At first glance the all-new BMW 5-Series has been a bit of a head scratcher. That's because while we know it's an all-new vehicle, it certainly doesn't look the part.
We were critical of BMW's all-new 7-Series and how it wasn't a design departure and we're going to still beat that drum when it comes to the 5'er. Much like we've seen with Audi, this stagnation isn't doing anyone a favor.
From what we've heard, there's still plenty of 7-Series' sitting on dealer lots largely due to its stale styling.
So, what about the all-new 5-Series? Well, a first impression has come in from abroad and we're eager to share it with you. See some of my hand selected excerpts from the first drive impression:
...Considering the updated engines, the familial restyling, and the evolved infotainment system, the 5-series might read as a conservative redesign or as little more than a mid-cycle update. But this is an all-new model, and what it lacks in new tech and splashy changes, it counteracts with more artful chassis tuning than was found in its predecessor...
...The steering weight remains a touch light on-center, and the feedback is just as muted as we’ve—sadly—come to expect. At low speeds, the initial turn-in momentarily makes the car feel like a shopping cart with swiveling casters at the rear. It’s a bit nonlinear and disorienting...
...Without compromising comfort or luxury, the newest 5-series pulls the middle-child BMW back toward that athletic virtue that once made BMW unique. It’s not a wholesale reawakening for the brand, but it’s enough to stoke our nostalgia.
Taking into consideration that there's a bit of softness with the initial review — we know our friends want their next trip — we're curious whether or not this feedback has you wanting an all-new 5-Series OR if you'll start to consider other makes and models.
To us it seems pretty clear that BMW's made some improvement over the last-gen 5 but that's not saying much considering it wasn't a vehicle developed true to the BMW we know and have loved for all these years.
What say YOU, Spies? Does this FIRST impression have you reaching for your checkbook and calling your local BMW dealer or is this convincing you to seek something else?
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