunds
1. The Dynamic Handling Package
Going with this package equips the 5 Series with adjustable shock absorbers, adjustable stabilizer bars and Driving Dynamic Control. The previous 5 Series also had the adjustable shocks and stabilizers but the new car has the next generation that reacts more quickly and effectively. Driving Dynamics Control, as first seen on the 7 Series, lets you prime the car's automatic suspension by pre-selecting one of four modes: Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport+. The different modes also affect engine throttle response, transmission shift patterns, steering effort and stability control settings (Sport+). The upshot is it gives the 5 Series even greater flexibility in being both a luxury sedan and sport sedan.
2. Automated parking assist with parking cameras
The 5 Series is the first BMW to be equipped with a new parallel parking assist system. In operation it's similar to the system that Ford uses for a variety of its vehicles. Sensors mounted on the side of the car measure the length and width of available parking spaces as you drive by them (up to 22 mph). As the driver, you're only responsible for the throttle and brake; the BMW handles the steering (which is possible now since the 5 Series has electric-assist steering). In action, it works pretty well and takes about approximately 30 seconds from start to completed park. Basically, parallel parking just got a lot easier for drivers who normally dread it. The 5 Series also comes with a new top-view camera and the side-view cameras as first introduced on the 7 Series.
3. Eight-speed automatic transmission
Heck, if six speeds is good then eight is even better, right? Well, in the case of the 5 Series, yes. As we found with the 550i GT, BMW's new eight-speed automatic is quite impressive in the way it shifts quickly and unobtrusively. Unless you're really paying attention, you probably won't even notice it's got eight gears to pick from. The biggest advantage though is that BMW has used the extra gears to give the 5 Series a taller top gear, thereby helping to improve fuel economy. The 535i, for instance, now has a 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined EPA fuel economy estimate, the best in the midsize luxury sedan segment.
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