[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by ibimmer346

The tranny: The clutch is way different from anything else I've driven. I've never driven a BMW MT before, so I don't if it's just how BMW clutches are. My biggest complaint is that I don't feel any engagement point at all. I guess you just have to learn the proper pace for lifting the clutch because I just don't feel any feedback from the pedal. Kinda like shifting with hiking boots on. It's very weird.

EXACTLY how I felt when I drove the E60 5 series 6MT. I also came from japanese manual transmissions. Instead of "lock on" feel of the japanese cars, BMW clutch engagement was.. butter smooth to say it nicely. In a bad way, it had less feel to it. It indeed was easier to shift smoothly everytime but when required to launch it hard from a stop, that feel was lacking. Im sure it will be much better once you get used to it. I only got to drove it for 3 days.

[Voltigeur]

Originally Posted by AwesomeM3

Congrats!

Let's see pics of the Deep Sea Blue!

Looks sleek - love the F10 5er. Would like one as a commuter (but 535d).

[BMW BRAD]

Congrats! "WE WANT PICS!"

[Jblack4083]

I saw one outside of Life Quality BMW yesterday. It looks like theyre beginning to show up all over the US.

Congrats.

[tizzyd]

i just got a 335i 6mt and i know exactly what youre saying. i think it has to do with the switch to the n55, because my old 335i n54 did NOT feel like this. it sucks i cant shift smoothly at all.

[BMWI6]

I just saw a blue one in miami today, looked awesome from the front.

[Oulixes]

Very good report. Congratulations on your new car.

[kaykay]

Congrats but I think you made a mistake with the 6MT.

8 Speed automatic FTW

I've seen a few already roaming the streets of Los Angeles and saw a gorgeous Graphite/Black 550i at the dealer.

[ibimmer954]

Took my first drive in the hills and twisties in Eastern San Diego County this evening and wanted to update my review.

The handling:

Short version: Wow!

Let's recap... this car has both the Dynamic Handling Package and Integral Active Steering. So all the suspension goodies are there. And I'm coming from a 335i E93 as my "comparison".

With the suspension in "Sport" mode, the car handles freakishly well in the corners. Both the accelerator and steering are boosted a little more in "Sport", so it takes less effort to get a reaction out of the car. Driving aggressively, that's great. But just driving around town I find it a little annoying. I use the "Normal" or "Comfort" settings when chilling out or when stuck in traffic.

Don't worry though, even in Normal or Comfort if you need to make a sharp turn the car has your back. It's just that you'll need to push it a little more. You can't really turn the Active Steering "off", so it's hard for me to say how AS effects the way the car drives. But the handling sure feels solid with the 4-wheel steering as I would expect!

Compared to the E93, I think the F10 handles at least as well if not better. But the F10 isn't as fast, that's for sure. To be fair, I'm still breaking the car in and getting used to the clutch, so no red-lines yet. Maybe once I get the RPMs over 4500 it'll come alive more.

The only thing that disappointed me in the driving experience is the lack of engine sounds compared to the E93. The F10 is way quieter and doesn't have a visceral sound to it. I'm assuming the muted personality is on purpose.

For me, ZDH and IAS are so worth it. I'm buying a BMW for the driving experience. Those options are where the joy lives now; the Sport Package is mostly for show. In my opinion, if you only get ZSP you're probably missing out.

The HUD:

I read someone else recommend that you only get the HUD if you have the Nav system. I'm going to echo the same sentiment. The HUD displays current speed, cruise control speed setting, "system check" messages, and Nav route guidance instructions. I had the Nav system route me home to check it out.

The Nav route guidance on the HUD is way cool. An arrow always shows which way you should be currently heading. Even as you get to a bend in the road, the arrow guides the way around the turn. In a sense, the car tells you there's a curve coming before you get there!

Also, the HUD displays your next turn information with the name of the road to turn on next, which way to turn, and how far away it is. It's a lot of information all displayed in the HUD, almost to the point of being distracting.

So on my route I home, I saw the following things on the HUD display:

1. Current speed
2. Cruise speed setting
3. Which direction I should be driving (straight ahead mostly)
4. The name of the next street to turn on.
5. Which way to turn on that street.
6. The distance to the turn.

When you get to the turn, it'll display a picture of the intersection showing which lanes to turn in. The same display you see on the Nav screen. Is that cool or what? As a gadget guy, I've died and gone to heaven.

Driving around town you generally don't have the Nav routing you and don't have the cruise control on. So all you'll see most of the time is the current speed.

The HUD is in full color, too. The main speed and Nav directions show up in BMW Amber. The cruise information is green, and the "check messages" are in red. Start up the car and you'll see "Fasten Seat Belts" in red right in front of you.

With polarized sun glasses, the HUD mostly disappears. I have some polarized glasses and some non-polarized ones. There was a big difference seeing the HUD between them. If you get the HUD, you'll need to have non-polarized sunglasses probably.

I had no trouble seeing the HUD in the daylight. The only time it "disappeared" on me was when I happened to drive behind a white car.

Tomorrow, I'll get some pictures. I promise.

[gabriel.psd]

You are in San Diego. I'm gonna have my eyes peeled looking for you.

[Alchem]

The homepage tricked me! It showed a pic and yet there are no pics in this thead??!?!?!

[wac77]

Congrats!

I am also thinking of getting a 535i with MT. Maybe Imperial Blue / Oyster.

[Los Angeles]

Originally Posted by Alchem

The homepage tricked me! It showed a pic and yet there are no pics in this thead??!?!?!

That tends to happen.


It tricked me too.

[tim-atl]

ibimmer346 - does your car pick up the US speed limit signs and display the speed limit on the dash or HUD? I read about this in the 5GT manual but wondered if it actually worked in our country.

Thx

Tim

[Pentium]

Great news...I loved your review very much!

Congrats and waiting for your shots..

[DASHOCKER]

Congrats on the 5! I love the look of this car..

[raleedy]

According to BMW literature, the recognition of speed limit signs is Euro only.

[ibimmer954]

Yeah, no recognition of Speed Limit signs in the U.S. I posted pics! Check out this thread.

[leletyM3]

Congrats! But where are the pictures?

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by leletyM3

Congrats! But where are the pictures?

Here you are:
http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=392340

[ausherpharmd]

Congrats. I'm jealous right now. I was one of the first in my area to have an E60 and I love the looks it got. Now I have an MCoupe and it's the same. The 5 is my dream car and I'm sure I'll get another in the coming years.

That colour is beautiful.

[DerekS]

Congrats on your beautiful blue 5er !

However, I have some issues with the styling of the front end; it looks very bluff to my eyes. That straight cut line across the hood fights the rounded lines nearby.
Despite the fact that your car has the Sport Package, the spaces between the tires and the wheel arches seem huge.
This same car in all black looks very drab, since there is no chrome on the side of the car.