Originally posted by T13R
I've seen unofficial reports that state that the new 5-series is actually quite popular and the demand is very strong for them. Personally I like the styling, maybe not too much the rear, but overall the new 5-series is great. Reports say it drives even better than the last 5
And with 500 bhp V10 coupled to a 7-speed transmission, the new M5 will kick ass
I'm a bit frightened - a very trusted British magazine says models are very trim specific (ie 'you-can't-have-this-without-getting-this'), but if that's the case, it will change dramatically after the first year on the market. If it's great, I think it's got a shot at the best sedan ever - it's all in the details with cars like this. I have heard it's to be a brilliant drivers' car, so I'm very psyched about that. I also like the styling, especially for the segment. The new E-class will get very old very fast with something considerably more 'daring' like the new 5-class on the market.
I just wish they would reconsider that I-Drive thing. Can you give a short explanation of what the I-Drive is good for Doug? I'm sure you know alot more than me about this gizmo.
Basic driving functions like the horn are on the steering wheel. Secondary functions like the lights and wipers are on conventional levers directly next to the wheel like on normal cars. Simple enough.
All other functions - changing or turning on the radio or a CD, making a phone call, changing or turning on the air-con, and setting up a navigation route - require iDrive, a simple circular button in the console connected to a screen within the drivers' line of site on the dash.
It isn't overly complicated, just extremely different, and when driving and trying to change the radio, motorists don't really want different. Bonuses of iDrive, however, are suspension settings which can be changed by simply accessing that program on iDrive, or traction control which can be enabled or disabled the same way. Problem is that it's difficult to become acclimated, even more so with v1.0 software which reset the car to default settings everytime the engine was turned off (not sure if that saw production or if it was stopped before it got out).
Edit - something struck me as another detractor of iDrive as I was reading over this: if iDrive breaks, you aren't looking for a mechanic to repair your car, you're looking for a very skilled computer worker, which certainly drives up the cost of all of BMW's line because those people certainly require a lot more money than a normal mechanic. Not good.
Overall, it's a major hurdle the 5-class has to overcome. Truly. I wish they'd go back to the normal methodology, too, and I'm usually all for 'good different.' This is good different - with a few more iDrive cars it will soon be perfected. But do we really want it perfected? I just want to drive my car in peace...