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BMW 5-Series Sedans
12737 messages, Last post on Feb 16, 2013 at 11:05 PM
You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Sedan
#8256 of 12737 by sirtiger
Jan 24, 2004 (9:38 pm)
shipo, wow, I never thought about the car wash explanation for the rain sensor. That is interesting, thanks....now one logical reason not to gripe for the rain sensor issue.as for the survey
1. 1st time BMW owner
2. 2003 530i
3. 1992; followed BMWs since I was 18 after driving my uncles new 535.
4. I am 29.
5. I love tech gadgets but only if its useful and intuitive.
#8257 of 12737 My "History" by div2
Jan 24, 2004 (11:51 pm)
My survey answers:1. six
2. 1973 Bavaria 3.0
3. 33 years
4. 47
5. Sophisticated technology is great-IF it serves a legitimate purpose. I loved my old E3, but the Motronic engine management, SRS, and ABS on my track rat allow it to be faster, safer, and more reliable. What bothers me about much of the new technology in the E60 and E65 is the fact that it makes the driving experience more complex without providing any useful benefits. I was prepared to like I-Drive but I find the interface cumbersome and non-intuitive(FWIW, I am NOT averse to technology; I build/repair my home PCs and I select-and sometimes install-ICE and home theater systems for my friends). As for the current direction of BMW design, I don't care for the E65, and I find the E60 a much less graceful and cohesive design compared to the E39. It almost looks like an Accord or Camry. I do like the X3 and the spy photos I've seen of the new 3er. The Z4 has grown on me, as has the 645i. What I REALLY, REALLY don't like is Munich's abandonment of the "cockpit" style interior layout first introduced on the E12. The flat wood covered dashes of the E60 and E65 look like they were lifted from a Buick Park Avenue. I hope the rumor that Bangle is being shown the door is true. I think Munich needs to get back to doing what it does best-building ATTRACTIVE sport sedans and coupes that utilizes technology that assists the driver rather than overwhelming him/her.
#8258 of 12737 5 Series by pcp2
Jan 25, 2004 (5:23 am)
What should I buy? 545 or 330 Convert?$ is not the problem.
#8259 of 12737 by kdshapiro
Jan 25, 2004 (5:26 am)
"What should I buy? 545 or 330 Convert?"Go for the vehicle that puts the biggest grin on your face. The 545 has larger dimensions, more luxury items, faster, not as nimble. The 330i convert is more nimble, not as large, less luxury and has a rag top.
#8260 of 12737 Geriatric Winter Weekend by designman
Jan 25, 2004 (10:14 am)
The only statistically significant conclusion that can be drawn from the stl540 study is that BMW owners are a bunch of old goats who have nothing to do on weekends. And I thought saugatak’s “leather” post was good. Saints preserve us, this is the best... as funny as getting that first AARP letter in the mail when you turn 50.stl540, please pardon my lampoon. Actually, I’m thoroughly enjoying this and congratulate you for lighting a fire around here, keeping us busy, even if you weaseled out of revealing your age.
1) one
2) 2003 530i
3) 30 years starting with the 2002.
4) 53
5) Like warthog, div2 et al I like NON-FRIVOLOUS HI-TECH. But this is an oxymoron in the automotive world.
My impressions of the new crop of BMWs
with regard to styling only:
Z4 – Buckets of paint thrown on canvas
5-Series – Rosemary’s baby
Upcoming 1-series – Rosemary’s grandson
7-Series – Looks like the refrigerator I grew up with in the 50s.
Upcoming 3-series – all of the above (if it’s anything like spy shots indicate)
6-Series – Nice shape but looks girthy. Ah, but the best part of the 6—it is living proof that, in spite of our age, we still know how to criticize butts.
X5 – What’s with those love handles? And that new “face-lifted” grille reminds me of Anthony Hopkins wearing the muzzle in Silence of the Lambs.
X3 – X5 x .8
After re-reading my impressions a thought just occurred to me. Is it possible the Quandts are the real antichrists?
Finally, an empathic note to all of my pals in this senior citizens center who have new bimmers or plan on getting them... my disdain for the new-age BMWs is nothing personal of course... my father bought some of the worst cars known to mankind... it doesn’t mean I don’t love him.
#8261 of 12737 by kdshapiro
Jan 25, 2004 (10:24 am)
"as funny as getting that first AARP letter in the mail when you turn 50."What's so funny about it?
#8262 of 12737 And since when is ... by bentleyfam25
Jan 25, 2004 (10:56 am)
...50 plus or minus old? I've still got a 25- year-old mind and I'm proud of it. When I'm 75 I hope I still have a 25 year old mind.And not only do I like well made machines, I can afford them. Several of them. That's also nice.
#8263 of 12737 Cup holders by thatsarodge
Jan 25, 2004 (12:13 pm)
I'm a relatively new (Feb 02) 525i owner. Is it just me or are there others who've experienced frustration with the lousy cupholder design on the car. The design of the car in all other respects is fantastic, but what were the designers thinking when they put those tiny, inadequate things into the center console. I've already broken one of them by attempting to place a small-based coffee cup into it. The things even fight you when you try to get a soda can seated. It seems to me the cupholders were designed by folks who only drink those small cups of gluewine that they sell at German Kristkindlemarkts, and I'm not sure I want to be drinking warm wine instead of coffee during the morning commute. Are the same inadequate holders present on the 2004? I'm a victim of cupholder rage, and this message is part of the healing process...#8264 of 12737 Another contribution to stl540's E60 Design Survey by atomicpunk
Jan 25, 2004 (12:23 pm)
1. How many BMWs one has owned?One(I've driven most all of the BMW's since the early-80's).
2. Model year of the first one? 2004.
3. Length of time one has owned or closely followed BMW models?
Owner for one month/Followed closely for 25 years (went to high school in Germany in the late 70's...have admired all the premium German auto manufacturers' efforts since then...through the eyes of a car-crazy high school boy, no doubt).
4. Person's age? 40.
5. Interest in latest technology in a new car vs. simple car?
Always interested in technological progress (which I think just begs the question: is it progress?). After a month of driving the E60, I feel that one of its strengths is its design and use simplicity.
My anectdotal evidence for opinions about the e60's design has been that non-BMW owners prefer it over BMW owners. I haven't noticed any connection between age and preference. I work at a place where the parking lot is filled with luxury cars made by Mercedes, Jaguar, Infinity, Lexus, Cadillac, BMW, Acura, etc. My E60 has been the talk of the shop -- a virtual buzz incubator. Of the BMW owners, the women seem to prefer the E60 to its previous incarnations. The men either ignore it or seem to hate it.
#8265 of 12737 Survey, My .02 by chrism124
Jan 25, 2004 (2:37 pm)
1. two (02 530i non-sport & auto, 03 530i sport & manual)2. 02
3. late eighties
4. 36
5. Yes, as long as it is both proven and transparent. I like the technology found in my 03 530i but my driving environment doesn’t scream technology.
The Z4 has nice exterior styling, that is, until you see the back end. The handling is impressive.
The 5-series (E60) reinforces the feeling of keeping my car until the next redesign of the 5-series or look at the Mercedes E-class.
The 7-series, well, I like it less than the current 5-series.
I do like the styling of the 6-series but the i-Drive shouldn’t be there. Redesign the dash to be more like a cockpit. Nav and secondary controls could be placed on a pop-up type display (like Audi).
Regards,
Chris M
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