And I thought the new 7 series (E65) was UGLY........ - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

FAST 5 · 24th September 2003, 01:34

seeing the new 5 series in the flesh at BMWNA several weeks ago and now at different dealers within my area, make me rethink my viewpoint of the E65 7series. The new 5 series makes the E65 look like a prince in his shining armor suit. The E60 is one UGLY TOAD like vehicle. Its a shame because I really do want to like the new 5 series but I just can't! Sure the E60 is the superior when it comes to auto technology but its surface skin is repulsive to me. SAD.

TCM · 24th September 2003, 06:36

I saw the E60 for the first time today and I was not that turned off. The car looks ok in the flesh, in fact much better then in pictures. One great thing I noticed is that the "eagle eyes" are clear on US spec cars. I was expected awful amber lights but not too be, only a small section on the corner of the light is amber. That being said, I still prefer the E39. The new E60 just does not have the symatry(sp) and class of the E39. I also found that the new E60 does not make the E39 look old like the E65 did to the E38

. We can all rest in piece for awhile until the new M5 comes out.

M'nd · 24th September 2003, 20:41

It seems alot of board members seem to be taking to the new 5
but why I don't know. Honestly it is the ugliest BMW yet and your right by saying it makes the new 7 look like a prince. I think so many owners here are so in love with there M5 that they can't seem to call it like they see it due to wanting another newer platform M5 so bad. If they mentally admit the car looks like sh!t,
they know deep down that their current M5 is their last. So by having it grow on you keeps the dream alive. As far as I am concerned this will be my last M5. Maybe a new 7 for the wife when we're done with the XJR but for me......my next car won't be a BMW. I was hoping the 6 series was gonna be my savior, but it looks like a freakin Pontiac, so ......hello E55 it might not have a stick but it sure looks good!!! I'll take the looks over the stick in this situation. BMW has left me no choice.

Oh well

cohenfive · 24th September 2003, 22:45

while i've not been enamored with the pictures of the e60 i'll reserve final judgement until i see it in the flesh.

that being said, i was speaking with a colleague today about the cars and gave this analogy.....

when the e39 was launched i remember bmw put a 2 page ad in the wall street journal, lots of engineering details, partial cutouts, etc. i took that ad out of the paper, brought it home and read it so much i just about had the darn thing memorized (granted that was sort of geeky!).

when bmw lauches the e60 next month and puts the big ad in the wsj i'll surely take a look but won't have the same visceral response that i had for the e39.

plus in my opinion the darn things are just too expensive... beewang if you are out there you are going to owe me dinner soon (we bet on ability to buy e60's at a discount).

vndkshn · 24th September 2003, 23:17

I must disagree with you guys. I for one really like the looks of the E60. The new 6.... I can give you part of that, but I still think it looks pretty good.

The new headlights are one of the things I like the most about the new car. Why? Because nobody out there has anything like it, and it looks very aggressive. There are parts of the car that have and are taking me time to like, but in all areas, I have come around. I applaud BMW for having the guts to do something different.

As for the e55.. I for one find the car boring and ugly. Talk about uninspired design? Those lights? That grill? Boring tail. Not even mentioning the less inspired driving, no stick, soft seats, bad brakes.. ok, so I mentioned some of it. And have you taken a look at the new CL65? Talk about Pontiac, check out those tail lights. Stolen right off the Grand Am assembly line.

As for the e39.. I have two of them. I love both cars. But it strikes me that more and more cars are starting to look like them and several others have for a couple of years now. And lets be honest, in non-M form, the bumpers, both front and rear are out and out boring looking. The rear in non-M versions (and even the M in except the tail pipes) looks like a Honda Accord from a few years ago. The front, including lights looks like the Mistibishi... Gallant or Diamante I think it is. The side profile has been copied by several companies. Even the interior is dated looking and often copied. The M version helps, especially in the front end, and to a lesser degree in the rear, but it is getting old.

As for price... inflation does not, not to mention that BMW started making cars... in order to make money. I spec'ed out a 530i with the same options as my 02 530i.. It was 4k more. Hardly a huge jump. Granted, I cannot yet compare the pricing on the M version, but I can live with the same or similar percentage of increase over my 03 M5. Notice I said percentage.

And finally, for me at least... it is not the prospect of a new M5 platform, or the V10. As I said, I really like the looks of it.

FAST 5 · 25th September 2003, 00:39

Regarding your comment of: " the E55 might not have a stick but it sure looks good!!! I'll take the looks over the stick in this situation."

That is the BOTTOM LINE with me! I can not sacrifice looks for a stick shift gaer box, so a beautiful looking sedan with an automatic tranny is in my future. SHAME ON BMW's DESIGN TEAM.

EMMPWR · 26th September 2003, 03:47

Fast 5: I agree completely with you on your assesment of the E60. I gave up over a year and half ago and placed an order for an E55. Well, I have been driving my new E55 for 3 weeks now and I absolutely love it! Don't take me wrong, I still love BMW's (I still have my 2003 E46 M3 and still drive it too, but I know Bangle will soon hack up the 3 series too. I have an order in for the E60 M5 (i'm #4 at my dealer but I JUST CAN'T WARM UP TO E60 DESIGN!) and will probably pass when my position comes up. The only thing in life that is certain is change, and Bangle made sure of that at BMW! the E60 is one butt ugly machine, my .02 and I voted with my wallet after 20+ years of BMW's including 3 M cars!

vndkshn · 26th September 2003, 04:25

At least you had the conviction to follow through instead of just complaining and putting down people that do like the E60 (which happens alot) and threatening to buy something else, but not actually buying. You made the right move it sounds like, you voted with your wallet. My personal taste keeps me away from MBs, but I must applaud you for following through with your decision. It is definately a design that some like, and some don't. That is the beautiful thing about freedom of choice.