Yet another E60 testdrive - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

BmwNut · 11th November 2003, 00:00

I spent the weekend in Phoenix, and while I was there I stopped by Chapman BMW on Camelback Road. It was my first time seeing the E60 in person, and what a looker. It was like seeing and falling in love with a gorgeous woman, I couldnt look away.

Their demo car was out for the day, so I came back on Sunday. I tested the E60 530 sport, but sadly with an autobox

. I wanted to try the 6spd sport, but I wasnt about to complain.

The comfort level of the E60 surpassed my old E39 528 by a fair amount. Even the sport kit rode smoother, was quiter, and took the torn up roads around Phoenix very well. Speedbumps couldnt induce a creak or a groan from the chassis.

Same gorgeous engine note, but a little too subdued. I remember the 528 having more engine noise at a high rpm, which I prefer. Very nice power, as the 530 auto felt about as quick as the 528 5spd. Best automatic tranny I have ever driven. Period. The M-B boxes in the Jags I have driven dont come close, neither do any of the autoboxes in any other BMW (havent driven the E65 though). I never felt the car shift, and midcorner shifts didnt disrupt the chassis.

It was by far one of the best planted and secure handling cars I have ever driven. I had test driven a few other cars that weekend, and had a route planned out. The E60 without feeling labored would take onramps faster, smoother, and with no sensible body roll. Tight turns were great; the active steering gave me a tigher ratio and heavier feel, and the active suspension kept the car as flat as possible. My driving skills have waned since I stopped driving the E39 528 everyday, but I am confident that the E60 would in my currently rusty hands beat the '28 through all my favorite corners. Corners that would have had me countersteering in the E39 didnt even activate the DSC light in the E60. I was in awe...

iDrive is simple, by the end of the 30 minute testdrive I was comfortable with it. Much more intuitive than the E65 based unit I tried at the Moscone Center car show. The screen is in the right spot too, so that while you operate the iDrive, the road is still in your line of sight.

I got out of the car was looked like this

for hours. I have a lot of respect for the E60 now, and for Bangle. It is a great looking car, and IMHO, dynamically unrivaled in its class.

Finally, if you are in Phoenix and are looking to purchase a BMW, go to Chapman BMW. My salesman was a stand up gentlemen named David Costello, and everyone there was helpful and courteous. I am only 20, and to get that level of respect and customer service (especially when we are talking about leasing a $60k car) is fantastic.

This was one of the best weekends of this semester, and I look forward to seeing the E60 M5!

vndkshn · 11th November 2003, 01:42

Glad to hear you went with an open mind and took the time to enjoy the car. It seems that so many go test drive this car with their minds already made up that they won't like it, either because it is different or because of I-Drive. I have yet to have an real issue with the new I-Drive in the E60, and I really like the looks of the new car.

I came away really impressed with the car as well. So impressed that I put down the deposit on the M5 the same day. Comparing the E60 530 to the E39... drastic differences. I really liked the handling of the sport package, and while the reduced wind and road noise was nice, would have been nice to have a little more of the engine noise (but not as much as the E39 IMHO).

BmwNut · 11th November 2003, 07:19

IMO the E39 had the right amount of engine noise. When loafing around town and thanking VANOS for torque, the engine was quiet and unobtrusive, but pin it to the ground and after 4k the M52 would wake up and put a nice snarl in the cockpit. The E60 finally turned the mechanical symphony to fortissimo only right at redline. I would have enjoyed a bit more sound, especially when the engines sound so great. Nothing a Tubi couldnt fix though.

MEnthusiast · 11th November 2003, 12:44

thanks for youre reivew! Im going to test drive a 545 sport in a few days.

Terk · 12th November 2003, 22:18

Nice review Bren.

My dealer has offered me the keys to the E60 numerous times in the last month but I have been holding out as he only has the base model 530's, no sport or 545's yet. I am really looking forward to trying the 545i with SMG but I'll have to wait until February I'm told.

Thanks again for the write up.

Terk.

BmwNut · 12th November 2003, 23:50

Terk-
Wait for the sport. The active steering isnt something that takes time to get used to, it is just laser guided and precise from the moment you enter the car. The sport was just so well sorted out. You and MEnthusiast are on the right track with testing the 545, I wanted to, but the only one on the lot was still going through the intial acceptance inspection, and was already sold.

Oh well, there is always next time.

Terk · 13th November 2003, 04:20

Bren,
I'm in no rush to drive the E60, I'm having too much fun and enjoyment with my E39...at least until the white stuff visits. My dealer will call me when is first 545 SMG arrives and I'll be waiting for the keys

for a thorough test drive.

Regards,

Terk.