Model Year | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 2009- | 2009- | 2009- | 2009- |
Model | 5-Series | 5-Series | 5-Series | 5-Series | Quest | Quest | Quest | Quest |
Trim | 528i | 535i | 550i | M5 | 3.5 | 3.5 S | 3.5 SL | 3.5 SE |
Engines | ||||||||
Transmissions | ||||||||
Drivetrains | ||||||||
Tires | ||||||||
Audio Systems | ||||||||
Accessories | ||||||||
Powers devices with a regular home electrical outlet. Limited wattage: forget about using it to power a blow drier. | ||||||||
Automatically maintains set distance behind preceding vehicle as well as set speed. Can bring vehicle to a complete stop then accelerate back up to set speed. Replaces regular adaptive cruise control, and includes its value. | ||||||||
Both sliding doors can be opened and closed using buttons inside the vehicle and on the keyfob. | ||||||||
Pulls door tight after latch is engaged. Door can be shut with very little effort. | ||||||||
Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available. | ||||||||
Liftgate can be opened and closed using buttons inside the vehicle and on the keyfob. | ||||||||
Passenger-side sliding door can be opened and closed using buttons inside the vehicle and on the keyfob. | ||||||||
Pedals adjust fore-and-aft to provide the optimal relationship with the steering wheel. | ||||||||
Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket. | ||||||||
Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||||||
Operate the power windows, sunroof, and/or convertible roof using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||||||
Greatly reduces the amount of sunlight entering the rear window. Includes the value of manual rear shade. | ||||||||
Greatly reduce the amount of sunlight entering the rear side windows. Retract into rear doors. | ||||||||
Homelink. | ||||||||
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety | ||||||||
Rear disc brakes. | ||||||||
If active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common. | ||||||||
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||||||
Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time. | ||||||||
When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes. | ||||||||
Mandatory, in all cars. | ||||||||
Applies the brakes to hold the vehicle in place on an incline. Incomplete data, so only displayed when pricing a single vehicle. | ||||||||
Alerts driver when the vehicle seems to be wandering out of the lane. | ||||||||
Creates infrared-based image of the road ahead. | ||||||||
Beeps signal distance to object in front of vehicle. Parking aid. | ||||||||
Beeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid. | ||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
Torso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags. | ||||||||
Rearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system. | ||||||||
Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | ||||||||
Airbags contained just above the window level. Cover all three rows. | ||||||||
Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning). | ||||||||
Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire. | ||||||||
Can be driven deflated for about 50 miles. Usually harm ride quality. Cars with these often have no spare tire. | ||||||||
When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction. | ||||||||
Cargo Management | ||||||||
Above floor system for organizing cargo. | ||||||||
Hitch rated for up to 3,500 pounds. Capacity of the vehicle could be lower. | ||||||||
Usually part of an overhead console. | ||||||||
Usually concealed behind a stowed armrest. Enables long items like skis to be carried without folding the rear seat. | ||||||||
Requires roof rails. Together constitute a roof rack. | ||||||||
No crossbars. | ||||||||
Sack attached to rear seat pass-through. Keeps dirty skis from messing up the interior. | ||||||||
Includes four-wire harness, limited to relatively small trailers. | ||||||||
Climate Control | ||||||||
Automatically recirculates interior air when pollution is detected in outside air. | ||||||||
Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||||
Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||||
Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features. | ||||||||
Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor. | ||||||||
Fan speed and/or temperature can be manually set for vents in the center console, B-pillars, and/or ceiling. Includes value of rear vents. | ||||||||
Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row. | ||||||||
A second evaporator provides cool air to rear vents. Does not include the value of these vents. Includes rear heater. | ||||||||
Provides heat for an extended period of time after the engine has been cut off. | ||||||||
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||||||
Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted. | ||||||||
Drivetrain | ||||||||
When one rear wheel spins, the differential locks up, sending power to the wheel with better traction. | ||||||||
Exterior | ||||||||
Side skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron. | ||||||||
Moldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots. | ||||||||
Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | ||||||||
One or more glass panels in the roof that cannot be opened or removed. | ||||||||
Flaps mounted behind two to four wheels, to protect the body from mud and rocks. | ||||||||
Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler. | ||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
Gas Guzzler Tax | ||||||||
Infotainment | ||||||||
Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car. | ||||||||
Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers. | ||||||||
Includes CD player. | ||||||||
CD changer in the glove compartment, trunk, or cargo area, beyond easy reach. Can be in addition to an in-dash CD player. | ||||||||
A DVD player and ceiling-mounted screen. Often includes a pair of wireless headphones. | ||||||||
High-definition radio, which broadcasts a digital signal. Free, no subscription fees. | ||||||||
Integrates an iPod with the vehicle's controls and speakers. Usually included if there is a USB port, but can also rely on a proprietary port. | ||||||||
Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | ||||||||
Screen-based navigation system. | ||||||||
Audio controls for rear seat passengers, usually to control output through headphone jacks. | ||||||||
XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply. | ||||||||
XM or Sirius with one-year subscription. | ||||||||
Second DVD player allows two different DVDs to be played simultaneously. | ||||||||
In-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system. For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 1-12 months. | ||||||||
Information about traffic conditions. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months. | ||||||||
Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | ||||||||
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors | ||||||||
Driver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||||
High beams automatically turned on and off. | ||||||||
Passenger-side rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||||
Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||||
Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights. | ||||||||
We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it. | ||||||||
Lights illuminate area just ahead and to the side of the vehicle when the turn signals are used or the steering wheel is turned. | ||||||||
Light wide area close in front of the vehicle. | ||||||||
Projects various instrument readouts onto the windshield. Image actually appears to be floating over the nose of the car. Enables driver to keep eyes on the road. | ||||||||
Clears ice and fog from mirrors. | ||||||||
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||||
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||||
LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior. | ||||||||
Front row reading lights. | ||||||||
One or both exterior mirrors tilt down when the transmission is in reverse, to provide view of the curb. | ||||||||
Area around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked. | ||||||||
Includes value of manual remote mirrors. | ||||||||
Mirrors fold and unfold with the touch of a button inside the vehicle. Good for narrow roads and parking lots. | ||||||||
Headlights swivel when steering wheel is turned. | ||||||||
Reports engine speed. | ||||||||
Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats. | ||||||||
Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights. | ||||||||
Seats and Interior Trim | ||||||||
Real aluminum trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. Deleted by wood trim even if they appear together. | ||||||||
The outside seatback bolster automatically firms up in hard turns. | ||||||||
The outside seatback bolster automatically firms up in hard turns. | ||||||||
Erects between the front seats; stows against side of passenger seat to open up walk through. | ||||||||
Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat. | ||||||||
Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette. | ||||||||
Seat adjusts back and forth to vary the split between the second row and the third row or cargo area. | ||||||||
Manually adjustable lower back support. | ||||||||
Manually tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||||
Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||||||
Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | ||||||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | ||||||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seat cushion, to prevent sliding out of the seat in hard turns. | ||||||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seat cushion, to prevent sliding out of the seat in hard turns. | ||||||||
Power-adjustable cushion length; provides better support for long legs. | ||||||||
Power-adjustable cushion length; provides better support for long legs. | ||||||||
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||||
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||||
The upper part of the seatback be be adjusted separately from the lower part. | ||||||||
The upper part of the seatback be be adjusted separately from the lower part; especially useful when the seat is heavily reclined, to better support the upper back. | ||||||||
Seat stows in a well completely beneath the floor level. | ||||||||
A.k.a vinyl, leatherette, MB-Tex, NuLuxe. | ||||||||
Usually also includes synthetic suede on the pillars. | ||||||||
Real wood trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. | ||||||||
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires | ||||||||
Motors joining the left and right halves of the stabilizer bars twist them to further reduce roll in turns and disengages them to improve ride quality when not turning. | ||||||||
The steering ratio is automatically varied based on vehicle speed and other factors. | ||||||||
Shocks that electrically adjust their firmness based on sensor readings of the road surface. The driver might also be able to select a \"sport\" setting. | ||||||||
Same value as regular alloy wheels because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
Outer surface of alloy wheels machines to yield a bright finish. Replace and include value of reqular alloy wheels. | ||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||
Transmission | ||||||||
Paddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission. |
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