[mjr24]

My M8 GC lease is up in a couple months and the i5 M60 is a potential replacement. I was able to get one as a service loaner today......they really cut back on costs inside. The buttons for the windows, etc. are cheap.....the dash seems cheap....holy small center console and door consoles.

Starting to see what people were talking about in reviews, etc. now.....

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by mjr24

My M8 GC lease is up in a couple months and the i5 M60 is a potential replacement. I was able to get one as a service loaner today......they really cut back on costs inside. The buttons for the windows, etc. are cheap.....the dash seems cheap....holy small center console and door consoles.

Starting to see what people were talking about in reviews, etc. now.....

I’ve seen a lot of reviews and posts about this too. I finally made way to a dealership and I don’t disagree with you. The car does drive great tho.

[AiredaleDad]

I think inflation worldwide has driven most car manufacturers to this. They have had to raise salaries in order to keep the same level of quality engineering. Materials are more expensive. Oil is more expensive. The cost of mining raw materials to build Hybrids and electrics is more expensive. The research and development to get 375 HP out of a 3.0L ICE that is reliable and gets 33 MPG is expensive. Everything has gone up. If you got all the same quality interior materials you are traditionally expecting, the cost of a 5 series BMW would skyrocket to over $100k. IMHO they had to do it to keep competitive prices. Otherwise the target market would not be able to afford it. 7 series customers would be buying 5ers, and 5er customers would be buying 3's

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

I think inflation worldwide has driven most car manufacturers to this. They have had to raise salaries in order to keep the same level of quality engineering. Materials are more expensive. Oil is more expensive. The cost of mining raw materials to build Hybrids and electrics is more expensive. The research and development to get 375 HP out of a 3.0L ICE that is reliable and gets 33 MPG is expensive. Everything has gone up. If you got all the same quality interior materials you are traditionally expecting, the cost of a 5 series BMW would skyrocket to over $100k. IMHO they had to do it to keep competitive prices. Otherwise the target market would not be able to afford it. 7 series customers would be buying 5ers, and 5er customers would be buying 3's

Meh, that’s a cop out. Pretty sure BMW had record profits last year.

[Mattl0806]

The rear seats with no climate control, cheap plastic vents, no seat back pockets, hard plastic window controls, hard plastic lower door panels and storage - you sit back there you can’t in your wildest imagination think you are in a luxury sedan…

Don’t even get me started at what the center console looked like… idrive controller was really bad too

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by mjr24

Meh, that’s a cop out. Pretty sure BMW had record profits last year.

Yeah, pretty much. Especially when BMW was capable of, and selling most of those features, for record profits 5-7 years ago

[CaboM4]

Originally Posted by mjr24

My M8 GC lease is up in a couple months and the i5 M60 is a potential replacement. I was able to get one as a service loaner today......they really cut back on costs inside. The buttons for the windows, etc. are cheap.....the dash seems cheap....holy small center console and door consoles.

Starting to see what people were talking about in reviews, etc. now.....

I thought the same thing when we got one as a loaner a few weeks ago. I guess it's nothing below a 7er from now on for me

[CaboM4]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

7 series customers would be buying 5ers, and 5er customers would be buying 3's

I guess I'm the anomaly. I didn't necessarily want the larger G70, having had many 5ers in the past, but my next vehicle had to be a BEV, so after the specs were announced on the i5M60, I immediately withdrew my deposit and went on the prowl for a good deal on a G70 i7. I coulnd't have the terrible range and the downstream interior of the 5er for $100k ... I showed them ... I went and bought one of their $140k products!

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by CaboM4

I guess I'm the anomaly. I didn't necessarily want the larger G70, having had many 5ers in the past, but my next vehicle had to be a BEV, so after the specs were announced on the i5M60, I immediately withdrew my deposit and went on the prowl for a good deal on a G70 i7. I coulnd't have the terrible range and the downstream interior of the 5er for $100k ... I showed them ... I went and bought one of their $140k products!

Man you really stuck it to them! No wonder they gotta make all these cost cutting moves.

[daddymalu]

I disagree. I have owned a couple 7 series a couple m5, m6 and x5m all within the last 10 years. The cool tech from the 7 has always been passed down to the 5 series and that has not changed, and all though there are a ton of plastic bits and no full leather in the m60, it is leaps and bounds nicer inside than my model s plaid.

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by daddymalu

I disagree. I have owned a couple 7 series a couple m5, m6 and x5m all within the last 10 years. The cool tech from the 7 has always been passed down to the 5 series and that has not changed, and all though there are a ton of plastic bits and no full leather in the m60, it is leaps and bounds nicer inside than my model s plaid.

That’s apples and oranges. Teslas are for the most bad quality besides the big screen and how fast the Plaids are. I don’t even think most Tesla owners will dispute that. It’s a great electric car but it’s not luxurious.

I think this is actually a reason as to why BMW has cut corners on electric. Most people are either wanting an electric or not wanting one. Looking at some of the electric competitors.....the BMW is still nicer inside versus what else is out there. That's not really saying much, though.....and it sucks if you are a long time BMW owner who is used to better quality.

[azuki]

i think all the amenities bmw had trickled to RR. RR still has physical buttons!

[AP]

I wonder how much really is saved by using these cheaper materials and components?
As mentioned before bmw are making a profit

Although I’ve not driven a g60 yet I have sat in a couple and agree that is a step back in quality and inexcusable especially given the asking price of these cars now

Making things cheaper can backfire . I certainly wouldn’t buy one so that’s at least 1 lost sale.

[Scrapula]

There was no way I could afford the i7 and I wanted to go full BEV. There is nothing at the i5 price point nicer on the market. I wish that they would have created a luxury pack, so people could have added extended leather, soft close doors, etc. But, I’m extremely happy with the vehicle.

[Mattl0806]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

There was no way I could afford the i7 and I wanted to go full BEV. There is nothing at the i5 price point nicer on the market. I wish that they would have created a luxury pack, so people could have added extended leather, soft close doors, etc. But, I’m extremely happy with the vehicle.

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

[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.

[daddymalu]

What bothered me at first was the missing door sill logos and no soft close doors.

[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.

[Mattl0806]

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.

You mostly spoke about the exterior design and I would largely agree with you. The g60 is a more modern, nice looking car. But, there is absolutely no excuses for the material inside the car. I’m not trying to say the whole cabin is ugly. In fact, I think most of us here would love if they kept it all the same but just used materials that were fit for a luxury vehicle.

Don’t get me wrong , there is a group that hates on the new design. That goes with your post. I like the design, just not the material

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by Mattl0806

You mostly spoke about the exterior design and I would largely agree with you. The g60 is a more modern, nice looking car. But, there is absolutely no excuses for the material inside the car. I’m not trying to say the whole cabin is ugly. In fact, I think most of us here would love if they kept it all the same but just used materials that were fit for a luxury vehicle.

Don’t get me wrong , there is a group that hates on the new design. That goes with your post. I like the design, just not the material

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]

Besides from not being able to "deal with" Black Sapphire in dry and dusty So. Cal...the interior materials of my new i5 really irked me and I felt disappointed. My 2022 5 Series felt and looked much richer and more expensive than the 2024 models.

Worst to me, and almost shameful on the new 5 Series....sunvisors feel straight out of a Ford rental car, side pockets on doors are hard and cheap, no soft close door option, no rear climate controls, cheap plastic window controls, no illuminated door sill offering...

When I traded my i5 M60 for an i7 xDrive 60 and I drove off the lot, I knew immediately it was the right decision. The i7, to me, feels like how I want a BMW to look.

BUT...the new 5 Series does drive AMAZINGLY well, it is comfortable, seats are great (way better than the iX even), it is fast as he** and with the right wheels and colour it looks good on the outside. Wrong wheels and colour and one can think the new 5er is an Asian mid level sedan though

[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