Looks great but how will it drive?
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Courtesy of BMWBlog ...
BimmerToday:
One is under the impression that you are very excited about the driving dynamics of the new BMW 5 Series. You spoke in between other things about the fact that you cannot follow the F10 5er with the E60 on a race track. How was this success accomplished because looking at the weight number, there were a lot of people disappointed because the F10 is undeniable heavier than its predecessor?
Josef W?st (BMEW 5 Series Project Leader):
Weight is one thing, but physics are strongly linked to the position of centers of gravity and this is significantly lower than the E60. We have achieved this mainly by extending the distance between centers and the relocation of the engine down and back. Besides the reduction of gravity, this configuration also offers advantages for pedestrian safety and contributes to a very stable ride. The double-wishbone axle has distinct advantages over a traditional axle and if combining the whole thing with the steered rear axle, the E60 cannot compete anymore.
Another comment in the interview refers to the F10 body being 50% stiffer than the E60.
The E60 cannot compete anymore. Wow that's a bold statement.
And Top Gear recently suggested in a review of the new 5 series GT that the ride and handling is borderline brilliant ... and since the F10 is based on the same carriage, it shows that the F10 ought to be a real winner.
I'm anxious to see how the first drive reviews turn out.
BimmerToday:
One is under the impression that you are very excited about the driving dynamics of the new BMW 5 Series. You spoke in between other things about the fact that you cannot follow the F10 5er with the E60 on a race track. How was this success accomplished because looking at the weight number, there were a lot of people disappointed because the F10 is undeniable heavier than its predecessor?
Josef W?st (BMEW 5 Series Project Leader):
Weight is one thing, but physics are strongly linked to the position of centers of gravity and this is significantly lower than the E60. We have achieved this mainly by extending the distance between centers and the relocation of the engine down and back. Besides the reduction of gravity, this configuration also offers advantages for pedestrian safety and contributes to a very stable ride. The double-wishbone axle has distinct advantages over a traditional axle and if combining the whole thing with the steered rear axle, the E60 cannot compete anymore.
Another comment in the interview refers to the F10 body being 50% stiffer than the E60.
The E60 cannot compete anymore. Wow that's a bold statement.
And Top Gear recently suggested in a review of the new 5 series GT that the ride and handling is borderline brilliant ... and since the F10 is based on the same carriage, it shows that the F10 ought to be a real winner.
I'm anxious to see how the first drive reviews turn out.
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Originally Posted by tachyon' post='1062761' date='Nov 25 2009, 03:41 PM
The F10 550i weighs in at 4,200 lbs! 
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Originally Posted by tachyon' post='1062761' date='Nov 25 2009, 03:41 PM
The F10 550i weighs in at 4,200 lbs!
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on the other hand, i liked how my heavy e39 felt stable on the freeway. e60 is lighter and even though it does handle turns better, on the freeway (cruising) i liked how heavy e39 felt.
looks like they fixed it with f10:
"Besides the reduction of gravity, this configuration also offers advantages for pedestrian safety and contributes to a very stable ride"
looks like they fixed it with f10:
"Besides the reduction of gravity, this configuration also offers advantages for pedestrian safety and contributes to a very stable ride"
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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
So the F10 is "Big Boned"?? 
