2008 BMW 535xi
2008 BMW 535xi
2008 BMW 535xi Pictures
No surprise that the coupe was quicker: 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds, the quarter-mile in 13.6 at 105 mph. The 535xi got to 60 in 5.4 and did the quarter in 14.0 seconds at 102. But consider how the 535xi stacks up against the 550i with its 360-hp, 4.8-liter V-8, as tested last year ["Faster Horses," November 2006]. The 535xi is only 0.2 second slower to 60 mph and actually 0.2 quicker in 50-to-70-mph blasts. The 535xi is helped by a shorter final drive, but the real key is torque that ramps up early and stays ramped up for a long time. If you're not in a big hurry, it's fast enough and saves some seven grand (nine for the rear-drive 535i) versus the 550i.
