2005 BMW 5 Series 530i review from North America

- Since the lease began in January of 2005, I have had recurrent problems with various functions of the I-Drive, which activate randomly without need.

- The windshield suddenly cracked severely while I was driving the car, leaving a huge mark through the center comparable to the kind made by a very sharp knife. My dealer identified it as a stress fracture and covered the damage under warranty.

- The brakes squeal like a 1984 Toyota Tercel, which I find truly embarrassing of a car of this caliber.

- I leased this car with high expectations. Prior experiences with a 2002 BMW 525i were generally positive. I expected more from the 2004 generation, and was willing to overlook an undeniably less attractive exterior design for a car that I believed was groundbreaking in other respects.

- Perhaps I got a lemon, but my experiences with the 2005 530i have left a bitter taste in my mouth. Aside from the problems I've already mentioned, I'm rather disappointed with the output of the engine. 225 horsepower just isn't enough. The engine feels taxed on hilly, winding roads, where it really ought to be shining. Frankly, it doesn't feel much different from the 185 horsepower powerplant in the 525i I used to have, except the fact that the pedal feel is worse, and the I-Drive interferes with the overall driving experience. BMW improved somewhat with the 30 horsepower increase in 2006, and the 300 horsepower twin-turbo V6 for this year.

- Fortunately, the folks at the dealer have always been friendly and eager to help (or else I'd truly be upset).

- When my lease expires in a few months, I'll probably be considering American again for the first time in 18 years when I purchased a Ford Taurus. Perhaps a Cadillac DTS?