Model Year | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 |
Model | 5-Series | 5-Series | 5-Series |
Trim | 528i | 535i | 550i |
Engines | |||
Transmissions | |||
Drivetrains | |||
Tires | |||
Audio Systems | |||
Accessories | |||
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. | |||
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. | |||
Decklid can be opened and closed using buttons inside the vehicle and on the keyfob. | |||
Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket. | |||
Check on car and remotely control various functions (remote start, locks, lights, and/or HVAC) from a telephone or computer. Can require a monthly fee. | |||
Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | |||
Operate the power windows, sunroof, and/or convertible roof using buttons on the keyfob. | |||
Automatically steers the vehicle into a parking space. Driver operates the transmission, and sometimes also the brake and accelerator. | |||
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. | |||
Small external cameras provide a top-down view all around the vehicle, to reduce blind spots while parking. | |||
Mirror-mounted lights indicate when another vehicle is in a blind spot. | |||
When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes. | |||
Alerts driver when approaching the preceding car too quickly. | |||
Mandatory, in all cars. | |||
Selectively applies the brakes to maintain a slow, steady descent on off-road downhill slopes. | |||
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. | |||
Night vision system detects pedestrians ahead of the car, then highlights them on the display. | |||
Prepares brakes (and sometimes also seat belts) for use when radar detects an imminent collision. Might also move seats and close windows. Early Lexus system used laser. Since automatic braking became common it has been unclear which models have this feat | |||
Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | |||
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. | |||
Wide angle camera allows the driver to see well to each side from the very front of the car when pulling out of parking spaces or side streets. | |||
Cargo Management | |||
Usually concealed behind a stowed armrest. Enables long items like skis to be carried without folding the rear seat. | |||
Sack attached to rear seat pass-through. Keeps dirty skis from messing up the interior. | |||
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. | |||
Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling. | |||
Maintains set temperature in rear passenger area by providing heated or cooled air through vents in the center console, B-pillars, and/or ceiling. Replaces and includes value of rear air vents with manual controls. | |||
Requires and does not include the value of rear air vents. | |||
Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row. | |||
Provides heat for an extended period of time after the engine has been cut off. | |||
Engine / Motor | |||
Permits a higher top speed before fuel cutoff kicks in. | |||
Smart alternator recharges battery only while braking, to improve fuel economy. | |||
Exterior | |||
Side skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron. | |||
Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | |||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | |||
Infotainment | |||
Touchscreen and/or voice control over apps that can include online search, Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, OpenTable, and MovieTickets.com. Requires connected compatible phone. Fees may apply after first three years. | |||
Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car. | |||
Uses Bluetooth rather than a cable to integrate audio device. Requires compatible audio device and/or phone. | |||
Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers. | |||
A DVD player and two front headrest-mounted screens. | |||
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. | |||
Built-in drive with at least 10 GB of storage for MP3 and other audio files. | |||
Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | |||
Screen-based navigation system. | |||
XM or Sirius with one-year subscription. | |||
Converts text messages to speech. | |||
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 plus weather, gas prices, sports news, and/or movie times. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months. | |||
Phone or other device operated via the vehicle's voice command system. Requires a compatible device--all aren't supported. | |||
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. | |||
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. | |||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | |||
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. | |||
Power lumbar or vibration used to massage lower back. | |||
Power lumbar or vibration used to massage lower back. | |||
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 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. | |||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | |||
A.k.a vinyl, leatherette, MB-Tex, NuLuxe. | |||
No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models. | |||
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. | |||
Varies throttle, steering, ABS, and/or stability control calibration. | |||
The rear wheels steer to improve steering responsiveness at high speeds and reduce the turning circle at low speeds. | |||
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. |
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2011 BMW 5-Series
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD