Okay, so I've been watching all the 5GT stuff develop over the last year or so (since we first started posting official BMW photos, videos, etc.) and although I realize some think it's ugly, I've never hated it very much. To me, it looks like one of those designs that we'll all begin to like more and more with time (like many did with the E60.)

Anyway, my biggest thing with this car had more to do with the "Why?" of it all. Like the X6, I wondered why BMW even chose to build the thing and was always trying to figure out what target market they were aiming for and/or what car from the competition they set their sights on...

Well today, it hit me -- again, if everyone else already knew this and I'm just now getting it, then oh well, I'm slowing down in my old age... :whistle: :doh:

I think it's all about the Panamera and, after seeing some photos of the Porsche, I have to say that BMW should do pretty well against it. The Panamera looks pretty good but still has that awkward look to it that'll probably take some getting used to but if you're into a four-door hatchback, the BMW should be much less expensive than the Porsche and offer a similar experience... :cool:

I assume you've prepared yourself for a very spirited debate with swajames. You know there's no way he's going to your statement, the 5GT providing a similar experience to the Panemara, stand. :lol:

I was thinking of him as I typed my message! :whistle:

I'm not worried about any major debate...I realize that from a pure performance standpoint, the Porsche will prevail. I'm just seeing that the two cars are comparable in many other areas and I have to believe that someone who is attracted to the Panamera might also take a look at the BMW, and vice versa.

I figured as much. ;)

I'm not going to pass judgement yet, as I was not a fan of the E60 prior to its unveiling, but I have to say that Panamera is not my cup of tea at all. Outside of the Cayenne, Porsche is a 2 door, not a 4 door car.

Stephen - You know you wish you still had your 550! :P

I'm with you -- I'm not a fan of the Cayenne either since I've always felt that Porsche should stick to 2 door sports cars. Someone out there in automotive marketing land has studied this crap and must've figured out that there's a market for these 4-door hatchbacks... :think:

Actually, I pretty much agree with all the posts here! Thinking about it I suspect Rudy's absolutely right and there's no getting away from the fact that the 5GT will be a strong performer. I'm still getting used to the design, but my only real issue with the 5GT was really that the E61 was such a good all-rounder, it seemed a shame for BMW to pull it from the US market. As a way to get people ready for the F10 and a competitor to other new cars like the Panamera it's probably a role that that 5GT could play very well. The early reviews certainly seem very positive. Just this once, I'm prepared to concede that I may have had the 5GT wrong all along!

I'm glad I was sitting down when I read that! :D

I think the demise of the E61 style cars is a shame as well but I think people are starting to look at that design as boring -- sort of like the way people look at minivans instead of SUVs. In other words, these new hatchback style sedans, I think, will be looked upon as "cooler" than a station wagon just as people look at SUVs as being cooler than minivans as family vehicles...

:rolleyes: guess I'll have to be the devil's advocate here... :ermm:
http://germancarscene.com/wp-content...a-24-10-07.jpg

Vlad, the front of that car is very nice. It's when you get around to the rear half (specifically the rear end) the designers lost me. They had a chance to create a real world class grand tourer - and blew it. I am sure the car will perform well enough, but the look of the rear end is HORRID, what were they thinking?!?! :(