Is the BMW 5 Series growing on anyone?
#76
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
E60:
side and rear are ok, but the front and interior still look prett miserable.
side and rear are ok, but the front and interior still look prett miserable.
#77
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2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by W210
E60:
side and rear are ok, but the front and interior still look prett miserable.
side and rear are ok, but the front and interior still look prett miserable.
Other problems include the rivet and glue construction and the size of the 6 cylinder engine. I've heard that BMW plan to turbocharge the six next year to get better performance.
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2015 C300
530xi kind of won me over today
Was driving by the BMW dealer today and stopped in...I've been looking around to replace the '03 E320, and wanted to give everyone a fair shot. Plus, this thread had me really curious about taking a good look at the 5 series.
Stared at the car in the showroom for about 15 minutes, walked around it, and checked out the cars on the lot. I really thought the styling was pretty decent - aggressive, but I liked it...the car had a great "stance". Then I test drove both the 525xi and the 530xi...both were great fun to drive...and the interior, although simple, was not at all ugly (IMHO). Again, I kept staring at the dash, trying to figure out why so many people think it's hideous - it just struck me as being simple, clean and linear. The idrive is strange, but you really don't have to use it that much...just set up the options for the most part and leave'em be!
Long story short - I really liked it - especially the 530xi. It was the first car that I've test driven in the past two weeks that didn't leave me with that "thank god I'm back in my e320" feeling. It's definitely under consideration...along, of course, with an E350!
Stared at the car in the showroom for about 15 minutes, walked around it, and checked out the cars on the lot. I really thought the styling was pretty decent - aggressive, but I liked it...the car had a great "stance". Then I test drove both the 525xi and the 530xi...both were great fun to drive...and the interior, although simple, was not at all ugly (IMHO). Again, I kept staring at the dash, trying to figure out why so many people think it's hideous - it just struck me as being simple, clean and linear. The idrive is strange, but you really don't have to use it that much...just set up the options for the most part and leave'em be!
Long story short - I really liked it - especially the 530xi. It was the first car that I've test driven in the past two weeks that didn't leave me with that "thank god I'm back in my e320" feeling. It's definitely under consideration...along, of course, with an E350!
#79
5 series has been growing on me. I think aftermarket wheels would help the exterior a lot. Wish it looked more like the 3, but 3 is too small for me. It would definitely be hard going from an E interior to that of the 5. It's got a few ergonomic quirks, but I absolutely love my E interior.
IMO the 6 series is the best version of the Bangle styling. Better lines. Better proportions. It's a gorgeous coupe.
IMO the 6 series is the best version of the Bangle styling. Better lines. Better proportions. It's a gorgeous coupe.
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'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Originally Posted by rayray64105
IMO the 6 series is the best version of the Bangle styling. Better lines. Better proportions. It's a gorgeous coupe.
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2015 ML 350
Can anybody come up with a good reason why the vinyl dash is black, along with other interior trim pieces (like around the mirror on the windshield), no matter what the interior color of the BMW.
Its so Chevrolet to save money that way so that there are fewer specially color matched painted pieces inside the car. On a car in this price range, everything should match!
Its so Chevrolet to save money that way so that there are fewer specially color matched painted pieces inside the car. On a car in this price range, everything should match!
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2011 E550, 2013 GLK
I don't know about the current BMW's but in the past they used recycled rubber for their dashes. The dash on my 300E looks more like leather than anything else but I'm sure it's vinyl. The dash on the W211 could be a recycled material.
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04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Originally Posted by BudC
I don't know about the current BMW's but in the past they used recycled rubber for their dashes. The dash on my 300E looks more like leather than anything else but I'm sure it's vinyl. The dash on the W211 could be a recycled material.
My 190E and my 300E both had tons of recycled material already. All the trunk liner, glove box liner and all the plastic was recycled. I am not sure about the dashboard though.
All German cars now are incredibly environmentally friendly. The Japanese and the American cars are still a long ways away to being anywhere close to the Germans in this respect.
Steve
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2015 ML 350
All they have to do is paint the dash pad & steering wheel, just like MB & Lexus do. The material itself is NOT moulded in the interior color. All dash pads come black to some point in the assembly process at which time they are sprayed to match the color interior they are destined for down the road. The black color in a cream colored or grey colored interior is a choice BMW is making either to save money or because they think it looks better.
#85
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Bottom line is that it's still a BMW. Who are we kidding. I was a BMW guy long before I was a Mercedes guy and would have bought a new 5 if I liked it when it came out. As I said, I'm not saying I'm in love with it, but I think I would test drive it now whereas I didn't consider in June 04.
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'09 911 C4S
The touring version is alright without the Bangled butt. However, it looked really huge and plain to me (i.e. lack of personality) to me when I looked at it in the show room. I still can't get over the lines of the sedan though.
However, we decided to acquire a E91 325xiT for wife.
However, we decided to acquire a E91 325xiT for wife.
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2015 C300
OK...I bought a 530xi today!
Was out tooling around again today, looking at the E350 4matic, and also stopped by the BMW dealership. Took out the 530xi for another test drive and liked it even more than the first time I drove it. It drove amazingly and I really liked the look. So, looked around the lot and saw an awesome looking 530xi (silver grey, beige leather) that was pretty well equipped (premium package, nav, premium sound, automatic, cold weather, sports package, 18" star alloy wheels, and park distance). They weren't looking to deal as much as the Mercedes dealership (didn't have the $3K marketing allowance to play with) but they were willing to deal - so I bought it! So, I guess it really did grow on me. I'm picking it up on Tuesday. I feel pretty bad about leaving Mercedes, never thought this would happen, but felt like I need a change and wanted to try something different. Given that I pick up a new car every 3-4 years or so, I'll probably be back looking at the next E class sometime in the 2009-2010 time frame!
Last edited by plocjim; 12-11-2005 at 01:27 PM.
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2006 MB C230, Black on Black
BMW vs MB appearance only....
The BMW's appearance is God awful and looks like the back is chopped off, among other things, and this is their NEW body! The 4 eyes of the Mercedes is NOT one of my favorites anymore as it has NOT changed since 1998, I believe. However it is due to change in 2007.
My opion on appearance only BMW (the Thomas Kincade of Automobiles i.e.: over sold and everyone can buy one, and does) does not beat the 4 eyes (which I hate now) of the Mercedes Benz.
Mercedes Benz still beats out the BMW and the NEW body will, hopefully, be much better yet. For now the winner is............Mercedes Benz E Class!
My opion on appearance only BMW (the Thomas Kincade of Automobiles i.e.: over sold and everyone can buy one, and does) does not beat the 4 eyes (which I hate now) of the Mercedes Benz.
Mercedes Benz still beats out the BMW and the NEW body will, hopefully, be much better yet. For now the winner is............Mercedes Benz E Class!
#90
Originally Posted by plocjim
Was out tooling around again today, looking at the E350 4matic, and also stopped by the BMW dealership. Took out the 530xi for another test drive and liked it even more than the first time I drove it. It drove amazingly and I really liked the look. So, looked around the lot and saw an awesome looking 530xi (silver grey, beige leather) that was pretty well equipped (premium package, nav, premium sound, automatic, cold weather, comfort access, sports package and park distance). They weren't looking to deal as much as the Mercedes dealership (didn't have the $3K marketing allowance to play with) but they were willing to deal - so I bought it! So, I guess it really did grow on me. I'm picking it up on Tuesday. I feel pretty bad about leaving Mercedes, never thought this would happen, but felt like I need a change and wanted to try something different. Given that I pick up a new car every 3-4 years or so, I'll probably be back looking at the next E class sometime in the 2009-2010 time frame!
Good for you, have fun! I like to try different cars out once in a while as well, and although the 5 series design does not appeal to me most bmw's are a lot of fun to drive!
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The car just has too many angles/lines for my taste and as mentioned here the interior of the 5 and even 6 for that matter is very cheap looking indeed. The new 5 needs a similar refreshing akin to the 7 series; the sooner the better...
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2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Ignoring styling, there are a few things about the new E60 that concerns me.
Even so, would I like to own a 550i? In a NY minute if I could convince my wife to let me buy another BMW, especially one she thinks is butt-ugly.
- The use of rivets and glue that requires specialist repair techniques in case of an accident.
- The design of the new six cylinder which is very unique and makes me wonder if it will have problems down the road.
- The small size of the six which gives up low-end torque and requires the use of RPM to compete with the larger engines of the competition.
Even so, would I like to own a 550i? In a NY minute if I could convince my wife to let me buy another BMW, especially one she thinks is butt-ugly.
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'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by RJC
The car just has too many angles/lines for my taste and as mentioned here the interior of the 5 and even 6 for that matter is very cheap looking indeed. The new 5 needs a similar refreshing akin to the 7 series; the sooner the better...
The handling and power on the other hand were awesome, but the car also sells for $120K
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#95
Wish I could "ignore the styling". But I cannot. The 5 series (m)
Originally Posted by BudC
Ignoring styling, there are a few things about the new E60 that concerns me.
Even so, would I like to own a 550i? In a NY minute if I could convince my wife to let me buy another BMW, especially one she thinks is butt-ugly.
- The use of rivets and glue that requires specialist repair techniques in case of an accident.
- The design of the new six cylinder which is very unique and makes me wonder if it will have problems down the road.
- The small size of the six which gives up low-end torque and requires the use of RPM to compete with the larger engines of the competition.
Even so, would I like to own a 550i? In a NY minute if I could convince my wife to let me buy another BMW, especially one she thinks is butt-ugly.
I had 4 BMWs and bolted when the E60 5 series came out. I just couldn't drive a car that ugly on a daily basis no matter how well it drives.
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04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
This is the Problem with this car!
Look at what Chris Bangel uses for inspiration!
This work from 1912 from Umberto Boccioni with 3-dimensional surfaces (rough translation). This type of art is definitely no to be made light of, but do you think this translates to a nice car design?
The next two paintings he loves are the ones that also inspired his design of a few Fiat coupes. Well. . . that explains why I did not like those Fiats when I lived in Europe.
So I would like to say that this design has yet to grow on me. I doubt it ever will. I would buy it if I would be able to close my eyes while I walk towards the car and never look at the inside while I am driving. Not to mention, I better not see the reflection of my car if I am driving by a store window!
The car drives like a dream, but then again, I also like how my W211 drives. This is all a matter of tastes and preferences. So I am saying that this car is not of my liking. Also, since I found this magazine today I thought I should shed some light on Chris Bangel's source of inspiration. What if his next source is Picasso? Will his next car have the front and rear windshields on one side and the double kidney grill on the car’s a$$? Just a thought.
Enjoy!
Steve
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![crazy](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/crazy.gif)
The next two paintings he loves are the ones that also inspired his design of a few Fiat coupes. Well. . . that explains why I did not like those Fiats when I lived in Europe.
So I would like to say that this design has yet to grow on me. I doubt it ever will. I would buy it if I would be able to close my eyes while I walk towards the car and never look at the inside while I am driving. Not to mention, I better not see the reflection of my car if I am driving by a store window!
The car drives like a dream, but then again, I also like how my W211 drives. This is all a matter of tastes and preferences. So I am saying that this car is not of my liking. Also, since I found this magazine today I thought I should shed some light on Chris Bangel's source of inspiration. What if his next source is Picasso? Will his next car have the front and rear windshields on one side and the double kidney grill on the car’s a$$? Just a thought.
Enjoy!
Steve
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2015 C300
OK - I picked up the new 530xi today, and sadly dropped of the E320! After tooling around in her today, the verdict is that I really love the 530 - the ride is much different, somewhat harsher - but the 18" performance tires certainly play a big part of that, in addition to the design. The voice command is awesome, Logic7 is great and the nav is pretty cool. All the other toys that came with it will take me some time to sort out!
Posted a few pics - obviously not everyone will enjoy them! Thanks to all who post on this forum...it's been a great source of information and fun over the past 3+ years! I'll keep reading...I still think the E-class is an awesome car!!
Posted a few pics - obviously not everyone will enjoy them! Thanks to all who post on this forum...it's been a great source of information and fun over the past 3+ years! I'll keep reading...I still think the E-class is an awesome car!!
Last edited by plocjim; 12-13-2005 at 10:32 PM.
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w211 & w124
My mother just picked up a new 530i last night and do have to say I am very impressed. The whole iDrive thing is a little annoying but I'm sure once you get used to it it is great. I like the fact that it has bluetooth and a LOT of technical bells and whistles (which I love to play with). I also liked the power and smooth acceleration as well as the soft leather. I still think it is ugly from the back though. Overall it is a very nice car. I do have to say that the buying experience between BMW and MB is really different. They sure don't budge very much at BMW whereas when I was getting my E they pretty much just chopped off like 10 grand right off the bat with very little haggling!
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I liked the e60 alot better when I saw a sport model in person with the 18" wheels and lower ride height.
These things look really aggressive with the HARTGE Classic 2 in 21x9 / 21x10.5 and aggressively lowered. The interior could certainly use some softening however.
These things look really aggressive with the HARTGE Classic 2 in 21x9 / 21x10.5 and aggressively lowered. The interior could certainly use some softening however.