My 545i Sport is my first BMW ever. I didn't know it would handle the way it does. Do all BMW turn like their on rails? Is it only sport models? What about the 3 series?

I've driven several 325/328i's as loaners.... Personally, I really don't like the 3er because I think that I'm just too spoiled with always having a 5er (540/6 and 550).... and couldn't wait to turn it back to get mine.

I had an e46 coupe, and it was one of the best handling cars I've driven (for a daily driver, of course). Very nimble and sure-footed.

I got a new 328i as a dealer loaner recently. It's obviously not as quick as the 550i, but it was a sweet handler. It had a nimbleness to it that my E60 doesn't. It was closer to a driving feel like my 993. I wouldn't trade, though.

I loved the way my 325xi handled even before I lowered it, although now I think I'm spoiled by the e60 with active steering and springs and shocks.

I had an E46 Sport Saloon before my M5, and that car was brilliant handling. Not qutie a match for the M5, but a 5 Series Sport, yes!! BMW Sport's in general are brilliant handling cars no matter which series it is. To be fair, i drove my mates X5 4.6is earlier today, and that was bloody impressive too!!

IMHO definately not, my E46 was much more zippy around the bends, I have driven both cars on the track to the limit, both have their virtues, the 3 being more playfull on the limit the 5 being more grown up and more solid feeling, the extra 250kg in my car helps with the solidity tho im sure.

I would liken the E46/E90 to being a twenty something hooligan when the mood takes it, the E60 a thirty something family man which can still play when the mood suits him.

My E34 525i Sport on the other hand is just a total hooligan and wants to hang out the tail at every chance possible, in fact its virtually impossible to keep the thing straight coming off bends or roundabouts in the wet, the LSD is pure heaven :D, like Kiwi says, you need to respect the 34's at speed if you dont know what your doing :)

Hi All

I had a E34 M5 which was brilliant, safe and stable in all conditions (especially really bad weather) - however had no safety net - really scary if you pushed it at higher speeds....

Then a E36 328 coupe which was adsolutely excellent - perhaps the ultimate driving machine - you'd need a new 911 or something to reasonably get away on a twisty road (and that point it would be downright dangerous). Never felt safe though especially after looking at crash info on it...not flash.

So my 545 E60 feels to me just like the E34 M5 (shows just how cool it must have been in 1989 when it came out!) with the safety of the driving aids, that said I can't live without active steering - I am a huge fan.

My 5c
Cheers
stu

+1, when I first test drove the car I didn't care for the active steering, now I love it. On the down side it has made me lazy I now complain when I get into a 3 series loaner when the car is in the shop because I have to turn the steering wheel too much :P

All BMW's essentially handle the same. The main differences are the driving position, curb weight, wheelbase, and ride height. IMHO, the 5 series long wheelbase is it's greatest attribute.