CD Article: 2006 BMW 530xi Touring

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Test Drive:

With its xdrive all-wheel-drive system, low centre of gravity, and 49/51 percent weight distribution front to rear, the BMW 530xi wagon steers and handles better than bulky SUVs, says Veeno Dewan. But with a base price of $72,800, "it’s not cheap," he says.    More...

[mdxtasy]

Now where did I put that 6/49 ticket?  Oh this would be a fantastic replacement for the MDX.  It's a lot of car....but it's also a lot of money.  The 5 wagon looks oh so right....the 5 sedan is nice to my eyes....but this is downright sexy.   

[Demosthenes X]

Let me just whip out the cheque book and...

Lot of money to be tied up in a car.  Very nice car, though...  Bimmer sure knows how to build a good one.

[mdxtasy]

If you're in the market for such a ride, you're not putting all your eggs into this thing.  You've got to have some serious money to be considering such a luxurious purchase.

[ovr50]

Wow, the nicest wagon I've seen in a long time. It looks so big yet the length is 191.2" which is only about an inch longer than wife's Solara. That's very reasonable for a wagon. A very viable alternative to a SUV BUT the price tag will deter some folk, $80k buys a lot of car in any form.

The white color is very fitting on it also. Like it. 

[mdxtasy]

I agree that the white doesn't look bad.  Not fridge like at all.  The $72K base price is still one expensive piece of machinery.  For $80K...that's a lot of money.  Like the article stated, people thought it was a $60K car.  If it were priced there, I'd be on it like a fat kid on a Smartie. 

[tpl]

I agree... even at $72K WITH  the premium and nav option packs it would be sort of ok   but then there is over $10k taxes to pay...
still would like one tho'

[quadzilla]

I remember seeing one of these on the highway while going to Quebec in the summer.  Its such  beautiful wagon and would gladly trade up from the 6-wgn.  Oh well.  I'll just keep looking from afar for now. 

[mdxtasy]

I had some seat time in the previous 5 series sedan and thought it was great.  I had an opportunity to drive the new 5 and thought...if they only made a wagon.  Now they did but priced it up there with the cost of my home. 

[Bullet Blue]

C'mon MDX, if you won the lottery, you gotta go all out! M5 WAGON!!!

Very stunning design and very impressive vehicle. One of the best wagons out there 

[johngenx]

You can wander into a Mercedes dealer (yup, in Canada) and pick up an E55AMG wagon with 469hp.  If I had $121,000 to drop on a car, it would be it.  Then I'd strip the emblems off.  Sure, the 18" wheels/tires are a bit of a giveaway, but you can mount them on an E350 wagon too.  Maybe some "E350" emblems would complete the job...

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Yeah, that E55 AMG is where it's at for speed, but the 5-Series sure looks the part.

I like it in white. In the same configuration, the sedan is only $2,100 less than the wagon. Too bad it isn't offered with the smaller engines at lower prices tho.

I like how writers like to say "Bangle bustle butt" was toned down for the 3-Series and wagons, while I think it's simply the same design applied to either a smaller vehicle, or a vehicle that requires the width for storage space (the wagon). The lip below the rear glass is the Bangle touch on the wagons for me

Sure is sweet. I've seen a few on the streets and highway.

[Bullet Blue]

The M5 wagon would have around 500 horses just like the M5 sedan, no 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Would imagine so. Along with the $120G price. BMW-Benz, vis-a-vis (however that goes).

[a4_tom]

Imagine RS6 Avant vs M5 Touring vs E55 wagon in future CD comparo.

[rovermark]

Sort of defeats the purpose - having a 80,000 dollar station wagon that you'd either not use because you're too rich to haul stuff around, or because the car won't stand that the abuse a station wagon is built for. i'd rather opt for a range rover sport.

seems to me, the rear end only serves the purpose of transporting the dog around. therefore, this bmw is nothing more than a "BMW 5-series doggie-wagon".

the car is plain stupid, and is irrelevant. give me a real, hardworking station wagon anytime over this waste of metal and glass.

[Bullet Blue]

 Problems at home rovermark

[Demosthenes X]

If you're in the market for such a ride, you're not putting all your eggs into this thing.  You've got to have some serious money to be considering such a luxurious purchase.

Agreed...  but it's still a lot of money to have tied up in a car.  I can't say for sure I wouldn't buy such an expensive vehicle if I could afford it, but it certainly wouldn't be an impulse buy.

[quadzilla]

Hey Rover -- The difference between the BMW Wagon and the RR is that the SPORT is actually correct on the BMW.  People buy and do actually use these things for what they were designed for.  I guess you just prefer a high centre of gravity and slowing down for corners.  To each their own.

[mdxtasy]

C'mon MDX, if you won the lottery, you gotta go all out! M5 WAGON!!!

Depends on how much I won.  But yes....