My dealer got their launch 535i a couple of weeks ago but were having some issues with it being locked in "transport" mode. Today I was finally able to drive it, and it was nice, if not spectacular. I really think I'd have to drive a car with the sport package, etc. to get a better feel for it. Some notes:
- Very nice interior, with a more "modern" look and feel to the displays, controls, and so on. Even the digitial readouts for the climate controls are less pixelated than most BMWs, although in this day and age I really shouldn't be able to detect pixels at all in a modern car.
- It had the base seats which were very comfortable, if perhaps a bit flatter than I'm used to. I'm not as much a fan of the so-called comfort seats as some are, and might opt for the sport seats.
- It wasn't quite as roomy as I was expecting. Bigger than my 335i, but not by as much as the overall size of the car might suggest.
- Handling was very good, but again, I think I'd prefer the sport package or perhaps the dynamic option. On the other hand, it handles better than most of us really need for the majority of driving conditions.
- Power was great, and I'm becoming a real fan of the N55 engines and the 8 speed transmission. The shove down low is better than with the N54, and the transmission is a marvel of smoothness.
- The car was still new so I didn't hammer it, but it easily out-accelerates most traffic and would only be challenged by a few cars.
- Road noise was minimal, if not quite Lexus-like (nor should it be). Cruising at 60 MPH was much smoother and quieter than in my 335i, and I suspect this car would feel "serene" at almost any speed. You could emerge from this car feeling relaxed no matter how long the trip or how awful the road and traffic conditions.
- Braking was "as expected" on a BMW.
- The new-style transimission handle still freaks me out a bit, but it is slowly growing on me. I would like paddle shifters as I've become used to having them to downshift for corners, even if it's not something I do all the time.
Overall a very nice car, and I'm quite happy that BMW has restored the 5's good looks. I'm looking at a larger car to replace my 335i and the new 5 and X5 are the front-runners. As I've said in another post, it's not so much car versus SUV as it is BMW vs. BMW. I may end up in something besides a BMW, but it will have to be quite compelling for me to switch. I test drove a 2011 X5 35i Sport Activity back-to-back on the same roads to compare the two:
- The X5 felt "sportier" than the 535i, with a bit more road feel and more noise under acceleration. I'd really have to drive a 535i with the sport package, etc. for an accurate comparison.
- Both felt similar in terms of smoothness while cruising at 60 MPH, with a bit more road noise. Over rough patches, railroad tracks, etc. the two were more closely matched, but again the 5 felt slightly more "damped".
- The new 5 definitely has nicer displays and controls, with some in the X5 reminding me more of those in my 335i. The materials in the X5 seem nicer than the 335i, with all but the dash top seeming to be similar to those in the new 5.
- The X5 felt much roomier inside, even though the measurements for both seem to be similar. The X5 may only have 2 more cubic feet of passenger space, but it really feels like 5 or more. Some of this is due to the larger greenhouse, but it's not just perception. When I adjust the driver seat and do the "sit behind myself test" (I'm 6'0 and 225 or so lbs.) the X5 feels like the more comfortable place to be.
- Fit and finish on the two seems comparable, despite their different primary countries of origin. I should have checked a few of the areas that folks have noted some cost-cutting going on in both cars, but forgot to do so. The 535i has the cheezy vinyl sun visors that the 3 series folks have been complaining about, but I didn't notice if the X5 had them.
I'm leaning towards the X5 because of the extra utility (I don't buy the sport "activity" vehicle baloney), the AWD, and the diesel option. I realize that AWD will be available on the new 5 at some point, and a diesel is likely, but I don't want to wait that long. Maybe I can convince my wife to get out of her Lexus GX470 and into a new 5 series at some point in the future...
When I was pulling out I snapped a few pics of my 335i next to the 535i, which offers an interesting comparison of their size and styling. Thankfully the 535i doesn't "feel" as big on the road as it looks next to the 335i!
I'm guessing the sport package might lower the 535i a bit, but it looks pretty tall next to my stock 335i (all e92s have the sport suspension). The grill on the new 5 looks big, but it seems more appropriate than the tiny one that the e60 had:
From the rear the f10 seems more aggressive than the e92, and the wheel well bulges help:
I'm not sure exactly why, but in the front quarter view the f10 reminds me a bit of the Maserati Quattroporte. It may be the long hood, but I also think that the way that the BMW schnoz now projects forward has something to to with it. The extra creases in the hood are interesting, and may grow on me, but seem a little busy:
In the rear quarter view the 535i shows that it needs bigger wheels, as these seem to be "lost" in such a big car. The sport package, tinted windows, and a better color (black cars don't do it for me) would show off the 535i, I think:
As much as I like the f10, I have to say that I still find the e92 to be one of the all-time great BMW designs. Granted, I'm biased, but my car can still give me a thrill when I see it, which is quite amazing nearly 4 years on!