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2011 BMW 5 series

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Nothing new, but a solid looking BMW.
Like a small 7 series, but better.

Here is what BMW has to say:

“With the longest wheelbase in the segment, a long and sleek hood, short overhangs, and a coupe-like roofline, the new BMW 5 Series Sedan stands out clearly from the competition. Overall, the aesthetic looks of the car are achieved through balanced proportions. Design features emblematic of BMW are to be found at the front with its kidney grille inclined slightly forward, in the stylish and elegant side view of the car, and at the muscular rear end.

Within the interior, precise functionality and a fresh ambience come together in perfect harmony, unmistakable style, and clear orientation to the driver.
At launch, the new BMW 5 Series Sedan will be available with one V-8 and one inline-6 gasoline engine. The top-of-the-range BMW 550i arrives with BMW’s “reverse-flow” V-8 engine featuring twin turbochargers and High Precision direct injection for maximum output of 400 hp. The new inline-6 of the BMW 535i features a single twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision direct injection, and, for the first time, VALVETRONIC throttle-less intake technology. It delivers a maximum output of 300 hp and 300 lb-ft. The 535i and 550i will be available with a choice of 6-speed manual transmission, BMW’s new 8-speed automatic transmission, or new “Sport Automatic” 8-speed.

Later, the BMW 528i will debut with a 240 hp inline-6 featuring lightweight magnesium-aluminum construction and VALVETRONIC throttle-less intake technology for efficiency and unparalleled responsiveness.

The 535i and 550i Sedans will be offered with a 6-speed manual transmission in the United States, providing a level of driver involvement unique in the segment. “

Conversation 31 comments

  1. a million times better than the current model, with it's hideous 'eagle' eyes, but i wish they'd look back at the 80s and 90s models, to see how light and lithe they appeared. i still find current BMWs and MBs too 'fat' looking, as if they placed a new body OVER the older, thinner ones. i really like the new grille treatment though, classy, expensive and not at all awkward.

  2. BMW has just become good-looking again. (Actually that started with the current Z4 – don't know how the 7-series got approval after that.)

    If I were a rich man…

  5. it has to catch up with them some day. BMW, although well proportioned and attractive seem to look like they change nothing. What happens here is that the repeat buyers stop buying.They Change brands. Why? because this type of buyer i all about image and if it doesn't look like they have a new car, there is no point to them getting a new car. It's all about impressing the co-workers, neighbors and relatives.

  6. I, too, think this looks fantastic.

    I really wish that MB offered a manual on the 550 because that would be my ideal vehicle. I am more of a fan of MB.

  7. Instead of a smaller 7series, this to me looks more like a bloated 3series. It's nothing special to me, and I like the current one more.

  10. I like it but its so much like the 3 series, which itself is getting old. AT least BMW seem to be getting some style coherence back.

  12. re: the new 5er
    It's 'Nice'

    re: BMW
    imho they're justing going from one phase of a Major DNA problem to another.

    They gave up their classic styling for bungled weirdness
    BUT
    it WAS interesting – like an accident draws your attention
    BUT
    they've forever lost the right to their previous "it's already perfect" status (unlike Porsche)

    Now they seem to be grasping for Classic-2 styling
    BUT
    it's kind of boring
    &
    I expect people to immediately start clamoring for an MCE…
    …Will they:
    – ignore that cuz THEY're 'BMW'?
    – try for incremental improvement?
    – find another bungler?
    OR
    – finally find a way to create a new styling idiom so good they'll 'bowl-over' fans, general consumers, & other Mfgs alike???

    Imho they're actually going try every item on that list IN THAT ORDER
    &
    SUFFER for quite a while because of that.

  13. It's going back to a more timeless look. Not as trendy, but still stylish. The E-class Mercedes is looking good right now, I wonder how this will compare?

  14. Did they start selling today? I'm pretty sure I just saw one, it was black.  On 63 and York in NYC.  It had these  crazy eye lids on the headlights (silver) and not amber like previously. Amber color rear turn signals.  It was just very long.  Much longer than the previous 5 series.  Or maybe it's just the wheel base is longer?

  15. What's with the bottom of the doors. They look like they don't fit. Keep the car long enough in snow and salt country and the paint is going to get chewed up.

  16. It looks like bloated 3 series. It has none of the daring design of the Bangle 5 series. It now looks like any other BMW. What a bunch of cowards.

  17. The current generation 5-er is the only Bangle-era BMW whose styling actually worked.

    This car has nice, pleasant, safe styling. It won't offend anyone, but in a year's time it will be criticised for being dull.

    I can see why BMW took this design direction, but the next generations of the 3, 5 and 7 should be a little braver. Which is not synonymous with 'fugly', incidentally.

  18. I have to settle into this a little bit. It's a smart and solid design, but it's a little too conventional and there is nothing that makes me want to run to the BMW showroom. But I cannot stand the current 5, so this is clearly an improvement. Maybe it would look sportier with different wheel options?

  19. I like it. I hope the 528i is responsive enough so it can be on my shopping list. However, the new Infiniti m37 coming up will be very competitive.

    It sounds like the A6 turbo, the 535i, and the M37 will be a real treat to drive.

  20. This looks so much like the current 3 series it's not even funny! Even knowing it's the new 5er, I mistook it for a 3er as I was flipping through the pics… sad.

  21. All the critics, but few buyers. I especially like this one "there is nothing that makes me want to run to the BMW showroom."

    I say the low numbers of both your paycheck and beacon score aren't encouraging a sprint to the dealership either.

  22. "Anonymous said…
    I like it. I hope the 528i is responsive enough so it can be on my shopping list. However, the new Infiniti m37 coming up will be very competitive.

    It sounds like the A6 turbo, the 535i, and the M37 will be a real treat to drive.

    November 23, 2009 6:23 PM"

    The A6 is supercharged.

    Don't forget the E Class on your list. They really tightened it up for the new model…

  23. It looks like the older, more conservative brother of the 3 series that we never met before, but we can immediately see the family resemblance. We know this guy, we like this guy, and because of this, it's going to see like crazy!

  24. Okay.

    I think I like it. It just seems so much bigger – I wish each generation didn't have to grow so much…

  25. What is a beacon score? Anyway, there's no way I could afford one of these, either. Student loans, buying a house, baby/child care expenses, etc.

    But I do want to commend BMW for doing a great job with both the interior and exterior styling. I'm a big fan of nav screens (which should double as rear view cameras when backing up), and I think if you're going to have one, make it as big as possible, front and center, like they did here.

    And they should come out w/ the non-turbo 6-cylinder ASAP – I think that would be the most popular choice.

  26. "All the critics, but few buyers. I especially like this one "there is nothing that makes me want to run to the BMW showroom." I say the low numbers of both your paycheck and beacon score aren't encouraging a sprint to the dealership either."

    To 2:07,

    Actually, I made the comment about "running to the dealer." Since when do we need to provide a credit score to you in order to have an opinion? A little about me, since you seem to care. I don't earn a weekly "paycheck" at all, I send invoices. There's a big difference and I understand the value of every cent. Your beacon score comment suggests the world of flexible financing that you live in. It's the one that has created a $hitty economy. Not everyone needs to borrow money for a car. And if you do, then you're a phony to buy a BMW and maybe you should be looking at cars in a lower pricepoint. It's BMWs job to make us want to go to the showroom to take a look. Until they do that, I'll remain a critic and not a buyer.

    Anyway, with that rant aside, I have always liked the previous generation 5 Series. The current one never cut it. So I've been watching the development of the next one closely. As I said, the pictures leave me unexcited. But maybe the car will be more appealing in the live metal.

  28. November 24, 2009 2:07 "low numbers of both your paycheck and beacon score aren't encouraging a sprint to the dealership"

    And your use of the OLD term "Beacon" (which was replaced with the Pinnacle Score a while back) is appropriate since this car's "new" styling is older than Germany itself! People who gravitate towards this complacent styling aren't "sprinting" anywhere anymore. The "new" 5 is just an old unchanging car for old unchanging folks.
    ( I drive a CTS-V; Thank-you!)

  29. We know this guy, we like this guy, — well, no, not really. We're familar, veeerryy familar. Too familar, and because of this, we'll ask him to leave now. We're sick of him. Go already. Comback when you've had a change of style. This just doesn't cut it. SO WHAT'S NEW AT CADILLAC?

  30. "SO WHAT'S NEW AT CADILLAC?"

    Different and better looking designs, but same old quality and reliabilty problems.

  31. Never accuse BMW of being revolutionary. Especially not since '92. But it is good that this 5 is beefy looking, because the last one had awfully thin styling.

    And it's still hilarious watching anonymous posters run up to claim their anonymous statements and defend their anonymous name as if we can tell the difference.

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