joebel

Well, I certainly don't feel like I moved 'down'. While the 7 is a fab car in many ways (wife was sorry to see it go), ultimately it didn't fulfill its primary mission. Loved the styling. Mine had the Exec Pak (in Canada that option give you just about everything) and the optional 19" wheels (a must). But the phone was obsolete (when I got car, I was still on TDMA which is now dead). CD Nav was OK but 8 or 9 discs for all of NA. Nav screen in iDrive was sometimes a bit flaky even after replacing screen and CD unit.

Ride and handling were great for a vehicle of that size but it IS a large vehicle. Going through a high-speed turn with Dynamic Drive was eerie. Hard to believe a big car could be so flat through turns. Interior with perforated Nascs (ventilated seats) was better than new 5. Placing gear selector lever on steering wheel column is great idea. You never really use it and it opens up so much space in centre.

For me, problem was tranny and throttle response. Haven't met an auto box yet that knows what gear I want. Kick-down feature is not what I expect of vehicle with 325bhp. It should move in ANY gear. Sport mode was a joke (programmed for lazy NA drivers). Full manual was better but button position was not quite right for me (selector in middle would be better for this application, a la SMG). I noticed sometimes in manual mode, I'd be at 2K rpms, step on throttle, momentary hesitation and then tach needle jumps 500 rpms right away. Definately not what I expect of this car.

It came down to: love the styling, ride handling, interior, toys. But let me down in driving enjoyment. And if it doesn't do the drive for me, what else really matters?

This is just my own opinion. I'm sure many drivers would be more than happy with 7. Perhaps new 750i is better. For me, I can't afford to take the chance. It has to be a 5 and it has to have a clutch. Besides BMW, does anyone else make a car for me? Short answer, NO.

Edlee

I had a 735i and then a 735Li before the E60 545i. You're right. The 7 feels so neutral even at high speed. My wife normally grumbles the moment she feels I'm going too fast, but I remember a trip we had in Malaysia when I was hitting 200 kph and she was as neutral as the car.

Quite happy with the 545i except for a few niggling problems. Both the 7 I had were also IMHO great cars. I flew over a kerb (perpendicular) with my first 7 when it was only 4 months old. Some undercarriage damage and so I "upgraded" to the Li. The thing I miss most about the 735Li is the space. The E60 felt cramped initially but somehow got used to its menouverability.

I still sorely miss the space and luxury of the 7 though. Maybe will get the next one when it arrives in 2008/9.

joebel

Yeah, we were initially looking at E90. But felt it was just too much space difference compared to 7. Space-wise, the E60 is bigger than my old E39. Back seat room especially is better in E60. Overall, good compromise between E65 and E90 in most areas of space/luxury/comfort/drive.

rodneyremington

I certainly didn't mean to imply that you had traded down going from a 7 to the E60. Both cars can be equipped with basically the same things, including the same engine. It's just a size choice.

joebel

You're absolutely right. Going from 7 to 5 is more of a sideways move. It's a personal choice as to what kind of vehicle you want. Obviously, I've made my choice by going back to a 5. But now that I've had and driven a 7 I won't envy them cuz I know the differences.