[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

What's significantly different, beyond the decrease in available options? I've never ridden in a G30. Is it that the soft touch points have changed?
The tactile feel of surfaces?

One thing I did note (I currently have a Audi A5 with a G60 on order) is that the material they used for the base plate on the mirror/window controls is some type of courser textured material.

deutsch100 answered this well. The center console is in piano black that looks no better than black plastic is a bad one too.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

Our other vehicle is a Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum. It does have a partial leather dash and alcantara door panels, but the lower door is worse plastic than the i5. It cost $98k. It does have a dual opening roof.

I think plastic must be the norm until you hit $120k

I would never compare a ford to a bmw… the utility a large truck brings has a lot of $value where the price comparison is very hard to make. American cars are all stuffed with hard plastics no mattter the price. That’s why we are here at bmw

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

100%. Just give us the option to spend more money and make the car nicer. What’s so hard there?!

This. If BMW had spent a little more for nicer materials and more physical buttons, and charged a few $000 more, I’d be on board. I mean really…how much are they saving by leaving off the stitching on the steering wheel airbag cover that is the same as the M5 and 7er? That’s one small thing (and there’s a good list of cheap omissions) but as I’ve said before in this forum…it’s a luxury car and details matter. As it is I’m going to see how long my G30 will last before I don’t have much choice but to jump into a G60.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

It’s interesting to read the dialogue on the compare and contrast between the G30 and G60. I mentioned to my Client Advisor about the polarization on forums such as these, and he just rolled his eyes.

He said, “Todd, I’ve been selling BMWs for years and every time there’s a generational change, with any model the world ends and there’s drama. The people will either buy it or go to another brand, but for every one person doesn’t like it, there will be a new customer who does.”

I’m probably that new customer. I don’t mind the styling of the G30, it’s very well thought out. It was probably striking 7 years ago when it came out. It’s aging well, but it’s not something I’d want. I do wish the G60 had better side profile body lines, but the more aggressive front end appeals to me more.

Clearly, BMW is doing something right that the majority of discerning people enjoy. You don’t get crowned as 2024 World Luxury Car, for making an abysmal product.

Interesting take by a CA who probably isn’t selling as much as he used to because of these changes and doesn’t want you to know. My CA was pretty much the polar opposite…he conceded the change isn’t being accepted like past models (lack of buttons, big screens, size, weight, material differences, etc) and said the i5, and to a lesser extent the 530i, aren’t selling well in general. Btw, most manufacturers are putting their investment into SUVs not luxury sedans so that award doesn’t mean the same as it did 10 or 20 years ago. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a committed 5er customer but BMW could have done better.

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

It’s interesting to read the dialogue on the compare and contrast between the G30 and G60. I mentioned to my Client Advisor about the polarization on forums such as these, and he just rolled his eyes.

He said, “Todd, I’ve been selling BMWs for years and every time there’s a generational change, with any model the world ends and there’s drama. The people will either buy it or go to another brand, but for every one person doesn’t like it, there will be a new customer who does.”

I’m probably that new customer. I don’t mind the styling of the G30, it’s very well thought out. It was probably striking 7 years ago when it came out. It’s aging well, but it’s not something I’d want. I do wish the G60 had better side profile body lines, but the more aggressive front end appeals to me more.

Clearly, BMW is doing something right that the majority of discerning people enjoy. You don’t get crowned as 2024 World Luxury Car, for making an abysmal product.

That’s his opinion…..but starting to cut corners while raising the prices doesn’t equal out to more customers. The more they raise the prices regardless of the quality….they start losing customers.

These are $95k cars…..it’s ridiculous the center console is the size of a 1989 Pontiac.

[mjr24]

I almost think you can blame COVID for this. Car makers saw that they could give you less and charge you more and you will still buy it. Then again, any manufacturer of goods realized this….

It’s not a coincidence that’s when this started…

[Kennethjk]

Truth be told, I have been driving BMWs since 1983 and never thought that much of their interior. Overall pretty stark to me.

Never had a problem with it and all I cared about was how they drive.

My first BMW was the 320i, and then , 325, 330, 528, 525, 530, 540, 550, 645, 735, 740 il, z3, x3’s probably 30 in all if not more.

None of the interiors stood out.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by Kennethjk

Truth be told, I have been driving BMWs since 1983 and never thought that much of their interior. Overall pretty stark to me.

Never had a problem with it and all I cared about was how they drive.

My first BMW was the 320i, and then , 325, 330, 528, 525, 530, 540, 550, 645, 735, 740 il, z3, x3’s probably 30 in all if not more.

None of the interiors stood out.

That is a lot of cars. Did you just swap out of a lease every 3 years or so? Why so many? Just curious. This question coming from a guy who has owned 3 cars in his life, including the one I drive now. LOL

[Kennethjk]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

That is a lot of cars. Did you just swap out of a lease every 3 years or so? Why so many? Just curious. This question coming from a guy who has owned 3 cars in his life, including the one I drive now. LOL

I was driving around 30k miles for a lot of years and my leases were 2 years and 50 k miles. My wife also had a BMW and for some years we had 3 cars all BMWs and for a few years 4 cars, have a home in Florida where I had a car for a few years)
All adds up after driving 54 years and BMWs for 41 years.

In addition although some of my cars were not leased, my wife’s cars are always leased and she likes cars, so some of those 3 years leases were ended early thru BMWs pull ahead program. In effect many of her leases ended up to be 2.5 years not the full 3. BMW does not charge any penalty or fees to turn in early if you get another BMW.

[paprmkr]

Originally Posted by MikeElmendorf

As the previous owner of a 2018 540 and 2021 M550, both with leather dash, etc—and several X5s, including our current 2022, it is impossible to dispute the lessening of the interior material quality in the new 5.

I thought it would be a deal breaker for me, but liked the M60 so much when I drove it I figured I’d go for it. I’ve not regretted it.

I do hope that the quality of interior materials increases in future model years and very nice options like the leather dash, etc return. I am particularly irked by the plastic center of the steering wheel. The wheel itself is beautiful with the M colored stitching—come on, BMW.

Agree with those who have said they wish there was a luxury package or something like that. I’d check that off in an instant.

Compared to what every manufacturer is using how they trying to cut back and the details as you mentioned, I think BMW still the better if we go by comparing it to an old vehicle they used real cows today are vehicles are built with carbon footprints in mind, energy savings cost in mind and that we see it in the finished product but still BMW i five is one of the better if not the best that’s in the market for EV right now along with the other German cars

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by Kennethjk

Truth be told, I have been driving BMWs since 1983 and never thought that much of their interior. Overall pretty stark to me.

Never had a problem with it and all I cared about was how they drive.

My first BMW was the 320i, and then , 325, 330, 528, 525, 530, 540, 550, 645, 735, 740 il, z3, x3’s probably 30 in all if not more.

None of the interiors stood out.

I first looked at a BMW in 1986. It was purely functional without luxury with a perfect driving position. By the late 90’s, I was looking for a little luxury. I test drove an M3, but it was still basic and functional. I just drove Mazda’s in the 2000’s who actually had great interiors. I’m not sure when BMW transitioned to more luxury in models less than the 7 series.

[Kennethjk]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

I first looked at a BMW in 1986. It was purely functional without luxury with a perfect driving position. My the late 90’s, I was looking for a little luxury. I test drove an M3, but it was still basic and functional. I just drove Mazda’s in the 2000’s who actually had great interiors. I’m not sure when BMW transitioned to more luxury in models less than the 7 series.

Granted I haven’t driven a 7 series in a while but even my 750 or GT 550 didn’t seem so great. For some reason I always thought mercedes interiors were nicer.
I did drive an x7 as a loaner a few years ago but don’t remember the interior