[Mark]

Car and Driver magazine has put up their review of the new 5-series straight from Portugal. Read the select quotes below but make sure to follow the link the full article!

Indeed, you can take comfort in the fact that the 2011 BMW 5-series looks like the latest 7-series, but it is more tight, dynamic, and alert.

The new 5 does a nice job masking its size and mass—after all, the wheelbase has grown by three inches and total length by 1.5 inches.

Technology is everywhere, from the cockpit to the ever-present electronic assistance. Turned towards the driver, the center console is sporty, but the transmission shifter and the iDrive controller are taken directly from the 7-series.

But the visual quality has improved significantly. The attention to detail is surprising, and the overall look is similar to the big brother 7's.

Driving dynamics are where BMW shines most brightly, and the fact that the company has achieved further improvement commands respect.

Even given all the electronic nannies, the new 5-series has us convinced.

Link to the full article: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t_drive_review

** Also see the F10 5-series review compilation thread for more reviews.

[HaloEye]

i must admit, i was not exactly excited about the new 5 series but reading some of these reviews is making me take a second look. after all it might not be so bad to have the luxury of a 7 and the sportiness of a 5. like most people i want to see it in the M sports package

[kinan_sleiman2006]

All the reviews are promising...looks great

[cb4]

Now we can relax and forget the E60 ever happened.

[DieselDog]

If Mercedes and Audi are able and willing to offer diesels for their "executive sedans" at these price points in the USA, why not BMW? It seems to me that executive sedans are made for a combination of sporting and comfortable driving in the twisties and over long stretches of interstate travel. I frequently travel over 100 miles per day over highways, through twisting hills and in city traffic. An executive sedan with the sporty control of a manual transmission and the torque and mileage of a diesel is practically a REQUIREMENT in Europe and seems to make sense here in the US. Give it a shot! Give us the 530d!

[vladberca]

I don t think the 535i will have a high fuel consumption!
Yes, it's true, the 530d will have better sales in Europe than 535i...
The xdrive versions will complete the range models