[lux.sh]

I was quite surprised when my dealership provided me with 6spd 525i. It had Navigation/I.drive, heated seats, parking sensors and ZPP.

Honestly, I was VERY disappointed with 5 series. I expected much more. Interior of the 525i seemed basically like a "tuned" E90 interior. Nothing fancy, just few more features. I like the interior design of my E90 MUCH more, thank god I didn't buy 525i over my 330i(was debating whether I should get 525 or 330).

The 6spd shifter, while it was butter smooth, shifting felt 'cheap' and throws were very long. I am used to driving precise short-throw shifters found in japanese vehicles, so I did not like the feel of the 5 series shifter at all. Not to mention position of the shifter seemed a bit too close to the dash, thought it wouldn't be too friendly for those people who doesn't have long arms. I hope this isn't the same for 3 series.

There was virtually NO room or extra space available in the arm rest box. Position of the cup holders seemed even more far away than 3 series. Wiper blade movements were just plain annoying and weird, handling of the vehicle was not even close to being "nimble"(maybe this could improve with sport package if there is one available for 5 series).

Few features I noticed:
-Trunk opens/lifts up automatically when you press the trunk button. I thought this could be dangerous in a way.
-Every 1hour, it gives you audible notification. (ex. few seconds before 2pm, it goes "beep, beep beeeep!", than 1:59 becomes 2:00)
-Electronic operation of the steering wheel

Few options I thought I should avoid/add:
-Heated Seats: Worked flawlessly, and it was an awesome feature. If I ever live in colder area in the future, this option will be a priority in my list.
-Parking sensors: Sensor responses were slow, but if you do alot of downtown parking, this can be a great feature. I will definitely get this next time.
-Navi/I.drive: Wow, I-drive was simply annoying. Touch screen would've been better(though because of BMW's navi screen position, it can't be done). I just expected so much more from it and I was VERY very disappointed. I don't regret not getting that option. I guess with consistant everyday-use, "annoying"ness might go away but it just seemed more of a "fancy" option than a functional option. Screen display/features were awesome though. only if it had better "controller" than I-drive.

Overall, 5 series was much more boring than the e90 series.
Exterior look was a killer however. I want those 5 series taillights on my e90.

I might sound like an e90-biased fan, but really. I am not buying a 5 series. At least the one that I got as a loaner.

[sharadrai]

""-Every 1hour, it gives you audible notification. (ex. few seconds before 2pm, it goes "beep, beep beeeep!", than 1:59 becomes 2:00)""

You can have the same feature on the e90. If you have idrive its one of the programmable option

[iDrive-E90]

The reason for the navi-screen's high and distant position is to get it closer to the sight line of the driver and to get it further away from the driver for faster refocusing between the road and the screen. A touch screen requires simultaneous hand-eye coordination which is not a good thing.

[LEDZEP]

We had a 7 series loaner for 3 days. It was fun, but I like the 3 series better for driving. The 7 is a boat!

[davinet78]

the thing is that the e90 is just fabulous

[Frank_NJ]

iDrive-E90 said it right. It is a matter of saftey that is the main concern for the layout of the screen just like with the E90 screen position.

[JamieA]

The motoring mags here have caned the E60 for having a cheap interior that isn't well put together or as cohesive with matierals choice and grain matching.

I noticed that the E90 interior is a step up, I think BMW were sensitive to the criticism they received on the 5. And good thing too because it made our interiors nicer places to be.

Funny thing, I had a similar experience with an A6. I think I am used to a more intimate car, and the larger ones just don't do it for me.

[undecided]

Originally Posted by JamieA

The motoring mags here have caned the E60 for having a cheap interior that isn't well put together or as cohesive with matierals choice and grain matching.

I noticed that the E90 interior is a step up, I think BMW were sensitive to the criticism they received on the 5. And good thing too because it made our interiors nicer places to be.

Funny thing, I had a similar experience with an A6. I think I am used to a more intimate car, and the larger ones just don't do it for me.

The E60 interior looks garish to me. The "aluminum" looks cheap.


CZ

[Robert]

Originally Posted by JamieA

Funny thing, I had a similar experience with an A6. I think I am used to a more intimate car, and the larger ones just don't do it for me.

What do you mean? I had an C6A6 for a day and I thought that car was great midsize luxury sedan.

[BMW786]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

Exterior look was a killer however. I want those 5 series taillights on my e90.

I might sound like an e90-biased fan, but really. I am not buying a 5 series. At least the one that I got as a loaner.

You like the 5 series taillights? They're the only thing I can't stand about that car. Some people call it "Bangle-butt" The E90 taillights are much more sharp and clean in my opinion.

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by JamieA

I noticed that the E90 interior is a step up,

That's what you get for buying the latest release car!!! Great, isn't it.
So Jamie, when do you take delivery of your car again?

[lux.sh]

As for those you commenting on the Navi Screen position, I am well aware of why it was positioned that way(which I like). It looks much better than tranditional deck-mount type screens. All I was referring that you can't really have touch-screen option because of its position. No big deal, just wanted a better 'controller' than i-drive if touch screen can't be done.

Originally Posted by JamieA

the larger ones just don't do it for me.

Exactly. I just can't stand a big car. I want something more compact and tight enough to control.

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by BMW786

You like the 5 series taillights? They're the only thing I can't stand about that car. Some people call it "Bangle-butt" The E90 taillights are much more sharp and clean in my opinion.

Yeah I think most people don't like the taillights. Actually, I think most people don't like 5 series?
I first thought 5 series look too feminine, but now it looks good to me.

[bzzbenz]

I like the 5 tail lights way more than the 3.... but thats just me...

[wheeler]

You're still lucky. I just drove home from the dealer in my loaner Mercury Sable. Need I say more?

[StewtheBassman]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

We had a 7 series loaner for 3 days. It was fun, but I like the 3 series better for driving. The 7 is a boat!

Of course they did, you coulda bought one for the same price as your pair 'o 3's!!!

[StewtheBassman]

I have come to love my E90 taillights (see avatar). They are like two rubies mounted at the back of the car. God forbid I should ever get f&**ing rear ended again!

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by StewtheBassman

Of course they did, you coulda bought one for the same price as your pair 'o 3's!!!

yeah, but then we'd have to take turns walking to work!

[Xens]

Originally Posted by wheeler

You're still lucky. I just drove home from the dealer in my loaner Mercury Sable. Need I say more?

Hey that's not bad at all, my car went in for software update today and I got a Chevy Silverado as loaner! God it's absolutely awful to drive, the good thing is that I can drive through almost everything, bumps curbs whatever, lol!

[StewtheBassman]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

yeah, but then we'd have to take turns walking to work!

LOL!!

[wheeler]

Originally Posted by Xens

Hey that's not bad at all, my car went in for software update today and I got a Chevy Silverado as loaner! God it's absolutely awful to drive, the good thing is that I can drive through almost everything, bumps curbs whatever, lol!

Well, I had some wierd things happening with the Sable that I hope you did not have to experience in your Silverado.

First, I started 'er up and heard a real throaty growl. But wait, it was only bearing and valve rattle that stopped when oil made its way thru the engine.

Then I put it in reverse and began backing up. Suddenly I heard a loud crunch/whack sound, like I ran over something, maybe a piece of plastic or a kid's toy. Turns out the doors lock automatically and that was the sound of the locks activating. True quality.

Then when I put on my turn signal, the wipers came on and the washers sprayed the windshield. What the...?? After about 4 or 5 more times of being startled by this, I finally investigated and found that there is a tiny push switch mounted at the tip of the turn signal stalk that activates the wipers/washers. After startling myself a few more times with wipers and spray, I remember NOT to push on the end of the stalk as I turned on my signal.

I finally pull out of the dealer's lot and get rolling. Literally rolling-- from side to side--rolling like a canoe at sea. Then comes a red light. Push the brake--nothing. Get alarmed and push harder--still nothing. Panic and jam the brake pedal down--tires lock up and I stop 1/2 car length over the crosswalk.

By that time, I'm hyperventilating and the windows are steaming up. Time for defrosters. Front window is easy enough, but even though the back window has wire lines in it that make me think it is a rear defroster, I can't find a switch. Maybe its just a radio antennae. Or maybe the same engineer who put the wiper switch on the tip of the turn signal stalk put the rear window defroster switch in the trunk.

It's just as well anyway, 'cause if the windows are steamed up, no one will see me driving this hunk o' crap. Gaawd! I've become an elitist bimmer snob.

[Scott Carpenter]

Well i like big trucks and i can not lie. These other brothers will deni. I have two cars that i love very much. The BMW 325i and the Cadillac Escalade with the 6.0 but i don't drive it anymore the gas i put in it is a BMW car payment.