[alewifebp]

I came from an X50 M50 to the i5 M60, so can offer some perspective on the SUV vs. business sedan argument. The i5, heavy and all, has about a clean 50/50 weight distribution. And that heavy battery pack actually does help keep the center of gravity, well, in the center. The car absolutely drives better than the X5. Better handling, and even a better ride. And of course it's faster.

That's not to say I disliked the X5. It is a wonderful car that ticks a lot of the right boxes. And if you want an SUV that has a sporty demeanor, and still be luxurious, it's a great choice. Had the lease rates not been so crazy I would have probably got another one.

One things I've seen over the years is that BMW tends to lend out moderately equipped testers to the press. What's old is new again. They had a very balanced review, and really highlights what the car actually is. A car like the E39 just simply couldn't be produced in this day by a major manufacturer. And if you want an E39 M5 like car, you'd probably get an M3, as it's closer in size. What's old is new again.

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by ASAP

I wonder what a true potential buyer sees in this car over say an x3 m40i or x5?

This car won't handle drastically better and even if it does, it wont be good enough for a demanding driver. This car will however lose a TON of utility and cargo space to the suv's... these cars like the 5 are just becoming more more pointless... if u aren't getting the M... just stick to the far better suvs.

I, for one, cannot climb up into an SUV because of arthritis. It would need a running board and a grab handle at the very least. Other than 3 bags of groceries, I have nothing to haul. I do take corners at speed in my i5 and it feels well planted, not top heavy like an SUV.

[wknddrivr]

Originally Posted by ASAP

I wonder what a true potential buyer sees in this car over say an x3 m40i or x5?

This car won't handle drastically better and even if it does, it wont be good enough for a demanding driver. This car will however lose a TON of utility and cargo space to the suv's... these cars like the 5 are just becoming more more pointless... if u aren't getting the M... just stick to the far better suvs.

Pretty big difference in fuel consumption. X5 40i x-drive rated at 23/27 mpg vs the 540 x drive at 26/33. The x5 40i is also a second slower to 60. To get the same performance out of the x5 as the 540 you’d need to move to the x5 m60i which drops your fuel economy down to 17/22 and its a lot more expensive than a 540i. So if you don’t need the extra cargo capacity, the lower fuel consumption, higher performance, and lower price make sense.

For some, it’s also easier to get into a sedan. My mom has knee issues and is much more comfortable sitting down into a sedan than stepping up to an suv.

[robfen]

Great quality review!
Pricewise the x5 is better value, just not ready yet personally to drive an suv as a daily..

[stormchaser]

The review was not very specific in terms of handling, and steering TBH versus talking about the grunt of getting a bigger engine. I own a G30 and have driven the G60 several times finding it far more luxury soft (Not stiff as they stated). Must be the bigger wheels is my thoughts. The G60 I agree is an amazing highway cruiser but I felt the handling to be good and the steering very responsive although way too light and too sensitive compared to the G30. If the G60 had not grown In size would likely get the G60 but not happy about why car manufacturers think we want bigger cars on every new model. In Europe, good luck parking it in Munchen (I am in the States). While the new 5 ER is bigger and heavy the MPG was amazing on my drives and personally the 4 Cyl was just fine and competent. I personally could care less about 0-60 times versus how the car handles and feels once up to speed on the motor way. MPG is important to me also (Does great). That said I got back in my G30 and appreciate the classic shifter, and real buttons in the cockpit, smaller size car and lighter footprint. But, I miss the softer luxury ride of the G60 and incredible Visability (hgher seatiing position) and better seats (Softer). I'm thinking size wise BMW will increase the 3 series next and that might end up being the perfect compromise in size. Audi seems to keep the A4 in the perfect size mold for me but lacks BMW tech and does not come close to having good driver asisstance packages (Lane assist is better on BMW). If it did come up to speed on tech would buy and A4 personally (I know it's a bit boring). The perfect car in my opinion would be a 3 series wagon that we will never see in the US. I likely will keep my G30.

[zoso4534]

Originally Posted by COBodom

Here's why 540 over x3 or x5...

For me x3 was always a cheaply made, awkward looking dwarf-ish SUV. Unless I aspire to haul IKEA furniture every weekend 5 series offers plenty space for a family of four. I would also take M340 any day over X3.

Now, X5 is a nice car, but every other mom at my kids school has the 6 cylinder X5. This is NOT to say that 5 series is some kinda rare breed, but where I live don't see them as often as X5 or GLE.

Then there's performance vs money, X5 with B58 is just a tad bit too sluggish for me, especially when car is fully occupied. The S68 is fantastic but it commands a different price of admission.

I'll pass on X5 PHEV.

lol aspire to haul ikea furniture. Good one there. I’m also a sedan guy. I have a 3 and wish it had more leg room in the back but the 5 felt too big to me when I test drove one. Right now, my 3 has two car seats.

I don’t like the new 5 design. Looks cheap to me. Much prefer the E90. Timeless…

[Wills2]

I watched the carwow test of the 520i and it didn't get a great review, I looked at the lease price of a 530e in the UK they want £54,000 or $68,000 for one with a couple of option packs on a 4 year lease, that's bat shit crazy you should be owning it after that layout, for comparison my G11 7 series is almost half the price on its current lease.

I have no idea who wants to drop that kind of money on a fairly mundane car, I've had 3 x 5ers and 2 x 7ers, this one will be my last.

[Panscan340]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

These guys seem pretty lukewarm on this car. It ticks the boxes but seems pretty forgettable as a driver's car..and don't get me started on the awkward front and front 3/4 styling.

Would rather get an M3 over the 540, and would rather get a CPO Taycan over the i5.

Not really sure many people are cross shopping an m3 and a 540.

[Travis]

I wish they tested the B&W sound system, as they did that to EVERY CAR!

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by COBodom

Here's why 540 over x3 or x5...

For me x3 was always a cheaply made, awkward looking dwarf-ish SUV. Unless I aspire to haul IKEA furniture every weekend 5 series offers plenty space for a family of four. I would also take M340 any day over X3.

Now, X5 is a nice car, but every other mom at my kids school has the 6 cylinder X5. This is NOT to say that 5 series is some kinda rare breed, but where I live don't see them as often as X5 or GLE.

Then there's performance vs money, X5 with B58 is just a tad bit too sluggish for me, especially when car is fully occupied. The S68 is fantastic but it commands a different price of admission.

I'll pass on X5 PHEV.

do you know why the 5 series is now such an absurdly large and awkwardly sized car?

For the exact reason you called out... all prior gen 5 series offered nothing in terms or rear seat comfort... it was virtually identical to a 3 series. In order to make a remotely compelling case for the 5... they had to stretch it AND make it larger. A base x3 was not only larger inside but also offered more cargo space... i predict sales numbers on these 5s to be absolutely abysmal.

[mirob]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

These guys seem pretty lukewarm on this car. It ticks the boxes but seems pretty forgettable as a driver's car..and don't get me started on the awkward front and front 3/4 styling.

Would rather get an M3 over the 540, and would rather get a CPO Taycan over the i5.

I'm not subscribed to this channel but from the few reviews I've seen them do, seems that they approach every review stoically, bordering on cynically. Even faint praise is praise in this instance.

[M3PGH]

why do we have to accept the fact that these cars get bigger with every new generation
not really sure why this is being done
had multiple M5 in the past and no time , I said I wish this car is bigger
assuming customer demand behind this
in 30 years these cars will be the size of limousine

[murderspice]

Originally Posted by ASAP

I wonder what a true potential buyer sees in this car over say an x3 m40i or x5?

This car won't handle drastically better and even if it does, it wont be good enough for a demanding driver. This car will however lose a TON of utility and cargo space to the suv's... these cars like the 5 are just becoming more more pointless... if u aren't getting the M... just stick to the far better suvs.

You cant do 180+ mph on the autobahn in an suv (yet), which is the 5 series’ roots.

[COBodom]

Originally Posted by ASAP

do you know why the 5 series is now such an absurdly large and awkwardly sized car?

For the exact reason you called out... all prior gen 5 series offered nothing in terms or rear seat comfort... it was virtually identical to a 3 series. In order to make a remotely compelling case for the 5... they had to stretch it AND make it larger. A base x3 was not only larger inside but also offered more cargo space... i predict sales numbers on these 5s to be absolutely abysmal.

Think you quoted the wrong message in your response.

Your guess is just as good as mine, but If you ask me, major reason why 5 series grew in size is the one-size-fits-all platform (EV\ICE\PHEV) it now sits on and NOT "because they had to make a remotely compelling case for the 5... they had to stretch". Plus, new models are generally larger than their predecessors.

Yes, sedan sales figures will not be able to compete with SUV figures, that's a no brainer.

[Eric500]

Originally Posted by ASAP

do you know why the 5 series is now such an absurdly large and awkwardly sized car?

For the exact reason you called out... all prior gen 5 series offered nothing in terms or rear seat comfort... it was virtually identical to a 3 series. In order to make a remotely compelling case for the 5... they had to stretch it AND make it larger. A base x3 was not only larger inside but also offered more cargo space... i predict sales numbers on these 5s to be absolutely abysmal.

I have barely seen any on the roads and it's been months. this may be a good 2-3 CPO pick up for like 50%+ off

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by murderspice

You cant do 180+ mph on the autobahn in an suv (yet), which is the 5 series’ roots.

yes you can... in an x5m... which 5 series can do that? oh right... only an m5 lol

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by COBodom

Think you quoted the wrong message in your response.

Your guess is just as good as mine, but If you ask me, major reason why 5 series grew in size is the one-size-fits-all platform (EV\ICE\PHEV) it now sits on and NOT "because they had to make a remotely compelling case for the 5... they had to stretch". Plus, new models are generally larger than their predecessors.

Yes, sedan sales figures will not be able to compete with SUV figures, that's a no brainer.

definitely the right quote... they made it bigger because the market demanded a large platform for all cars... now a 5 series backseat space prior to this gen was pathetic at best

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by Panscan340

Not really sure many people are cross shopping an m3 and a 540.

Correct, but they should be. M3 is refined and large enough (too much of both if you ask me) and way more fun to drive, will hold its value better, etc.

[COBodom]

Originally Posted by ASAP

definitely the right quote... they made it bigger because the market demanded a large platform for all cars... now a 5 series backseat space prior to this gen was pathetic at best

Your response was to zoso4534

I never made a comment on rear leg room.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by COBodom

Your response was to zoso4534

I never made a comment on rear leg room.

you did inadvertantly when you said a 5 offers space vs an suv...thats simply not true when u sit in a prior gen 5 vs even an x3... the latter has far more soace everywhere... also not sure how ikea is involved here... but in the 2 years ive had my suv, i've moved more crap than in the prior 10 w my other cars... mind u i had an m2 comp before this 😂

[COBodom]

Originally Posted by ASAP

you did inadvertantly when you said a 5 offers space vs an suv...thats simply not true when u sit in a prior gen 5 vs even an x3... the latter has far more soace everywhere... also not sure how ikea is involved here... but in the 2 years ive had my suv, i've moved more crap than in the prior 10 w my other cars... mind u i had an m2 comp before this 😂

OK very cool. Enjoy your X3.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by ASAP

definitely the right quote... they made it bigger because the market demanded a large platform for all cars... now a 5 series backseat space prior to this gen was pathetic at best

The previous 5 series only had an inch of additional rear seat legroom over the current M3. The current 3 series has 0.5 inch less than the M3. Fun facts.