[Jason]

Australian automotive publication "Drive" has named the winners of its 2010 Cary of the Year awards and the F10 535i has won for the Best Luxury Car Over $60k AUD category over the Audi A8 and Jaguar XJ.

Full review and video - http://news.drive.com.au/drive/car-o...118-17yz9.html

Notable comments:

One of the best driving four-doors in the world, BMW's 535i is also great at pampering occupants, making it a worthy winner of the Luxury Car Over $60,000 category for Drive Car of the Year in 2010.

BMW's all-new 5-Series sets the new benchmark for handling, though. The 535i felt at ease on the racetrack, while on both road and circuit the BMW entertained with its mighty six-cylinder, sharp throttle response, intuitive eight-speed auto, blistering acceleration and superbly modulated brakes.

Those judges who have tested the new 5-Series on standard suspension say the ride is average, though our DCOTY test car's adaptive dampers improve compliance.

While the 535i is floaty in Comfort mode, it's far more agreeable in Normal.

Judges also embraced the 5's vast suite of technologies and front seats that provided the best balance of support and comfort. The back seat was also considered to be superior in terms of space when compared with the class rival XF.

The 535i wasn't as quiet or well-mannered as the Jaguar overall, though - a fact not ignored by many of the judges. The BMW won, but only by the slimmest margin of all the 13 DCOTY categories: 6-5.

[EuroCarsOnline]

Originally Posted by Jason

Australian automotive publication "Drive" has named the winners of its 2010 Cary of the Year awards and the F10 535i has won for the Best Luxury Car Over $60k AUD category over the Audi A8 and Jaguar XJ.

Full review and video - http://news.drive.com.au/drive/car-o...118-17yz9.html

Notable comments:

Not surprised. The first time I drove it, I new it was a winner. Later the first M Sport came in for a customer and the whole dealership was talking about it. I think it's hands-down one of the best looking BMWs made to date.

[CWALK]

I love the redesign, can't for the new design to go on the 3series 2012.

[kaishang]

Shame it costs about twice as much in Australia as you can buy one in Europe or the US.

[sali]

maybe the Aussie's are used to numb steerings!

I went to BMW dealership and ran into a Tech delivery specialist instead of slimy salesguy and even he agreed the steering was terrible and not BMW (His said it feels like video game like 80 mph). But he did mention that they are updating the software and that should fix it.

[kaishang]

Originally Posted by sali

maybe the Aussie's are used to numb steerings!

...His said it feels like video game like 80 mph.

That's probably why nobody on the Australian review noticed. There is nowhere in Oz you are allowed to drive at 80mph.

[Brian@EWS]

Originally Posted by kaishang

That's probably why nobody on the Australian review noticed. There is nowhere in Oz you are allowed to drive at 80mph.

that sounds about right. But they did take it down the track tho

BMW's all-new 5-Series sets the new benchmark for handling, though. The 535i felt at ease on the racetrack, while on both road and circuit the BMW entertained with its mighty six-cylinder, sharp throttle response, intuitive eight-speed auto, blistering acceleration and superbly modulated brakes.