I've always been a Bimmer fan.. E30, E34, E36, E38 I've had the pleasures of owning or driving for years. Like all cars there are some type of quirks that you just live with or around lol.
Conversion to dark side complete - 2013 BMW 535i
Pole Position
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 89
From: Singapore
The 5 series is a nice car but this statement isn't true any more. The Audi A6 and Lexus 4GS has surpassed it in terms driving dynamics and handling. At least according to several recent reviews in motoring magazines and blogs.
It may still lead in terms of luxury and looks (all subjective IMO) but in terms of skidpad grip, slalom speed and several other objective measures of handling, it isn't the Ultimate Driving Machine anymore.
Still a great car (you can't go too far wrong with cars in this segment) but the Ultimate in handling or driving involvement it is not. More like the second or third-most Ultimate Driving Machine.
Not a BMW hater too since I really liked the new 3 series' handling and loved the upcoming 4 series concept design inside and out. Who knows, I may join you in the dark side later next year but it'll probably be the 4 series that does the trick. The 3/4 series is how a 5 series should handle. The current F10 5 series is just too ponderous for my tastes.
But hey different strokes for different folks. What matters in the end is that you enjoy your car.
It may still lead in terms of luxury and looks (all subjective IMO) but in terms of skidpad grip, slalom speed and several other objective measures of handling, it isn't the Ultimate Driving Machine anymore.
Still a great car (you can't go too far wrong with cars in this segment) but the Ultimate in handling or driving involvement it is not. More like the second or third-most Ultimate Driving Machine.
Not a BMW hater too since I really liked the new 3 series' handling and loved the upcoming 4 series concept design inside and out. Who knows, I may join you in the dark side later next year but it'll probably be the 4 series that does the trick. The 3/4 series is how a 5 series should handle. The current F10 5 series is just too ponderous for my tastes.
But hey different strokes for different folks. What matters in the end is that you enjoy your car.
Last edited by natnut; Dec 12, 2012 at 05:49 AM.
The 535i is a very nice car.I almost went for one but the GS was a better lease or buy deal after the nickle and dime option situation of both the 5 Series and the A6.
A comparably equipped 535ix was around $8K more on the sticker.
A comparably equipped 535ix was around $8K more on the sticker.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 24
From: Washington
The 5 series is a nice car but this statement isn't true any more. The Audi A6 and Lexus 4GS has surpassed it in terms driving dynamics and handling. At least according to several recent reviews in motoring magazines and blogs.
It may still lead in terms of luxury and looks (all subjective IMO) but in terms of skidpad grip, slalom speed and several other objective measures of handling, it isn't the Ultimate Driving Machine anymore.
Still a great car (you can't go too far wrong with cars in this segment) but the Ultimate in handling or driving involvement it is not. More like the second or third-most Ultimate Driving Machine.
Not a BMW hater too since I really liked the new 3 series' handling and loved the upcoming 4 series concept design inside and out. Who knows, I may join you in the dark side later next year but it'll probably be the 4 series that does the trick. The 3/4 series is how a 5 series should handle. The current F10 5 series is just too ponderous for my tastes.
But hey different strokes for different folks. What matters in the end is that you enjoy your car.
It may still lead in terms of luxury and looks (all subjective IMO) but in terms of skidpad grip, slalom speed and several other objective measures of handling, it isn't the Ultimate Driving Machine anymore.
Still a great car (you can't go too far wrong with cars in this segment) but the Ultimate in handling or driving involvement it is not. More like the second or third-most Ultimate Driving Machine.
Not a BMW hater too since I really liked the new 3 series' handling and loved the upcoming 4 series concept design inside and out. Who knows, I may join you in the dark side later next year but it'll probably be the 4 series that does the trick. The 3/4 series is how a 5 series should handle. The current F10 5 series is just too ponderous for my tastes.
But hey different strokes for different folks. What matters in the end is that you enjoy your car.
Guest
Posts: n/a
And you needed to come in here to defend that? With cars like the new GS, LFA (which BMW has no answer to) the market is muddied and those clear lines are no longer clear anymore. And we as consumers are lucky to have such cars to be able to drive and own.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
The turbo 306 HP engine with various modes and paddle shifters is awesome. I grin when i switch to sports++ and with paddle shifts, impressive shifting speeds....
...I may come back to the LEX world after a comparable vehicle intices me but for now, I'll stick with the ultimate driving machine.
Congrats on the car, solid overall and really can't go wrong in this class right now... unless of course you get the Infiniti M or Acura RL.
You must still be lusting after the GS, as the GS is the one with 306 HP, the 535i is 300
And as for the title "Ultimate Driving Machine" most have found that title now belongs more to the GS350 F-Sport than the 5 series.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 24
From: Washington
You are hilarious. I don't think you understood my post. I was just saying I'm pretty sure the OP wasn't saying the car was actually best-in-class in driving dynamics, but rather just saying "ultimate driving machine" instead of BMW, which is a nod to the ad slogan, not necessarily reality.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,633
Likes: 281
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Congratulations. 
I hope you like the Carbon-Black color (especially in the summer) as much a few years down the road as you do today. But I don't think there's much doubt that, even if it dosn't have Camry-type reliability, you will enjoy driving this car a lot more than a run-of-the-mill Camry.
I hope you like the Carbon-Black color (especially in the summer) as much a few years down the road as you do today. But I don't think there's much doubt that, even if it dosn't have Camry-type reliability, you will enjoy driving this car a lot more than a run-of-the-mill Camry.
Last edited by mmarshall; Dec 12, 2012 at 10:43 AM.
Great pick up congrats. I still say while the 5 isn't the sportiest in class anymore to me it is the most logical in class. It really is a great all around vehicle.
And you needed to come in here to defend that? With cars like the new GS, LFA (which BMW has no answer to) the market is muddied and those clear lines are no longer clear anymore. And we as consumers are lucky to have such cars to be able to drive and own.
And you needed to come in here to defend that? With cars like the new GS, LFA (which BMW has no answer to) the market is muddied and those clear lines are no longer clear anymore. And we as consumers are lucky to have such cars to be able to drive and own.