New 5 series takes shine off 7 series ?

[MRPULLHARD]

Bmw launched the current 7 in 2015 and its an impressive car in many ways , however now the new 5 series is out and suddenly its fading somewhat into obscurity .
Why have both post bangle 5 series been almost exact copies of the 7 ?
Mercedes have done the same with the S class - surely it must annoy buyers of these top of the range models to have ' mere mortals' driving cars that look exactly but cost much less ?

The 7 has a lot more presence than the S class but unless you go for the Lwb 7 , it doesn't really stand out from a 5 series.

[Fox-]

MRPULLHARD said:

Why have both post bangle 5 series been almost exact copies of the 7 ?

Because it's what buyers want. It's what I love about the 5 Series - it's a small 7 Series, whereas the 3 Series feels like a big 1 Series interior wise.

[Zod]

Er, have you seen all previous generations of 5 and 7?

[MRPULLHARD]

its only the x2 post Bangle models that are almost the same. if you see them from a distance it can be hard to tell them apart.

[Fox-]

MRPULLHARD said:

its only the x2 post Bangle models that are almost the same. if you see them from a distance it can be hard to tell them apart.

It was the same pre bangle, too. Look at an E32 and an E34 or an E38 and an E39, inside or out.

[Helicopter123]

Fox- said:

MRPULLHARD said:

Why have both post bangle 5 series been almost exact copies of the 7 ?

Because it's what buyers want. It's what I love about the 5 Series - it's a small 7 Series, whereas the 3 Series feels like a big 1 Series interior wise.

Not heard it put that way before, but that sums up perfectly the difference between a 3 and a 5.

[E65Ross]

I'd bet they're rather different to drive. I've not driven the latest models but every 5 series or 7 series I've been in or driven (4 generations of each) the 7 series has always been a noticeable step up in terms of quality and switch gear plus refinement.

[Fox-]

E65Ross said:

I'd bet they're rather different to drive. I've not driven the latest models but every 5 series or 7 series I've been in or driven (4 generations of each) the 7 series has always been a noticeable step up in terms of quality and switch gear plus refinement.

The switchgear is shared between models.

[Joratk]

Nothing can take the shine off an M760LI Xdrive, not even an M5.

[smashy]

Joratk said:

Nothing can take the shine off an M760LI Xdrive, not even an M5.

mmmmmmmmm not sure id win the car(d)game but I think Ill raise you well it is quicker

https://www.fitmycar.com/journal/is-the-bmw-m760i-...

[Craikeybaby]

The other option is that the people who by these new actually want to stay under the radar and like the fact that at a glance you can't tell it is the bigger, more expensive model?

[Wills2]

MRPULLHARD said:

Bmw launched the current 7 in 2015 and its an impressive car in many ways , however now the new 5 series is out and suddenly its fading somewhat into obscurity .
Why have both post bangle 5 series been almost exact copies of the 7 ?
Mercedes have done the same with the S class - surely it must annoy buyers of these top of the range models to have ' mere mortals' driving cars that look exactly but cost much less ?

The 7 has a lot more presence than the S class but unless you go for the Lwb 7 , it doesn't really stand out from a 5 series.

As has been said it's the bangle era cars that are the outliers and give credibility to the rule that the 5 is always a smaller 7 in many ways.

There was a time when the 3-5-7 were very much Russian dolls to each other, now it's (1-2-3-4) sharing things especially the interior design and quality level and the (5-6-7) sharing similar design and quality the out going F platform was shared across the 5/6/7 as an example.

Edited by Wills2 on Wednesday 1st February 16:07

[matsoc]

Certainly in "Bangle times" the E60 5series was very different to the contemporary E65 7, both in looks and driving. I still remember when I first drove a 745. I was used to the relatively agile E60 530d. The wheelbase of the 7 felt immense, The steering quite detached and the ride way more soft. On the positive side it was a lot more qieter, very refined and with higher quality interior. Rear seats very comfortable to. By the way also the NA V8 was lovely even with not breathtaking performance.

I test drove the new 7 Series, certainly it feels more "driver centered" but I don't think it is a negative feature. I would consider a 7series while I would not touch a A8 or an S Class that are lovely inside but to me feel like too "chauffeur" cars

[lufbramatt]

A 1 Series has always been pretty much just a 3 series with the boot chopped off, like the old e36 and e46 3 series compacts. They just gave them a different number. All the engine and suspension gubbins is interchangeable IIRC.

[Ninja59]

Wills2 said:

As has been said it's the bangle era cars that are the outliers and give credibility to the rule that the 5 is always a smaller 7 in many ways.

There was a time when the 3-5-7 were very much Russian dolls to each other, now it's (1-2-3-4) sharing things especially the interior design and quality level and the (5-6-7) sharing similar design and quality the out going F platform was shared across the 5/6/7 as an example.

Edited by Wills2 on Wednesday 1st February 16:07

Design wise the 6 is quite different in it's current form. I doubt we will see the current 6 styles in the G platform excluding the GT being rebadged (the 6GC being binned) and as the 8 is coming back.

Even under a 6 (F06,F12,F13) you see F01 and F10 designations....

[335d]

I moved from an F10 5 Series to an F30 3 Series to get a more involving drive, the F10 being a little boaty.

The step down in interior quality was clear though, and there is a fair bit more road noise in the 3 Series. However I notice a similar step down when I drive a 1 Series. Decent enough car, but road noise is higher again and the build quality is lower, as you might expect.

Similarly the 7 Series is a big step up from the current F10 5 Series. Not tried a G30 yet.

Rather than being 2 levels of build quality, I think there are 5 clear levels as you might expect -

1&2 Series
3&4 Series
5 Series
6 Series
7 Series

5 Series owners who think they are driving a small 7 Series are deluding themselves IMO

Edited by 335d on Thursday 2nd February 18:27

[Pioneer]

335d said:

I moved from an F10 5 Series to an F30 3 Series to get a more involving drive, the F10 being a little boaty.

The step down in interior quality was clear though, and there is a fair bit more road noise in the 3 Series. However I notice a similar step down when I drive a 1 Series. Decent enough car, but road noise is higher again and the build quality is lower, as you might expect.

Similarly the 7 Series is a big step up from the current F10 5 Series. Not tried a G30 yet.

Rather than being 2 levels of build quality, I think there are 5 clear levels as you might expect -

1&2 Series
3&4 Series
5 Series
6 Series
7 Series

5 Series owners who think they are driving a small 7 Series are deluding themselves IMO

Edited by 335d on Thursday 2nd February 18:27

I agree ref the F10 but BMW seem to be marketing the G30 as a smaller 7 series. It does look very similar inside and actually things like the G30's gesture control are better than on the G11/2. I'd still rather have a 760LI

Edited by Pioneer on Friday 3rd February 10:14

[Fox-]

335d said:

5 Series owners who think they are driving a small 7 Series are deluding themselves IMO

Much like the 3 Series owners who don't think they are driving a big 1 Series then?

[smashy]

Fox- said:

Much like the 3 Series owners who don't think they are driving a big 1 Series then?

Apart from no 3ltr Derv Engine Id go in a one series again it was my go kart and actually in some ways more comfortable. I allways wanted a 330d 3 series now Ive had it ,its not all that to be fair Engine aside.
My 6ft 4 mate struggled in a 3 series coupe,he couldnt believe how much room in the drivers seat of my oner

[335d]

Fox- said:

Much like the 3 Series owners who don't think they are driving a big 1 Series then?

Never mind the 1 Series, actually I have noticed that my F30 shares some bits with our F55 Mini. The F30 pro nav screen and iDrive controller are the same, but whoever thought it was a good idea to reverse the direction you have to turn it to get the same result deserves a slap! Weirdly, the junction display in the HUD is better in the Mini.