RE: Driven: BMW 535i SE

[amir_j]

E21_Ross said:

i've seen a new one in the metal and it does look better than in the pics it seems, but i still don't like it's styling. maybe it will grow on me like the E60 once it has some Msport body trim on it? hmmm

+1 Not so keen at the moment, especially the rear taillights. No doubt will get used to and like it in a few years when more common though.

[vz-r_dave]

I will look forward to the M

[Dapster]

Any renditions of the M Sport look about?

[petrolveins]

I have to say it's really growing on me this new 5-Series, and I kinda get the feeling it will turn into a very desirable classic in 20 years, in a sort of E34 way. Not sure the same can be said of the E60.

[Black S2K]

E21_Ross said:

Black S2K said:

Too damn poor to specify Indicator Assist then?

Is that £2,200 Dynamic Duo the version with 4WS & anti-roll? BMW's catchy titles all sound the same to me.

you'll find the cars come with indicators which work very well. it's just a lot of people don't use them for some reason. i think it's an age old saying about BMW, i think the majority of drivers these days are just as bad. BMW must have set a trend

that said, was behind some biddy in a 318i new shape who was slowing down for seemingly no reason, then turned right. i was like...would have been nice if you indicated!! most bmw drivers i know use indicators (admittedly that's only about 3 people )

The other day I was following a Peugeot round a roundabout, wondering the very same.

I then noticed the interior light was flashing instead of the indicators!

Poxy french crap...

[pjv997]

For several years I thought a 535i in Msport trim and manual gearbox in the E60 would be an interesting proposition and kind of 'M5 lite'.

Now BMW offer the 35i engine in the new five series, I can't help but look at the performance and economy differential between 535i and 530d and wonder if I would spec the manual 35i option over the diesel version.

[amir_j]

MrTappets said:

Everyone said great things about the jag xf when it came out a couple of years ago, but it was competing against the old 5 and E-class. Now there are new ones out I read that it's not quite top any more.

Does anyone know when Jag are freshening it up? Presumably they'll switch back to aluminium for the next one, but not for a few years?

What car did a group test this month, jag came first with the 5 a close second.

[E21_Ross]

pjv997 said:

For several years I thought a 535i in Msport trim and manual gearbox in the E60 would be an interesting proposition and kind of 'M5 lite'.

Now BMW offer the 35i engine in the new five series, I can't help but look at the performance and economy differential between 535i and 530d and wonder if I would spec the manual 35i option over the diesel version.

i think the new diesel is quicker as well as more economical. however, i would suspect for general refinement(?) and certainly for the more spirited drive the petrol would walk all over the diesel.

straight 6 diesels sound ok, but that's it, ok. straight 6 petrols however.....sound lovely. something a diesel will never be able to match

[Garlick]

I spent some time with this car when it was with us, and I was hugely impressed.

It does need the M Sport treatment as it is a little softer in corners than you might like a BMW to be, but the engine and gearbox is peachy. Lovely short shifts through the box and a delightful engine note too.

It reminded me of how a 7 series in a smaller package, the interior comfort and refinement is right up there and the new dash works so well. I used it for about 5 days and I didn't want it to go back to BMW, such is it's all round competence. I also think it looks better in the metal than in any photograph I've seen so far.

Oh, and I was amazed by the reversing camera which gives a view from the top of the car. You actually watch looking down on the roof, which makes parking a doddle.

Good car, but will the revisions to the XF pip it again?

[E21_Ross]

Garlick said:

I spent some time with this car when it was with us, and I was hugely impressed.

It does need the M Sport treatment as it is a little softer in corners than you might like a BMW to be, but the engine and gearbox is peachy. Lovely short shifts through the box and a delightful engine note too.

It reminded me of how a 7 series in a smaller package, the interior comfort and refinement is right up there and the new dash works so well. I used it for about 5 days and I didn't want it to go back to BMW, such is it's all round competence. I also think it looks better in the metal than in any photograph I've seen so far.

Oh, and I was amazed by the reversing camera which gives a view from the top of the car. You actually watch looking down on the roof, which makes parking a doddle.

Good car, but will the revisions to the XF pip it again?

you quite like it then garlick? do you think the Msport pack will improve it quite a lot? i've never driven an SE spec car, then the same in M sport so i don't know the differences to be honest.

cheers

[Garlick]

The SE is a great cruiser, but even with the 'sport' settings activated it's a little too soft for the true PHer.

Don't get me wrong, it's a capable car in SE spec, but the M Sport version should sharpen it up nicely even though it might lose some of the smooth wafting ability as a result.

[E21_Ross]

Garlick said:

The SE is a great cruiser, but even with the 'sport' settings activated it's a little too soft for the true PHer.

Don't get me wrong, it's a capable car in SE spec, but the M Sport version should sharpen it up nicely even though it might lose some of the smooth wafting ability as a result.

thanks

i saw one of these at the local bmw dealer and was quite taken by the interior, the pics don't do it justice. it does look like a nice place to be. again, the exterior (while still no looker in my opinion) it does look better in the metal than on pictures for some reason.

cheers.

[briancorish]

Looks like a used bar of soap.

[robsti]

Will go down well with all the brain washed BM is best people!

So not only boring to drive but boring to lok at as well!

[vintageracer01]

robsti said:

Will go down well with all the brain washed BM is best people!

So not only boring to drive but boring to look at as well!

I agree. This 5 is mindbooglingly boring. In addition, it looks odd with this high front end and undefined side section. And I cannot see that a M5 with some bigger and more aggressive holes in the front bumper will be any nicer. It just does not look modern in any way. Just a grey car for grey people.

This is the disappointment of the year so far, IMO.

[Techno]

I've always been a fan of the 5 series, especially the E39 variant, but I still think it's a shame that the 535i engine isn't the wonderful sounding throaty V8 it once was
Happy motoring everyone

[wackojacko]

BMW interiors are sensational and have been in most models BM make, make a really nice place to be..... I also really like the styling very mean front end...

[Matt UK]

Techno said:

I've always been a fan of the 5 series, especially the E39 variant, but I still think it's a shame that the 535i engine isn't the wonderful sounding throaty V8 it once was
Happy motoring everyone

a) I agree the e39 was a great looker.
b) Top lurking, really outstanding. Best I think I've seen