Quote:
Originally Posted by DH2117
I'm with you. For a $50-80K automobile, the plastic front bumper looks like an afterthought. Ditto the 7, see one in person - a huge gap, poor fit. All I can say is "why"? The entire range with have this design element - the bolted on front grill/bumper with a huge ugly line on top. Too bad.
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This has been beat to death but it is simple- EU pedestrian protection standards require that the front bumper have a cushioning zone as well as the front hood. All EU brands are doing this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by amdmaxx
This car is a porker.. 250-300lb over current gen... Less aluminum now..
3900 for 535 is heavy.. 4200lb for 535xi..
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There is less aluminum in the unibody (the E60 front clip was entirely aluminum mated to the steel by a special bonding process). There is more aluminum in the remainder of the car- doors, body panels etc.
The weight increase is ~250 lbs. depends on trim and equipment. The body in white weight increase is about half of that (the rest is because of packaging: larger brakes/wheels/runflats/seats/trim/more glass). They used a denser/heavier steel in the lower areas of the car A/B-pillar to improve side impact protection. This is dense stuff that is heat molded so it is heavy.
The car also grew slightly.