[dradernh]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

Seriously 5.9 for a minivan? Did they put a Hemi in that Grand Caravan?

I also spent some time deciding between the M340iX, M440iX and the 540iX. I opted for the 540 because it was more in line with what I am looking for in a grownup car. Lol. Now that I am in my mid 50's, I have bad knees, and my wife has a bad back and Sciatica, so crawling in and out of low slung cars on a daily basis, needs to be in my past. It's bad enough in my little Mercedes where the seats are on the floor, which is about 4 inches off the pavement. Yeah, it's fun to drive, but when you dread getting in and out.... I also am not an SUV guy. My wife is, and bless her for it. But I am a car guy. Now, I got it as MSported out from the factory as I could, because I am also not a plain, base model guy. But I will get a sports car for the weekends, and stick with my 5er for daily driving.

You know what...now that it's earlier in the evening, I seem to recall it was a Honda minivan running a 6.9. Don't quote me on that either, though.

We're in our mid-70s and for the same reasons as you are considering a non-SUV that's easier to climb into and out of. I'll keep the 2 for fun and the new car will take over road trip duty. We've downsized to a condo, and exterior dimensions will be the deciding factor.

Looking forward to reading your report once you've got the new 5er in hand.

[TX552]

Designer really needs to get fired

[kssod]

From a performance stand point it is very good for a luxury biased sedan. BMW has gotten away from the sport sedan. The G60 is almost the same size as the 7 series, and just felt a lot bigger than my 2018 540. Maybe its the increased height etc. I drove it several times, both 530 and i5. Just didn't love the look, and it didn't feel as toss- able/sporty as my M sport. Went a little different and bought a M3.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

The article seems to disagree and say the Merc is better looking, better handling, more comfortable…

“Well, we were pretty smitten—until a 2024 Mercedes-Benz E450 rolled in like an attractive contestant…Both have a supple ride, though the Benz's optional adaptive dampers can go softer than our BMW's electronically controlled units, making them more suitable to Michigan roads. The 540i takes corners with ease, but there's an aloofness to the handling, largely due to the steering, which is light on both effort and feedback.”

Having a choice is wonderful concept.

While the article did mention a worthy competitor - MB E450 (a tacit desire not to upset another major advertiser?), MB E450 visual appearance just isn't for me.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Having a choice is wonderful concept.

While the article did mention a worthy competitor - MB E450 (a tacit desire not to upset another major advertiser?), MB E450 visual appearance just isn't for me.

And the new 5er is?

I mean, it’s not the clear winner in my book.

[gsrbri]

Let’s be honest, it’s not an attractively styled car. At least it can put power to the ground and put good perf. numbers on the board.

I will either keep my G30 or maybe move to a M3. Sadly, there is no longer a mid-size sports sedan beyond the 5 or M-B E Series.

[bavarianboar]

Originally Posted by TX552

Designer really needs to get fired

They’d have to fire the whole team which they can’t afford to. It runs top to bottom.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by gsrbri

Let’s be honest, it’s not an attractively styled car. At least it can put power to the ground and put good perf. numbers on the board.

I will either keep my G30 or maybe move to a M3. Sadly, there is no longer a mid-size sports sedan beyond the 5 or M-B E Series.

That’s putting it mildly. There are other options including Audi A7, A6 and Genesis. C&D puts the Merc #1 and those 2-4 and the bimmer at #5

[tna3]

Originally Posted by Neusser

I don't put much stock in C&D anyways. They have gone downhill over the past 8-10 years. The UK mags tend to do much better when evaluating the drive.

Take what you want from C&D with a grain of salt but unfortunately the numb steering is the common denominator in all the reviews domestic or foreign. If only Cadillac chassis tuning could mate with BMW powertrains.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by tna3

Take what you want from C&D with a grain of salt but unfortunately the numb steering is the common denominator in all the reviews domestic or foreign. If only Cadillac chassis tuning could mate with BMW powertrains.

Cadillac and Audi are the best looking new cars, in my opinion, for the mid size sedan.

The 3 and 8 series are still good looking cars. And the 8 doesn’t have the iPad glued to the dash.

I think the biggest fault of the G60 design is it sits too high. That, alone, removes too much sportiness for me. The shape isn’t bad, in general. The interior could be nicer.

Basically, I think they started with some good general direction and just flubbed the execution.

The F10 and G30 were low and sleek looking. The G60 is high and bulky.

It’s not that the G60 is a bad car. It’s just kind of boring. I don’t see it as a natural evolution step from the G30. I think they’ll sell the 530 and 540 fine, most likely. But it’s not hard to see why F10 and G30 owners are having a difficult time envisioning the transition into a G60.

[COBodom]

IMO...in terms of exterior design, G60 to G30 is what E60 was to E39. It's a departure from the old safe design. This one is bulky, angular, longer, taller, etc and that's exactly what I like about this car. G60 has that road presence which my prior two G30s did not have.

The G30 was a handsomely, boring to death design. Especially the hood which lacked any character. It was borderline a plain sheet of aluminum, unlike the nicely sculpted F10 hood.

Obviously design is something very subjective so I am not here to argue over that, it's just how I view G60 vs G30.

G60 will likely not age as gracefully as E39, but I bet a few generations from now people will sing the same old song...G60 was the last true bla bla bla...

[hyde]

What's the torque?

[8GranCouper]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Cadillac and Audi are the best looking new cars, in my opinion, for the mid size sedan.

The 3 and 8 series are still good looking cars. And the 8 doesn’t have the iPad glued to the dash.

A6 is awesome but it's at the end of its life cycle and will be replaced and renamed as the A7 when it comes out next year. I was aghast at the A6 EV's design so I don't have much hope that the new A7 will be any better.

8 Series is imho the best car BMW currently makes but they really gave it the short end of the stick with the lack of updates to iDrive and especially the B58, it's basically unchanged since the pre-LCI G30 540i days. Doesn't even have the mild hybrid system that's in almost every internal combustion BMW sold. They're letting it just rot.

New E53 looks fantastic but I don't care for the particular PHEV powertrain setup being used. G80 Magma also looks great and I would give it serious consideration if Genesis does release it as an EREV (like the Ramcharger) as they claim, but I have doubts as to when or if it'll even go into production.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by COBodom

IMO...in terms of exterior design, G60 to G30 is what E60 was to E39. It's a departure from the old safe design. This one is bulky, angular, longer, taller, etc and that's exactly what I like about this car. G60 has that road presence which my prior two G30s did not have.

The G30 was a handsomely, boring to death design. Especially the hood which lacked any character. It was borderline a plain sheet of aluminum, unlike the nicely sculpted F10 hood.

Obviously design is something very subjective so I am not here to argue over that, it's just how I view G60 vs G30.

G60 will likely not age as gracefully as E39, but I bet a few generations from now people will sing the same old song...G60 was the last true bla bla bla...

Agreed the G60 has a nicely designed hood. It sort of has an E39 shape overall. I think its size, mainly height, makes it too much like a Camry or some other commuter sedan.

Design is definitely subjective. That’s why I think it will sell fine but I think those (me) that really love the G30/F90 design will have a hard time. I don’t think I’ll own a G60 just because I like cars that feel/are lower to the ground. But I can see why it doesn’t bother others.

I don’t think the G60 will be the last great anything. I think it’s designed more to be the first of something, with its more minimalistic interior design and full range of powertrains.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by 8GranCouper

A6 is awesome but it's at the end of its life cycle and will be replaced and renamed as the A7 when it comes out next year. I was aghast at the A6 EV's design so I don't have much hope that the new A7 will be any better.

8 Series is imho the best car BMW currently makes but they really gave it the short end of the stick with the lack of updates to iDrive and especially the B58, it's basically unchanged since the pre-LCI G30 540i days. Doesn't even have the mild hybrid system that's in almost every internal combustion BMW these days.

New E53 looks fantastic but I don't care for the particular PHEV powertrain setup being used. G80 Magma also looks great and I would give it serious consideration if Genesis does release it as an EREV (like the Ramcharger) as they claim, but I have doubts as to when or if it'll even go into production.

I love the 8 series. I have looked at a few and driven 8GC’s in every trim (840, 850, M8). The only reason I have an LCI F90 ahead of it as a replacement for my 2020 M550 is the 8 is difficult to fit in my garage with my wife’s X7 and the seats in the 8 don’t fit me well.

But it’s a gorgeous car and a blast to drive, even the 840. Feels very controlled and sharp, even though it’s huge. The width is what I think makes it handle so well for such a big car.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by BMW5151

Yes, in the US, land of forbidden options for BMWs!

I still don't get why we can't get the 4 zone climate in the US without a special order and having to jump through a bunch of hoops to get this Non-Standard option, or the adaptive M suspension with RWS on a 540iX. Other markets have these, and other options. But then, again, they can't get the 540ix anywhere but the US either.

[malpatti]

Looks like it might be wiser and cheaper to skip the MSport trim if you prefer a softer suspension based on the spec they reviewed. Also 20” wheels would add some extra sidewall.

Options: Executive package (remote engine start, heated steering wheel, sky lounge roof, glass controls), $4450; M Sport Package (21-inch Individual Aero Bicolor 95 wheels, Aluminum Rhombicile trim silver accents, M sport

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by dradernh

You know what...now that it's earlier in the evening, I seem to recall it was a Honda minivan running a 6.9. Don't quote me on that either, though.

We're in our mid-70s and for the same reasons as you are considering a non-SUV that's easier to climb into and out of. I'll keep the 2 for fun and the new car will take over road trip duty. We've downsized to a condo, and exterior dimensions will be the deciding factor.

Looking forward to reading your report once you've got the new 5er in hand.

Well I was at 154 (Assembly) yesterday, so I don't think it will be too much longer until I get it. To be honest I wsn't really looking at the size. My garage in Spain is a tandem one, so I have to fit my wife's Range Rover Sport in front of my Current Mercedes. Whenever we take her car, we have to back out and switch them around. The problem i have is room.

My Mercedes is a little over 14 ft long, the Range Rover a little over 16'. With the 5er being just over 17' long I was/am still worried about fitting. Yes, the 5er will replace the Mercedes. But I have found myself more than once measuring the garage behind the Rover to the gate, to make sure I will have enough room. It looks like there will be (Barely) But I have to make sure the wife pulls all the way forward as far as she can go.

The garage (More like a carport with a high electric gate) is open in the front to the side of the house, but there are 3 steps down to a sort of courtyard, then 3 steps up at the other end. There is a piece of wood bolted to the floor to make sure you don't accidentally drive down the steps. So there is also no more room. I may have to fabricate some ramps so she can pull the Rover a few feet further forward.

[AiredaleDad]

You know, people keep complaining about the size. But what car has not gotten bigger over the years. Even the Honda Accord is a giant compared to the one my Mom had in 1976. Don't even get me started on others. I had a 1993 325i. If you were to sit it next to a modern 330i it would be the same thing. The 7 series has grown as well. And the X5 is quite a bit larger than the original. People just don't notice it because they are looking at one generation to the next, and not looking at multiple generations.

I am sure there are some G30 owners out there, (Maybe not on this Forum) That complained that they wish their car was just a little bit larger with better rear legroom. But you won't see them here complaining because they are probably chomping at the bit to get a new G60.

Same with looks. I bet there are several people who bought or leased their G30 in early 2023, and did not know the G60 was coming out and are now pissed they didn't wait. So now they have last gen model that is only a year old, and has now depreciated even more because of it. I know I was looking at a 2022 G30 540i, but decided to wait until I was closer to the end of my tour. Now that I have, I am grateful I did. There is no worse feeling than buying a brand new car that suddenly becomes outdated over night. Those are at least some of the haters that are now saying how much they LOVE their 2023 G30 and HATE the new G60. Mainly because they can't justify trading in the car they are paying well over $1000.00 a month for without taking a serious loss on the depreciation. It's one thing to have a 7 or 8 year old car that has had a new gen come out. But a new 2023? They won't be able to get a new one until the Next gen comes out in 6-8 years. Unless they are Lessees. That's where the personal lease is the advantage.

Lack of manual controls for the AC and radio you say? How many people out there are fed up because their manual knobs have the non-slip rubber coating that made them feel so high end and luxurious when new, but deteriorates over time and just becomes sticky? I know the knobs in both my Range Rover and Mercedes are doing just that. And I keep my cars meticulously clean, and have no sticky fingered small kids at home to blame it on. Lord give me touch controls so I don't have to deal with that anymore.

[wesleyan92]

Typical C&D bias against BMW. I have driven both and the MB E Series is not more lithe than the 5.

How the tides have changed where Consumer Report has a crush on our fav brand. UGH!

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by wesleyan92

Typical C&D bias against BMW. I have driven both and the MB E Series is not more lithe than the 5.

How the tides have changed where Consumer Report has a crush on our fav brand. UGH!

Face the truth: BMW’s are fat, ugly, and not pleasurable to drive. Fast as hell, efficient, comfortable, luxurious - yes. But C&D is focused on how the car feels to drive.

What does lithe mean? Thin, supple, graceful? Interesting adjective that I wouldn’t put in the same sentence as any BMW on sale today other than their motorcycles and minis.

[MiamiFan13]

Originally Posted by 8GranCouper

Absolutely amazing numbers in performance and fuel economy. Insane trap speed to go beyond 110 mph in a base 6-cylinder.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...i-xdrive-test/

I wouldn't consider it a "base" motor. The 3.0 turbo motors have been embarrassing many cars for a while...and it bulletproof. This performance is not a surprise.