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      06-27-2013, 12:35 PM   #1
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Arrow 2014 5 Series LCI First Drive Review by Edmunds

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2014 5 Series LCI First Drive Review by Edmunds
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The 2014 5 Series (LCI refresh) receives both cosmetic and mechanical updates [see full details] and many of you have wondered what effects the updates to the suspension and steering will have.

Edmunds shares their first drive review of the 2014 5 Series and gives their take on this:

Quote:
The 5's chassis has also seen a light rethink in the form of retuned dampers for improved comfort, quietness and reduced roll, besides some fresh mapping of the electric power steering to sharpen its precision.

These dynamic upgrades are subtly apparent on the admittedly shelf-smooth Bavarian roads we sampled it on. The ride is smoother, the cabin is a little quieter and body sway, never a big issue in a 5 Series, is tightly controlled. The natural balance that comes from this car's rear-drive layout makes it impressively wieldy through curves without feeling nervous.

That said, we still consider the optional electronic dampers to be a 5 Series essential for a compliant ride on turbulent terrain, and if you have them it's useful to firm the BMW's body control for seriously hard charges.

The revised steering feels a little more accurate, too, even if you need the Sport setting for the most consistent, confidence-building rim resistance. This you select via BMW's increasingly familiar "driving experience" rocker switch on the center console. It toggles among the fuel-saving, throttle-dulling, Eco Pro mode and the Comfort+, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes, the last of these partly disabling the stability control.

Each setting adjusts the steering feel, throttle sensitivity, transmission and, if they're fitted, the firmness of the electronic dampers. It works to good effect, though you quite often find yourself wanting a combination of softer suspension, say, and a sharper throttle. Configuring these settings individually, Audi-style, would be better.
For the rest of their review, see http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/5-series/2014/road-test.html


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      06-27-2013, 01:07 PM   #2
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Seems like BMW is becoming more Lexus like, while at the same time Lexus is stepping up their game to be like what BMW used to be.
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      06-27-2013, 01:25 PM   #3
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You can adjust just the suspension in idrive and the throttle by putting the transmission lever is sport.
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      06-27-2013, 01:38 PM   #4
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Acceleration numbers for the 535d don't look right.
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      06-27-2013, 02:08 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by numbersguy View Post
Acceleration numbers for the 535d don't look right.
agree they don't look right. the 535d in the US is essentially the 530d in Europe with ~258Hp and 413Ibft of torque which is goot for 0-62 in 6.0s. I think the LCI is a tad quicker at 5.8 or 9 , splitting hairs.
5.3s sounds more like the 0-62 time of the European 535d , ie with 313HP.

Steering sounds disappointing, not a big enough change there.
Give me E39 steering any day. Nigh on perfect
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      06-27-2013, 02:13 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1-2MANY View Post
Seems like BMW is becoming more Lexus like, while at the same time Lexus is stepping up their game to be like what BMW used to be.
What are you talking about? Lexus makes rubbish ugly cars, my brother had the IS350 and did not stop having problems. And the new IS350 is even uglier than the out going model.
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      06-27-2013, 02:34 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Echoz View Post
What are you talking about? Lexus makes rubbish ugly cars, my brother had the IS350 and did not stop having problems. And the new IS350 is even uglier than the out going model.
Thats probably more of an exception than the norm. Lexuses are generally bombproof from a reliability standpoint.

However, they don't have as good of a driving dynamics as a BMW, but they are stepping up their game.
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      06-27-2013, 02:43 PM   #8
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Not talking about looks, as those are subjective. The driving dynamics of the newer Lexus models are pretty much on par with what BMW is currently offereing. The new IS/ GS are usually ranked higher than the 3/5 in reviews. Not long ago, there'd be no comparison between a BMW and Lexus as far as driving dynamics go.

Last edited by 1-2MANY; 06-27-2013 at 02:49 PM..
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      06-27-2013, 02:45 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by debdoub View Post
Keep making her bigger, keeps getting uglier, why?!! 5 series becoming bigger than 80's 90's 7 series.
Not that I'm a fan of the size, but to quote the article, here's why...

"Now in its sixth generation, the latest 5 Series has been the fastest selling yet, with over a million sold worldwide in three years."
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      06-27-2013, 03:08 PM   #10
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Well I can only say they obviously did something about the steering which atleast shows they will fully rectify it with the future model. New ligths look astonishing, really digging those sharp lines around the kidneys, but new lower air intake just isn't that graceful and clean like previous one.
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      06-27-2013, 03:42 PM   #11
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lot of negative commentary here. i think it is a good edmunds review. the car looks great, the interior is top notch and they improved the steering enough in sport mode to give it some liveliness. Full LED heads look great and the extended display is awesome. the engine/tranny combo's are still best in the biz, even though I agree less of an emphasis on steering and suspension like the past.
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      06-27-2013, 04:07 PM   #12
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Would have liked to hear more about the steering than just a brief mention.
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      06-27-2013, 04:50 PM   #13
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LCI ? I know what it is. What I do not know is what exactly does LCI stand for?
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      06-27-2013, 05:01 PM   #14
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      06-27-2013, 05:10 PM   #15
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      06-27-2013, 05:27 PM   #16
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I think it's a great looking car im m-sport especially at night... its heft satisfies the feeling that you paid a lot and should get a lot of car - so looks and material great thing.

However, driving it is another story. You have to get the M5 to be close to what the 5 series should have been in the first place. With the economy doing better I see more these and that is a good thing.

I drove a 550i for a bit and it felt loose around turns, transmission glitchy but one thing it was is fast as hell from 60 - 120 and sucked more gas than a S65.

BMW is turning up the luixury nob and turning down the sport nob the numbers speak in sales but some aren't happy. I like the car just not the feel of the road - just felt disconnected and was uninspired. Definitely a car for cruising along.
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      06-27-2013, 05:27 PM   #17
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I like the 535d a lot. I am seriously wondering when the hell will BMW update its website. I meant the whole 5 series lineup. edit. not just adding the diesel models
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      06-27-2013, 05:36 PM   #18
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Need more detail on the steering. Accuracy was never an issue with BMW's electronic steering, it's pretty good in that regard, it was the steering feel and feedback that many didn't like and this article didn't really go into that and I thought it would be one of the main topics to discuss given how this is one of BMW's biggest faults in their current cars.

Can't wait for the rest of the reviews, hopefully someone will go into much more detail on the revised steering.
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      06-27-2013, 05:45 PM   #19
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We went from an E39 to an E60 and then in a moment of weakness, and mostly due to the lower price went to a Lexus GS350 AWD. I can honestly tell you it was awful. It had 22 visits to the dealer in 2.5 years for rattles, bad brakes and other issues. I could not wait to come back to the BMW family and now have an E92 M3 and plan on getting my wife an F10 LCI. Glad they made the changes they did.
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      06-27-2013, 10:16 PM   #20
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Seems like nearly the same review as AutoCar: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...t-drive-review

Maybe it is because: Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
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      06-28-2013, 01:00 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ValeYellow46 View Post
Seems like nearly the same review as AutoCar: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...t-drive-review

Maybe it is because: Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
Both of the articles were written by the same author, just published and edited for two different news outlets.
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      06-28-2013, 02:40 AM   #22
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I guess people just like to complain for the sake of it, sometimes.

Having numerous cars in this class, for those of us who aren't singularly minded (i.e a harsher un-luxurious E60 with singularly sporting dynamics) I think the LCI F10 will be like improving on a perfect segment formula. The F10 with the M Sport suspension (2013+) is both the most solid, smooth, luxurious and at the same time amongst the best in sporting dynamics in its class (if you haven't driven a 2013 M Sport with SAT you're not getting the full potential of this chassis and drivetrain).

If they truly did improve on its driving aspects from comfort to sport, you couldn't ask for a better car in this segment, as you already couldn't beforehand.

As for looks.... "ugly"? How can a car company make a more elegant and timeless mixed with sleek sportiness looking Midsize Sedan? The LCI changes I think are slightly better or slightly "lesser" here or there, but it's largely unchanged enough as to not draw much polarization.

A very purposeful move as the F10 is the most popular Luxury Midsize Sedan in the history of Luxury Midsize Sedans. Why mess with perfection?
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Last edited by K-A; 06-28-2013 at 02:47 AM..
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