[Scrapula]

For me, I bought the i5 because of the tech. I absolutely do not want a car to drive me. BMW is not the Ultimate Being Driven Machine. But, adaptive cruise with lane keep and DAPP preformed better than other cars I drove. I loved the light bar, the iconic sounds, and having enough leather to be comfortable but also look sleek and modern.

It was a hard decision between the i5 and the Lucid Air. The Lucid has the prettiest cabin I have ever seen in a car. More space inside, more storage. Better efficiency, better range, faster charging. The in-car technology is miles behind BMW as is their poor adaptive cruise, no parking assistance, Car Play was an afterthought and stuck at the side of a screen. The MyBMW app is way ahead of other traditional manufacturer cars as well.

Seriously look around at other EVs that people are buying. They are mostly the same inside. Either black or white pleather, an afterthought dashboard rectangle bolted behind the steering wheel plus a screen off to the side. Hard plastics everywhere, nothing soft touch. Lots of styrofoam with cheap carpet to cover. Everyone wanted to save weight.

[mjr24]

I don’t think it’s a comparison of a G30 thing that people are having issue with.

It’s the fact they are charging more now for these cars and they have put a bunch of cheap ass materials in them suddenly. I’m not aware of them doing this on any other higher up model (in other words, all the 3 series and X4 stuff are entry level models and don’t apply here).

But, like, no soft close doors? Why would I pay $130k for a M5 that doesn’t have soft close doors….has basic ass audio. Why would I pay $95k for a i5 M60 that basically has the inside quality now of a 3 series. I don’t care about the screens….as mentioned, I think most peoples’ issue with that is it’s just different than they are used to.

My bigger issue is some of the options they did come with are bad options. The wheel options suck. The real leather options suck….everything is two toned. Why?

I’ve said this in other threads…I believe BMW’s main focus with the 5 now is to sell the electric version. They realize people are cross shopping it against an ugly ass Benz EQ and the cheap Tesla and they realized they could cut a lot of options and still be better. This isn’t a cost thing, BMW is making record profits. They just realize, like a lot of companies since “COVID”….that they can give you less and you will still pay more for that. The problem is anything non-EV suffers in the 5 lineup because they have dumbed down all their features so people buy the EV. I think they are going to get a wake up with M5 sales…..most people don’t want anything to do with the new M5.

[Scrapula]

Very good points. I was specifically looking for an electric vehicle. Otherwise, I would have stayed in my Jaguar. On that note, I will be very interested to see what JLR produces.

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

I read their bread and butter sedan is still the 3 series. And the most sold BMW of all right now is actually the X3. They fit the vast majority of BMW buyers wallets. Most people move up to a 5er from a 3, and stay there, though some move up from a 5 to a 7. The 5 er is the top selling Executive Sedan. But not where most of BMW's sales come from.

2 series is made for slimmer wallets, and to build buyer loyalty. Most 2 series owners move up to a 3.

Regardless of whether it’s the highest selling model or not….its generally accepted that Mercedes makes the S the best and BMW makes the 5 the best. That’s what I mean by bread and butter.

[alewifebp]

I had a G30 years ago when that generation was first released, and can say at least one thing about the interior quality of the car. The base sensatec on the dashboard was so hideous I spent the extra money to get the leather dash. Many others did at the time as well.

The SUV/SAV market is where the money is, so spending huge resources on catering to the wide tastes of a dwindling market, the sedan, is not financially prudent. The cheap interior materials are disappointing but well documented here.

[DK5erAus]

There are a few users on here that have not come out of a G30 that don't fully understand the quality comparison issues that are being made.

A bit of background on the situation in Australia. We don't have a lot of choice in models like you guys have.

Australia's most popular variant in the G30 was the 530D. When G60 came out we got 520i, i5, and m60. BMW skipped the most popular variant. Electric just doesn't sell very well here and no one wants the underpowered 520i.

My local dealer has 2 early NEW 2023 M60's. Over a year old.

Retail on an M60 is $230k AUD. They have demo's with under 3000km for $160k. Crazy.

So after a year BMW decide to bring in the 540D. Specs look good. Its price is around $150k AUD.... (its very expensive given average prices of cars are around $70k)

Time is coming soon for me to replace my G30 530D with a new model (i do a lot of KM) - the natural progression is into a G60 540D... There are basically 5 options for a large sedan left in Australia. BMW 5/7, MB E Class, Audi A6/S6 and Toyota Camry...

Had a bad experience with Audi so thats out, MB e class only comes with an underpowered 4 cylinder. Toyota Camry - Boring...

So that leaves 1 option - BMW G60 540D. Its fully loaded standard...
Merino Leather, LED headlights, Bowers and Wilks, Head up Display, etc etc. Its got everything.

However the feel and quality is truly terrible. Surfaces feels like cheap and nasty plastic. Seat backs with the shell design, door trim feel, all not great.. Door close feels clunky too. Then we are limited to the 2 tone interiors which look terrible.

Want a black interior - Nope can't have it. Veganza black - Nope can't have it.

I want comfort seats, and the two tone on that is even worse. The seat backs, seat tops, door tops - all light grey - sorry but its ugly.....

I get a lot of you say DONT BUY it. Choices are limited here already!!

BMW have ruined the car by making it cheap and taking away the options. Not sure i will buy it yet. Its depressing that we no longer have what we want, especially at this price point.

My Audi experience was so bad that Audi had to buy my 2022 S6 back. It had so many faults they couldn't fix. However at this point i think i would roll the dice and take a chance that i would get lucky on a good one and would probably buy an Audi over the G60 because they can give me what i want. A car that feels like it has better quality materials with solid feeling doors and a black interior - even though it may not be as reliable as BMW.

At the very least - i would wait for an LCI update and hope that BMW change all the items everyone is complaining about.....

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by DK5erAus

However at this point i think i would roll the dice and take a chance that i would get lucky on a good one and would probably buy an Audi over the G60 because they can give me what i want.

I think that is the key - everyone needs to get what they want. We will probably never find a car that gives us everything we want, but we all have to pick the closest one we can find. Good luck with your pick, whichever way you go!

[Scrapula]

Last night, I watched Out of Spec and Kyle has a 2025 Lucid Air Grand Touring. I didn’t buy this last year, but the 2025 seems to have fixed a lot of the problems of earlier cars. If I was buying today, there would be no contest.

This video was just showing it on proving grounds, but more content wil be added. BMW needs to look closely at the competition. Better interior, way better handling, better acceleration with the ability to drive continuously at high speed, better efficiency, over 500 miles of range, etc.

[patch5674]

Originally Posted by DK5erAus

There are a few users on here that have not come out of a G30 that don't fully understand the quality comparison issues that are being made.

...
However the feel and quality is truly terrible. Surfaces feels like cheap and nasty plastic. Seat backs with the shell design, door trim feel, all not great.. Door close feels clunky too. Then we are limited to the 2 tone interiors which look terrible.

Want a black interior - Nope can't have it. Veganza black - Nope can't have it.

I want comfort seats, and the two tone on that is even worse. The seat backs, seat tops, door tops - all light grey - sorry but its ugly.....

I get a lot of you say DONT BUY it. Choices are limited here already!!

BMW have ruined the car by making it cheap and taking away the options. Not sure i will buy it yet. Its depressing that we no longer have what we want, especially at this price point.

My Audi experience was so bad that Audi had to buy my 2022 S6 back. It had so many faults they couldn't fix. However at this point i think i would roll the dice and take a chance that i would get lucky on a good one and would probably buy an Audi over the G60 because they can give me what i want. A car that feels like it has better quality materials with solid feeling doors and a black interior - even though it may not be as reliable as BMW.

At the very least - i would wait for an LCI update and hope that BMW change all the items everyone is complaining about.....

I really do understand this, I have not come from a G30 but I have spent a lot of time in a pre LCI G06 X6.

I could happily argue that that the first G generation of cars might go down as peak modern BMW, I think I drive 7 is the perfect blend of physical and manual controls etc.

But equally a lot of what you're saying is opinion, you don't like two tone, fair enough, but that isn't a quality issue.

People are annoyed because they can't add massaging seats and soft close doors, but these weren't standard options, a merino dash wasn't standard.

If there was a Tartufo and black Merino interior I would have been all over it but like you I didn't like the copper and grey so have gone Espresso Veganza, but this is choice.

I do understand things like no door sills. That is crazy - I had M sport sills on my old F40 1'er with full IDrive 7 - the LCI of that car is a complete downgrade.

I do accept BMW are cutting quality in some places, but I also think they aren't being given any credit for lifting it elsewhere.

For example as standard a Porsche Cayenne comes with a hard plastic dash, BMW have looked over the fence and realized they can do that too and people will still buy...

[patch5674]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

Last night, I watched Out of Spec and Kyle has a 2025 Lucid Air Grand Touring. I didn’t buy this last year, but the 2025 seems to have fixed a lot of the problems of earlier cars. If I was buying today, there would be no contest.

This video was just showing it on proving grounds, but more content wil be added. BMW needs to look closely at the competition. Better interior, way better handling, better acceleration with the ability to drive continuously at high speed, better efficiency, over 500 miles of range, etc.

Can you imagine if BMW released a car with as many faults as the Lucid Air for it's first year or two though. This forum would melt...

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by patch5674

Can you imagine if BMW released a car with as many faults as the Lucid Air for it's first year or two though. This forum would melt...

For sure. I didn’t buy a Lucid for a reason. Four years later, and it seems pretty solid now.

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

For sure. I didn’t buy a Lucid for a reason. Four years later, and it seems pretty solid now.

To me the interiors look like an 80’s Buick - maybe I just don’t like that steering wheel, but I’ll take the BMW styling any day of the week. I guess we’re all different ;-)

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

To me the interiors look like an 80’s Buick - maybe I just don’t like that steering wheel, but I’ll take the BMW styling any day of the week. I guess we’re all different ;-)

I sat in one and it’s definitely different. Very mid century modern look with wood, leather, alcantara on all surfaces. The wood on the center console is very pretty.

[Ossian]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

I sat in one and it’s definitely different. Very mid century modern look with wood, leather, alcantara on all surfaces. The wood on the center console is very pretty.

I agree, I think that it is one of the most interesting cabins in the segment. I am watching the Air, and the company, closely. If they keep growing and their quality evens out, I am pretty sure that Lucid will be near the top of my list when my M60 lease is up. We will also, of course, have actual Neue Klasse BMW's to compare by then as well.

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by Ossian

I agree, I think that it is one of the most interesting cabins in the segment. I am watching the Air, and the company, closely. If they keep growing and their quality evens out, I am pretty sure that Lucid will be near the top of my list when my M60 lease is up. We will also, of course, have actual Neue Klasse BMW's to compare by then as well.

Yes, it will be a tough call. The Lucid Grand Touring has soft close doors, 18-way adjustable seats, and massage. The Touring spec lacks massage and it can’t be optioned. I’d go Grand Touring. 0-60 in 3.0 and 512 miles of range, 800v charging.

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

Yes, it will be a tough call. The Lucid Grand Touring has soft close doors, 18-way adjustable seats, and massage. The Touring spec lacks massage and it can’t be optioned. I’d go Grand Touring. 0-60 in 3.0 and 512 miles of range, 800v charging.

I think the biggest detractor for me, on the thought of purchasing a Lucid product is serviceability; either with scheduled maintenance or incidental vehicle breakdowns.

If you look at the placement of their service centers they're very far and few between across the United States. They don't even have a center in every State. I'd either have a choice of driving to Coldwater, MI (4 hours) or Chicago, IL (6 hours). If you had a breakdown between New Mexico and Chicago, you're pretty much hosed. Heck, if you had a breakdown between Seattle and San Francisco, you're hosed, too.

They're beautiful cars, but they'd have to get another 5-10 years of experience and growth before I'd personally consider one.

[Scrapula]

There is a service center in Seattle, which is why I considered one last year. It’s actually a stones throw from BMW Seattle. The build price was almost identical between the i5 M60 and the Air Touring. BMW was and is far ahead in technology with their navigation, heads up display, self parking, DAPP, phone app. The Lucid had faster charging, better range by over 100 miles, same 0-60 speed, more leather, wood, Alcantera, bigger trunk, frunk, more passenger space, self closing doors, door sills, etc.

I didn’t think they were ready yet. And they are still far behind in car technology, but ahead in battery technology. It will be interesting to see what happens in a few more years.

[Bklyn]

Originally Posted by mel12345

Hi all,

Picked up my new BMW i5 edrive40 last week and am not enjoying it so far.
Coming from a full-spec G30, this is a real let down. At the moment the following issues make me not enjoying the car

- The sound (H&K) is REALLY bad! When doing a higher volume, the speakers just almost explode.
- Inconsistent digital key; Sometimes it just opens/closes randomly when near the car and keep standing on the same place
- Mirrors sometimes do not fold out; Maybe also due to the digital key thing? But i have had twice that the mirrors where folded in while driving and had to manually open them up with the button
- Build quality; Everything is CHEAP...the plastics, the (sport) seats, everything. I do not know why the did this, it is so bad compared to the G30.
- Wheels; I know, i picked them myself (without any example), but are there any cars with worse rims (< 21")?
- Software slow; The software is just really slow and not 'snappy'. When moving in the map, it looks like someone is flipping a paper roadmap or something...
- Missing door sill protection; Not even a sticker!
- Dripping sound; Already read about this (airco related), but no re-call according to the dealer
- Not live 'remote camera view'; The dealer said this would be like Tesla, however it is like getting a webcam visual from 15 years ago, no live view
- Normal home charger; This is not part of the default equipment (although they said it was)..the car is 95K, even a Kia of 30k has one

All combined, this is not the car for me...however i have a lease for four years, so have to deal with it i guess.
Anyone else having second thoughts on the G60?

I have no idea what you're talking about. LOL

Join my countdown, I think I'm down to 28 more months before I am out.

I have started to look at it as an adventure as to what wont work as designed next. Going to my dealer is so bad I don't even bother anymore.
I STRONGLY suggest you learn how to use the software reset procedure. I use it so often I'm surprised it hasn't broken yet.

I will say if BMW was half as good as the members here it might be a perfect vehicle.

[F10_Freq]

Worst car ever? Come on. I love my i5. It drives and feels great. No one has gone into my i5 and was not blown away. It’s leagues above most cars out there any day of the week.
The car doesn’t feel entry level BMW at all…I have zero rattles and everything feels put together well (with a few minor exceptions of course). Besides, don’t they have to use more plastics and skimp in places to keep the weight down?

The stock HK sound in the G60 is definitely a massive upgrade to the stock sound on the G30. The stock sound system in the G30 was atrocious. That’s what you have to compare. You have a B&W system upgrade available if you want.

I also find the sport seats very comfortable and the veganza is a much more comfortable material than past plethers. Sure it doesn’t have all the motorized adjustments my other 5-series seats have had, but there are adjustable side bolsters and I love that.

Also cool is the tech and the beautiful OLED screen rocks. iDrive is easy to use too. Has a ton of great features and integration with CarPlay is really well done. Of course there are bugs and some quirks, but what doesn’t. Highway Assist is way more useful than on the G30 as well.

Overall a fantastic new start for the platform. Can’t wait to see what’s in the LCI.

[aptekcom]

Originally Posted by F10_Freq

Worst car ever? Come on. I love my i5. It drives and feels great. No one has gone into my i5 and was not blown away. It’s leagues above most cars out there any day of the week.
The car doesn’t feel entry level BMW at all…I have zero rattles and everything feels put together well (with a few minor exceptions of course). Besides, don’t they have to use more plastics and skimp in places to keep the weight down?

The stock HK sound in the G60 is definitely a massive upgrade to the stock sound on the G30. The stock sound system in the G30 was atrocious. That’s what you have to compare. You have a B&W system upgrade available if you want.

I also find the sport seats very comfortable and the veganza is a much more comfortable material than past plethers. Sure it doesn’t have all the motorized adjustments my other 5-series seats have had, but there are adjustable side bolsters and I love that.

Also cool is the tech and the beautiful OLED screen rocks. iDrive is easy to use too. Has a ton of great features and integration with CarPlay is really well done. Of course there are bugs and some quirks, but what doesn’t. Highway Assist is way more useful than on the G30 as well.

Overall a fantastic new start for the platform. Can’t wait to see what’s in the LCI.

This exactly. Everyone that gets in my car is amazed. I still get excited everyday to drive it. Sure if you nitpick it, there are a few things that would be nice to have but those are reserved for the 7 series. I’m ok with that.

[Elliston]

Hi all

Just read all the comments on this thread with interest.

I have a 530e on order in the uk. G61 touring with comfort plus and tech pack. I understand I can upgrade some tech bits from the online store over the air post delivery.

I took a 48 hour test drive to fully understand range and charge times and used it on my work commute. Really made sure it worked for me.

I tried the standard seat and comfort seats on 3 occasions in the dealership and test drives to reach the conclusion I wanted to pay more for the comfort seats. I didn’t give this the right amount of attention when getting my current 3 series.

Went for a a light grey colour this time instead of a dark grey and darker seats instead of the oyster colour I currently have. I wanted to mix it up and feel it was a proper change of car - including the colour.

I Was also taken out in an i5 but decided I didn’t want full electric yet.

Tech pack for surround cameras and hud.

I am currently in a 3 series G20. Love that car but can’t wait for the 5 to arrive.

I wasn’t keen on the new 8.5 I drive when I saw it online, but after trying it in person I was surprised how transferable my knowledge of I drive 7 was. Bigger screens and a few less physical buttons. I can adapt.

For me, going from a 3 to 5 is a massive upgrade. I couldnt believe how small and old looking/feeling my G20 was after spending 48 hours in a new 530e!

My sales guy was super helpful. He’s getting paid to make a sale of course, but that doesn’t always seem to ensure a good experience these days. I found all the staff at my local dealership friendly and easy to ask questions of.

And I did ask questions. Lots on email about the electric side of the car.

I am pretty confident when it arrives it will tick my boxes.

A new car is a big investment. I work hard and the car is the only perk I afford myself. My wife was happy to see me spec a car and be reallly excited about it. My kids are pleased to see bigger rear seats that are also heated! And I am sure our dog will enjoy the touring boot.

That was my experience in specifying and trying the new 5 for me. The only other thing I did was drive the price to a point I was happy with and felt I was given a good deal.

Cheers guys 👍

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by Elliston

Hi all

Just read all the comments on this thread with interest.

I have a 530e on order in the uk. G61 touring...

Congratulations! It's nice to hear a story on here with a happy ending. I hope your new car is as satisfying as you expect it to be. I'm very happy with mine and also consider it a perk and take care of it like it's my baby.