BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo: First Look

• Competes with: Infiniti FX, Acura MDX, Audi A6 Avant
• Looks like: A cross between an X5 and 5 Series Wagon
• Drivetrain: 400-hp, 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 with eight-speed automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Late 2009

BMW has been rapidly expanding its lineup as of late. No longer content with wagons and SUVs, the company adds its second hatchback in a year’s time, the 5 Series Gran Turismo. Following on the heels of the X6, which got a lukewarm reception, the 5 Series Gran Turismo promises a lot of power and a unique cargo area. We’re not sure if the combination will entice consumers.

Like the X6, the Gran Turismo comes with a twin-turbo V-8 engine good for 400 hp, however, this is the only option for the vehicle. Also unlike the X6, this is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, which means the 550i Gran Turismo will be more of a performance machine. A 535 xi Gran Turismo will be offered in Europe, but there's no mention of it coming to the U.S. Sales of the 550i GT might be the measuring stick for BMW to consider bringing over the twin-turbo six-cylinder.

BMW Extending Maintenance Plan, Picking Up Payments

Buying a BMW isn’t just an expensive proposition on the MSRP front, many first-time luxury-car shoppers worry about maintenance costs. For years now, BMW has offered free maintenance on new-car purchases; it picks up the tab for the first four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Now, the company is offering an extended plan of six years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, at an additional charge of between $1,395 and $2,995. The plan excludes the limited Alpina B7, but it does include all M performance models and diesels. Any current owners under the four-year/60,000-mile plan can add the service.BMW recommends service every 15,000 miles on new models.

If that offer didn’t grab potential Bimmer shoppers’ attention, the company’s latest incentives might: BMW is back to offering low financing of up to 0.9%, and will also pay the first two months of payments on select vehicles. Depending on how expensive a car is, those two payments should be worth well over $1,000. Models included in the offer can be found below.

The 0.9% financing rate and first two months’ payments offer are good through May 31.

2009 Geneva Auto Show: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

• Looks like: A more hunkered-down take on the already hunkered-down X6
• Defining characteristics: X6-like roofline, two-piece tailgate
• Ridiculous features: That BMW calls it a Progressive Activity Sedan
• Chance of being mass-produced: Good – BMW seems bullish on entering new segments these days

BMW calls the 5 Series Gran Turismo concept a Progressive Activity Sedan. The terminology leaves us nonplussed, considering it comes from an automaker that calls its crossovers Sports Activity Vehicles or, in the case of the X6, a Sports Activity Coupe. The GT concept’s lines are very similar to its SAC production sibling, though the face — with a lower, more upright grille and 7 Series headlights — isn’t quite as aggressive.

BMW Offers 0.9% Financing on 2009 Models

BMW surprised many in August when it offered low-rate financing deals on its 2008 models. Now, the automaker has expanded its deal to many 2009 models as well. The updated and slightly redesigned BMW 3 Series sedan in its four trim levels — 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi — all get a 0.9% deal. The financing offers are available through Dec. 31. As always, the terms of the deal depend on how customers qualify, but the deals illustrate just how severely the economy is impacting all automakers.

Read below for a full list of 2009 models and their 0.9% financing offers. BMW’s full list of financing offers on 2009 vehicles can be found here. 

2008 BMW Models Get 0.9% Financing

The 2009 BMWs are on the way, and it’s time to get rid of the 2008s. Yep, BMW has model-year-end sales too, they just use fancy terms, like 0.9% financing, to promote them. Through Sept. 2, all 2008 BMW models — besides the X6, M3 and M5 — will be eligible for 0.9% financing for qualified buyers. What does that mean?

The current average loan rate is 6.78%, so say you want to finance a base 328i sedan, which starts at $32,700, over four years. Putting nothing down on the car (and let’s keep tax out of the equation), your monthly payment would be $779.70. That’s a lot of money for a 3 Series; in the end you’d wind up paying $37,426 with all the interest included.

Lower the rate to 0.9% and your monthly payment drops to $693.84, with total cost over the term of $33,304. So BMW is basically offering a $4,000 discount here. The math is rudimentary, but 0.9% is a good deal on any car, let alone a BMW. Oh, and because the 328i is one of the most affordable BMWs on the lot, the savings only go up as you move up through the model range.

BMW Financing Offers (BMW USA)

Related
2009 BMW 3 Series: New Look, U.S. Diesel Confirmed (KickingTires)

Recall Alert: 200,000 BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, X3

Today, NHTSA announced that BMW is recalling 200,000 cars and SUVs due to a faulty airbag that may not deploy during a crash. The models affected include 2006 3 Series, 2004-06 5 Series and 2004-06 X3 SUVs.

The problem isn’t in the airbag itself but in the sensors that detect whether there’s a person in the front passenger seat. When working properly, the sensor will disengage the passenger airbag if there’s no one sitting in the seat. However, this defect can cause the sensor to think no one is in the seat when they really are, which could lead to injury.

BMW says no one has been injured due to the problem, and that the warning light that signals when the airbag is disengaged will flash on and off if the sensor isn’t working properly.

Concerned owners should check with their dealer to determine if their car is included in the recall and bring it in for service.

Reader Review of the Week: 2008 BMW 535i

OK, we admit it… we’re jealous of 535 Fan from Indianapolis, Ind. He’s driving a new BMW 535i. We recently tested both the 2008 528i and 550i but not the new member of the 5 Series family with the twin-turbo six-cylinder engine. Not surprisingly, 535 Fan likes his new car very much. However, we’re not sure about his dubious claims regarding a trip through Chicago completely absent of traffic issues. Post your own consumer review here. 

Mini, BMW, Infiniti Top Best Resale Value List

Our list of the cars, trucks and SUVs with the best resale value has just been updated, and a lot of familiar names top the list. When we break down resale values by segment, the Mini Cooper, Honda Accord, Infiniti G35/G37, BMW 5 Series and GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado top their respective segments.

When you take a look at the top 10 resale values overall, it’s the Infiniti G35/G37, Jeep Wrangler and BMW 3 Series taking the top three spots, knocking the Mini Cooper off its previous No. 1 perch.

Which cars rank lowest? The Mazda B2300, Ford Ranger and Suzuki Forenza top that dubious list.

Check out the full rankings below. 

Best Car Resale Values by Class
Best Overall Car Resale Values
Worst Overall Car Resale Values

Cars.com Faceoff: Luxury Sedan Showdown

Someone recently asked us what the heck it is we do all day at the Cars.com offices, you know, besides blogging here on KickingTires. Well, one of the things we do is compare some of the big players in segments from convertibles to SUVs. This month we took three of the best entries in the luxury sedan market and compared the good, the bad and the kind of expensive. The 2008 BMW 528i, 2008 Cadillac STS and Infiniti M35 deliver style and value, but which one brings home the win?

Cars.comparison: Luxury Performance Sedans (Cars.com)

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 BMW 5 Series

Recently I had the chance to test the 2008 BMW 528i and 550i. BMW only made minor cosmetic changes, but it beefed up the entry trim’s engine and added the twin-turbo from the 335 to create a 535i as well. Check out the review for the full rundown on all three models and what they offer.

2008 BMW 5 Series Expert Review