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Post by Martin on May 27, 2020 9:28:43 GMT
That's true. On leather, for some reason they've continued with Dakota as the standard option rather than switching to Vernasca. The quality is broadly the same so still not good enough, but Vernasca has a finer grain which does make it look a bit better and feel a touch softer. Shame about the E53 coupe, that was probably the best looking current Mercedes before the change. |
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Post by racingteatray on May 27, 2020 10:51:33 GMT
The available selection of alloys for the LCI 5 is also disappointing. I couldn't find a single one I liked.
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Post by Andy C on May 27, 2020 12:59:31 GMT
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Post by PG on May 27, 2020 13:07:49 GMT
Taste as ever is subjective, but I just see the same design but with clunkier detailing. Like a close but imperfect Chinese copy of the original (perhaps the intention) I've never liked this trend for excessively large and angular detailing that Audi and now BMW have been adopting. I prefer smooth, sleek designs. The headlights are unnecessarily uglier. The grille is unnecessarily more prominent and uglier. The front bumper is verging on dog's-breakfast, like that of the current 3-series. I think this might be the first time I haven't preferred an LCI 5-series to its predecessor. This + 1. Excessive and over-done detailing in general always strikes me as an attempt to disguise bad design. If I hold my hand over the front of the 5 series it is an OK, if dull, design. It looks really good in that green with the black pack on the configurator. But the front has way too much going on. I never thought I'd say this, but although the Audi A6 grille is huge, it actually looks better integrated into the overall design. The new BMW grilles look like they're stuck on with glue at the end of the design process. Like when the board insists all cars in a range wear the corporate look, even on cars not designed to wear it. |
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Post by Martin on May 27, 2020 13:13:29 GMT
Taste as ever is subjective, but I just see the same design but with clunkier detailing. Like a close but imperfect Chinese copy of the original (perhaps the intention) I've never liked this trend for excessively large and angular detailing that Audi and now BMW have been adopting. I prefer smooth, sleek designs. The headlights are unnecessarily uglier. The grille is unnecessarily more prominent and uglier. The front bumper is verging on dog's-breakfast, like that of the current 3-series. I think this might be the first time I haven't preferred an LCI 5-series to its predecessor. This + 1. Excessive and over-done detailing in general always strikes me as an attempt to disguise bad design. If I hold my hand over the front of the 5 series it is an OK, if dull, design. It looks really good in that green with the black pack on the configurator. But the front has way too much going on. I never thought I'd say this, but although the Audi A6 grille is huge, it actually looks better integrated into the overall design. The new BMW grilles look like they're stuck on with glue at the end of the design process. Like when the board insists all cars in a range wear the corporate look, even on cars not designed to wear it. Errrr, not something normally said by a MINI owner, especially one with the JCW bumpers!  The new BMW grilles sit too high, its sitting above the top of the headlights which makes them look poorly integrated. It's not just because they're trying to reduce the amount of bodywork changes on the LCI models (I'm thinking 7 series), as that's what they did on the X7. The X5 looks better (not as bad?) because the headlights rise up at the side and are higher up than the top of the grill. |
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Post by Tim on May 27, 2020 13:20:03 GMT
There's a simple solution to the over-complicated front end of BMWs.
Buy a black one and make sure it has the black grille and surround. Even after 3 1/2 years there are swoops and angles on my 3 series that I rarely notice because the black hides it all.
One feature that does jar is the curvy bit below the grille feeding into the angular bits below the foglights - the same as the pre-LCI 5 series at the beginning of this thread, except the 3 series has a bluff vertical panel there where the 5 has more of a blade.
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Post by Tim on May 27, 2020 14:01:38 GMT
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Post by michael on May 27, 2020 14:03:29 GMT
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Post by ChrisM on May 27, 2020 14:09:51 GMT
If Carlsberg did Skoda V8's .......... |
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Post by Tim on May 27, 2020 14:35:50 GMT
That's a minger. Has it really been on sale here, I don't recall seeing any. |
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Post by Martin on May 27, 2020 14:47:38 GMT
I know a lot of people don't like the looks, but I don't think it's too bad and there is a lot going for it when you dig a bit deeper. My Dad bought one because he liked his F11 and wanted something with a large boot and more importantly being in his mid 70s, something that was a bit easier to get in and out of. An SUV might have been a good option for him, but he really doesn't like any of them..... The hip point / seating position is quite a bit higher than the 5 series and the doors open wide so it's really easy for them both to get in and out of. It's huge inside due to the wheelbase and length being the same as my car, but it's got slightly more rear legroom and a much bigger boot plus is more practical with it being a hatchback. It also has better ride and refinement than a 5 series and a good level of standard equipment (voodoo lights, panoramic roof etc). Depreciation will be horrible, but it could well be the the last big car he buys, so that's not a big problem. Just looked at that Autocar link and wonder what they thought of it. "In objective terms, the 630d GT has true luxury-level comfort, refinement, occupant space and convenience, as well as all the on-board technology expected of a modern limousine. It’s a superbly pleasant and easy car to drive and an agreeable one in which to be driven, and its practicality and usability far exceed normal saloon-car standards" Where is falls down is on desirability, which is subjective, but I can understand why it hasn't sold and why most people would prefer an X5. |
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on May 27, 2020 14:53:09 GMT
That's a minger. Has it really been on sale here, I don't recall seeing any. Me neither. I suppose it is slightly better looking than the 5 Series GT. |
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Post by Martin on May 27, 2020 15:05:46 GMT
Not a looker I agree, but it’s not that bad......and it’s not even the worst looking BMW. I don’t think it’s even top 5 these days!   |
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Post by racingteatray on May 27, 2020 15:07:08 GMT
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Post by michael on May 27, 2020 15:08:27 GMT
It isn't bad but it is a victim of market forces for a reason. Am I right in thinking that doesn't have a rear wiper? (not suggesting that's the reason)
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Post by Martin on May 27, 2020 15:19:02 GMT
It isn't bad but it is a victim of market forces for a reason. Am I right in thinking that doesn't have a rear wiper? (not suggesting that's the reason) You're right, it doesn't have a rear wiper. Apparently it doesn't get dirty when you're driving and he's put some RainX on it so it keeps clean/clear. |
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Post by Martin on May 27, 2020 15:23:25 GMT
Is is. It's a lot of boot for the money too! 
I looked at the PCP figures on the advert, £5000 deposit / 10k miles a year / £260 a month and that's at 7.9% interest. |
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Post by racingteatray on May 27, 2020 15:34:18 GMT
It isn't bad but it is a victim of market forces for a reason. Am I right in thinking that doesn't have a rear wiper? (not suggesting that's the reason) You're right, it doesn't have a rear wiper. Apparently it doesn't get dirty when you're driving and he's put some RainX on it so it keeps clean/clear. My wife is not amused by the lack of a rear wiper on our 4GC. |
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on May 27, 2020 15:45:55 GMT
My mate took a bath on his 5 GT - he was horrified at what the the dealer offered him as a trade in price. I saw it coming in as much I was there the day he picked it up as a year old example (not knowing it was a 5 GT he was buying) and it seemed a lot of car for the money. Warning bells rang when, on the test drive, he commented on the rear leg room and boot space, and the salesmen commented "Yes, they make great taxis".
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Post by chipbutty on May 27, 2020 16:07:54 GMT
Pleasing they haven't gone full Gonzo on the face lift, but this still remains a disappointing looking 5 series (externally at least).
However BMW are still working their power train magic and it's great to see the high output diesel back and a PHEV done right (decent engine with electric boost, rather than a crappy engine augmented by an electric motor).
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Post by PG on May 27, 2020 20:10:41 GMT
Excessive and over-done detailing in general always strikes me as an attempt to disguise bad design..... Errrr, not something normally said by a MINI owner, especially one with the JCW bumpers! Indeed! But at least the sides are fairly detail free. And by paying a large amount of money for two front spots, I've skillfully drawn the eye away from the JCW bumper. Which reminds me we've had the MINI a year and I must do a write up. |
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Post by Sav on May 27, 2020 22:21:19 GMT
The front bumper on the M Sport version is a step backwards. Why front bumpers need nasty creases on them nowadays, I don't know. Its sometimes easy to reminisce about the past, but when one looks at the E46 and E39, it would be great to have some of those styling cues back.
The M550i coming to the UK is an interesting choice. I suppose it bridges the big power gap between the 540i and M5 Competition, or between the 545 if you include hybrid powertrains too. I'm not saying its a bargain, but 67k doesn't seem too bad for what it offers. Overseas its already beaten the official 0-60 time too...
I just wonder if 4WD has just given rise to excesses in power that are getting ridiculous. I mean, I'm sure a future hybridised M5 could have over 700 bhp, but with the speed limiters being introduced, what will be the point? It sounds a bit boring, but who gets into an M550i and deems it too slow with 523 bhp?
As for the 6-Series GT, I thought after the 3 and 5 versions they would have learnt not to create further versions. I would rather have a 6-Series GT than an X5, it looks a lot better and it isn't a bloody SUV. But I'm in a very small minority!
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Post by Martin on Jun 17, 2020 18:34:56 GMT
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Post by ChrisM on Jun 17, 2020 19:28:14 GMT
In the overall scheme of things, that doesn't look too bad
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