5-Series, 7-Series or 5-Series GT?

[gazchap]

Not talking about the current generation of each here, but the previous (so F10, F01 and whatever the equivalent chassis code is for the F01-based GT)

Ignoring looks (as I know the 5GT hasn't got a good image in that area) what is each car like to live with?

I've been interested in an F01 7 Series for a while now (most likely a 730d) as my LEAF PCP expires in September and I'm coming back to the internal-combustion engine. The 7-Series ticks all the boxes for me, I've had three before but none of this generation.

The only thing that puts me off it is the length, making it difficult to park at work (our parking spaces are not all the same length, and there's only 2 that it'll fit in)

The 5-Series is only slightly shorter than the 7 as far as I know, but seems like it wouldn't be quite as nice to be inside - and I have an hour commute each way every day so I want somewhere that's nice to be. I have recurring back trouble so comfortable seats are a must.

But I saw a 5GT the other day and thought it may be a good "halfway house" between the two? It looks like it should share many of the same creature comforts of the 7, but with increased practicality.

Thoughts?

[ZeroH]

5GT is indeed a more practical 7 series. As long as you are not looking for a particularly sporty drive - its a lovely place to hammer out serious mileage in - if you can find one, get with IAS - dramatically improves manouverability and agility and makes a big car feel much smaller in town.

[Shirt587]

gazchap said:

...as my LEAF PCP expires in September and I'm coming back to the internal-combustion engine...

I have nothing really to bring to the party (other than I would always personally prefer a F11 Touring to any of the above), but can I ask why you're moving away from electric? Change of commute, or bored with limited range, or...?

Thanks

[gazchap]

ZeroH said:

5GT is indeed a more practical 7 series. As long as you are not looking for a particularly sporty drive - its a lovely place to hammer out serious mileage in - if you can find one, get with IAS - dramatically improves manouverability and agility and makes a big car feel much smaller in town.

Yeah, not looking for anything particularly sporty - I have my GT-Four for that. Comfort is the main driving factor, with fuel economy second to that.

Which brings me on to...

Shirt587 said:

I have nothing really to bring to the party (other than I would always personally prefer a F11 Touring to any of the above), but can I ask why you're moving away from electric? Change of commute, or bored with limited range, or...?

My two years with my LEAF have been utterly fantastic, in all honesty. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been on the road and have been worried about the range of the vehicle. It's quiet, comfortable, and surprisingly agile. Ludicrously cheap to run, too.

However, there have been quite a few instances this year where, as a family, we've wanted to go on a longer journey. Before Ecotricity started charging for their electricity on the motorway services, this wasn't too much of a problem. Then they started charging, and a ludicrous amount which basically meant it was borderline whether it would save money over a fuel-efficient ICE car. They've changed their charging scheme now which is a little better, but still not really enough IMO.

Fortunately we have a petrol car in the household (a Skoda Fabia) which we used instead, but it's a manual and in certain circumstances when my back trouble is flaring up, it can be incredibly painful to drive for any long period.

[W88CHY]

I have a LCI 730d Sport - and it does everything I need it to, very comfortable, spacious, relatively quick and also very good on fuel (to me anyway, with past cars I've had).

I had a D3 A8 4.2 TDi immediately before this, and it's a fraction of the running costs (£505 vs £145 RFL, MPG doubled on the 7 series).

The GT - I'm not keen on the looks personally, I know they share quite a bit from the 7 series, but I couldn't live with the "styling".

Mine, in Carbon Black (dark blue to you and I lol)

[T16OLE]

I'd say that the GT is probably the easiest to live with

Its higher driving position, extra space & hatchback are all big plus points. Its a bit fugly though.

[Helicopter123]

The GT is fugly.

The 7 series is huge.

Get a nicely specced 5 series, with a 6 cylinder engine and enjoy.

[deebow]

currently own a f01 730d and in regards to size I think after a couple of weeks you get used to it. ive got the surround view cameras which is a blessing and makes parking a lot easier as it shows you on the screen images of the surrounding of the car via cameras that are in the wing mirrors.

consumption wise I don't seem to get better than 32 on a run at speeds of about 80mpg but put this down due to the size of the car and it being a 3lr diesel

[Fox-]

deebow said:

consumption wise I don't seem to get better than 32 on a run at speeds of about 80mpg but put this down due to the size of the car and it being a 3lr diesel

Is yours one of the early ones with the 6 speed box perhaps?

My 8 speed F10 530d is always well over 40 on the Motorway.

[deebow]

yeah its the 6 speed model. I think the extra weight of the car may play a part as well as when looking at fuelly and similar websites theres not a big difference in peoples consumption between prelci and lci on the 730d. the 740d supposedly better but they cost a lot more

[gazchap]

Yeah, I think I'd have to get an LCI 730d if I was going down the 7er route.

Is there much of a difference between the 5 GT and the X5?

[outnumbered]

We've had a F07 5GT for the last 3 years. It is long, and therefore can be tricky to park in restricted spaces (but same would be true of a 7-series). Ours is the 3.0d with the 8 speed auto, it averages around 32mpg in a mixture of town and longer runs. It's a good motorway cruiser, but it is a big and heavy thing, so not so good on twisty roads where a normal 5 or 5 touring would be better. Since they're a bit unloved, they do offer good value for money usually.

Expensive problems we've had with it are:

- Two cracked 20" alloys. I replaced them all round with 18s and non-RFTs, which improved the ride quality as well. £2.5K

- Headlight electronics module, water ingress - £600 parts and labour.

- Rear air springs - £1K parts and labour

[Fox-]

gazchap said:

Yeah, I think I'd have to get an LCI 730d if I was going down the 7er route.

Is there much of a difference between the 5 GT and the X5?

Unless your budget is £30k or more then a 5GT and an X5 are completely different cars. Pre 2013 X5's are based on the old E60 5 Series.

[gazchap]

Fox- said:

Unless your budget is £30k or more then a 5GT and an X5 are completely different cars. Pre 2013 X5's are based on the old E60 5 Series.

That settles that one then, cheers.

[Stormbitch]

May I ask... Does it drive like a 7 or a 5.

Surely more wafty and nice like a 7?

I found the F10 seats to be uncomfrotable but like the 7. Same for the drive, I like the 7 drive.

[Fox-]

Stormbh said:

May I ask... Does it drive like a 7 or a 5.

They are both fairly similar anyway (the F10 5 shares the same 7 Series rear setup as the 5GT does).