Looks like the AWD 5er is coming

[Fielding Yost]

This Detroit News article caught me by surprise.
Detroit News Auto Insider Article

Funny how the focus of the article was that the e60 will be getting the new I6 engine. I thought that was a given. The real surprise for me was that the 5er is going to have an AWD option in 2006. I thought that AWD was still in the very early concept/development stage for the e60.

I'm not sure how much the author knows about bimmers. After all, the article references the existence of a 523i. Whaa?? Have I missed something? Plus, the photo caption refers to a 530xi with a 2.5L engine (boy, someone's gettin' ripped off there).

Whether one really needs an AWD for the 5er is debatable. My non-SP 5er is fine in the snow, and I understand that a 5er with SP is ok in the snow as long as you've got snow tires on. Nonetheless, for marketing purposes, I think this is a smart move for BMW. Some people view AWD as a savior, regardless of how useful it actually may be. Audi can't be happy about this.

 

[MrElussive]

Well BMW announced that they were going to offer it on the E39 so it's about damn time they have it for the E60. I think AWD is useful for A LOT of buyers....better stability in the rain, and no need to worry about snow tires and summer tires (snow tires are a hassle for most people), plus you're GUARANTEED to get around in the snow. I wouldn't take a RWD BMW out in the middle of a snow storm w/snow tires, but I would take out an AWD BMW with all-seasons. AWD cars typically come with all-season tires so you've got an all-weather BMW right out of the box, no hassles or anything.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

That article makes a few sketchy claims, I don't think it's reliable at all. Especially the 258hp V12 powered exclusively by hydrogen...... I heard about the battery being hydrogen powered but not the engine.

 

[Fielding Yost]

That article makes a few sketchy claims, I don't think it's reliable at all.

Amen. The article is a train wreck. It's especially odd since it's in a Detroit newspaper that has extensive automobile news/sections every day. You'd think someone would have caught all the errors and inconsistencies.

MrE, I didn't even know that an AWD e39 was ever discussed. Any time I read general stuff about AWD bimmers, the quotes from BMW were about how it would take a lot of time, if ever, for their engineers to be comfortable with the driving dynamics of an AWD 5. Don't get me wrong. I'm happy that it's coming, because it'll probably be my next car if I can afford it. I can't disagree that an AWD 5er would be appreciably better. I guess I can't appreciate how difficult a 5er with SP is to drive in bad weather. How's your G35 been this winter? I'm assuming you put snows on it?