[G30Nashville]

As anybody can see from previous posts, I picked up an i5 eDrive 40 earlier this week. Coming from a G30 540i, this is certainly a different driving experience compared to the B58 engine - which I will miss dearly.

I’ve been here long enough to see the common complaints with the G60 - cheap feeling interior, more plastic, etc.

While I agree with most of those items, I am really impressed with the build quality of the i5. Now I didn’t drive the G60 530 or 540 so I can’t compare, but the doors and the car overall just feels more solid. The doors themselves are super heavy. Again, I know the car weighs over 2 tons as an EV, but I’m very impressed with the base fit and finish.

The Nappa leather seats in my 540 will also be missed, but the new iDrive and infotainment set up is certainly an impressive jump. I find the HK audio on par with the G30 system. Speakers are still breaking in, but I’m not hating it.

Will I go back to ICE? Maybe, but so far I’m enjoying this car and it’s growing on me everyday.

[RichardInCA]

Agreed - I think the other factor that really impresses me is that with the electric motor being so smooth and quiet, any rattles or noises are accentuated. I’ve really come to appreciate that with time.

[patch5674]

I agree regarding the doors they are super heavy. In the UK you do a lot of street parking and your car can end up on a slight tilt and opening the passenger door can be quite hard.

My G61 is my first 5er after an F40 1 and a G21 3. So I never owned a G30, but I do think the complaints about the G60 are massively overblown. As a place to sit and cruise around/daily drive and crucialyl a car to live with. I think it is seriously good. I think that about all recent G series BMW's, which is why i think they are doing well.

I get that maybe some of the options aren't available like soft close and extended merino. but equally I think people are comparing fully loaded G30's with base spec G60's.

Veganza is also a huge step up from Sensatec/fin and honestly whatever the dashboard is covered in, really doesn't bother me and is actually fine.

The one ONE thing I do think looks cheap and does annoy me is the lack of sill plates, and the fact that BMW are selling them as really basic stickers for hundreds of pounds for a full set. I will probably buy them, but begrudgingly.


My wifes VW Tiguan has illuminated sills, the new Audi 6 E Trons have them, Merc EQE, E Class have them.

On a related note though, it does seem like BMW MIGHT have pushed it too far with the new X3. I have watched quite a few YT videos where reviewers are picking up a reduction in outright cabin quality which if replicated on next 3 series and the NK X3 would be very disappointing...

[desalvorw]

Whereas many people miss some of the finer touches contained in previous generations of leather and luxe materials in spots, I love my i5 just the way it is. Build quality and cabin comfort is extremely high, while also providing an easier avenue to maintaining it. I have 2 boys (10 and 6), and every mess they’ve tried to make so far I have been able to bring it back to pristine condition. I plan on keeping this car for 10 years. I understand many people like more opulence, especially on the lease side and for the cost of these vehicles, but I still feel wrapped in luxury with a high build quality and easy to maintain car that I will keep until my kids are grown.

With some controls, my recommendation is to use voice/shortcuts/gestures as much as possible. I have a efficient mode under one of the gestures.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by desalvorw

Whereas many people miss some of the finer touches contained in previous generations of leather and luxe materials in spots, I love my i5 just the way it is. Build quality and cabin comfort is extremely high, while also providing an easier avenue to maintaining it. I have 2 boys (10 and 6), and every mess they’ve tried to make so far I have been able to bring it back to pristine condition. I plan on keeping this car for 10 years. I understand many people like more opulence, especially on the lease side and for the cost of these vehicles, but I still feel wrapped in luxury with a high build quality and easy to maintain car that I will keep until my kids are grown.

With some controls, my recommendation is to use voice/shortcuts/gestures as much as possible. I have a efficient mode under one of the gestures.

I'm of the same mind as you. Plan to keep the car for a long time, and it's my first BMW so I don't miss all the stuff in previous ones. Coming from a 20 year old Toyota Tundra pickup truck, this car feels great. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

[Scrapula]

I’m also in for the long haul. I wanted a vehicle that I would be happy with when I retire in a few years. Yes, it’s missing a few things that were in my Jaguar, but this is overall a much better vehicle. The leather is higher quality, screens are more responsive, and it’s just a calming experience. I’ve never once experienced road rage while driving. There is just something about the ambiance that keeps me relaxed and happy.

[Tommy_hf]

Actually, while i miss the luxury feel of my previous g30 with extended tartufo, alcantara headliner, b&w diamond with rear Seat entertainment, massaging Seats with the great comfort seats as well as the soft close, the actual build quality and rattle or creak free-ness of my current i5 is superior.

[Blue Sky]

This is a SWAG, but you know since EVs are generally pretty quiet and upmarket models have emphasis on making sure the HVAC and coolant systems and (noise insulated tires) are quieter than their ICE counterparts since those noises stand out more, it may be the case that since the G60 was designed to accomodate the BEV i5 variants, that the ICE variants on the G60 platform also benefit.

[COBodom]

G60 build quality (aka gaps, creaks, squeaks, rattles etc) is solid and definitely not any worse than G30. I remember G30 dashboard in hot summer would produce a cacophony of sounds when I turned on cold AC.

However, choice of materials and their quality in G60 is a different story. Much worse than G30. I am not talking about Merino in G30 vs Veganza in G60, I am talking apples to apples and basic high touch surfaces that have been mentioned many times (visors, door cards, switches, almost non-existent stitching, etc).

I just actually noticed another comically cheap item; the physical seat switches on the side of the seats in G60. They have a white strip painted on them, whereas in G30 they were made of two materials, black and some kinda aluminum resembling, silver piece. Suffice to say it looked much more upscale than Toys"R"Us style G60 seat switches.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by COBodom

G60 build quality (aka gaps, creaks, squeaks, rattles etc) is solid and definitely not any worse than G30. I remember G30 dashboard in hot summer would produce a cacophony of sounds when I turned on cold AC.

However, choice of materials and their quality in G60 is a different story. Much worse than G30. I am not talking about Merino in G30 vs Veganza in G60, I am talking apples to apples and basic high touch surfaces that have been mentioned many times (visors, door cards, switches, almost non-existent stitching, etc).

I just actually noticed another comically cheap item; the physical seat switches on the side of the seats in G60. They have a white strip painted on them, whereas in G30 they were made of two materials, black and some kinda aluminum resembling, silver piece. Suffice to say it looked much more upscale than Toys"R"Us style G60 seat switches.

Perfectly said. The solidness of the g60 is definitely there, no questioning that. The materials are not.

[aabc]

Originally Posted by COBodom

G60 build quality (aka gaps, creaks, squeaks, rattles etc) is solid and definitely not any worse than G30. I remember G30 dashboard in hot summer would produce a cacophony of sounds when I turned on cold AC.

However, choice of materials and their quality in G60 is a different story. Much worse than G30. I am not talking about Merino in G30 vs Veganza in G60, I am talking apples to apples and basic high touch surfaces that have been mentioned many times (visors, door cards, switches, almost non-existent stitching, etc).

I just actually noticed another comically cheap item; the physical seat switches on the side of the seats in G60. They have a white strip painted on them, whereas in G30 they were made of two materials, black and some kinda aluminum resembling, silver piece. Suffice to say it looked much more upscale than Toys"R"Us style G60 seat switches.

Honestly I wonder how much of the G30 switchgear can be fitted to a G60... like the seat adjustment or indicator / wiper stalks

[alewifebp]

This was something I was surprised by. The materials look and feel cheap, but a year later, not a single rattle. Had a survey from BMW, and like I have in previous surveys, have ripped in to them about the material quality.

[Scrapula]

I wouldn’t complain about the Veganza when Merino is still available. Lots of people these days want to minimize their usage of animal products. Some car manufacturers don’t even give you a leather option anymore.

I understand about trying to save weight with lighter plastics, but I would rather have the extra weight. There are plenty of vehicles with cheap plastics. BMW should set a higher bar.