Autospies Feedback on the E60
Here's some interesting reading from the Autospies site:
http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e_article000203509.cfm?x=a2n7p4y,a1pl407v
Last week we asked our readers to give us their opinions on the new BMW 5-series. Here's the feedback we received:
Hi, I went to my local dealership and I was not very impressed with the
new 5 series. The front of the car looks kind of small, sort of a 3
series. I have seen a few cars on the street and it looks to me that
we have another 7 series disaster in the making. How can such a
phenomenal company like BMW could destroy all the excitement of their
designs.
Thanks, Felix Ferre
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Hi,
I ordered the new 5 series a few months ago and it is due to arrive at the dealership tomorrow (in Portland, OR). I haven’t actually paid for the car, just told the dealer the options and color I wanted. I got a phone call out of the blue last week offering me $2,000 off MSRP. I had planned on paying fully price but they initiated the discount. What does that tell you!?
Regards,
Jonathan McGowan
P.S. You have a great newsletter!
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While many buy a BMW for the great driving experience that many a car magazine reviewer can attest to, the vast majority of purchasers of BMW products do so for the image the vehicle portrays.
I am not to sure BMW’s recent offerings are what most buyers want to be seen in. They are simply not classically beautiful cars. I am sure there are those who will buy whatever comes attached to the BMW emblem, but I think the more image-conscious/casual buyers will look elsewhere for their ego fulfillment.
Jayson Buhle
Carlsbad, CA
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I live in jackson MS and I regularly go to the nearest BMW dealership, Halmark BMW. I have seen many new 530's around Jackson, and there is a board of 5 series sales in the showroom and there are many people on it. The dealership has at least 4 5 series right now. One of the Salesman said he sold 5 in one day, and had 7 test drives planned for the next day. They take the people in test drives to a huge parking lot, to show off ARS and Active Steering, It is amazing how many people look at you while you are in one. I think the response has been great everyone loves them. - Graeme Ross-15 years old
Brilliant to drive
Looks a little plastic inside (in beige)
wave dashboard was very unsettling as a passenger
__________________________________________________________________________
You wanted some feedback about the new 5 Series, well, here it is...
After reading all the BMW brochures and your site off course, I waited and waited until the BMW 530i arrived at the dealership.
The one I found was gray and was parked at the back of the dealership in Houston, TX
It was not what I expected,
My first impression was not good, to me, it looks like a "FAT and short 7-Series"
The front is too rounded for my taste, maybe with time it will grow on me.
Other cars like the new 2004 ACURA TL look more interesting, especially with all the audio/NAV electronics inside...
Why does BMW always tries to keep all the buttons in their consoles square? Don’t they know "square" is out, and rounded is more elegant?
And after I learned that the overhead projection system was not going to be available, I made up my mind...
I'm not buying a 5 Series anytime soon...
Anyway, I just wanted to share my point of view.
Thanks for your emails and webpage, the information is great!
Andres Martinez, CEO
DimaCorp, USA
Houston, TX
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Dear Auto Spies,
The 5 series is too expensive, especially the 545i.
Thanks,
Michael
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Dear 001,
Our local dealer has 15 new 5 series on his lot. I've been watching
closely, and they don't seem to be moving. This same dealer is advertising
a 36 month lease on the 530 for $499/mo, $0 down. A good friend who has
owned three five's since 1984, passed on the new five, and bought a 2004
Jaguar S Type R instead of a new 5. He cited the bizarre exterior styling
and cheap interior of the new 5 as his reasons for switching to Jaguar. If
BMW ruins the 3 series next year, as they have done with the 7 and 5, that
will be three strikes.
Keep up the good work, SC
Stanley
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I looked at and test drove each of the new 5 series, first I can't believe that a 525 is $49,000! Fit and finish and driving are great. Terrible arm rest design. Spacious rear seats. I drive feels cheap and plasticy compared to the cold metal feel of the 7 series I drive knob. Cup holders on the dash board? Those plastic rectangle cutouts on the rear center console if you don't order the rear seat heating option look horrible! No coinholder to store change for the parkway! Where is it? What happened to our full size matching rim spare tire? Now we get a space saver spare tire!! Why no LED tail lights? The E65 has them, the new 6 series has them, even the face-lifted E46 has them!
M
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I took delivery of a 2004 545i Sport 2 weeks ago. I have to say, I love the car.
It is a clear step up from the previous generation 5 series. The steering, handling, and power can only be appreciated by a test drive. Sound system is great. The fit and finish are clearly stepped up from previous models. The car has received a positive reception from pretty much everyone that has seen it.(more so than my 1997 540 sport when it was first rolled out) They have a home run here.
Love it, Love it, Love it.
Peter in New York City Metro
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Last spring my 740i sport lease expired. I would not buy the new 7- it was more limousine like, did not have the 'sport' available. Went sedanless for the summer. Fall, the sport comes, the seat does not articulate in the middle of the back, more distance between headrest and head making whiplash more likely, won't buy.
Salesman tries to switch me to 5 series since it is almost as big as the old 7, not really, but almost. Drove 530i sport, steering thingy has me hitting curbs on accelerating from driveways and right hand turns, but is awesome in parking( so long as I don't clip the parked car in front). Interior??? Don't like the door handles, so far forward and vertical, septuagenarians can't close the door themselves. Don't like the look of the wood (on the 7 also not so hot), i Drive is passable BUT there is no engine temperature readout at all!!(same in 7), The outside is ummmmm. Not better than the 7. The side curvatures are a guarantee in the city of the ugly dings of parking lot parked doors, the bumpers the guarantee of the ugly scratches from street parrallel parked license-plate-screw scratches.
OK, so I want the 545 sport, and that will be in October or November production. Will double pay for my seats to get that articulation (could not even do that on the 7- how peculiar). Not running for my checkbook. Anyway I wanted navigation--after not getting a straight story from BMW- it is not available until March production. First it is not retrofitable. Autospies beats the salesman (who is knowledgeable and excellent--best ever- Alan Sahigian at Perillo) and says the navigation is retrofitable. I'm not running.
And for this the price is quite high. Whoa. I like cars. The 740i was the best utility sedan I have had. And I have owned several S class Mercedes of different vintages, Volvo, Porsche Turbo, Lexus, Lincoln and have driven several Audis, new Jaguars and Volvos when I rent cars and they are available, and Cadillacs and Lincolns when they are not. I own now a Lexus LX470, a Lexus SC430 Nieman Marcus coupe (Both of these cars are both stunning and bland-- the coupe in this edition aesthetically well done, but the performance only fair--would not buy Lexus again until they correct the navigation system--my wife can't get the nav info in unless we are stopped--it is dangerous!), and my third car and favorite still: a Porsche 1991 928GT.
So I give up my BMW lease rebate - yes $1000 if I take delivery of a new one within 6 months. I pay not to buy this car. I will reconsider when there are some other competitors out there--Audi S8, Mercedes coupe sedan whatever it is called.
Marc
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Okay - I thought that maybe it would look better in person taking the suggestion of many people online who had actually seen the car. Also, the DVD BMW sent out to introduce the new 5 Series recently made it look half way decent. However, when I saw it in person just driving into the BMW lot, I was very disappointed. The car is just plain unappealing or just plain - period.
It doesn't look like anything special at all. Then when I looked at some of the quirky details it really turns me off. What is BMW thinking (or are they?). I was there to trade in my X5 lease and start shopping for a new one. Instead I went across the street and bought a Mercedes. They still know how to build classy great looking cars.
Mike Pellegrino
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I love the design----very sleek and eye-catching.
The interior doesn't begin to compare with other luxury cars in comfort
and bells and whistles.
The price, even for a 525, is now approaching $50,000 once you add the
packages you have to have that make it comparable with other cars in
its' class. I think that their pricing strategy is taking them out of
the upper middle class market and into the for "rich folks only" market!
Although I love my 2001 525 I'm not too sure I want to mortgage my
financial future on a 2004!
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Hello Autospies,
I want to share observations from my test drive of a black on grey 2004 530i
6-speed. When I first got to the dealer and got out of my 2003 330xi, I was
excited to drive the new BMW and was hoping to be excited enough to trade up
to a 5. Just as a point of reference, I have been racing in various serious
from F2 to late model NASCAR for several years, so I know driving. I drove
a sample without the sport package. Long story short, the car is smooth,
quiet and solid...but so is a Camry. The transmission, however, is BMW
slick as are the simple gauges. Elsewhere, the interior is way to busy and
complicated. I couldn't keep my eyes of that silly screen in the middle
dash, which seems to clutter the interior which used to be so clean and
simple. The middle screen also seems to block a clear view and makes you
feel like you're in a cocoon. I want to have a totally commanding view of
the road. NOt a screen (unless I'm in front of my 50 plasma on Sundays).
Clean and simple is what a real driver wants. The iDrive mouse is totally
distracting. I found myself playing with it every time I stopped and
wondering what the hell an i-Mac was doing in a car. It was like Communists
were in the car with me trying to do everything for me whether I liked it or
not. Just let me do it! The suspension was plush, perhaps a bit too plush.
It lopped over bumps and made the car feel like it weighed 6,000 lbs. I
would highly recommend the sport package if you're an enthusiast. The
stereo was strictly average, the door sills are too high and too stylized,
and the engine needs a power boost in such a heavy feeling car. It's not
the nimble 3-Series by any stretch. Perhaps aluminum panels should be
called for to reduce weight. When I returned to the dealer and jumped back
in my true ultimate driving machine, there was a sense of relief and
confusion. There is no way that I would trade such a pure, dynamic and
simple driving experience for such a fuddy duddy i-Mac on wheels. It'll be
good for people that just have to have the propeller, or those who care more
about downloading Dungeons and Dragons than finding the perfect apex on
every exit.
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Dear 001,
I purchased a new 530i with sport package (active steering, active
suspension) the week they were released a little over a month ago and
have been truly amazed by the vehicle's driving dynamics. I traded a
2001 740iL, and I can't even begin to describe how much better the new
5 is than the old 7 it replaced. As a serious car enthusiast, I have
several cars at any given time and often trade vehicles within a couple
years. Compared to the other cars I own (new SL500, G35 Coupe, and
M3), the 530i drives better than them all (yes, even the M3).
As for electronics or any other problems, I have had none whatsoever,
and I am thoroughly impressed by car's ability to generate looks and
comments from other drivers on the road. It seems like the design is
also a winner, as several people have commented to me about how
beautiful they think the car is. Furthermore, although I was initially
disappointed by the design of the car in pictures a few months ago,
every time I look at the car parked somewhere, I can't help but think
how beautifully executed the design really is.
In all, the new 5 is the best car I've ever owned and by far the best
driving. The steerings ability to change ratios make taking u-turns
an awe-inspiring experience and take the handling response of the car
to the next level. Moreover, the active suspension seems far better
suited to this car over the new 7 due to the 5's much lower weight and
smaller overall size. It literally feels as if this car is on rails
through a corner, unlike anything you've ever experienced before. It
continues to redefine capability and your confidence level as the speed
approaches almost triple digits through the apex of a curve and the car
continues to remain totally flat without a hint of tire squeal.
Overall, this car is a winner, and I highly recommend anyone in the
market for a car in this category to take a serious - and I mean
serious - look at the new 5. Hats off to BMW for this one.
Keep staying ahead of the game,
Jared
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Bought a new 2003 330i 2 weeks ago. when i asked about the 5, the salesman said they were selling really well (momentum in houston). He also said that I was the first person that he had talked to that didn't like it. so he's probably full of BS anyway....
-Nick
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Yecch! BMW stepped in it again.
DFF, Tampa FL
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I am in Mpls. and it is amazing to see all the 5 series on the lot. I think the car looks cheap compared to the old body style and the sticker shock is unbelievable! I thought the new 5 would be 10% cheaper by the look of it. Who wants to pay top dollar for that? I would rather drive a 3 series, it looks so much better.
Lexus GS and Mercedes E are going to benefit huge from this.
Jeff Hornig
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To replace my 2003 530iA with Nav, sunscreens, PDC, Xenons, rear fold-down seats('02 MSRP $49,650) would cost me close to $60K by adding the sport pkg.
I'm now looking at a Touareg V8, fully-loaded at around $ 46K(negotiated). Tremendous value: versatile, dynamic suspension, great V8, high-quality finish and materials.
Ed DeJesus
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As a long time BMW owner, having owned and enjoyed the following:.(73 2002 Tii,77 320i,85 535i,89 M3,97 M3,2000 Mcoupe),I was
waiting for the new 5 and hoping that that BMW would return to elegant styling instead
of the 7 series overgrown Hyundai mess.
Believe me, I try to like the new 5,but instead of walking into a dealer and feeling like
I had to have right now like i usually do, I felt the opposite.
Summary:
Exterior Styling-Do not like it at all-come on BMW who is going to like those headlights?
Interior Styling- Ok for a Buick-What happened to driver oriented cockpits?
Ride and handling- Excellent-fire the stylists and let the engineers in charge of the entire
car.
Result-Bought a MB E500-not crazy about 3/4 side rear view but at least it looks like a
Mercedes and the interior styling is head and shoulders above the 5.BMW has lost one
of its most loyal customers
--- Joseph
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The sides of the car are so ugly and destroy the flow from
the front and back that I decided not to buy one, but to
find something else.
RC, Los Angeles
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I’m in southern California and went shopping for a 5 at several local
dealerships a few weeks ago. None were willing to budge on msrp, and some
were even charging a markup. Crevier wanted $10k extra for a 545i !
i also went to the Anaheim auto convention and there were large crowds
around the 5. I had to wait in line just to have a seat. Everyone seemed
to like it and I heard nothing but positive comments.
Regards,
DR.
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I have a 530i Sport (old shape) and am looking to change it. Anyway, I tried the new 530i and wasn’t impressed. It looks okay from certain angles, but then you look at it from the front and something just doesn’t seem right. The front end just seems to fall away unlike with the aggressive front end of the older version. The interior isn’t a patch on the former model, the dash just seems to disappear into the distance, it’s so long and straight. The older dash has two convex areas where passenger/driver sit, making you feel more cocooned. I-Drive is too fiddly and dangerous – I was taking my eyes off the road for far too long when using it. And what the hell have they done with the indicator lever? The new system is confusing – why the hell change something that was perfectly okay the way it was? If it isn’t broken, don’t bloody fix it! Nope not for me, so I placed an order for an M3 coupe instead. I loved my old 530i Sport, but the new one is just too gimmicky and well, boring.
James
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Despite the fact that I waited over six months to finally receive my car – It was frustrating that all I could see was a small paint swatch of the color, dark grey until I actually picked the car up.
Overall the car is truly amazing, definitely a driver’s car ! it’s everything that I expected after reading the German test drive reports. Based on what I learned from Auto Spies, I actually knew more information about options and available features than my dealer did !
The overall feel of the car is entirely different than the old 5 or my 3 series which I just surrendered.
One thing, if you don’t buckle you seat belt, there’s an annoying chime which keeps ringing non-stop until you buckle up or turn up the radio.
I think the cars are delivered with settings in German and the trip computer was in KM – it took me three cold A.M. drives to finally figure out how to convert the temperature to Farenheit !
On my way to work the first week with only 120 miles ( after I finally figured to change the indicator from Km ), my I-Drive display went out ! When I went outside later on that day the screen came back on as if nothing happened, but I think its worth looking into if I can wait until my first service.
After 6 months of anticipation, I still think it’s the better choice over an A6 or the E-Class !
Best Regards,
Chris Pearce
Oceanside, New York
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I've been waiting for almost 2 years and am very disappointed. Rear looks like a Honda. Side looks like ? and the interior lacks everything.
Sadly looking for alternatives that will be available by March. Used 530?
Steven
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Hello,
I waited for the new 5 series, I have test driven them many times but I am not thrilled about it. First of all the overall size is too big, I don't like the I knob or the screen for the display of everything that the I operates. I was looking for something a little smaller. I have had my 95-525I for 9 years and I was really looking to change in 2004. Now I am contemplating a 3 series to get a smaller car.
By the way, when are the all new 3's coming out? The sound system and many of the other features I did like but not the size.
Sincerely,
Brenda Owens
California
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I am a current owner of a 2000 540i and traditionally trade vehicles at least every 2 to 4 years. After seeing the 5 series in person, IMHO it is much worse in person than in the photos, much unlike the 7 series which I found was better in person. The interior is significantly cheapened and does not hold up to the old 5 series standard, much less the competition form Audi or Mercedes. I did not even consider an offer from the salesman, to test drive the new 545i sitting on the lot!
This is the worst Bangle creation yet and can only wait to see if the new 6 series which looks promising in photos, stands up in person.
After seeing the new Mercedes CLS concept, I have to start seriously considering jumping ship to the other side!
Proud past owner of 4 different BMWs
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Just one opinion but...
I went to my BMW dealer for service on my "M" truck and while waiting had time for a good look at the new 5 and 7.
I think the 5 looks good and strong but the slab side will relegate the design to the non classic category. Fashionable not timeless.
Now the 7 is a different story. When I first saw this new beast I was torn between thinking it was either laughable or offensive. But I stood on my dealers lot 2 days ago and looked at a line of 6 or 8 of the new 7's with an old model in the line up. I can't understand my change of mind but the design has grown on me. The old 7 looks dated beside it. I now find this Bangle design looks powerful, muscular and important. Particularly in dark colors.
I guess just what BMW hopes we will think.
Bill Goddard
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My .02 cents....
Now that I have seen it in the metal it is not as bad as I had feared from pictures, especially in dark colors. The nose needs the lower airscoop reworked... that frowning thing just does not do it. The trunk line is bad as well... not as bad as the 7 but not too good either. Not having a styling element to allow door guards will make the body shops happy but not the owners. Lets see, oh yea, I don't know the numbers but the front overhang seems longer to me, which looses some of the tight bodywork look of previous BMWs. It just seems like an unresolved design I guess, it just does not come together well... but it is not as bad in person as in pictures.
The interior is OK but I don't like the double binnacle layout. It for sure seems less driver focused. I think the X3 and Z4 interiors are much more successful. The popup screen is a much more elegant solution. Idrive... get rid of it IHMO... figure out another solution because this is not it.
Not sure if I really want one the way I have previous BMWs. They were always restrained, handsome and tasteful. The new 5 is none of these... seems to be trying to hard to be a styling statement and electronics technology statement... neither of which are focused on the core of BMW which is to produce the "Ultimate Driving Machine."
Current vehicles
00 BMW M5
89 BMW 325ix
00 Dodge Durango
92 Mazda Miata
Previous BMWs
72 1802
73 3.0 CSL
95 M3
Rick
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I picked up my '04 545i last week. I have to say that this car is so much better than my E39 540 six speed. My car is equipped with the Sport Package, which makes the car truly incredible in the twisties. At first, Active Steering felt awkward and lurchy in the turns. After getting used to it (took about a day) the car feels very agile and more responsive to steering input. At first, I felt the interior was a bit to 26th Century, but after living with it, every other car seems like it was built for only function. I really feel like the car is centered around me; however, the function and quality of the interior exceeds even the extremely high BMW standards. The car is built like a rock!!! I thought my E39 was awesome.....Once you drive a 545i with SMG and the Sport Package, you will have a whole new pespective on sports sedans. My car out does any other sports sedans- Lexus GS430, MB E-Class, Jaguar S-Type, Audi A6, ect. I've driven them all, and remain, a BMW lover. I am going to brush up on some criticizm that the new BMW's have been achieving- The I-Drive is very simple to use (now its made for a moron), and the styling. The styling (I believe) is very striking and fresh. BMW needed to jump away from the elderly, classic designs sometimes. BMW is doing the right thing by changing, but Chris Bangle took a little to early of a leap into these designs. My BMW service is great and I feel like they stand behind their product. My 5 is going to be in the family for a while, for it's the best car I've ever driven.
Edward
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How could they, it looks even less interesting in person. I sold a 540 3 years ago because at 6ft + I had to do a twist to get into the drivers seat, the new one is the same the seat is too far back of the B pillar. The gages are from the 70's very plan and ugly. the look on the road especially with break dust on the wheels is as non descript as a Chrysler Van, may be a good stealth speeder, huh. I like the 7 series look not I drive, and other then the baby buggy top on the Z4, I don't mind what Chris did to it, but the 5 beyond comprehension and consideration. Is it me I currently drive a Porsche, Lexis and Navigator, all 3 are on lease end next March, the 5 was on the list if they fixed the egress with the new added length. Looks like they did not fix that and lost the look of the 97 to 03, to me it was one of the best looking cars on the road.
John
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Since it was time for me to change my '99 528i, my interest in the new 5 was high. After all the spy photos and product launch brochures, wherein I was really confused about the look of the 5-series, I finally saw it at the showroom at which point the confusion was over. The car was ugly. It looks like a honda up front and a Toyota Camry at the back. Awful.
Sitting in the car was VERY pleasant. A test drive revealed some surprising details.
1) Idrive sucks. It is pointless and if you are not used to using it even dangerous whilst driving. Whilst a button might take you 1 press to change a radio station, this thing does it in several.
2) The comfort seats are oh-so- comfortable.
3) Active steering on the highway was not nice. It felt lifeless.
4) The car feels tighter than the outgoing model, handles better, but it is a disappointment. It was not WOW enough.
My net conclusion was that my old car was good enough compared to the new 5. It did not inspire me to buy one. I also decided that I could not live with the shape. I even began to like the 7 series over the 5. (Maybe that was BMW's point). In the end I bought an M3. I like the old style driver orientated dashboard. I like the simplicity of lots and lots of buttons.
Thanks and Regards,
Sunil
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I waited a year for the new 5 to come out in order to trade in my 1999 528i.
I am extremely disappointed in the overall appearance; especially the cat eye headlights. I am not sure who BMW is aiming their market at, but they missed me as a buyer. I am looking elsewhere.
Ed
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A few weeks ago my wife & I went to check out the new E60 at my local BMW
dealer. While waiting for the doors to open (We were early birds by a bit),
we checked-out an E39 530, configured almost exactly as I wanted. It had a
sticker of $46k.
A salesman approached us, & first I drove the E-39; GREAT! Even without the
sport package. The thing that really impressed me was the absolutely
GORGEOUS beige leather interior with the light colored wood trim. My wife
said "Why don't you get this one?" "Sure" I said; "If they'll take $40k &
give me $10k on my trade, I'll think about it." Knowing all along that
they'd never do that deal.
THEN we drove the E60. With the sport package, the performance was
discernibly better. The ARS held the car nearly flat even at well over
60mph on a tight onramp. I was REALLY impressed.
I could tolerate the exterior appearance, even LIKED it! However the
interior was another story. The way the dash disappears behind the door
handles instead of flowing INTO them turned me off. The E-39 interior flows smoothly
And contiguously with gorgeous wood accents following the lines.
In the E60, the wood trim was anthracite which looked like burnt wood.
Even the regular wood trim looked MUCH too dark.
The general shape of the dash seemed unnatural & didn't seem to be oriented
towards the driver. The double hump shape that attempted to incorporate the
i-drive screen seemed to be an afterthought of design, rather than an integral
part of the overall shape of the dash. A MAJOR looser for me.
The actual I-Drive wasn't so bad; quite intuitive, I thought. But using while
driving... forget about it. Perhaps with the forthcoming Navigation system
& voice command, things will be less distracting.
Over all, the interior turned me off enough to where I felt that if I REALLY
wanted an E60, I'd wait another year or so to get possible upgrades on the
interior. Besides, the way I configured an E60 would make for about a $53k
car with little or no dealing...at the present.
The deal I thought I'd never get on the 2003 E39? They gave it to me! It
was an offer I couldn't refuse. Although not as technically advance as the
E60, I find myself appreciating the E39 more every day, ...at least $13,000
more, for certain. And OOOOOHHHHH is that interior gorgeous.
Jimmy
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I have a 5 series now and went to look at the new cars with the intent on purchasing one. The 5 series is just too expensive being in the low 50's and up. I like the ride of the new Acura TL and really like the interior better. As a result, I will purchase the new TL.
Thanks for listening,
Bruce Updyke
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IT'S A PONTIAC GRAND AM IN FRONT,
AND KIA RIO FROM BEHIND.
ITS DASH IS HAPHAZARDLY ARRANGED.
CAN ITS DRIVE MAKE-UP FOR EVERYTHING ELSE?
Tony
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It is scary to think about BMW's bragging rights to technology, yet they could not get the bugs out soon enough to offer the navigation sytem in the 5 series roll out.
I think the jury is still out. Something is wrong.
i looked over the 5 series vs. the lexus ls 430 the 5 series was actually a few dollars more than the ls by the time i had all the options i wanted. will stick with lexus.
thanks,
rhp
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I test drove the new BMW "5" series last week but ultimately bought a new
2004 Mercedes-Benz E320 on Tuesday. I really wanted to like the new 5 too!
Its not that I did not like the new 5 series. I was pleasantly pleased with
the exterior styling (the 7 is atrocious!). I test drove a new 530 (without
the new variable steering option - forgot what it is called) and the drive
was typical BMW - a fantastic driving car! Performance, handling, price,
fit, finish, were all in line with my expectations - top notch! So whats the
problem?
The interior was the thing that lost the sale. I hated the I drive system.
I hated the complexity (yeah, I know it was dumbed down from the 7 series).
I hated the fact that so many common tasks were relegated to the I-drive
instead of a logical array of swithes and knobs on the dash. In fact the
dash/cockpit appeared kind of spartan maybe even cheap from the lack of
readily accessible controls. The big overgrown silver bottle cap for the
Idrive system sticks out like a sore thumb. Idrive seems so inefficient and
inelegant - a relic from the tech boom of the late 90's! I refuse to buy a
car that would aggravate me on my daily drive - that is what my wife is for.
The salesman's well rehearsed pitch emphasized the fact that I had managed
to: start the car, drive it, park it without touching Idrive. I still
didn't "get it". Maybe being a 44 year old engineer qualifies me for the old
dog - new trick axiom. Maybe I would grow to accept it had a bought the car,
it just seemed ridiculous to me.
The car does appear to be selling well. I only saw a few 530s on the dealer
lot and was told the price would be MSRP (a face saving $100 discount was
available for those who refused to pay MSRP). BIG discounts are available
for 2003 7 series, and he hinted that discounts were available of the 2004 7
series also.
Ultimately, I voted with my dollars. A new Pewter / Charcoal leather
Mercedes E320 is sitting in my garage. Maybe the next generation 5 Series
will win me over.
Peter
Houston, TX
P.S. - I just re-read my email and was surprised how mad I sounded describing
the Idrive system. I knew I did not like it, but did not realize it affected
me like that! Like I said in the opening paragraph - I really wanted to like
the car! Maybe I feel that BMW let me down with this bone headed design.
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Went to test-drive the new 5 series - I initially had a hard time with the
exterior styling, but thought to myself that the important thing was how it felt
to the driver... so I stepped inside... Can you say minivan meets american
design!! It felt very cheap, much more so than the last 5 (I own a 2000 528is).
Much of the plastic and the over done curves and angles cheapened the car... too
bad for the aesthetic side. The drive was pleasant, although it seems that BMW
is moving towards pleasing the money, not the driver - my friend's e-class
shifts much smoothly than this new five. I give it 3/5.
PS - I also test-drove the 745 - what a fun car!
Alex
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I have had a string of BMW's over the years, most recently a 2001 540i. I looked at the 2004 and cannot stomach the styling. If anything it looks worse in reality than in photos. I am buying a 645 which will arrive in April and is the least offensive looking of the current designs. I think that the new 5 will be a less successful marketplace performer than its predecessor
Ronan McGrath
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