[COBodom]

Originally Posted by BimmerLCI

(...) I’m really concerned with bmw and it’s cheap plastic interior on surfaces that should be leather such as the steering airbag, dash board, door cards etc. (...)

Absolutely and that's exactly what I said 100X before about the G60 materials.

I was at a Chicago car show last week and for sh*ts and giggles I touched the door cards and sunvisors in many other cars. Conclusion, what BMW used in G60 on these surfaces is an entry level Ford Bronco quality.

While I really appreciate many other aspects of the G60, some interior materials are embarrassing and definitely inferior to G30.

Unfortunately, as someone already already mentioned here, that trend is prevailing across the line-up. The new models feel cheaper with the exception of the 7 series. Wonder how the new X5 will come out? Is it gonna be placed up-market from the 5 and therefore retain good quality materials (I think so)?

Also, curious to see what folks from Stuttgart did when they finally decide to put that new thing in the US showrooms.

[PsychDoc]

I've owned an F10 and a G30, both with the B58 6 cylinder engine and I don't think the price was any different from what I'm paying for the current 540xi. Perhaps my recollection is faulty but I think the prices of all three were pretty comparable. And I've always gotten similar levels of equipment/options.
While I don't yet have my G60 yet (will get it on Wednesday), I've driven and sat in a few and it seems like a big step up in design and technology integration from either of my prior 5's. The seats are way, way more comfortable than those in the F10 or G30 and the interior aesthetics are very appealing. The ambient lighting (4UR) is tasteful and not over the top like it is in the new E-Class. Yeah, I wish the front seats had pockets in the back of them and sure, a bit of felt might have been nice in the door storage areas but these are very minor issues (at least to me) and do not detract from the fact that this is a wonderful driver's car.
I realize that perceptions are often very subjective, but do we really have to nitpick every extremely minor detail?

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by saw1

...

I have not yet encountered a "perfect" car yet, at any price, shape, size, etc... (well, except maybe my first love, my old 1988 Nissan 300ZX with T-tops... but it's a distant memory now)


My '18 M550i was the closest thing to perfection yet. It was fast, luxurious, and had great tech. Not perfect, but pretty close!!

My favorite car was my 1989 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo. The engine was the precursor to both the Eclipse and the Evolution. There were very few built, very lightweight with crazy torque steer. Hemings states that under 900 were sold in the US. I drove it for 11 years, then sold it to some guy who made me a great offer. There was zero luxury, but everything was made by Mitsubishi from the glass to the radio. It all worked together perfectly. It was really quick back then, thought no so much compared to today’s cars. It definitely put a smile on my face every day.

[Bklyn]

Coming from my Model S Tesla, which I liked a lot, the interior is a major step up, and it is a 36 month lease, so I plan on enjoying through the term.
Once again very subjective, but I agree not necessary to me to take apart the car. But that's me.

[RichardInCA]

One thing to note is the relative positioning of different models on this chart from BMW’s IR presentation from November last year. Not sure whether the slightly elevated position of i5 vs 5 in terms of “executive” is meaningful, but it’s clear that there’s a sense of where the brand belongs - reserving the luxury status for the 7 series.

[alewifebp]

Unfortunately, I think the interior material quality degradation is just the way it is going to be for the near future. FWIW, I don't remember the E39 or E60 having that great interior material quality. It was always a knock on BMW about interior quality.

I had a Mercedes GLS as a rental this week while on a trip. Given it was the top of the line mainstream SUV, the interior quality wasn't anything spectacular. It all looked good and premium, but when you starting feeling around, it wasn't as good as it looked.

Lynk & Co and other Chinese brands are starting to make their way in to Europe. Drove one while in the Netherlands last year. The car wasn't great, but it was "good enough" and was certainly produced at a price point that was very attractive. It's inevitable, and it's going to affect what can be sold at large volumes. For better or for worse, MB, Audi and BMW are now mass market luxury brands, and they have to keep the sales volumes up. It's just the way it is.

[Scrapula]

It’s not just BMW. The leather in my Jaguar was maybe the equivalent of Dakota. Not soft at all. There were also hard plastics used as well as the softer padded materials on the dash and door panels. Overall, the G60 was a big step up from Jaguar/Range Rover. My niece drives a Range Rover with the same materials as my Jaguar.

It’s just inflation. You have to step up to at least $130k for a car now to get true luxury.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

It’s not just BMW. The leather in my Jaguar was maybe the equivalent of Dakota. Not soft at all. There were also hard plastics used as well as the softer padded materials on the dash and door panels. Overall, the G60 was a big step up from Jaguar/Range Rover. My niece drives a Range Rover with the same materials as my Jaguar.

It’s just inflation. You have to step up to at least $130k for a car now to get true luxury.

My 2019 and 2020 Jaguar I-Pace had the smoothest, most luxurious leather and the doors, dash and all panels were soft and padded. This was also the case in my last Range Rover Supercharged (full size).

While we loved our 2020 Defender, there were some plastics that were less than amazing and the leather was rough!

The iX Amido leather is ahmaaaaazing, I will say. It is as soft and smooth as much more expensive Merino leather!

I find my black Veganza in my i5 to be awesome. Everyone thinks it is Nappa or Merino leather! So soft!

[scas12]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

My 2019 and 2020 Jaguar I-Pace had the smoothest, most luxurious leather and the doors, dash and all panels were soft and padded. This was also the case in my last Range Rover Supercharged (full size).

While we loved our 2020 Defender, there were some plastics that were less than amazing and the leather was rough!

The iX Amido leather is ahmaaaaazing, I will say. It is as soft and smooth as much more expensive Merino leather!

I find my black Veganza in my i5 to be awesome. Everyone thinks it is Nappa or Merino leather! So soft!

I agree on the Veganza, it feels amazing.

[BMW012]

to me at least, all the complaints about the cost cutting in the interior is irrelevant after you start driving the car or the second time you start driving it.

honestly, do you really look at the window trim when driving or how often do you say wow this car is so great because it has window stitching? most of the cost cutting is only noticeable when you are at the dealership without the car started.

once the car is started there is so much going on. BMW should really market the "my modes" more. lots of visually appealing things going on in there vs stitching on my door

if interior was so important, i dont think most of us would be driving a bmw, which they have always been a step behind... or two.

[stormchaser]

Having a G30 530I now and having driven the G60 twice (2 days) I can agree with many of the items he listed (I miss the shifter, 17's, grab handles, physical buttons, padding, etc.) and much of his list. However the new G60 was more comfortable, had better ride quality, better MPG, was pretty dam nimble for its size, and had highway assist versus just DAP. It is a higher-tech car. I actually wanted to buy one. What has stopped me right now is its increased size and weight (I never wanted a 7 series) and being one that has many cars of the previous generations including 3 TDIs (Audi and VW) I decided to keep the classic G30 with physical buttons and the gorgeous shifter (Brilliant BMW design). The G60 is a better car overall, but not for the things I love about by G30 and no dealer would offer me more than 35K for a 75K sticker 23 G30 that only had 9000 miles on it with every option including MC seats and leather. That is insane. It's a new car and took a 50% price drop with nearly no miles. No thanks BMW.

[AGONXF30]

Originally Posted by PsychDoc

I've owned an F10 and a G30, both with the B58 6 cylinder engine

You must have had a very special F10. Those did not have B58s.

[AGONXF30]

Originally Posted by BimmerLCI

Checkout my nightdrive video on the G60 530i. The interior is quite mundane with little to desire. I’m really concerned with bmw and it’s cheap plastic interior on surfaces that should be leather such as the steering airbag, dash board, door cards etc. lack of ambient lighting compare to the G30, this new 5er is such a disappointment. For contrast my highly spec X3 G01 has nicely finished window switches almost feeling like aluminum, everything you feel and touch is weighted and feels like BMW quality. On this G60 everything is lightweight and plastic no tactile feel. What irks me the most is the comfort access. Again a 23 X3 LCI has 4 door comfort access, the G60 5er only has it on the front door. Some really good options were the driver assist professional and parking assistance, really good features worked great, camera quality is so crisp you can see cracks in the road through the front or rear camera. Again this is a 530i basic spec but it’s such a lazy attempt at a 5er level bmw

I sat in a 540 in the showroom and I did not feel it was any less than the previous G30 540.

The things you claim that need to be leather have never really been leather with the exception of the most recent M steering wheel which has that Airbag Cover wrap in leather, but only in the M and M sport cars. The regular cars do not have it leather wrapped.

I can guarantee you, that your X3 is NOT of higher quality than that of the new 5er. And if you compare a X3 30i to a 530i both in the most basic trim you can then compare Apples to Apples. Go drive a top spec one and then come back here to compare.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by AGONXF30

I sat in a 540 in the showroom and I did not feel it was any less than the previous G30 540.

The things you claim that need to be leather have never really been leather with the exception of the most recent M steering wheel which has that Airbag Cover wrap in leather, but only in the M and M sport cars. The regular cars do not have it leather wrapped.

I can guarantee you, that your X3 is NOT of higher quality than that of the new 5er. And if you compare a X3 30i to a 530i both in the most basic trim you can then compare Apples to Apples. Go drive a top spec one and then come back here to compare.

I still remember test driving a 2001 E39 530i(or was it 540i?). The salesman kind of freaked out because I was going a "little" too fast in the corners around Great Falls.(NoVa) IMHO, those old E39 5-series were built more solidly. The factory wood/leather steering wheel also made it more classy. (but that's probably just because I'm really old) Same could be said about the 7-series in that era.

Over the next 10 or 20 years, BMW definitely made great improvements, but they also allowed cost-cutting to show up in their cars. The cars are still great, but not the "ultimate" driving machine that they once were.

[AGONXF30]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

I still remember test driving a 2001 E39 530i(or was it 540i?). The salesman kind of freaked out because I was going a "little" too fast in the corners around Great Falls.(NoVa) IMHO, those old E39 5-series were built more solidly. The factory wood/leather steering wheel also made it more classy. (but that's probably just because I'm really old) Same could be said about the 7-series in that era.

Over the next 10 or 20 years, BMW definitely made great improvements, but they also allowed cost-cutting to show up in their cars. The cars are still great, but not the "ultimate" driving machine that they once were.

I am sorry, but have you been inside an E39 recently? Memories fade and we tend to remember things incorrectly.

The E39, while a fantastic car, did not have any more leather than say the new 5er. BMW leathers, particularly of the 2000s was not that great. Did it last, yes, was it soft and supple, no. Heck the new fake stuff is better feeling and closer to a cow hide than anything a 2000s BMW had, except maybe the 7.

Are we referring to the driving or the quality? The E39 is one of the best driving BMWs ever. BMW has continued to provide us with cars with improved comfort and performance when pushed over the years. The G05 is possibly the best SAV they have made ever. The damn thing nearly bests the dynamics of an E39 for a large heavy cow and when driven peacefully it is serene. It is the best all rounder vehicle to ever come with the roundel.

Now, the so-called pandemic did a number of negative things to the automotive industry and BMW got away with a few things in the name of the chip shortage. Some of those tings continue today, but I think that is more based on the data they collected from the avarage BMW user and they have given the average folks what they ask for. Not having the rear door comfort access is absolute BS to me, but has nothing to do with quality, and to the average BMW leaser/buyer may make no difference.

BMW has been observing for the last few decades how folks option their cars and has been taking away some of them if they do not sell well. Why make parts if they will sit on shelves!?

If am buying an executive level car, I want things like soft close and comfort access on all doors, but that is one person out of the whole lot of people. My F30 does not have soft close or rear comfort access and I enjoy the car dearly I am sure other may feel the same in a G60. My G05 does have soft close and comfort access on all door and I am not changing that car anytime soon due to the new ones not having some of those minor things. People still buy the X5 in droves and those things have been missing since 2022 if I recall correctly. The LCI X5 does not have rear comfort access. It still sells like nothing else and gets its high praises!

I believe that BMW has been making better cars today (more solidly built) than in any other time. Whether or no they have all the options I want, that is a different story. But the quality, it sure is there.

You also drive an X1, which is the most entry level BMW aside from the 2 GC. BTW I really like the new X1 and I have considered getting an M35i to replace the F30, despite the fact that I will be missing a few things. My F30 still going strong, so I will keep it for another few years.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by alewifebp

Unfortunately, I think the interior material quality degradation is just the way it is going to be for the near future. FWIW, I don't remember the E39 or E60 having that great interior material quality. It was always a knock on BMW about interior quality.

I always thought the interior quality on my E60 was top notch, especially at the time. Definitely a step up from the E39.

[bmwterp]

Just curious...Don't people test drive the car a couple of times first before buying?

[LostInSpace]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

I always thought the interior quality on my E60 was top notch, especially at the time. Definitely a step up from the E39.

I agree with this.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by OHV_44

13. No more favorite buttons

Hadn't realized this until you listed it. I use my favorite buttons nearly every time I'm in my G30. What's the replacement for this in the G60?

[OHV_44]

Are still available. Just not as physical buttons, but as shortcuts in the menu.

[richpat69]

Originally Posted by saw1

...

I have not yet encountered a "perfect" car yet, at any price, shape, size, etc... (well, except maybe my first love, my old 1988 Nissan 300ZX with T-tops... but it's a distant memory now)


My '18 M550i was the closest thing to perfection yet. It was fast, luxurious, and had great tech. Not perfect, but pretty close!!

I'm a newbie here but a long time poster on Bimmerfest which has almost no posts about the G-60.

I just received a 540 which I purchased in early November and I'm coming from a 2020 M550. I am of the opinion that not only has BMW misjudged the rate of adoption of EV's in the US, they have erred by using a single platform for both EV and ICE vehicles.

The thing I miss the most is not having the ability to get something with the performance of the M550 without going to the M5.

The G-30 was an excellent blend of a decent but not obtrusive operating system with enough buttons to make life easy for the functions we use frequently. After spending a bunch of hours learning 8.5, I'm getting to the point where 8.5 is relatively easy to navigate. My biggest gripe is that functions which were easy to do before often take multiple steps to accomplish. The single large display is better than I thought. But why no drop-down compartment on the left side of the driver, no inside-the-car trunk lock, no USB-C port in the console, no seat-message option, etc. etc.

It's not just BMW - every manufacturer seems in a hurry to overwhelm us with tech and not always in a good way.

[Deho]

Originally Posted by richpat69

The thing I miss the most is not having the ability to get something with the performance of the M550 without going to the M5.

Didn't you hear about the upcoming 550e?