2009 5 series in Automobile Magazine
08-11-2006, 10:49 AM
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My Ride: '04 545iS 6 spd, bought new via eBay, 11/05; Blk/Gry, Cold, L7, PDC, BMW Rear seatcover for pets.
First "Bumwa" was a new 1971 2002. High performance 5s since 1987. Beamer motorcycles too, currently on an 07 BMW K1200 GT; also a Moto Guzzi 1000 SP III.
The latest edition of Automobile Magazine (25 Best Designs on cover) has a two-page spread on the 09 facelift for the 5 series. The pictures shown are large and reveal barely discernable changes to the uninitiated.
The tail lights are smaller, a beltline ridge rising toward the rear now encompasses the door handles...you get the picture...details.
Probabably the most significant news is the stretching of the wheelbase by about 2 inches, without increasing overall length. Finally backseaters will get some footroom all their own. That wheelbase increase should improve ride...unless they stick with RFTs.
They also say that the disliked SMG is dead, but then say a derivative version will be available. Not sure what they mean.
Check it out. Oh, and the old CS is among the 25 best-ever designs.
Cheers,
Ray Hull
The tail lights are smaller, a beltline ridge rising toward the rear now encompasses the door handles...you get the picture...details.
Probabably the most significant news is the stretching of the wheelbase by about 2 inches, without increasing overall length. Finally backseaters will get some footroom all their own. That wheelbase increase should improve ride...unless they stick with RFTs.
They also say that the disliked SMG is dead, but then say a derivative version will be available. Not sure what they mean.
Check it out. Oh, and the old CS is among the 25 best-ever designs.
Cheers,
Ray Hull
08-11-2006, 10:53 AM
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08-12-2006, 06:45 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
The rumored replacement for the BMW SMG is the Audi type DSG which is more automatic-ish. For some reason some people think we would like that better. It is more complex with dual clutches and dual input shafts which tries to guess which gear you want next. Other negatives is that it will sense when you want to shift, whether you actually do or not, and it will upshift. Not fun if your intent is to hold a gear in a turn and want to come out in the meaty part of the rev band only to find the car upshifted on your behalf. No launch control.
I hope they don't dump SMG as I like total control of the gears.
I hope they don't dump SMG as I like total control of the gears.
08-12-2006, 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by pennetta' post='321839' date='Aug 12 2006, 04:45 PM
I hope they don't dump SMG as I like total control of the gears.
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