New 5 Series.

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Mon 15 Dec 2003 22:44
New 5 Series. - Pugugly {P}
As previously mentioned I had a 5 series on loan (new style) this weekend as my "firm" decides how we approach company car allocation and actual conditions of a new lease contract if indeed there is a contract. The car in question was a fully loaded 530d - in a rather dank gunmetal grey. It had the six speed auto box (not my choice)and since it was dropped off on Friday afternoon has notched up a considrable mileage over the weekend. The car was driven in all road conditions both traffic wise and actual road type.

Not to everyone's tastes in the looks department it drew glances wherever it went and parked, as HJ said the looks do not bother me and in fact from certain angles are quite attractive - conventional it ain't. When it left mid-morning today I had grown to like it.

Build quality seemed consistant with the old 5 and is a very convincing drive in all conditions it was used.

All in all it felt as if it had more character than my five. There is little point in repeating what HJ had to say other than to say I would buy one.

The motor/gearbox. Superb in every sense, smooth fast and frugal
I estimated about 40 mpg,on brimming,overall,performance is close to T5 territory a remarkable car by any standard and a clear advance on the "old" 5 which in itself speaks volumes.

I could see myself in on of these. Really sorry to see it go. The only suprise that the 9 mile dash home tonight did not make the old 5 feel like a nail. Superb cars both.
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Tue 16 Dec 2003 12:13
New 5 Series. - Honestjohn
Yesterday I became a BMW salesman. Had the pleasure of driving a mate to the Blackbushe BMW sale in the new E60 520iSE 6-speed manual. He then bought a 2001Y 520i 2.2 SE auto for £10,400 and we drove back in convoy. The sales bit was the right words of encouragement at the right time. A good day.

HJ
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Tue 16 Dec 2003 12:17
New 5 Series. - No Do$h
He then bought a 2001Y 520i 2.2 SE
auto for £10,400.


Bang!

Another nail in the coffin of BMW dealer prices.
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Tue 16 Dec 2003 15:46
New 5 Series. - trancer
"A 105k mile 2000W 523iSE wasn?t dear at £6,750"

I'll be after a deal like this when it comes time to change. I have seen '97-98s advertised for that kind of money, some with even higher mileages. How often do BMW hold these auctions?. Are these company owned cars or lease returns?. Would it be safe to assume FSH, guaranteed mileages etc as it is a company auction?.
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Tue 16 Dec 2003 15:50
New 5 Series. - Honestjohn
NoDosh, it was 90k miles (see auction report). Not BMW dealer retail stock.

HJ
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Tue 16 Dec 2003 17:31
New 5 Series. - Sooty Tailpipes
Maybe the *new* look is an attempt to reverse what BMW (GB) call the "changing ownership profile" - ie, to put ghetto dwellers with blacked out windows and bass boxes off them?
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Wed 17 Dec 2003 09:01
New 5 Series. - Honestjohn
The 520i gets handed back today after one more trip to Blackbushe. I'll be really sad to see it go. Surprised at the lack of reaction to Pugugly's thread from The Backroom.

HJ
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Wed 17 Dec 2003 09:54
New 5 Series. - BazzaBear {P}
Surprised at
the lack of reaction to Pugugly's thread from The Backroom.
HJ

Well, I was just thinking how fitting the title line 'New 5 series - Pugugly' looked. But I didn't think that'd go down too well ;)
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Wed 17 Dec 2003 12:43
New 5 Series. - Steve S
Sorry HJ but neither Pug's nor your own enthusiasm alters the fact that this is one ugly car.

I've been waiting for the 'grow on you' effect, but nope nothing doing. If anything, seeing the occasional pristine example of both previous "5s" just make this one all the more hideous.

I'm very happy for those that like it.
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Wed 17 Dec 2003 13:03
New 5 Series. - pd
I don't mind it - at least its different. The old one was very boring and dated very quickly on the looks front IMO even if it was a good car.


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Wed 17 Dec 2003 13:48
New 5 Series. - GS
I am coming to terms with the exterior styling, however the interior design is very strange.
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Wed 17 Dec 2003 15:55
New 5 Series. - Indy
In their review of the 5 series, Autocar are of the view that the 18" run flat tyres ruin the ride quality (they also say that these tyres are standard since BMW insists on fitting them all Europe bound cars).

HJ and Pugugly are these sentiments in keeping with your observations?

Re: looks dept - the exterior is great.It is different, and looks like a beemer - you couldn't possibly have a case of mistaken identity.

I am not so sure about the interior.
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Wed 17 Dec 2003 16:34
New 5 Series. - Honestjohn
Please read the road test which tells you the standard tyre specs and why you'd be daft to specify anything else. Mine was on 225/55 R16s with a space-saver spare and handled beautifully.

HJ
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Wed 17 Dec 2003 19:00
New 5 Series. - Pugugly {P}
I didn't actually check out the tyres. Ride was on a par with my current 5 if not better. It was spookily quiet.
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Wed 17 Dec 2003 19:58
New 5 Series. - patently
I tested one for 24 hours on the 18 inch wheels & runflats and found the ride ideal - firm enough to be a proper BMW but still fine for wafting along with other half and kids on board.

Mind you, current transport is an old shape 5 series with sports suspension so my behind is probably used to it.

Re the looks, outside is, errr, novel but has now grown on me. Interior is superb, surely? Clean, uncluttered, easy to find things and pleasant to look at for hours on end on a stationary M40....
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Wed 17 Dec 2003 21:02
New 5 Series. - Honestjohn
Interior perfect apart from the old-fashioned behind the steering wheel instruments. Should be as per new Prius II which really leads the way in this respect. Who needs a bunch of silly dials behind a steering wheel? Very 20th century.

HJ
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Wed 17 Dec 2003 22:51
BMW instruments. - Pugugly {P}
How times change. Look inside any BMW of the last thirty years and you find that the instrument packages have a strong family appearance. Why ? - Possibly 'cos they were the best laid out in the business, they worked and people copied them. All of a sudden they are fiddling around with them and changing things and one has to ask why. The exterior is clearly progressive and possibly they felt they had to sort the inside as well and make it appear trendy. Still very very good at night.
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