Car Lines Quick Look
Copyright © 2005 by Larry Mason
2005 BMW 545i

This is the most impressive four-door sedan I’ve ever driven. I had the opportunity to put the BMW 545i with active steer and active roll stabilization through its paces on a short out and back slalom course and I came away amazed!

When I first punched the pedal to leave the starting line, I felt a little bit of wheelspin and then the dynamic stability control (traction control at this point) kick in and reduce engine power. At this point I’m thinking, “What a slug.” It’s what took place after the Bimmer hooked up is what impressed me. The crank-twisting torque of the V8 accelerated the hunk of steel and aluminum like it had been shot from a cross bow – smooth and fast. Going fast in a straight line is one thing but what happens when the corners start rapidly approaching? No worries in the 545i. With a quick turn to the left and right to negotiate the first lane toss, I was through like it was a straight piece of road. The active steer minimized steering input yet turned the car exactly where I wanted it to go and the active roll stabilization kept it flat through the transition.

Well maybe it wasn’t much of a lane toss. I went to the far end to the hairpin U-turn and again the body roll was as flat as Kansas and the steering input minimal. As I accelerated out of there and into the tighter switchbacks, I purposely tried to steer too much and too abruptly to see what would happen and the car just followed where I pointed it. No fuss no muss. Amazing! This is the anti-Bobby Knight – nothing seems to upset it! The 545i handles obstacles with such aplomb, that I’m still thinking about it three months later.

If I had to give the car some negative comments it would have to be my personal view of the lackluster styling and hard to figure i-Drive system. Other than that, bring it on because this is indeed one very special automobile. Like they say – “the ultimate driving machine!”