They maybe look equal but the 5er is the sportier of the two.


Anyway, when I saw the first pics of the E60 5er I was terrified. I thought: "What have they done to the best looking car in its class?!" (which E39 was with W211). It looked so different and too modern at the time. But then I saw it in real life and I was instantly in love with the car. Now after 3 years I still think it looks great. It's not the most beautiful car in its class (A6 and E-Class are more beautiful) but it has that unchallenged dynamic and sporty look that the others lack. With the Xenon lights and angel eyes the front is just . The only detail which doesn't fully satisfy me is the shape of the rear lights. I think they could have done it just a bit better. Something like an evolution on the facelifted E39's rear lights rather than a completely new shape. But that's the only complaint I have, everything else is near perfect.

I think that with time perhaps, when the current generation is superceded by the next, those of us who aren't in love w/ the current lineup will begin to appreciate the more unique aspects of the 1 st "flame surface" generation. It always seems to work like that, as newer trends can take forever to get used to. I still love BMW's for what they are at the core, pure driving no compromise machines. I love BMW's approach to engineering, the depthl, and always looking to stay at the forefront of every aspect in the industry.

I realy kinda like the E60 design, it's certainly grown on me since the launch. The only issue i have with it is the rear 3/4 view- it looks kinda awkward. Otherwise it's a refreshing design.

What i am dissapointed about the engineering. It's suppose to be BMW's most thoroughly engineered car, but some details contradict this:

-4 star safety rating: c'mon, this car is suppose to have a 5 star safety rating considering it's bodyshell is one of the stiffest in class. Even a Fiat has a 5 star rating:

-Interior design and quality: i'm so sick and tired of reading reviews where the interior plastics of a 5 are compared to that of a Daewoo. It's so dissapointing when accountants overrule the engineers in the interior dept.

-No LED tailights: again, another shot of cost-cutting. Its a worrying trend for BMW, a model would have LEDs where the next generatio doesn't. Witness the E39 to E60, and the 3 Coupe/Convertible (full LEDs) where the new models only have Celis-LEDs for night-light.

Anyway i hope these issues are addressed with the FL 5er.

Something interesting, Dr Walter Wohnig, the development chief for E60, was demoted to head of body purchasing.

I just looked back at this and realized I typed "many", which is not the case. I should have specified the specific models I had in mind; 6er & 7er. The face lift of the latter will fare far better than the original, I believe, but I think we'll really have something to look forward to w/ the new F01/F02.

Agreed. This is ridiculous and it should have taken care immediately when it got that rating. I'll go nuts if they don't fix this issue in upcoming facelift. If I would be looking for a new car, I would definetly look for no less than five start ratings. This rank is getting industry strandard like the ESP. If new cars a better in one thing, it's safety.

Other than that, I think the 5er looks fresh! After all these years, there's just something about it that makes my head turn. It may not be as German as the previous model but I like. The rear lights and the lack of LED's are the only thing bothers me.

5er E50 was two points from having 5 stars. Even though it only have 4 stars its much safer than a small car with 5 stars due of its size. All according to Eurocap. Not having 5 stars is no big deal from accident view, its only bad from markeeting view.

BTW what happen to audi Q7, it only got 4 stars, did they fix the problem so it got 5 stars instead?

not in my book, 5er still looks more aggressive and sportier.

BTW regarding interiors, with the facelift X3 interiors materials were improved, same happening with 1er and probably with 5er with the facelift in March. And the new X5, best interior in the SUV segment according to different reviews.
If BMW wants to, they can build interiors with fine materials, X5 is a proofe of that, so is the individual cars from BMW.

Well its good that we have gotten some conversation going here about the 5er and it is ok if everyone, for the most part, doesn't share my opinion. Going on what someone said earlier I want to say that I do believe that the 5er still looks fresh, but the design just has been eating at me.

I see nothing wrong with the M5. I think that car looks good. However, there is something about the 5er that looks too whimpy. I am not sure if it is the front bumper or the headights.

could be the cartoon glasses you bought earlier my biggest problem with E60 is the front bumper down on the car, not the headlights, I hope it get fixed with the facelift.

looking at you with a mean face

Sure, it`s your opinion and eveyone has that right.. I came to the conclusion that the 5er sport-package looks like a (very-much) toned down version of the M5. The E-sport was taken from the E55 AMG (directly) which I believe looks better, (while the E63 has a look of it`s own.)