RAISE And PRAISE! Who Did It Better? The 6th OR 7th Generation BMW 5-Series?

Still remaining the largest contributing factor for most folks' automotive purchase is how a vehicle looks. Let's all admit it together, we're all a little vain.

Well, when it comes to dropping your hard-earned cash on something, I cannot blame anyone.

2018 BMW 5-Series

While we covered the launch of the all-new BMW 5-Series early this week and last weekend, we showed you the very best real-life pics of the all-new 5 on the 'net. Some exclaimed the all-new BMW was a bit too much of the same and others said it was delightful.

Here's the thing: If you're shopping for a BMW 5 you're going to be challenged with a hard decision. Do you wait for the all-new car OR do you take a leftover sixth-gen vehicle off the lot? I think most would do the latter as the deals will be aggressive; however, we're curious WHICH generation 5-Series you think is better looking.

Make sure to tell us WHY! See the clip below and let us know, Spies!

Compare the changes of the 5 Series on your own: In this film we´ll show the 6th and 7th generation side by side, so you can compare the exterior design (front and rear) at day and night, the interior design and the displays. What generation do you prefer?

2018 BMW 5-Series

MarathonBob - 1/21/2017 5:08:02 PM

+5 Boost

For too long BMW has acted like Porsche's evolution of the 911. That is, not much changes from version to version. Porsche can get away with it, but I don't think BMW can. I've had multiple 3 series, and each new one seems to lose a bit of its soul while looking too darn close like the one that preceded it. My next car won't be a BMW.

carsnyc - 1/21/2017 9:27:44 PM

+4 Boost

How funny is it that they saw the need to produce a comparison video. Like I said previously, I want to wait until I drive the new car to say. Looks alone there's really nothing new here.

t_bone - 1/22/2017 12:16:05 AM

+5 Boost

Neither. Fourth generation; before Bangle and Hooydonk started their war crimes on car design.

MDarringer - 1/22/2017 10:35:51 AM

+1 Boost

AMEN

momentofsurrender - 1/22/2017 1:31:15 AM

+6 Boost

It was sometimes difficult to tell the differences even with the comparison video lol.

Dr550 - 1/22/2017 2:29:53 AM

+3 Boost

7th generation: Interior: B; Exterior B-. I think BMW has designed the 5 & 7 as "executive" sedans and the up coming 6, 8, and 9 will use VFL design elements.

Hawk - 1/22/2017 9:56:37 AM

+3 Boost

7th gen is 16.667% better than 6th gen.

pmrmd - 1/22/2017 10:05:02 AM

+1 Boost

F10 5-series is/was beautiful and was a delight to drive. G30 has the same attractive stance with an improved interior.

GermanNut - 1/22/2017 9:04:16 PM

+3 Boost

BMW's conservative design evolution has cost it dearly. It lost the 2016 U.S. and global sales titles to Mercedes-Benz and its U.S. sales fell much more than the competition. The 7-Series can't compete with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in terms of global sales. The new 5-Series might even see its sales decline compared to the current version. The new 5-Series looks so similar to the current 5-Series that current owners won't feel the need to get the new one because 99% of people won't be able to tell the difference between their car and the new one.

The bread and butter 3-Series sales fell 25% in 2016 - a huge problem for BMW.

Without a much larger design difference from one generation to the next, BMW's sales will continue to trail Mercedes-Benz's both in the United States and globally.

PUGPROUD - 1/23/2017 8:36:41 AM

+1 Boost

BMW just canned head designer...long over due!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GermanNut - 1/23/2017 10:35:14 AM

+1 Boost

Agreed that the removal of BMW's head of design was long over due but more importantly, it might be too late. For example, Marc Lichte was named Audi Design Chief at the end of 2013. The new Audi A8, which will be the first Audi model that Lichte had 100% oversight of from concept to production won't debut until the end of this year.

BMW can't afford to wait 4 years for more drastic design changes from one generation to the next. The 3-Series sales collapsed 25% in the U.S. in 2016. Without major changes, BMW might be looking at its 3-Series sales falling a lot more.

The clock is ticking on BMW to form a drastically new design strategy.

malba2367 - 1/23/2017 9:58:09 AM

+2 Boost

To me it looks better than the 6th gen which always looked a little frumpy to me. However, from a styling standpoint, it looks to be closer to a mid cycle refresh than a total redesign.