[LSs1Power]

Yesterday, BMW invited us to test drive the new 5 series at a local race track. I also had the opportunity to take them on the highway as well.

BMW brought a bunch of 523's & 535's. None of them had the sport and driver dynamic package which was a shame. They also allowed us to test drive an MB E300, Audi A6 2.0T and Lexus ES350.

This is my opinion after driving all these cars through high speed runs, turns and hard braking.

MB E300
Pros: 1. Feels Solid
2. Good Torque engine
3. Smooth transmission
4. Great sound insulation for both road and wind
5. Communicative steering feel
6. Cold A/C
7. Ok technology package and screen
8. Car felt stable at speeds above 200km (120mph). Good sound insulation made the experience normal

Cons: 1. Heavy engine (it feels like it is made out of rock)
2. Lots of plastic in the interior
3. Feels very heavy through corners



Lexus ES350
Pros: 1. Great engine
2. Cold A/C
3. That's it!

Cons: 1. I don't know how they sell this car
2. Most body roll
3. Bunch of Torque steer
4. Least communicative steering and brakes
5. Most wind and road noise
6. Confused transmission especially at very low speeds
7. Confusing technology package and Strange A/C, Radio Controls (You have to switch from Navi to A/C control screen in order to change the fan speed!)
8. The car felt like a feather at speeds above 200km (120mph)... hell my Z06 feels more stable at 330km than this car at 200km. It actually scared me


A6 2.0T
Pros: 1. Amazing balance even for a front wheel drive. Most fun car to drive and most grip around the course
2. The little 2.0T is amazing, it feels effortless in operations and it doesn't need to be revved to move the heavy car
3. Great A/C
4. Wind insulation is acceptable
5. Transmission that knows what you are thinking
6. It is the car to choose if you live on top of a mountain driving through smooth roads with bunch of curves.
7. Car felt very stable at speeds above 200km (120mph). I would compare it with the MB E300 in stability

Cons: 1. It has a stiff ride
2. Road Noise is not acceptable
3. Get a VW Passat and save your self the extra money
4. Technology package was not optioned on this car, but A/C controls were confusing. Until now i don't know how to reduce the fan speed!
5. Interior design feels outdated

523
Pros: 1. Best interior by a mile
2. Seats are amazing. I wanted to sleep in them. I can still smell the leather
3. Amazing technology package and controls. Everything seemed easy to use and you find all the buttons in the right areas
4. The transmission was very smooth in operations and shifts
5. Sound insulation was impressive. On par with the MB E300
6. Best Brakes and feel of the group
7. Great A/C


Cons: 1. Under powered engine. It actually made me feel how heavy the F10 is. It just screamed and nothing was happening. It reminded me of my Volvo S80 with the 2.5 engine!
2. Standard suspension was very soft. It affected the communication between the driver and the road.
3. Body roll was felt through the corners
4. I can not believe i'm saying this, but the 5 series didn't feel as stable as the MB300 or the A6 at 200km (120mph). I believe this is due to the soft suspension. Cross winds were actually swaying the car and pushing me out of my lane.
5. For the price range, the A6 looks like a great value in comparison especially if you are used to BMW DNA in driving dynamics and road feel


535
Pros: 1. Same as 523.
2. This should be the base engine for such a car. Great mid range power delivery. The first three gears pulls nicely and more than enough for city driving.
3. Better harmony between transmission & engine because of the extra Torque than the 523

Cons: 1. The new single turbo engine felt laggier than the old Twin Turbo engine. I tried few full stop launches and i noticed that the boost rush occurs between 2500-2700RPM compared to the 1900-2200 RPM on the old engine (On a 335).
2. The car ran out of steam above 220km.
3. I believe this car needs a V8 TT to move effortlessly
4. Sport Package with Driver Dynamics is a must. Otherwise, get an Audi A6 or a 3 series if you want to experience the good ole BMW driving experience



From all these cars, and if i had to choose one, I will still go with the 535.

I will have to drive the 550 with sport package and driver dynamics before making a decision to buy one. I just hope these two package improve the stability and feel on the 5 series.

[warden]

Excellent write-up, thanks. But a 523 in McLean, or the US at all? Odd.

[Hoss NY]

Thanks for the detailed write-up and for sharing your opinions. I'm surprised with the selection of the Lexus E350 instead of a GS for a more fair comparison. It seems as though BMW has really scored with the interior. Your views seem consistent with other reviews on the need for the sport package and driver dynamics to get the "BMW drive" feel. Was there a general consensus among the other participants? I would guess the 535i carried the day vs. the other cars.

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by LSs1Power

Lexus E350
Cons:
3. Bunch of Torque steer

The E350 is a rwd car isn't it?
If so, why the torque steer? Or do you mean some other thing?
Torque steer is on a fwd car when the front wheels still want to maintain traction and you feel that in the wobbling/slipping in your steeringwheel(I can't explain it better than that sorry)....

Cheers
Robin

[LSs1Power]

Originally Posted by warden

Excellent write-up, thanks. But a 523 in McLean, or the US at all? Odd.

Im overseas now in the middle east

[LSs1Power]

Originally Posted by Hoss NY

Thanks for the detailed write-up and for sharing your opinions. I'm surprised with the selection of the Lexus E350 instead of a GS for a more fair comparison. It seems as though BMW has really scored with the interior. Your views seem consistent with other reviews on the need for the sport package and driver dynamics to get the "BMW drive" feel. Was there a general consensus among the other participants? I would guess the 535i carried the day vs. the other cars.

Pretty much...some people liked the soft suspension and how it reminded them of caddillac

[LSs1Power]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

The E350 is a rwd car isn't it?
If so, why the torque steer? Or do you mean some other thing?
Torque steer is on a fwd car when the front wheels still want to maintain traction and you feel that in the wobbling/slipping in your steeringwheel(I can't explain it better than that sorry)....

Cheers
Robin

Im sorry... i forgot to put the S after E. It is the ES350 which is Fwd.

[HighlandPete]

Good review, do you remember what wheel sizes the F10s were running?

HighlandPete

[LSs1Power]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Good review, do you remember what wheel sizes the F10s were running?

HighlandPete

I believe 18's and 19's.