PUZZ1

I absolutely hated the 5 Series when it came out (like most people), but I must admit that they have caught my eye lately. In fact today it seemed I was being bombarded BMW's in general. Leaving the parking garage at work tonight I saw three 5's (one parked next to another e500) an X5 and a 745i that pulled up behind me as I pulled out. Later tonight I had the opportunity to park next to a 545i with 18inch wheels and thought it looked more aggressive and muscular than the W211. I didn't even test drive the 5 when I got my e500 18months ago. I don't know if that would be the case today. Thoughts?

AsianML

Not for me. The fact that you saw many of them makes it less appealing to me. More people have them, so you're just another car out there.

BudC

Not growing on me. All I have to do is look at that mess they call a dash. It's made up of bits and pieces almost as if they ran out of time before they finished it. Also, the styling of the door interior is poorly done.

As for the exterior, the thing I dislike the most isn't the Bangle butt, it's the slab sides. They avoided the problem with the 3-Series.

I mentioned this before but the heavy use of aluminum along with the way things are put together requires BMW trained people to repair it after it's been in an accident.

They kept Bangle from screwing up the 3'er and they seemed to have turned things around on the 7-Series.

JWS3

One of the most unattractive cars ever with an interior best described sa "ghastly".

BudC

But they seem to be selling them.

konigstiger

Simple, sales people on the floor are doing there best to hype the free maintenance that no longer exists with MB - big draw.

DiamondK

With the upcoming new M sport package, it becomes merely "tolerable" for me. The stock fascia is awful. Dreadful.

Here's the M sport package fascia:

http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cf...e/1/bmw/1.html

BudC

Driving one doesn't hurt either

konigstiger

CE750

this is true, as I almost fell victim.

mb808

Good one! Can't refute that....you got them real good

And....the reason why the other guy seem to be "bombarded" by BMW's the other day is because, BMW's seem to be spending much more time being driven, and not just sit'n in the repair shop bay :p

rockyfeller

I wish it grew on me, I'd buy that 545i. Drives better than an E Been trying to let it grow on me, which it did maybe 20%. But I'm sorry overall it's just too ugly for me to be seen in.......Too bad the E is just too pretty, it got me with the looks. As common as the W211 is, I get compliments and heads turn everyday. And by the way.....chicks think the E is WAY sexier!

CALBenzo

My thoughts exactly. At least the front and side have grown on me. I still hate the rear. The appeal to me is the handling and driveability. The E, however, looks so much better that I would still make the same decision.

mbnj

No contest that the interior is not comparable to E. I think the bangle on the 750 DOES work very well, I'd have no problem with it and I like the 7's interior. Putting the bangle on the 5 is like the difference between long hair on a tall lithe woman vs a very short one, doesen't work for me, but others... (or how about a shaved head on Michael Jordan- it works, vs Boomer Wells)

zam2000

The look grow on me a bit, especially on the one with sport package. The ride & handling don't need any grow: they're already top of the league.

Imagine this: ride & handling of a 545, look of a E500 with sport package, Navigation of an Infinity, and reliability of a Lexus. Ohhh heaven ...

The 750 seem to fix lot of "look" problem from the 745, and going well now (sell like pancake at MSRP around here, going fast), as far as I know, I've seen the 745 went for 12K off MSRP. It's just the matter of time before they send the 5 through cosmetic surgery.

Spartan

Nope, it's not grwoing...even an inch. Yes it's a bit more tolerable then when I first saw it but it looks too much like a desperate attempt at "radical Hyundai" to me.

khaug

No way! We had an E39 for five years. Best car I've ever owned, and BMW ruined it. Between the hideous Bangle styling, iDrive, the ugly interior and the wierd steering, there's nothing left that appeals to me.

As far as "growing on me", the styling is just as unattractive now as it was when the Bangle-styled cars first hit the market.

All that said, I'd sure like M-B to hire some of BMW's chassis engineers.

W211 Ryda

Exterior has grown on me a lot. With a nice drop and rims, the car looks very aggressive, but when I rode inside two of my friend's 530i & 525i... I couldn't believe how hideous the interior was put together. From the dashboard, Idrive and door panels....everything was simply unappealing Cheap plastic galore! I couldn't fathom paying $45k+ for a Bimmer with an interior quality that rivals Civics, Corollas, and the likes. When my friends sat in my car, they uttered how they felt ripped off and how they regret not considering a Benz during their purchase.

LorinserCClass

The 5 series definitely grew on me a few months ago(ex W211 Sport owner).

DWP

No, it's not growing on me and with luck, it never will.

http://www.czechopera.cz/images/arti...hant_Man05.jpg

The car is still what it was two years ago and my opinion of it hasn't changed. I'm also very happy for all the people who have bought one and I wish them only the very best. I doubt that they bought the car while holding their nose, which only shows that "good" design is entirely a matter of personal taste.

cdiken

BMW imports the awesome inline-6 twin turbo 535d just as Mercedes starts dispensing aluminum V6 diesels, I could see the "5" growing on me.

sosh

The more I see, the less I like it!! They even screwed up the new 6 Series also. And, I am an ex 6 series owner (old style, 2 of them!)

Evil Duffman

I do like the styling of the M5 and the M6. But thats it.

CE750

good point.

Alexbenz

it wasn't but it is a little now.......i will only take it in black though......and with a hamann bodykit it makes it look better