New BMW 5 Series
 

I had the chance to drive a new 5 series a few weeks ago - WAIT UNTIL IT HITS THE MARKET.

My first thought, while looking at it, is that the car reminded me of a Passat. I got behind the wheel... damn...

I currently own a 3 series, Z3, Z4. I skipped buying a 5 series a few years back, and choose the 3 but that will be changing soon. When it hits the market, go and test one if you are a BMW lover.

Looks a bit funny to me, and reputable testers say the steering's squiffy on all but the base models. BMW need to sort out their act, quick smart.

BMW's kick azz ... I can's wait for the '05 M series w/ 500hp

Do you mean the current 5 series or the brand new one? IMHO, the new one looks like ass. The lines are too flowy, making the car look like it melted.

The 89-95 generation is still my favourite of the 5 series. The new one sounds pretty good, and I like the way it looks. My wife works for a BMW dealer here, so I'll get to play when they get the first ones in the next month or so.

One thing I don't like, they raised the price about $2500 CDN on the 530i. That's a pretty hefty increase. Didn't see what the incresase on the 545i from the 540i is.

Can't wait to see the final specs on the next M5.

Couple of years back when I was about to change my car I tested BMWs. The driving experience was absolutely fantastic. But the design of the car (especially the interior) was boring for me...

Than Chris Bangles came along... And made BMW interesting. Everyone is blaming him that he's destoying BMW's image and heritage. Well I don't think so... Have you seen the pics about the 6 series? Astonishing... Beautiful...

I'm calling my local dealer to book a test drive with new 5-er... :D

I actually like the new 5 and its fluid design. The new 6er has somethign to it that just doesn't work well with the car. I think it might be the HUGE trunk spoiler similar to a previous concept (Z9), but other than that, i like the direction Bangles is taking BMW.

I agree... on several point here.

1) Bangles is taking the company forward - in a good way. There has been blowback, yes, but as always with change - people are not that eager in the beginning.

2) As BeBogus said with about the 6 - the trunk is an issue. On the other hand, I didn't think the Z9 looked bad at all. I actaully think the Z9 was a SWEET looking car all around.

3) As to castex's point about steering. The car I drove had no issue with the control. I've also spoken to a few others who have driven the cars (all of us being BMW owners for several years) none had a negative word to say.

Let's just hope that the new 5 doesn't have as many issues as the new 7 did when they first came out.

Also....

I've spoken with a friend who work as BMWNA and she has said that the 5 series *may* have AWD in the future. BMW isn't sure if they want/can win against Audi's Quattro and MB's 4-Matic.

BMW's are high quality cars, never a dissapointment, imo.

Someone please post a pic of this z9?

ok
heres the convertible bmw Z9

http://www.edmunds.com/edweb/news/pa...o.f3-4.350.jpg
interior
http://images.forbes.com/images/2001...t5_344x253.jpg

heres the coupe (gran turismo ??)
http://www.portal5.co.uk/autos/pictu...s/BMW%20Z9.jpg
http://www.zuko.com/Cool_Rides/Autom...W-Z9-Grand.jpg
http://www.zuko.com/Cool_Rides/Autom...ges/BMWZ-9.jpg

personally i think its pretty damn sexy.
but i´m not so sure about those lifting side doors... what if you´ve got a really tight park?

**edit - sorry, forgot to mention the 5 series.
well, i guess i could take it or leave it... its not like i´ll ever own one.

The new 5 series will have an XI model. There is no maybe about it. When I bought my Bimmer about 4 months ago, the guy I bought it from told me there will be a 540xi and a 528xi.

Besides, thay have to. They can't compete. With Audi and 90% of the cars off the production line being Quattro drive( Including the S4/S6/S8/RS4/RS6) and Mercedes now has fully functional 4Matic in the C, E and now S class, BMW would be losing a great deal of market to AWD platforms.

Kurant - you were informed incorrectly about that... the 540 and 528s are no longer in production.

Further more, I know for a fact from someone on the BMWNA management team that is has not been decided yet.

That's not to say I don't think you are night about this part, btw. I totally agree w/ you.

The new 5 is sex on wheels... so is the 6 series.

I'll be booking in for a test drive (can't wait).

I definitely plan on checking one out... but i'll probably end up with an 04 X5 to replace my current X5.

Do you like the X5s? (Guessing you do seeing you are going to replace it with another....

Share your thoughts, please.

I absolutely love my X5. It's one of the best looking suv's out there. It handles extremely well... better than most Mercedes Sedans, has great pick up, and is a beast in the snow.

but i've got an 02 M3 when I want to go faster, and tear up the twisties.

PArk the new 5 series nest to a Subaru WRX and compare the rear ends.

Chris Bangles needs to be drawn and quartered for copying a Subaru....

He is taking the ultimate driving machines and turning them the Pontiac Aztecs of Germany.

Saw a recent article that said the BMW 3 series is a much better car than Passat for 10 k less.

Ok... here is a WRX back:

<img src="http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/8/web/392000-392999/392319_8_full.jpg">

and here is a new 5 backend:

<img src="http://www.bmw545.com/introduction_rear_sized.jpg">

Lessee... they both have tail lights......

Sorry, don't see the the 5 and WRX as the same back ends.

I just bought a '03 540 touring because the new car does nothing for me. I have been a BMW mechanic for 30 years.

i like the last generation 5 series better like m5man. but the new one will probably grow on me. at least it's not as ugly as the 7 series. the wrx and new 5 rear tail lights do look similar, and i'd rather have an inifniti FX than an X5.

I think the backs do look similar, but either way, I prefer the traditional style of BMW taillights

the taillights are identical....identical. Still a great looking automobile.

ill take one

the new 5ers are awesome. I would wait for the 545i to see what it overs because i was never to fond of the lower models. Nonetheless, it seems to have both opinons of the spectrium like the new 7 did on its debut. either you love it or you hate it. IMO, i love Banles melting method.. hehe

very nice car

i love the new 545i.......oh fuck me its quick

it would be cool if it comes to the market with gull wing doors like that. Haven't seen those for a while except on really expensive imports...wait... nevermind.

First nice car I plan to get is a late-90s BMW 7-series. The last generation before that piece of shit Bangle took over and started making BMWs look like clown cars.

As a side note, how is the tire wear on X5's? I've never seen so much negative camber on a normal vehicle. I'm sure it helps the handling but it looks like the inner edges of its tires will be bald in 5000 miles.

Tire wear on X5s
 

Hello -

The X5 and the E39 5 series (that would be the 1997 - 2003 5er) wear through the inside tread of the rear tires in about 30k miles or so in my experience.

BMW does not recommend rotating the tires, mainly because the handling is really squirrely until the tires take to the new position.

The tradeoof for the tire wear is really good handling. If you can afford the car, you can afford the tires....

Peter

love the doors on that thing.. i am in the process of trying to put lambo doors on my 93 eclipse

mmmmm nnneeeewww 5 sserrriess..sooo nniicccee

anyone have pics (or concept pics) of the new m5?

I just got back from Europe... lots of 5's already on the streets there... I didn't think I'd like them, but wow... they are nice looking in person.

whats up with the doors?

The new 5 and 7 may be great driving cars but the fact remains they are ugly.

Think about it, even if the Pontiac Aztec drove like a bat out of hell it is still Fugly