M5 visually disappoints
02-10-2006, 07:00 AM
#21
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Originally Posted by MALEKMAN' post='237689' date='Feb 10 2006, 12:36 AM
I dropped off my car for service today (you know, for typical BMW annoyances e.g. I-Drive taking more than 5 minutes to boot or booting up in German, safety feature on rear right window not working, steering column "clicking" when tilting and when turned lock to lock, passenger "airbag off" indicator malfunction, rear seat creaking noise, diesel sounds from the engine in low RPM etc) and there they were, 3 brand new M5s getting washed and cleaned for delivery. Well, I tell you unless you know what to look for (besides the M5 badge) the car is visually pretty unspectacular even with the 19" rims (there still is an unacceptably large gap between the tire and the fender), quad tail pipes and the side vents. I think that for 90 grand and all that power that BMW has stuffed into this car, it should have a sexier more distinct body. Just my two cents.
I like the car, but we're in agreement regarding the wheels. I recently saw one at the DC auto show - the wheels struck me as being far too small. They need to be 20" - at least. Maybe they'll offer a 20" factory option in a year or so?
02-10-2006, 08:51 AM
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My Ride: '05 545i, silver gray, black leather with anthracite maple wood, sport package, premium sound, navigation, cold weather package, electric rear sunshade, folding rear seat, satellite radio prep, PIAA 4150K fogs, red rear reflectors, hardwired Valentine One
Of course you will still have the gaps between the tire and fender. You can't expect them to sell you the car slammed or with 21" wheels. Any car manufacturer won't have any part of that. They'll cause problems for the consumer and won't be considered a "safe" car. I guess you are looking at it from an enthusiast's point of view.
I also agree the wheel well gaps are too large, especially in the front, but disagree with the comment that smaller gaps and lower stance would be a safety issue. When you see one in person it's very noticeable. My 545i w/ sport package rides lower and has significantly smaller wheel well gaps--particularly in the front. Here's my car and an M5 for comparison--on the front of the M5 you can see clear through to the wheel well liner, and the rear gap is also larger than my car, though not as noticeable:
02-10-2006, 09:05 AM
#23
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A friend of mine loves the M5, but doesn't have enough money to own one. I keep telling him to buy a 525i for half of the price of M5 and 90% of the exterior looks the same.
Add few more thousand for M-Kit, then 98% of the exterior looks the same.
Add few more thousand for M-Kit, then 98% of the exterior looks the same.
02-10-2006, 09:36 AM
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02-10-2006, 09:55 AM
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Male,
BMW has a long (forever, I guess) history of understating the appearance of their high-performance models. As a matter of fact, if you listen carefully, you can probably still hear the echo of howls sent up around the world when the M3 was introduced in 1987. It was horrendous (the styling as well as the howling). All four quarter panels were so swolen they looked as though they needed penicillin and the whole thing looked like it had been crafted out back of some drag track. But, its 4 cylinder went like hell and was a blast to drive. There's an article on them in the latest Automobile magazine. But that was a loud (and short) departure from the norm.
Indeed, that same year the 535iS debuted, along with the M5, and both were so subtle visually, that the only way you could spot them was the minor spoiler treatment on the front and the rubber lip on the trunk lid. Contrary to Detroit, BMW has always stuffed their upgrades on the iniside, where it counts. (no flaming chicken decals here....)
So, if anything, they have become more obvious over the years, but are still thankfully, stealthy in their overall appearance. And frankly, that's just the way I want them; I won't even have the daytime running lights activated on my car. I like subtle.
Cheers,
Ray Hull
BMW has a long (forever, I guess) history of understating the appearance of their high-performance models. As a matter of fact, if you listen carefully, you can probably still hear the echo of howls sent up around the world when the M3 was introduced in 1987. It was horrendous (the styling as well as the howling). All four quarter panels were so swolen they looked as though they needed penicillin and the whole thing looked like it had been crafted out back of some drag track. But, its 4 cylinder went like hell and was a blast to drive. There's an article on them in the latest Automobile magazine. But that was a loud (and short) departure from the norm.
Indeed, that same year the 535iS debuted, along with the M5, and both were so subtle visually, that the only way you could spot them was the minor spoiler treatment on the front and the rubber lip on the trunk lid. Contrary to Detroit, BMW has always stuffed their upgrades on the iniside, where it counts. (no flaming chicken decals here....)
So, if anything, they have become more obvious over the years, but are still thankfully, stealthy in their overall appearance. And frankly, that's just the way I want them; I won't even have the daytime running lights activated on my car. I like subtle.
Cheers,
Ray Hull
02-10-2006, 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by AC_S5' post='237691' date='Feb 10 2006, 07:42 AM
That's what the M5 is about, supercar performance without screaming to people, look at me I am driving a fancy car and I am rich. That's the tradition.
Get a Porsche, Viper or Ferrari or something if you want to stand out.
02-10-2006, 11:15 AM
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My Ride: MY RIDE is DA real .-) HAMANN 5 aka BLACK MAMBA born on 16/06/2005/delivered on 05/08/2005 as following:
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02-10-2006, 05:34 PM
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yeah oh I see you commin' in M5 or you are so POOR , good one I like M5 as it is the best car of all today's, but I wud spice up MINE and you can keep yours Oem no probs w that
Originally Posted by 530iii' post='237733' date='Feb 10 2006, 09:29 AM
Add Hamann's wide body kit and you'll see a head turner! 
[/quote]
That's exactly what happen, the other day I saw a M5 and of course I was checking it out as anyone here would do. My gf ask me why am I checking it out, I have the exact same thing
I told her you can't compare my poor man 523 to the M5 and she just shrug her shoulders and walk away <_<
