Centurion

What is the Hofmeister Kink?
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The 'Hofmeister Kink' is BMW's trademark 'reverse sweep' (which is what it is also sometimes called) at the rear side window.

If looking at any car from the side (a profile view), you'll see the pillars which are the vertical structures that hold up the roof of the vehicle. Beginning at the front are the A-pillars (the ones between your windshield), then after the front driver & passenger windows is the B-pillar. Some cars have 3 pillars while others have 4. These are the C and D pillars respectively.

Now, if you look at any BMW from the side, you'll notice that the very last pillar (the one closest to the rear window), which on most coupes is the C-pillar and on most sedans is the D-pillar, that rear-side window is swept-in at the bottom. The moulding of the window curls back towards the driver at the bottom. That is the classic Hofmeister Kink which has stayed with all models of BMW's for a long time.

Sorry. I just realized how I got carried away with my description.

sddale2001

What is the Hofmeister Kink?
[/quote]
The 'Hofmeister Kink' is BMW's trademark 'reverse sweep' (which is what it is also sometimes called) at the rear side window.

If looking at any car from the side (a profile view), you'll see the pillars which are the vertical structures that hold up the roof of the vehicle. Beginning at the front are the A-pillars (the ones between your windshield), then after the front driver & passenger windows is the B-pillar. Some cars have 3 pillars while others have 4. These are the C and D pillars respectively.

Now, if you look at any BMW from the side, you'll notice that the very last pillar (the one closest to the rear window), which on most coupes is the C-pillar and on most sedans is the D-pillar, that rear-side window is swept-in at the bottom. The moulding of the window curls back towards the driver at the bottom. That is the classic Hofmeister Kink which has stayed with all models of BMW's for a long time.

Sorry. I just realized how I got carried away with my description.
[/quote]

I thought I heard that reference somewhere. It was pointed out in July's Automobile Magazine that the 1961 Dodge Dart had a kink in its rear pillar before BMW's.

Centurion

That's quite possible.

Note in my post that I did not say BMW was the first to have the 'reverse sweep' at the rear pillar. I did however use the word 'trademark' which, admittedly, is a poor choice of words.

FikseGTS

everyone buys cars for different reasons.... I know this is a BMW board... but the M45 is a great car.... prestige or not....

FikseGTS

I would run circles around you when using the Infiniti system vs you and iDrive.... BMW is too hung up on trying to eliminate buttons...

heezy545i

Whoa. I finally read the whole thread and am suprised to find that the M45 isn't available in a manual.

Not sure if a manual transmission is worth 10K, but that factor would probably sway me towards the e60.

And don't tell anyone, but even though I'm all about the drive, in the back of my head I'm still somewhat buying for the badge and the little prestige that is out there. That's one of the reasons why I have yet to debadge the e60, even though it would look better that way.

I'll just debadge when the 550 comes out

FikseGTS

the 5 series is the minority here..... I can't think of another sedean in this class that is available with a manual..... I think it's great that BMW still offers a manual.....

Centurion

The M45 does look better on paper, but I will have to reserve judgement on it until I actually get into one and take it for a spin. The fact that there isn't a manual transmission offered already persuades me to look elsewhere.

Infiniti seems to be climbing up the "prestige" ladder rather quickly though. I can't help but think how well they're doing with all the G35 coupes and sedans I see out there. Infiniti seems to have built this car in direct competition with the 3-series; the M35/45 in competition with the 5-series.

I don't have any links to statistics. That's just my observation/opinion.

Centurion

[/quote]
I agree. I think BMW placed too much emphasis on eliminating buttons and lost perspective of 'driving enjoyment'. However, I think this is because a lot of us never seen or even heard of such a system in a car. I'm specifically speaking about the iDrive system.

When BMW first introduced this jog-shuttle device in the 7-series, critics everywhere hammered it and gave lots of negative reviews. Granted, it was the first version but it has already seen several updates (most of which can be seen in the 5 and 6 series) to make the iDrive more user friendly.

Now, you see other manufacturers following suit:
Audi's system (I believe it's called MMi) in the A8 and A6.
Mercedes Benz will have it in their next release of their flagship sedan S Class (not sure if it's in the CLS).
Now Infiniti has it in their latest cars as well.

So, BMW took a lot of flak for introducing such a foreign device because nobody was familiar with it, yet it actually was very intuitive and brilliant.

BMW has paved the way...AGAIN! and will continue to pioneer new ideas/technology in the automotive industry.

Centurion

Funny you should say this.
This factor swayed me away from the e65 and into an e60.