petee1997

Well I finally saw the new F10. I did not drive it , only sat in the car. I'm sure it drives great like all Bimmers do. Would I trade my W212 for it. The quick answer is no.
My wife was with me and she is trading a 07 BMW 335i on a E350 that she has on order. The new F10 didn't do it for her either. This is all based on appearance. I don't doubt the Bimmer may be the superior driving machine.
BMW has returned to building one car in three different sizes. Owning a big 3 or a small 7 just does not do it for me. For the true BMW enthusiast, the company is returning to its roots.

Ninjaryder

Agree 100%. I had a chance to see one the other day next to a new 3 & 7 series & other than size they all had the same look. Most people will have a difficult time distinguishing a 3 from a 5 from a 7 series. Well see if BMW's carefull approach to styling vs Mercedes risky styling pays off. IMO BMW will have to wow customers with driving stats to pull them away from MB.

steelgrey

I'm sorry guy's but I have never seen a BMW that I liked the look of. I have never driven a BMW so the driving charastics are something I can't comment on. My comments are only about the overall look.

220S

Here's something one of the car mags said recently (can't remember which one): "In the ebb and flow of car design, everything goes simple and smooth then all at once it goes all edgy and complicated. We are currently witnessing from Mercedes a move to edgy complication."

And yes, BMW, in the "ebb and flow of car design" chooses now to 'return' to "simple and smooth." After a period of "edgy complication."

However, imho, BMWs are for a different crowd. Except the 7er. It's always been that way, driving dynamics versus comfort and "luxury" (although I'm not really sure what "luxury" means these days in automobiles.) And also longevity until Mercedes hit the bottom of reliability.

If performance is number one, then looks usually end up as number two. Hence Porsche and its barely changing (design-wise) flagship sports car. You don't hear Porsche owners complaining much about their 2010 997.2 looking so similar to a 1996 version.

There tends to be a younger demographic with BMW (look at BMWCCA membership versus MBCA.) Daimler is certainly trying to change all that since they know the current MB demographic is dying off (literally.)

3benz4me

I was coming out of my 08 535 lease several months ago and had to make the decision of extending the lease or pulling the trigger on the E350. After looking at all the pictures of the new F10, I was so unimpressed that I went ahead with the E.

I was a little afraid to check out the F10 last week when I was able to drive one because I wasn't sure that I had made the right choice, but it all worked out perfectly. Sure it drove like I had expected, although I felt some turbo lag since it is a single turbo now as opposed to the double, but I was so unimpressed with the looks. I couldn't decide if it was a larger 3 series or a smaller 7 series.

I once read something someone had said on one of these boards that sums it up pretty well, the cars are now the same sausage, but different lengths. I truly like my cars to stand out a bit against the others and this one just doesn't do it for me. I think when they are more popular and on the road with everyone else, I don't know if I will readily recognize it like I do the E.

I always thought that I would remain loyal to BMW but I know I am much happier with the E.

220S

3benz4me, just for the record the 550i has the twin snails. I drove one a few weeks ago and it has no lag. The 550i is quick and nimble. It will be BMW's competition to the upcoming MB 5.5TT motor.

Like I said, design and performance don't always go hand-in-hand unfortunately. Ideally both is truly what's desirable, but you always have to end up placing your own priorities where they fit for you in your world.

3benz4me

I drove the 535, not the 550. I also want to point out that I recently traded my SLK in for an 10 Z4 35i so when I want a sporty drive, that fits the bill perfectly.

Dema

What is F10? New 5 series? My dealer had driving event so I drove 535. I can't say it drives better than even previous generation of E350. However car is impressive from different number of features and electronics. Certainly BMW made it really luxury feel. Everything looks very solid, good quality matterials. I would certainly take it over E350, however price for BMW is always 20% higher, so perhaps I will end with buying just another E350. I think Mercedes is still a good car.

535 has only steptronic and manual transmission options. Fuel economy with step is 20/29. I guess it is better than for current less powerful E class 3 liter engine. No DCT option for 535, but I didn't ask about 550.

ash_cpe

I'd choose the z4 over slk with a heart beat, and same with m3 over c63. When it comes to entry level sport cars I take BMW. Mercs are more refined in my opinion, if you comapre f10 and w212 build qulity, you'd find w212 is sturdier, you can initially notice that by just opening an closing the door! just chek the door handles... And to me, both are family cars and they aren't fun cars, I really don't care even if the f10 535 have 100 more HPs than the E350, when it comes to performance and speed I have my other fun car to drive...

K-A

Interesting. Eagerly awaiting to drive the F10, as I'm kind of worried about my decision now, to be honest!

Well, not so worried, it's a Merc E-Class, so I know I'll be happy with it during the time I own it. I just really would like to geniunely love it more than the 5'er.

I'll copy & paste what I said in the other F10 Thread:

F10 will win all the Reviews, of course (although again, seems the M-B is getting more Review praise for its more outward design, which is a role reversal of sorts). Objectically, the BMW does about everything better it seems, and get this, even rated BETTER in the Euro NCAP Crash Test.

Which leaves the W212 as a car which will have to win most over by subjective styling and/or build preference (exterior and interior wise), and of course, BRAND. Not to mention, ride, however, seems BMW has invaded on M-B's territory by getting very serene and luxurious this time, while M-B has gotten a bit sportier.


Both cars are great, and I think fit the bill for the brands historical values. As the F10 looks like a REAL BMW again (FINALLY!!), and the W212 goes back to the (namely 80's) confidence inspiring Mercedes look and feel.

I saw the F10, and was underwhelmed, I have a lot more fun looking at my W212 so far, and looking at both in the flesh, the Benz is the one I wanted to jump in and cruise around in. However, I didn't get a great look at the F10 (in a garage, not driving it, etc.). So I want a fair comparo. I just hope the 212's essences that attract me more toward it as a "What do I want to jump into right now", last.