Motor Trend 550i review
11-01-2010, 07:49 AM
#12
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My Ride: 523iA, 2006, Silver Grey, Black Leatherette Interior, Fine-Wood Trim Poplar Grain Brown High-Gloss, 6 Speed Automatic Transmission with Steptronic, Automatic Air Conditioning with Extended Content, Interior and Exterior Mirrors with Automatic Anti-Dazzle Function (Incl. Folding Function for Exterior Mirror), Electric Front Seats with Memory for Driver, Multi-Function Steering Wheel with Cruise Control, Adjustable Steering Column, BMW Radio with 8 Speakers and CD Drive, Park Distance Control, Universal Bluetooth Cell Phone, Electric Rear Sunblind
The article is acceptable overall, but the author reference to the E60 being heavier than E39 in the following statement is incorrect:
"The 2004 E60 5 Series was a disappointment for its new, active steering and BMW's least successful application of Chris Bangle's flame-surfacing design language. The car just seemed bigger, heavier, and more complex."
I do not understand what does the author mean by saying that the E60 seemed "heavier" than the E39. The E60 was indeed bigger than the E39 (6.4% bigger in volume than the E39 on Length * Width * Height basis). However, the E60 was lighter than E39 or at least the same weight for most versions as per the below data from BMW manuals (only the E39 520d was lighter than the E60 520d).
E39 LCI 2002 Model Weights Europe Operation Manual
E60 Pre LCI 2006 Model Weights Europe Operation Manual
E60 LCI 2008 Model Weights Europe Operation Manual (German)
F10 2010 Model Weights (Universal Brochure)
As we can clearly see from the numbers above, the E60 was bigger than the E39 in volume by 6.4% (L*W*H basis) and lighter (and much lighter in I6 diesel form) than the E39. The F10 is only 1.7% bigger than the E60 (L*W*H) basis and is around 10% heavier. This is due to Light Weight Aluminum Construction employed in the E60. The E60 scored a better lap time than an equivalent E39 in all the tracks I have seen.
Also, not all E60s were equipped with Active Steering. I do not know the percentage of E60s equipped with Active Steering, but mine isn't. I am not suggesting that the Active Steering decreased or increased driving pleasure because this is a very subjective matter, but at least customers had the option to order a car with or without Active Steering.
"The 2004 E60 5 Series was a disappointment for its new, active steering and BMW's least successful application of Chris Bangle's flame-surfacing design language. The car just seemed bigger, heavier, and more complex."
I do not understand what does the author mean by saying that the E60 seemed "heavier" than the E39. The E60 was indeed bigger than the E39 (6.4% bigger in volume than the E39 on Length * Width * Height basis). However, the E60 was lighter than E39 or at least the same weight for most versions as per the below data from BMW manuals (only the E39 520d was lighter than the E60 520d).
E39 LCI 2002 Model Weights Europe Operation Manual
E60 Pre LCI 2006 Model Weights Europe Operation Manual
E60 LCI 2008 Model Weights Europe Operation Manual (German)
F10 2010 Model Weights (Universal Brochure)
As we can clearly see from the numbers above, the E60 was bigger than the E39 in volume by 6.4% (L*W*H basis) and lighter (and much lighter in I6 diesel form) than the E39. The F10 is only 1.7% bigger than the E60 (L*W*H) basis and is around 10% heavier. This is due to Light Weight Aluminum Construction employed in the E60. The E60 scored a better lap time than an equivalent E39 in all the tracks I have seen.
Also, not all E60s were equipped with Active Steering. I do not know the percentage of E60s equipped with Active Steering, but mine isn't. I am not suggesting that the Active Steering decreased or increased driving pleasure because this is a very subjective matter, but at least customers had the option to order a car with or without Active Steering.
11-01-2010, 10:02 AM
#13
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It's no secret that BMW has moved the 5-series more towards the 7-series than ever before. BMW doesn't make bones about this either.
I'm just wondering if the next 3-series will be moving towards the 5-series then. That would mean trouble.
I'm just wondering if the next 3-series will be moving towards the 5-series then. That would mean trouble.
11-01-2010, 10:35 AM
#14
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Thats why they invented the 1 series. The original 1 series was based on the out going E46 platform. I assumed they did that so they didnt have to throw out all theyre investment and make some easy $. If the pattern stays the same IMO the next 3 seried will be the new E39 ultimate driving machine and the 1 series will be the nw E90.
11-02-2010, 06:26 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i:
(8/07 Build) Metallic Bronze, Beige NASCA Leather, Ventilated Seats, Sport Pkg, Cold Wxr Pkg, Logic-7 Sound, HUD, Night Vision, PDC, Split Rear Seats, NAV, Premium Pkg, Comfort Access, HD Radio, Sport Auto Trans
Current mods: M-Aero Kit, JB4, Motorcepts 6000k HID Foglamps
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1992 Camaro RS:
Fully Restored w/Custom Interior, 5.0L V8, T-tops, OEM Z28 Foglamps, Inst Cluster, & Spoiler, Custom Sound, Too many engine mods to list
So can somebody explain to me what the current 7 is becoming? 
11-02-2010, 08:45 AM
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My Ride: 523iA, 2006, Silver Grey, Black Leatherette Interior, Fine-Wood Trim Poplar Grain Brown High-Gloss, 6 Speed Automatic Transmission with Steptronic, Automatic Air Conditioning with Extended Content, Interior and Exterior Mirrors with Automatic Anti-Dazzle Function (Incl. Folding Function for Exterior Mirror), Electric Front Seats with Memory for Driver, Multi-Function Steering Wheel with Cruise Control, Adjustable Steering Column, BMW Radio with 8 Speakers and CD Drive, Park Distance Control, Universal Bluetooth Cell Phone, Electric Rear Sunblind
Using a simple mathematical approach, the new 7 series is the replacement of the 9 series of the past, i.e. a car that never existed 
. It is an indication of the increase in the average weight of human beings across the world.
LOL
.
. It is an indication of the increase in the average weight of human beings across the world.LOL
.
11-02-2010, 09:24 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550i
I know this is completely irrelevant but I noticed an error with BMW's weight listing.
For the 540i unladen vehicle weight:
Manual kg(lb) - 1705 (5759) ... I think they meant 3759...?
Automatic kg(lb) - 1735 (3825)
For the 540i unladen vehicle weight:
Manual kg(lb) - 1705 (5759) ... I think they meant 3759...?
Automatic kg(lb) - 1735 (3825)
11-02-2010, 09:33 AM
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My Ride: 523iA, 2006, Silver Grey, Black Leatherette Interior, Fine-Wood Trim Poplar Grain Brown High-Gloss, 6 Speed Automatic Transmission with Steptronic, Automatic Air Conditioning with Extended Content, Interior and Exterior Mirrors with Automatic Anti-Dazzle Function (Incl. Folding Function for Exterior Mirror), Electric Front Seats with Memory for Driver, Multi-Function Steering Wheel with Cruise Control, Adjustable Steering Column, BMW Radio with 8 Speakers and CD Drive, Park Distance Control, Universal Bluetooth Cell Phone, Electric Rear Sunblind
. You are correct, they meant 3759 (1705 kg * 2.205 = 3759 lbs).Sometimes BMW manuals contain typing errors. I remember my 523i brochure had torque figure of 230 Nm / 155 lbft. It should have been 169 lbft.
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