The new 5 series?

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   My dad very kindly let me drive his '53 reg 520i the other day, took it for a 3-4 mile run home from Ikea and I'm very, very impressed! And jealous too!!! The engine is amazing, very, very responsive and quick and you can only really just hear it at about 3500-4000rpm (I only knew it was on because I was doing 80 down the M62!!) and the ride is soooooo quiet and smooth, especially on the motorway!
Not that fussed about the cabin layout, dont like the way its no longer angled towards the driver but its really comfortable and the dash is a work of art! I like the wacky exterior too.... better save my pennies!!
I'm intrigued, what does everyone here think of the new 5 series? I know the design hasnt been very well received by the media but what about us BMW loyals?
Sheep

Edited by Sheepmeister

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Sheepmeister Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I Joined: 12-October-2003 Status: Offline Points: 107	Topic: The new 5 series? Posted: 21-March-2004 at 12:45
	My dad very kindly let me drive his '53 reg 520i the other day, took it for a 3-4 mile run home from Ikea and I'm very, very impressed! And jealous too!!! The engine is amazing, very, very responsive and quick and you can only really just hear it at about 3500-4000rpm (I only knew it was on because I was doing 80 down the M62!!) and the ride is soooooo quiet and smooth, especially on the motorway! Not that fussed about the cabin layout, dont like the way its no longer angled towards the driver but its really comfortable and the dash is a work of art! I like the wacky exterior too.... better save my pennies!! I'm intrigued, what does everyone here think of the new 5 series? I know the design hasnt been very well received by the media but what about us BMW loyals? Sheep Edited by Sheepmeister

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Nigel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 09-November-2002 Status: Offline Points: 6941	Posted: 21-March-2004 at 14:25
	I think its like everything else, we will get used to it in time. I didnt like the E39, much preferred the E34, but now I find myself looking at them and thinking nice.......
	Best Wishes Nigel

B 7 VP Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 04-November-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1115	Posted: 21-March-2004 at 16:47
	When it came out , all the mags said it was a disaster and existing 5 series owners, would shun the design in droves--WELL they Are the experts arent they !!!!, Finger on the pulse stuff, know all the trends and whats the Biz. So Now Autocar tells us, The best selling executive class car which has regained its LEAD of the group is the NEW 5 Series !!!!!! What?????????. Comic,s yeh, they ARE Comics.Now when you look around at its class rivals, they ALL look like they have passed the SellBY date!!!. SAFETYFAST

Sohlman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Coupe Chairman Joined: 19-August-2003 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 1259	Posted: 22-March-2004 at 10:50
	I find the new five deeply offensively unatractive and no matter how good it is i would struggle driving around in it. I like arriving to my car each day and getting pleasure from looking at it before i step in and drive off. If i owned one i would have to build a 2 meter wall around my house so that the neibours could not look at it as i would be embarressed. Don't get me wrong i am sure the car is excellent, but i am not warming up to it. I am glad you like it Sheepmeister. Personally i would buy an e28, e39, e34, e12 5 series in that order before thinking about the new one. My father as a case in point has owned an e12 520, an e28 518, an e34 530 and an e39 528 and he will not buy a new one. He is waiting for the Bangle replacement to come in! Sorry
	Sunday 10th July Brooklands Sharkfest and Big Coupe Day. Coupe Events

Peter Fenwick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 27-August-2003 Location: Lost somewhere in time... Status: Offline Points: 6484	Posted: 22-March-2004 at 12:16
	Sohlman, I have to say I agree. I was in my local BMW dealer the other day waiting for some service from the parts dept so me and my girlfriend took the time to have a look at the new cars. No matter how long I look at it I just can't like it. It doesn't look as bad as the new 7 mind. Chris Bangle should be shot for what he has done to BMW. However it is very true that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'.
	Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.

Sheepmeister Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I Joined: 12-October-2003 Status: Offline Points: 107	Posted: 22-March-2004 at 18:03
	Its a shame that what is an absolutely awesome car in every other respect is so controversial and so much of its brilliance is wasted by a very wacky design. I must be in the minority! Although I love the new 5 series look, I agree, Chris Bangle has made a biiiiiigggg marketing mistake! I'm not up on 5 series "E" model numbers, is the E39 the last shape? I've gotta say, if I had the money (which I dont!) I would still buy the last shape 530+ sport, you cant beat that mean stance! Sheep

MIKE 318IS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 21-March-2004 Status: Offline Points: 980	Posted: 22-March-2004 at 18:25
	i am with you sheepmeister it looks good but it needs big alloys to fill the arches can not wait to see and hear the new m5 v10

Sheepmeister Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I Joined: 12-October-2003 Status: Offline Points: 107	Posted: 22-March-2004 at 20:07
	yeh the arches do look pretty gaping, i think my dad spec'd his as 17s and altho the ride quality isnt quite as limo-like as it would be with 16s they look pretty cool. is the new M5 a 5.5 liter? Sheep

MIKE 318IS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 21-March-2004 Status: Offline Points: 980	Posted: 22-March-2004 at 20:21
	its a five litre 90 degree v10 about 500bhp 0- 62 under 5 check out bmw car for pics

Sheepmeister Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I Joined: 12-October-2003 Status: Offline Points: 107	Posted: 22-March-2004 at 20:29
	where do you mean? bmw.co.uk? not much info on there! Wouldnt you just love to sit at the lights in one of them, let the little wannabes in their souped up novas and 205s have a 10 minute head start and then leave them in your dust? lol :)

MIKE 318IS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 21-March-2004 Status: Offline Points: 980	Posted: 22-March-2004 at 20:33
	sorry look in bmw car mag april edition its on the front page more like the idiots in their ferraris

Sheepmeister Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I Joined: 12-October-2003 Status: Offline Points: 107	Posted: 22-March-2004 at 20:57
	Well with an engine like that and a half aluminium body its gotta be a supercar-killer! Just wait for the M5 CSL Can you get the BMW car mag in shops?? Sorry I must sound thick!

MIKE 318IS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 21-March-2004 Status: Offline Points: 980	Posted: 22-March-2004 at 21:06
	w h smiths shound have it

Badger 540 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member I Joined: 23-October-2003 Location: West Midlands Status: Offline Points: 451	Posted: 22-March-2004 at 23:47
	I think there are going to be some expensive repair bills for these new models in the future. They have very slab sided door panels without any rubbing strips, a disaster at Sainsbury's. Andy West Midlands
	Badger540 West Midlands

kbannon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508	Posted: 23-March-2004 at 00:20
	WRT the new M5, see New M5 �concept car�
	Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual

Sheepmeister Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I Joined: 12-October-2003 Status: Offline Points: 107	Posted: 28-March-2004 at 12:13
	Very cool photos, looks like a monster of a car! Shame I'll never be able to afford one.... where did I leave my crowbar? :) Thanks kbannon! Sheep

ConeKiller Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 29-March-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 66	Posted: 30-March-2004 at 00:26
	Tsk Tsk, sheepmeister, lumping 205s in with Novas. People have hung for less.
	* share and enjoy *

kbannon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508	Posted: 30-March-2004 at 00:30
	Given the odd/even number format BMW will have for saloons / coup�s, is it likely that this may be the last M5 and from the next generation it will be the M6?
	Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual

Nigel Marston Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 21-October-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 96	Posted: 30-March-2004 at 01:12
	Maybe I'm in the minority but I liked the new 5 from the first time I saw one. When I first saw the new 7, I wasn't too keen but it has grown on me so much, I want one to use for my wedding car next year (any offers? ). I have not liked various models of BMW in the past but they have grown on me like they have on most people. I think Chris Bangle has had the guts to go where no one has gone before and despite what people think now, I'm sure that BMW know exactly what they are doing. As for the new 6, I like that too but can't help feeling a little frustrated as the design has so much potential but they just stopped short before it started to look like something really special. I'm sure some of you will start e-mailing the moderators to get me off here when I say this but I think that one of the best looking cars ever must be the current Mercedes SL Nigel

Sheepmeister Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member I Joined: 12-October-2003 Status: Offline Points: 107	Posted: 03-April-2004 at 22:42
	Better get saving Nigel! Knowing my dad, he'll have probably got bored with the 5 series by next year and bought a 7... so I'm sure he'll loan it to you lol! :) I've gotta agree on the 6 series, its an attractive-ish car... it just doesnt come close to the old 6. I guess they couldn't do that sharknose thing because of pedestrian protection legislation, but something that looked a little meaner would've been cool. Conekiller... I could list more if you like? Sheep