Is anyone else worried? (Car & Driver 535 review)

[recentrisk]

Has anyone read the new Car & Driver comparison between the 535i, the new Infiniti M37 and Audi A6 3.0T? The 535i came in LAST PLACE!!!! The major issue was loss of steering feel, which has always been a strong point of BMWs. I assume the M5 will have a completely revamped steering mechanism? Does anyone have any info on this? I am starting to worry about the sporty-ness of my new M5.

[E in Phila]

I drove a 545 and I think the Car & Driver review was spot on. The car was fast, but felt detached. It was too quiet, the steering felt numb, and it had an auto tranny which added to the sense of luxury over sport.

That said, I would think the M treatment would solve most of those problems. What it won't solve is that the new 5 is quite a large car... as the salesman told me it's more a small 7 than a large 3.

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by E in Phila

I drove a 545 and I think the Car & Driver review was spot on.

ATM the F10 doesn't come in '545i'. So I guess you drove it's predecessor the E60?

About the C&D verdict. Drive the F10 a bit more than just a few hours and you'll see the F10 hasn't lost its pedigree, au contraire.You just HAVE TO GET USED TO the electric steering.
I've done 2000 miles with this car and tomorrow I'm taking it for a spin to Brussels, Luxemburg, Bern(CH), and Siena(I). Highwayexpress.

Cheers
Robin

[E in Phila]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

ATM the F10 doesn't come in '545i'. So I guess you drove it's predecessor the E60?

About the C&D verdict. Drive the F10 a bit more than just a few hours and you'll see the F10 hasn't lost its pedigree, au contraire.You just HAVE TO GET USED TO the electric steering.
I've done 2000 miles with this car and tomorrow I'm taking it for a spin to Brussels, Luxemburg, Bern(CH), and Siena(I). Highwayexpress.

Cheers
Robin

Actually, I fell back on old terminology... it was a 550.

I certainly didn't drive it enough to fully pass judgement, but there a few things I didn't like. It was too quiet for me. Although in that segment I realize quiet is generally considered a virtue, I would have liked more V8 sound on hard acceleration. The auto transmission felt like an auto transmission... and I have a strong preference for stick (easily remedied when ordering the car). And then the steering, which at least in my brief drive felt a bit numb. It's a very large car, and felt it.

Part of the problem is the last 5 I had was an E39 M5. Certainly I can't expect the 550 to be as raw, but I have to say the driving experience underwhelmed me overall. Make it a stick, with a bit more sound and a bit tighter steering feel and my response would have been very different. A sport version of the car would probably fix all my complaints.

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by E in Phila

Actually, I fell back on old terminology... it was a 550.

I certainly didn't drive it enough to fully pass judgement, but there a few things I didn't like. It was too quiet for me. Although in that segment I realize quiet is generally considered a virtue, I would have liked more V8 sound on hard acceleration. The auto transmission felt like an auto transmission... and I have a strong preference for stick (easily remedied when ordering the car). And then the steering, which at least in my brief drive felt a bit numb. It's a very large car, and felt it.

Part of the problem is the last 5 I had was an E39 M5. Certainly I can't expect the 550 to be as raw, but I have to say the driving experience underwhelmed me overall. Make it a stick, with a bit more sound and a bit tighter steering feel and my response would have been very different. A sport version of the car would probably fix all my complaints.

I'd say: F10 M5.

Problem solved.

[E in Phila]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

I'd say: F10 M5.

Problem solved.

Oh believe me... I'm salivating over the prospect of that thing!

We'll have to see how the markets, childrens' tuitions, and so forth play out before I can dare to dream too much.

[listerone]

Originally Posted by E in Phila

We'll have to see how the markets, childrens' tuitions, and so forth play out before I can dare to dream too much.

Children's tuition? Hey,let them get football scholarships!

[E in Phila]

Originally Posted by listerone

Children's tuition? Hey,let them get football scholarships!

They're little girls, so I'm going to need another plan besides football! I like the concept though.