I currently own an 03 M3. I love this car, but recently have considered moving to a sedan for comfort reasons. When the e 60 first came out I thought it was bu-- ugly; I mean I really hated it. But over time I would see them on the road and started to think I kind of liked the look from certain angles. Ever so gradually it kept getting better and better, and the other car brands started to look kind of conservative to me. A couple of months ago I drove the competition including the Acura RL, Audi A6 and Infinity M45. None of these cars did a thing for me. Coming from my M3 they just didn't inspire any passion or driving confidence. Then I drove the 545. Oh my God what a car! I liked it so much I almost bought it, but then thought it this is this good maybe I should wait for the 550 because my wife will support this economic decision (disaster) if we do a European delivery.

But I digress. What amazes me is how I could change over the past couple of years so drastically over the styling issues. My friend and client advisor at the dealership warned me that it wasn't uncommon to initially feel this way about new models, and that the 5 might grow on me. But I never felt it would happen to this extent! If I didn't love my M3 so much, and if the money issues didn't concern me, I know I'd have this car right now. As it is I can feel the disease working on me and I see a 550 in the fairly near future.

As we say on the auto detailing forum "There is no cure!"

 

A great lease rate and ED enticed me to overcome my reservations about the bangle butt.

Now that I have the car, I think its great looking car that won't be mistaken for anything else on the road.

 

In early 2004 when asked about the negative feedback his design of the e60 was generating, he said "Most people actually love the new design, they just don't know it yet"

 

I understand where you're coming from. I find the E60 design becoming more acceptable with time, though I still don't consider it an "oh my God I have to have it" car from a styling standpoint. I'm still somewhat lukewarm on the car, but it's mainly the interior that's holding me back. Although I know it doesn't matter to some, I find the lack of instrumentation of the E60 totally apalling in a driver's car, especially since the competition still offers at least a temp. gauge, if not more extensive gear. And despite what some might think, the RPM warm up dial is NOT a replacement for what should be essential instrumentation.

I'm still holding out hope, because I'm due for a new sedan, that BMW will:
1) upgrade the interior
2) offer at least a set of virtual instrumentation that can be called up on I-drive
3) maintain the great driving dynamics

Maybe I'm asking too much?

 

I felt exactly the same when I first saw the E60... and now it's the only thing a notice on the roads.

 

Once the new E90's start hitting the street it will solidify the entire "new look" lineup.

I was stricken by the new look when I first saw the E60 but I do feel they saved the best for last with the new E90s. The new 3 series are just stunning and once it's seen enough, just watch how many opinions start to turn. Mark my words...

 

Im the same way i wasnt wild about them at first, but a year later I own an E60 and love it!!!

 

I've gone through the same 180 degree change of perspective as you have, darkside. Two years ago there was no way I could have predicted how much I enjoy the look of the E60 now.

Of course, now that I've driven a few 545s around, well, that has a lot to do with how I view it.

 

Maybe it is because I didn't care much for the E39, as I thought it felt utterly cramped and looked a bit of an unfortunate halfbreed between the 3 and the 7, as for example the Orion was between the Escort and the Sierra, but I loved the E60 instantly.
I had a merc on order when I went in to the BMW dealership to pick a brochure for an X3 for my wife, and ordered an E60 on the spot.

 

I've always thought the design of the E60 is ahead of it's time. To me, that's a mark of a design that has longevity. It won't start looking tired (like M- for years...