Originally Posted by pjinca' post='1002374' date='Sep 9 2009, 01:48 AM

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?!?!

Originally Posted by Rudy' post='1002324' date='Sep 9 2009, 01:06 AM

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

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...

Originally Posted by Rudy' post='1002110' date='Sep 8 2009, 06:21 PM

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...

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...

Originally Posted by Rudy' post='1002110' date='Sep 8 2009, 08:21 PM

I think it's all about the Panamera and, after seeing some photos of the Porsche ....

Originally Posted by Rudy' post='1002110' date='Sep 8 2009, 09:21 PM

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...
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...

Originally Posted by m630' post='1002894' date='Sep 9 2009, 06:36 PM

....................... we'll have to see how they market it in the US, but as they are only initially offering the 550GT, im sure its going to be quite exclusive and pricey, but still far short of the price for the Panamera.

Originally Posted by Hawkwing' post='1004726' date='Sep 11 2009, 07:21 AM

Pricing in the UK - basic price (excluding local taxes etc.): 550i GT SE 43,652 (+ taxes price 51,340); 550i GT Executive 45,521 (+ taxes price 53,490) (all pounds sterling.) Allow (will need) 10k for options circa 61k to 63k pounds sterling on the road price in the UK.

A current 550i SE including taxes is 45,960; 550i Sport is 48,470 - you'd have to include at least 10k for options, therefore circa 58k for the Sport on the road price in the UK - A rough and ready comparison is the GT is circa 5k more expensive than the current 550i, ummmmm...................

I agree the back-end is not pretty!

Originally Posted by v_therussian' post='1002330' date='Sep 8 2009, 10:11 PM

guess I'll have to be the devil's advocate here...