swajames

The hard numbers ought indeed to favor the F10. Trouble is you can't compare the E60 and F10 in that way as they are to all intents and purposes very different cars with very different engines. The question people here are asking is whether the F10 is as good as it could be. The significant weight increase tells you that it most probably is not.

I will, however, guarantee you one thing. If you were to take that 400 to 500 lbs in mass out of your car, it would be quicker, more agile and brake in shorter distances than your car does today. That, simply put, is why the significant weight increases are a disappointment.

The point being made is the 550 is less than it could have been if BMW had made weight reduction an important development goal - no one, not even the best chassis engineers, can make the impact of 400 to 500 lbs completely go away.


As for the 2010 A6, who knows? I suspect the high end model will be broadly as capable as the 550. Particularly if Audi do keep the weight under control.

Petes550i

Well then this all goes back to the fundamental question: Who is the F10 for?

If you're a sports enthusiast obssessed with spec and track numbers and want an aggressive car, the F10 isn't for you. The car is what it is. It's no use whining about it or debating about what if's or could have's. If you don't like it, move on and get something else.

But if you're like me and just want a car that's fast, luxurious, stylish, refined, and comfortable, the F10 fits the bill perfectly.

Gene

The Problem is that most member's here are long time BMW and/or 5 series drivers, so it's a bit of a shock to see the changes made to their beloved brand/line. I mean, even you jumped the Acura ship after being dissatisfied with the new changes made. Some members here are having a hard time wanting to stay loyal to the brand/model, as much as they most likely want to. We will all find flaws in models and areas needed for improvement. So there will always be something to whine about. No one is attacking f10 owners here, flaming them, or discrediting their purchase, merely stating opinion on what's currently known about the new model.

Fast, luxurious, stylish, refined, and comfortable is again subjective and open for interpretation....in the end, as long as you are happy with your purchase, that's all that counts....

Petes550i

Also, just want to add that if you're hesistant to get a new car simply because it weighs more than the old one, you might be waiting a long time.

The truth is that nowdays, in vast majority of cases, new cars will weigh more simply because most consumers want more....more power, more room, more features, more luxury, more safety.....that all calls for a car that's bigger and heavier than the old one. Of course there are some exceptions but that usually applies to sports cars which occupy a very small niche in overall sales.

Petes550i

I jumped ship from Acura not because I disliked the changes made to the TL....otherwise, why would I have bought the TL in the first place? I jumped ship because I simply fell in love with the F10.

Gene

and it looks like members here will be buying/keeping their e60's for a bit longer......

Petes550i

Good for them..

Honestly, a part of me wants the F10 to not be as popular as the E60. I like it that my car is unique and different and stands out from the crowd. I see so many E60's every day, whenever I see one now, it gets me excited as seeing a Honda Accord....as bad it is to say but that's the truth.....the E60, as great a car as it is, is just too dated-looking these days. Just on my block alone, there are 2 other 5 series and 2 3 series.

swajames

The counter point of course is that the F10 is arguably too homogenized with its siblings. As soon as the production styling was released it was clear BMW was adopting a one sausage in three lengths approach. At a glance you can mistake an F10 with an F01. The upcoming 3 series replacement won't help in this regard. You may feel the E60 is dated, others (including me) may feel it still stands out and is aging gracefully - but you never mistook an E60 for a three or a seven... With the F10, that's no longer true.

Gene

give it a few years, when more used/cpo'd f10's hit the lots...you'll be seeing more of them around....I like my "accord" and other "accords" still turn my head when I see them on the road....

happy motoring...

Petes550i

Well of course you won't mistake the E60 for a 3 or a 7.....the E60 design is almost 8 years old! While BMW updated the designs on the 3 and 7 during the last 8 years, the basic design on the 5 has virtually remained the same. Whether you think that's good or bad is entirely one's own opinion but to me, in the automotive world terms, it's a fossil.