heavily debated debut of the current 7-Series. It was like virtually no

BMW before it, with historically austere, albeit athletic, bodywork

replaced by far more expressive, albeit controversial, sheet metal. We

weren't exactly smitten, but since the 7-Series targets a demographic

group we'll never (ever) join, neither did we pull out our hair over

the redesign. As if -- at this point -- we could pull our hair out.

More trepidation followed with the announced 5-Series. In my view, the

5 has been one of the more attractive entries in the midsize luxury

category. Tastefully restrained while appropriately aggressive, the

outgoing 5-Series was the perfect bridge between the youthful 3 and more

stately 7. While waiting for the replacement, we worried about the

replacement, creating an absolute hell while trying to maintain a

stress-free work environment.

We needn't have stressed. While the 5 rolls out in an all-new guise,

and its sheet metal is obviously Bangle-d, it hasn't -- we're all

too happy to report -- been bungled. Mr. Bangle's concave contours

(what he terms "flame surfacing") are evident on the Fiver's flanks,

and the tail bears some similarity to the "trunk-plus" styling of its

7-Series sibling. But, on balance, we find the 5' s new sheet metal

appropriate to its 21st-century audience.

If you like the body, you'll love the soul. This is an amazing

platform, with the vault-like solidity long associated with Mercedes

combined with the recreational aspects of a weekend at Disneyland. All

of BMW's traditional virtues -- rigid body structure, supple

suspension and responsive power trains -- are integrated with BMW Active

Steering (available with the optional Sport Package) to create a midsize

passenger pod that feels far more like a 3-Series in its dynamic. Now

you can scare the bejesus out of your spouse, kids and grandparents!

Under the hood, our test 530i enjoyed the unique characteristics only

BMW's inline power trains seem capable of delivering. The 3.0-liter

six generates its 225 horsepower at 5,900 rpm, and you will want to go

there. Torque is a noteworthy 214 pounds-per-foot at an accessible 3,500

rpm, but with the engaging personality of the 530i's standard

six-speed manual, the time needed to go between peak torque and peak

power is the time it takes to permanently affix a stupid grin to your

mug. Driving is believing.

If we're learning to accept the new sheet metal, we remain undecided

-- or noncommittal -- on the direction of the interior. Like the

recently introduced X3 sport activity vehicle, we're not quite sure

where the money went. The overall execution is of a seemingly

satisfactory quality, but there's little of the "surprise and delight"

that other manufacturers in this price category seem capable of

delivering. We'd enjoy a little more eye candy, not at the expense of

functionality, but just a little something to reassure us -- and our

passengers -- about our decision.

We remain in a funk over BMW's I-Drive interior controls, although a

longtime BMW rep assures me we can work through it. And while a base

price of around $45,000 is eminently reasonable, BMW's option menu can

add on 20 percent faster than Don Rumsfeld. If you've got a small

trust fund, this is the BMW to buy. If not, look for a spouse with an

advanced degree.