Opinions of the new 5 Series

[Tripps]

I don't want to get into heated arguments on Chris Bangle's new design direction, suffice to say I like both the 7 and 5.

But has anyne driven the new 5 and how does it handle?

[mogul]

I hope it's ok.......I've placed a deposit on the new M5

[Tripps]

mogul said:

I hope it's ok.......I've placed a deposit on the new M5

Looking at the Touring 3 litre, and although I'd still getting used to the idea, the diesel, as I can't justify 0.2 seconds extra 0-60 against 10mpb extra and 500Nm of torque.

M5, in touring form, now that would be ideal

[silverback mike]

I absolutely HATED it when I saw it in a magazine.
Saw one in the flesh and completely changed my view.
Strange that. Normally I stick to my ideas, the only bits I am still unsure of is the rear boot, and the dash which no longer angles towards the driver.
It will be a while before I can afford one. I didnt particularly like the E39 5 series when it came out, but like it now and and am buying one tomorrow. So needless to say, in about 5 yrs........

[Ralf_]

Never liked the pictures of the new 5-, 7-series but in the flesh the 5-series blew me away.

<flame suit on>
Last week in traffic I saw an American Ford, baroque-ish in style and it struck me which way BMW Design is heading. Also it seems to me BMW cars are getting quite big.

[Zod]

[url]www.autobild.de/projektor/projektor.php?artikel_id=5203&pos=12[/url]

I too have an M5 on order and I can't wait. A group of us from bm3w.co.uk were in Austria for three days last week on a BMW M Driver Training course (which was excellent). We were chatting to BMW's chief intructor and he says that the M5 is going very well. The engine is apparently running very well and the only real work they have left is on the sound (apparently V10s are difficult, compared with stright 6s, V8s and V12s). He also said that they will probably go with the black wheels seen on the prototypes.

[Tripps]

Zod said:

I too have an M5 on order and I can't wait. A group of us from bm3w.co.uk were in Austria for three days last week on a BMW M Driver Training course (which was excellent). We were chatting to BMW's chief intructor and he says that the M5 is going very well. The engine is apparently running very well and the only real work they have left is on the sound (apparently V10s are difficult, compared with stright 6s, V8s and V12s). He also said that they will probably go with the black wheels seen on the prototypes.

Don't suppose you asked whether they were likely to an M5 Touring, as the kids gets bigger the V10 might be required

[Tripps]

Well, drove the base spec 520SE today and I'm amazed. I've driven a lot of the comptetition during the last few weeks and even the base 2 litre straight six beats them all, such a free revving engine with easily accessible performance.

For a car as big as it is it handles so well, very smoothly and relaxed, but put your foot down on a roundabout exit and it drifts round nicely.

This was a base spec car with no extras either, so it'll be interesting to see what the active steering and dynamic drive bring to the party.

Looking forward to doing a back to back next week on the 3.0 litre petrol and diesel.

I think BMW will have my £1000 deposit for the touring version very soon.. Now to study the extra list