German Car Zone

Got invited as press to preview the infamous 5-Series that has brewed some very heated debates here at GCZ. Pictures paint images of what a car looks like but are always short of the experiencing of a close encounter. In this instance the photos don't fully encapsulate the appearance of the 5-Series GT. And sadly photographing the car was prohibited.

My absolute first impression was "Good lord it's huge..............but sleeker thank expected". In the same case with the Porsche Panamera, the rear end is highly controversial but contrary to my preconceived notions, the 5er GT has quite a slender appearance for a car of its size because it is rather large. As a matter as fact I'd undoubtedly proclaim is an MPV. On the inside awaits a large and airy atrium with a very wide panel stretching from left to right. And the center console is a tall order just like large family saloons, though it's worth mentioning that this car has a slight twist to it thanks to BMW DNA which has resulted in a more driver orientated cockpit. Interior-wise there was nothing to fault and on a par with new E-Class although I haven't had the chance to critically examine both in the fullest details. But I'm very content with what I've experienced so far and both manufacturers have done a terrific job.

BMW decided to bring the car in a grey/green paint job which I find a bit grim as opposed to the beige colour used in some of the photographs that we’ve seen. Although the grey colour didn’t do the best job accentuating the car’s exterior, it did have some very beautiful lines. Fabulous new design language. I do believe the lines will work best on a smaller car – the F10. The white angle eyes are highly tasteful and close the chapter for the signature orange ones we’re used to. Tail lights look absolutely stunning when someone hits the brake pedal, and the lights are of monstrous size. Make no mistake, this is a very large car so don’t kidd yourself. In terms of size it’s a blown up X6 and my photographer was the one who pointed out the cars similarities in size and shape. But the X6 is more athletic and feels a bit like a sedan on the inside compared with generous 5er GT. Sliding into the rear is where the card house collapsed. I’m 180cm tall and have roughly 5 cm of hair height which I could disappointingly feel rubbing the ceiling. This is not the case when I’m in the back of a 7-series, R-Class or a Volvo C30. With that being said the car is not for parents who plan on breeding basket ball players or princesses that enjoy wearing tiaras. It’s a bit of a waste given how large the car is.

This constraint makes the car unsuitable for anyone over 185cm and thus rule out the use as a corporate car. Families in the market for an A6 Avant and similar will probably be interested in the car but might very well chose to opt for an X6 because of the confined headroom in the 5er GT. So all in all, the existence of the car is very questionable and begs the question of what it really does for you. Physical constraints like headroom in the rear are incredibly hard to whiff off, though it’s a question whether one is willing to do such a compromise but why compromise when the car is not tight as sexy as a sedan? Very risky car by BMW and it suffer the threat of coming across as useless ones the new 5series have debuted because the only selling point it has got right now is the design. Just like initially said a few months ago, the car is very much an MPV with a compromised roof – BMW’s R-Class.

Hideous profile and rear.

Useless to anyone taller than about 1.90... (if the person is proportionate)... that can't be good.

^^
Anyone that tall would not be too happy in the back seat, especially if they care for their hair. The X5 or even 5-series Touring is hands down the better choices if one wants to comfortably accommodate tall people.

The profile actually rather nice IRL and the shape is reminiscent of the X6, though slightly more disproportionate. It would be an exaggeration to call the rear-end beautiful but neither is it outstandingly ugly, just overly huge. Quite astonishing was the tail gate which is incredibly wide and watching it being closed and open using a remote was like watching a garage door open. Absolute huge and good for tossing in gym bags.


Second photo of the 5-Series GT "motor home" in which the car was housed.

Useless as a car in general. The 5 series touring takes care of this market share quite well I'd say 80%-90% of the customers requesting needs.

Strange. Here - 10 days ago a local BMW representatives organized a Z4 & 5er GT presentation event with some fashion show etc.

And we managed to seat a guy 1.92 cm tall in the back of 5er GT with ease. And there was still approx. 1cm headroom left.

He even managed to sit in Z4 (roof up) yet touching the roof with his hair.

Luw, I assume you have an abnormally disproportional body. Torso, neck & head much longer then the legs.

I'm not worried about the headroom. The car's huge. I' m just worried about what people would think if they saw me driving down the road in a car like the 5er GT.

CarGuy, this particular forum has debated the purpose of this car until the cows come home. Your argument around the virtue of the 5er GT being catered for by a Touring is true only from a practical standpoint. Please see my post in the 5er GT thread regarding the one-sidedness of this opinion.

Wagons have a poor luxury image and forecourt status. The 5er GT combines luxurious appointment, more comfortable accommodation and a fair dose of practicality without the dowdy wagon image. In addition, it frees the F10 up to be what it deserves to be: the best midsize sporting saloon in the world.

So you say that the E-Estate has a poor luxury image? True, the 5er GT doesn't look like a "dowdy wagon," but it does look like a Hyundai hatch. Besides, I see no practicality in a car so huge with only four seats standard.

^ Exactly.

Martin, I'm glad your intellect still works perfectly, not being rusty etc.
With some extra thinking people can easy understand "the point" of 5er GT.