BMW 525 - 2006 Review

I love to drive. Most of the cars I have owned have been german cars (VW, BMW, Mercedes-- I just like how the Germans make a car).

I currently own 2 BMWs so when one goes into the shop I get a loaner car to drive about. Today it was the 525. I tend to own the SUV or convertible cars, so I was excited to put this car, a sedan, through the daily drive test.

The interior was great, comfortable seats (with lumbar support) individual heat/ac controls for the 2 front seats, a good location for the drivers cup holder. All very nice.

What I didn't like was the "stick" that one uses to determine your "gear". It looked almost like a big clunky cell phone, and as someone who drives a manual the automatic transmission shifting felt a little soft and I worried that I was not in the proper drive mode. The turn signal button is also far more sensitive than I am used to and I drove around all day with the blinkers on confusing others.

The sound/information system (with Sirrius radio) was useful and advanced, but the control knob (I think they call it the I-knob) was horrid. It was not easy to figure out, and it was hard to make the exact selections (radio stations, temperature, car statistics, and comfort controls) that you would want which is important while driving.

Overall, I love BMWs and my next car will be one. I heard that they are getting rid of the "i-knob" so the things I didn't like will probably be gone.