E60 545i testdrive w/ pics thanks to member cidair - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Gustav · 20th October 2003, 19:54

From member cidair who have testdriven one today Monday 20th October

Thanks cidair!

Drove the 545iA today!

It was just awesome in handling and comfort! Really good acceleration. Had to work hard, with my beast, not to be beaten by the 545 from 0 - 100 km/h.

The only sad thing was the sound. Compared to my Eisenmann it was like a whisper!!!

The equipment was: automatic, sports suspension, dynamic drive, active steering, adaptive headlights, nav, vented seats, comfort seats + some more.

The brakes worked really well too ( even bigger than the M5, 348 mm in front! ). Amazing with dynamic drive, going almost flat when cornering at high speeds.

Maybe one more sad thing, my M5 looks better when compared with this new king. Perhaps the 545 looks a little more modern but the beast is just awesome in its mean looks. Ok, the 545 looks fatter from behind but in front? I´m not really sure.

But no place for regrets. The new king is already on order and I think I´ll be very pleased with it.

bernhtp · 20th October 2003, 20:37

I'm surprised that you listed Nav as one of the features. Nav is not available in the US in any 5-series until March, or so. I've been told by my dealer that this is because BMW is producing an entirely new Nav model that blows the old one away and they didn't want people to pay for the old one right before it was upgraded.

Is this BS or are things just done differently in Europe?

Tom

Gustav · 20th October 2003, 20:40

That sounds weird. All it would take is a software upgrade just as you do with the E39 system

cidair · 20th October 2003, 21:13

Still thrilled by the handling and comfort of the 545 that I drove today. It felt so lightfooted on the twisting small roads I drove it on. Forgot also to tell you about the active steering, just plain awesome. Easy parking and supreme feedback when driving active. It turns in to a corner just like a gocart!

As for the Nav system - it was the BMW Business Nav. This system only has the arrows. The one with the map feature ( BMW Professional Nav ) is not ready for delivery here in Sweden/Europe until early spring. The reason for this I was told, is that it´s produced by Siemens and so is the system for Mercedes. So Siemens has a huge demand for DVD nav systems that they can`t cope with at this time. So what BMW did was offering the Business nav sytem and with an option for the Professional nav. You will get the upgrade at your dealer free of charge when it arrives. TV feature is also delayed until spring.
Maybe they did this because they did not want to have some cars delivered with and some without?

Anyway, it´s gonna be a loooong and hard wait until I get my new king, 545iA with all options that is!!!

vndkshn · 20th October 2003, 21:15

Isn't the screen for the Pro NAV larger than the standard I-Drive screen?

cidair · 20th October 2003, 21:18

The car also had the 124 wheels. 8x18 in front with 245/40-18 Dunlop run flats and 9x18 at rear with 275/35-18.

Looks like 18" is the minimum size for this car to look good.

Wonder how my 19" RH Phönix will look on the new car?

cidair · 20th October 2003, 21:20

The Pro Nav screen is 8.8" compared to the Business screen that is 6.5". When you upgrade they change the whole unit. Takes 30 min acording to the dealer.

sin · 20th October 2003, 22:01

anyone knows the performance numbers for the new 545i? how does it compare to the E39 M5 acceleration wise? Thanks

cidair · 20th October 2003, 22:04

0-100km/h ( 0-62mph ): M5 E39 5.3s E60 545i 5.8s

MEnthusiast · 20th October 2003, 22:51

great review- thanks!

I am very excited about the new technology. Im still not sure about the styling......