How many people jumped ship??
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02 330Ci
How many people jumped ship??
Just curious, did you jump ship from BMW to MB because of your disappointment with Bangle? Are you more disappointed with the 5 or the 7? Interior or Exterior? I waited for the 545 for years and almost cried like a baby the day I saw this car in metal. It seems as though for the first time in years, the E is on a class all by itself. No wonder they're deleting some of these rumored options.
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From: San Jose, CA
2004 E500
Couldn't agree more. I test drove the E500 back in early 2003, but held off on buying it cos I was really looking forward to the new 545i.... then I saw the first spy photos and was disappointed. But I still waited... last November I finally got to see and drive the 530i (545i's were not in yet)... I have to admit that the exterior wasn't as bad in-person as I'd seen in the photo's... but then I sat inside... uggh! Interior was bleak and "cold"… it already looked dated… and definitely didn’t like the dual “pods” for instruments and iDrive screen (IMO, MB is making a similar design mistake in the upcoming S Class). OK, but Bimmers are all about "driving" right? So I took the 530i for a test drive... drives well, except for the active steering… but I wasn’t blown away by its handling prowess. Anyway, I was very disappointed... and certainly have no regrets about ordering a 2004 E500 (should be here within the next week or two I hope!).
The more gee-whiz technology they add to their cars, the more BMW is getting away from their loyal followers. When I took the 530i for a test drive, the sales person bet me $1000 that I couldn’t make the car spin i.e. take a corner fast enough that the rear end would swing out… he said the active steering technology would prevent such mishandling… but what he/BMW seem to be forgetting, is that it’s precisely this “mishandling” capability that BMW owners want i.e. the ability for the driver to drive the car at its edge.
The more gee-whiz technology they add to their cars, the more BMW is getting away from their loyal followers. When I took the 530i for a test drive, the sales person bet me $1000 that I couldn’t make the car spin i.e. take a corner fast enough that the rear end would swing out… he said the active steering technology would prevent such mishandling… but what he/BMW seem to be forgetting, is that it’s precisely this “mishandling” capability that BMW owners want i.e. the ability for the driver to drive the car at its edge.
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From: Bay Area
I too held off on my E500 purchase to see what the 545i would be like. The 530 came out first, and I was very unimpressed with my extended test drive. The salesman actually just tossed me the keys, and said to bring it back in one piece. I pushed the car pretty hard, but the spark just wasn't there for me. I could get over the exterior look of the car, but the interior was not up to the level of a 60k + car. After another test drive in the E500, it was an easy choice for me. Hopefully they'll improve the interior with the upcoming M5.
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From: Ohio
ML-350, Maserati Quattroporte
Did not really jump ship because I had an S430. I waited 1 year and surfed the forums like crazy(loved roadfly.org). So badly wanted an E60 545i. Loved the exterior but the day I saw yhe interior my heart sunk. Could not get over it. Went back several times to sit in it but could not live with interior. And yes I'm unhappy with 7 as well both in and out. I hope the 7 re-do looks good because I would like to try a BMW.
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From: Los Angeles
2003 CLK430 Cabriolet
I owned a 2003 7-series for less than a year.
I jumped ship and am beyond happy with my choice.
My CLK430, in its last model year, runs circles around my old 7, which was in its first model year, in all areas - style, quality, driveability - don't even get me started on i-drive.
I jumped ship and am beyond happy with my choice.
My CLK430, in its last model year, runs circles around my old 7, which was in its first model year, in all areas - style, quality, driveability - don't even get me started on i-drive.
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From: Southern California, USA
03 White on Stone E320
Didn't necessarily jump ship. Was originally gonna get an 04 model E class. The 04 5 series was Bangleized and horrid looking so BMW was dropped from consideration. Circumstances changed and we got it early, but since BMW was dropped from consideration so early, it never came back into consideration. So basically, Bangle cost BMW a possible sale even before the car was out.
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From: fremont, ca
04 E55
I am going the opposite way. I am going back to BMW as soon as my slot fo the M5 is ready to be ordered.
I actually liked the E60 more than W211. I don't think E60 is that bad looking. In fact i actually preferred E60 exterior to that of W211.
I had jumped ship to W211 because i did not want to be embarassed by RS6, hence E55 was only solution. I have not been impressed by E55. Power is excellent. Interior is better. But there is more to a car than beautiful interior and forced induction power.
I actually liked the E60 more than W211. I don't think E60 is that bad looking. In fact i actually preferred E60 exterior to that of W211.
I had jumped ship to W211 because i did not want to be embarassed by RS6, hence E55 was only solution. I have not been impressed by E55. Power is excellent. Interior is better. But there is more to a car than beautiful interior and forced induction power.
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From: Miami, FL
E500
The E60 exterior was Ok, although I didn't like entirely so much metal on the side, with the small windows. But, I couldn't get past the interior. I personally, like buttons, and shortcuts. Not menues and more menues. I am all for computers, but also for ergonomics and easy access.
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For what its worth I test drove a couple BMW's during the Susan B. Komen foundation fundraiser for Breast Cancer.
You drive on a 10 mile pre determined route near the dealership. Without a salesmen tagging along.
I drove the 530i w/Steptronic and 330i w/performance package.
330i was awesome, very fun to drive. Like driving a 4 door Porsche.
530i: I actually like the exterior, but was never sold on the interior.
After driving it I don't see how people say its more fun to drive than the E-class. The only difference I found was that the steering was more direct. The feel/feedback wasn't any better than my in-laws E500 sport.
The E500 w/sport package is a BEAST! Any time my mother in law visits I ask to drive it. I love switching off ESP and nailing the throttle around a corner! I was really suprised at how Mercedes has caught up and I think surpassed the 5 series in terms of luxury and sport.
My wife currently drives a passat that has been plagued w/issues. We will be looking for a used E320 sport in a year or so.
You drive on a 10 mile pre determined route near the dealership. Without a salesmen tagging along.
I drove the 530i w/Steptronic and 330i w/performance package.
330i was awesome, very fun to drive. Like driving a 4 door Porsche.
530i: I actually like the exterior, but was never sold on the interior.
After driving it I don't see how people say its more fun to drive than the E-class. The only difference I found was that the steering was more direct. The feel/feedback wasn't any better than my in-laws E500 sport.
The E500 w/sport package is a BEAST! Any time my mother in law visits I ask to drive it. I love switching off ESP and nailing the throttle around a corner! I was really suprised at how Mercedes has caught up and I think surpassed the 5 series in terms of luxury and sport.
My wife currently drives a passat that has been plagued w/issues. We will be looking for a used E320 sport in a year or so.
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From: Northern California
Mercedes C400, BMW X3
I bought one and hated it
I bought a 2004 BMW 545 about a month ago loaded with sport package, confort seats, premium sound. My previous car was a 2003 E55.
I never liked the way the 545 looked, inside or out, but since I have owned 3 previously, I wanted to give it a chance.
I hated it and am selling back to my dealer this weekend. I found the ride quality too harsh and never warmed up to the way Mr. Bangle's design forces you to think about little things like how to engage (or even locate) the turn signal.
I am going to stick with Mercedes until BMW gets the message or until Chris Bangle moves to Mercedes.
I never liked the way the 545 looked, inside or out, but since I have owned 3 previously, I wanted to give it a chance.
I hated it and am selling back to my dealer this weekend. I found the ride quality too harsh and never warmed up to the way Mr. Bangle's design forces you to think about little things like how to engage (or even locate) the turn signal.
I am going to stick with Mercedes until BMW gets the message or until Chris Bangle moves to Mercedes.
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02 330Ci
Re: I bought one and hated it
Originally posted by shoes
I am going to stick with Mercedes until BMW gets the message or until Chris Bangle moves to Mercedes.
I am going to stick with Mercedes until BMW gets the message or until Chris Bangle moves to Mercedes.
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From: Bay Area
2004 E500
I drove the BMW 5 series for 20 years, 3 different cars. After years of waiting and angsting over the new fuenfer, I left BMW in a New York minute after seeing what Bangle hath wrought. I dislike the exterior. I loathe the interior. Whether the 5er drives better or not, the difference between the 5 and the E would be relatively small. In my opinion, the looks are not close. THe E is beautiful and the 5er is just butt ugly, literally and figuratively. And for my money, I don't want to spend $60K on something I can't look at and ogle in my driveway.
Last edited by Rudegar; Apr 27, 2004 at 11:55 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Scotland, UK
2019 Mercedes Benz S500L AMG Premium Plus
I cancelled my E60 530d order after seeing it in the flesh. I think I could have got used to the exterior. However the interior is a mess and gives no impression of luxury or quality whatsoever. I eventually went for the W211 320 CDI.
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From: NY/NJ
Re: Re: I bought one and hated it
Originally posted by shoes
I am going to stick with Mercedes until BMW gets the message or until Chris Bangle moves to Mercedes.
I am going to stick with Mercedes until BMW gets the message or until Chris Bangle moves to Mercedes.
Originally posted by Kenechi
Come on man!!! You're not gonna wish Chris Bangle on any one, especially not on Mercedes?
Come on man!!! You're not gonna wish Chris Bangle on any one, especially not on Mercedes?
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From: Portland, OR
2001 CLK320
my recollections on see both the W211 and the '04 5 series:
first looked at the BMW and my first thoughts were that it takes the gimmicky styling from Pontiac and Mitsubishi and melded them together. ...then there's the trunk lid, which still looks like it came from another car and was morphed into a shape to fit the 5's body...
The dark, somber dash looks like a scaled down version of the 7 series, which I don't care for. Not to mention the I-drive stuff.
Went over to the W211, and it feels much more in line with my tastes, the interior reminds me to an extent of the S-class dash, which is way nicer looking that the Bangle designed disaster.
Haven't driven the W211 or the new 5 series yet, but I'm really turned off by the looks (inside and out) of the BWM, so I don't even consider trying one out.
Now if they screw up the styling on the 3 series, BWM is really going to suffer in sales - way more of those models support that company than the larger 5 and 7 series.
first looked at the BMW and my first thoughts were that it takes the gimmicky styling from Pontiac and Mitsubishi and melded them together. ...then there's the trunk lid, which still looks like it came from another car and was morphed into a shape to fit the 5's body...
The dark, somber dash looks like a scaled down version of the 7 series, which I don't care for. Not to mention the I-drive stuff.
Went over to the W211, and it feels much more in line with my tastes, the interior reminds me to an extent of the S-class dash, which is way nicer looking that the Bangle designed disaster.
Haven't driven the W211 or the new 5 series yet, but I'm really turned off by the looks (inside and out) of the BWM, so I don't even consider trying one out.
Now if they screw up the styling on the 3 series, BWM is really going to suffer in sales - way more of those models support that company than the larger 5 and 7 series.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 968
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From: Long Island, New York
2018 E400 4matic Wagon
[
330i was awesome, very fun to drive. Like driving a 4 door Porsche.
o. [/B]
330i was awesome, very fun to drive. Like driving a 4 door Porsche.
o. [/B]
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 636
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From: New Jersey, USA
W211 & Q7
the facts are
1. bmw still provides better handle and performance than mb does (I have both w211 and e39, this is my personal opinion)
2. I don't like banglized bimmers but I start accepting them gradually; however, I still think e39 looks better than e60 if you don't look the car by its age.
3. mb starts delivering better looking cars -- e, cls, gst
4. all german cars do not provide fancy electronic systems, compare with japanese luxury cars, e.g. lexus or infiniti
the dream car should be based on
1. bmw engines, transmission, etc.
2. mb exteriors
3. lexus interiors, especially nav.
I am waiting for this kind of ship to jump
1. bmw still provides better handle and performance than mb does (I have both w211 and e39, this is my personal opinion)
2. I don't like banglized bimmers but I start accepting them gradually; however, I still think e39 looks better than e60 if you don't look the car by its age.
3. mb starts delivering better looking cars -- e, cls, gst
4. all german cars do not provide fancy electronic systems, compare with japanese luxury cars, e.g. lexus or infiniti
the dream car should be based on
1. bmw engines, transmission, etc.
2. mb exteriors
3. lexus interiors, especially nav.
I am waiting for this kind of ship to jump
