Although it's one of the best cars you'll ever drive we just can't get past the exterior and interior design of the new 5-series.
It's our least favorite new BMW design.
It looks like Snidely Whiplash from the front and Charley Chan from the back.
The more we see it, the uglier it gets!
With one exception...The M5 version.
Somehow, it the design actually works on that car (not great, but certainly not an embarrasment)
BUT OF COURSE, THAT'S ONLY OUR OPINION.
Not everyone agrees with us.
Some people like it (We question their taste though)and that's cool.
But there's one thing that virtually EVERYONE can agree on as the cars biggest flaw.
THE INTERIOR DESIGN AND CHEAP QUALITY MATERIALS.
Don't just take it from us, read what our readers have to say on the subject:
I feel compelled to write. I'm a car enthusiast and although I generally have several vehicles (new and classic) to drive, for the last 15 or so years, my main day to day car has always been a new BMW. I've loved their reliability, their thrilling driving feel, their features and the great feeling you get driving an incredibly well designed, engineered and built vehicle. Not to discount my local dealership which I refer dozens of customers annually, sends a flat bed to my office to pick up my car for service and leave me a loaner. I've owned a succession of five or six 5 series and one 7 series. All have been great cars and great fun to drive and I've looked forward to the next new one with anticipation. The lease on my last, a 2000 540i, expired last February. I made the mistake of getting the sport package and had to replace front air dams three times because the car sat so low. The fourth I made BMW pay for and decided not to buy the car at the end of the lease and instead bought a pre-owned XK8 convertible as I awaited the new Six series with great anticipation. To be honest, I thought the new styling on the 7 series was just an outright abomination and several friends I know were reduced to tears and anger just trying to figure out how to work the radio with the idrive. The new 5 series, is not nearly as hideous, but resembles a japanese imitation of a BMW than a BMW and the new 6 series, although a little less severe, is just not the stylish and attractive car that I had hoped to be able to lust after. The interiors of ALL these cars looks to be style for the sake of style and the design, layout and finish of the materials looks just plain CHEAP! On many occasions here in Los Angeles, I've spotted what I thought was a new 6 series convertible only to see that closer up it was a Toyota Solara convertible instead!
BMW has lost their way! As wonderful as I am sure they are to drive, they are NOT pleasing to the eye. I don't want to have to pay nearly $80,000 for a car that I "have to get used to looking at!" I have long admired the form and functionality of BMW cars and now find that if I want to get out of my Jaguar (which is quite beautiful, if not as much fun to drive as my 540) and get back into the feel of a BMW, I am going to have to go out and buy a certified pre-owned 5 series or 3 series convertible, because the new BMW's leave me cold.
I truly hope Chris Bangle's "promotion up stairs" is a signal that BMW design is going to go back to it's Bavarian roots that have made me grin in the past.
Gary K.
As an owner for 30 years, I was totally disheartened with not only the 5's new exterior but the cheap looking interior. The dash, the door panels, all of it was incredibly cheap looking. Couple that with the price raise over my 2001 540, and I went out and leased an E class. It was not easy changing after so many years but I just couldn't believe the arrogance of BMW to put out that product and expect me to buy into it.
Jerry
I had a 2000 328i and loved it! I went straight to BMW for my next car totally intending to walk in a buy a 5 series on the spot. But after seeing the interior I just could not. It looked worse than my 4 year old 3 series. I loved the exterior styling and the ride/handling was perfection but for $60K I wasn’t going to spend my next 3-4 years in a car whose interior looked worse than a Saturn.
I ended up buying 2 cars, the Acura TL for my wife and a Lexus 430 for me. I regret not having another BMW since these cars do not handle the way I like, but BMW dropped the ball. It wouldn’t have been that difficult for them to put a little thought into the interior, and that cup holder – give me a break.
Rick B.
Decatur, IN
Does the 5 series need an interior upgrade. UMM that is a big yes, and please do it FAST!
We currently own a 2002 BMW 525iA and love its rich feel and quality. it's not that the 2004 BMW 530i's interior is not nice, it's just not as nice as a 5 series interior should be. after years of excellent quality fit and finish of 5 series from 97-03 its hard to understand why BMW would make a mistake like this. We never considered looking at other cars when our lease is over for our 5 series, but after having seen the inside of the E60 model we started to have second thoughts. Here's how I see it and will say it. BMW Please redo the interior to the E60, Make I drive an option and for those who want Nav, and go back to your roots. BMW take a note and a good close look at the new Infiniti M35, Acura TL, RL, Benz E-Class and your last generation 5, the E39. Please think it over before it's to late, Trust me your sales would be higher if this changed.
Jorge
Orlando,FL
I waited for a year to see, drive, then order my new E-60. Upon seeing one, I had no problem with the exterior styling. Upon Driving the 530. I greatly appreciated the increase in performance and handling over the E-39. But the interior was the great barrier. I could even deal with the i-drive if I had to, but that dash, center console and door design was more than I could take. The way the dash curves away from the driver detracts immensely. It doesn’t flow into the doors as in the E-39, and the wood treatment looked like burnt-plastic. I spend my time INSIDE a car, therefore I want the interior to look comfortable and not cheap. The E-60 does neither.
I bought one of the last new E-39’s and LOVE it...ESPECIALLY the interior.
Jimmy G.
Santee, CA
I am currently driving my 2nd and 3rd e39 touring (actually my wife is driving one of them), I thoroughly dislike the interior of the e60, of which the touring is to debut tomorrow here in the Netherlands. As I am due for a new car, you can understand my interest. I do not dislike the styling though, it's the material: the plastic horizontal bar above the decor line (either wood- or alumtrimming)
really LOOKS like plastic; solid, no grain, cheap-Japanese 70's car-plastic.
Keep up the good works.
Albert MdU
Yes I believe the interior is not very high class even though the S-class was criticized for its interior a 2000 S Class still looks better inside. And that’s not even mentioning the Designo package. I myself am in the market for a car and I just looked at the 5 series and the looks and the quality is just not their. Also I realized that a 530i the way I would want it is about $54,000 and I have seen 745i's for about $50,000 and the Li's for about 52,000 and the 7 series interior can not be faulted and they have quite a bit more presence than a 5 series. The 5 series used to be the most respected car in its class and now BMW has ruined it!
Germaine Kendrick
Stacey
BMW has always been known for their classic, understated design. In the past two to three years, they've ruined this image with vehicles such as the 7 Series, the Z4, the 6 Series, and most recently, the 5. The 3 Series is the only model that hasn't been "Bangelized" yet. I think that the 5 Series interior is nice, but overdone, and also a little bit cheap looking. The materials look plasticy, and the design looks cumbersome. When compared with the 3 Series interior, which is simple, yet attractive, it looks completely overdone.
Lou
I currently drive a 2002 330i; my second BMW in 4 years, the new 5 series was going to be my next new BMW; until I drove it.
I test drove the 530 with and without sports package and I drove the 540, I really wanted to like this car but it did not drive as well as my 330. The interior as well as the exterior are a major disappointment; this car does not drive like a BMW. Active steering makes no sense. Drivers of BMW cars want a sports car with luxury the new 5 so far has failed, maybe the new M5 will change my mind.
Regards
-Chet
Yes it is mundane, but I bought a 545 sport. The drive is the selling (buying) point. The 545 with active steering and active suspension is far superior to the E.
Steve
The new redesigned 5 Series interior is awful...very bland...and what's up with those weak cup holders!! The car stereo is also weak (standard or upgraded version…no power/bass)...They didn't make any improvements in either of these areas over the old 5 series...they(Germans) just don't listen to us here in USA or don't care what we think ....I will not buy this car because of the cup holders, I'm serious! The Germans are really stubborn folks and they think they are so smart....but they're not.....They look like idiots from my viewpoint and I will not buy the car based on principal and the belief that they don't give a hoot...I'm waiting for the new Acura RL or new Lexus GS coming soon...
Scott
I "was" a BMW man! I had a 92 325is, loved it, did it all up with Schnitzer aftermarket. I had a 2000 X5 4.4 sport, that my wife still drives, and I also had a 2001 540i done up as well.
Now it was time to get a new car. I sat in the E500 and immediately fell in love. I sat in the 545i and was completely disappointed. Same with the outside, the MB is just better looking.
I had no choice but to go with the E500 sport with the panoramic sunroof, sport package and 20 inch brabus rims.... and the deal that I got was incredible. $745 plus tax for 48mo with only $1200 out of pocket. I called 5 bimmer dealers and they laughed at me.
I know I got the better can and better deal.... love it!
Alex G.
I have two(2001) beemers-tested the new 5-not impress at all-inferior quality(interior-unimpressive-cheap)older 5 is better. I plan to purchase a lexus or mercedes-end of year. I predict that the 3 series will also "fall" as did the 7 & 5 series. It appears that mercedes and lexus are headed in the right direction with their exterior "designs"(their interiors are far superior in quality) and will succeed. (Who knows-the Koreans may some day surpass BMW in interior and design quality-we all once laughed at Japan)
Debbee
Looks tacky
John
Needs nothing!!! It's perfect...
Marcy