character vs blandness

From top to bottom the cars with the most character ( stunning exterior and interior styling) to the most bland. What are your opinions.

1-E60
2-Audi A6
3-MB E-class
4-Lexus GS 430
5-Jaguar S type
6-Acura RL ( for interior I would put it as number 2)
7-Cadilac STS
8-Infiniti M (outright ugly)

If you think E60 has the best in exterior and interior, you are biased!

In my view:

Interior: E60 is definitely bottom (not that it's bad).
Exterior: E60 is not as good as MB and Jaguar. Lexus is bottom
E60 has the best handling & riding combination (that's why I chose it).

You are 200% right
I am biased!!!!!!

But thats my view

I can't belive I'm saying this, but I actually agree that the e60 exterior is the most interesting of all of them. I used to hate it-- but its tarting to make more sense to me.

Exteriors:
1-E60
2-MB E-class
3-Audi A6
4-Cadilac STS
5-Infiniti M (outright ugly)
6-Lexus GS 430
7-Acura RL (
8-Jaguar S type (worst by far)

INteriors are a different story
1-Audi A6
2-Acura RL
3-MB E-class
4-Lexus GS 430
5-Cadilac STS
6-Jaguar S type
7-E60
8-Infiniti M (outright ugly)

I agree that the Infiniti M interior is horrible. But, the e60 is not far behind. IMO, the e60 interior is pretty bad. I wouldn't mind spending time in interiors 1-5. 6-8 are almost offensive.

Just curious- what criteria do you use to rate the interior? I like the E60's interior because its modern, and because its minimalist. Obviously that's personal preference...so what matters to others in an interior?

Originally Posted by Me530

Just curious- what criteria do you use to rate the interior? I like the E60's interior because its modern, and because its minimalist. Obviously that's personal preference...so what matters to others in an interior?

I actually like modern and minimalist designs. But, to pull them off you need to have very good execution and very clean lines. The e60's interior needs some higher quality touches (like real aluminum climate knobx and idrive knob for example)--and there's too many extraneous lines, seams and textures. Plus, the double-hump just looks gimicky and "80s future car concept" to me. And, some of the ergonomics are a suspect (like the placeent of the window swithces and the ridicuous (And ugly) cupholders. I agree that the other interiors aren't really "modern" (audi probably comes closenst), but they have nicer detailing and more pleasing, flowing designs. WHenever I look at the e60 interior it looks like a rough mock-up of the final thing. I think its the kind of thing that might look nice if they used really nice materials and cleaner design. I bet the original artist sketch was nice-- but it didn't get translated very well. Also, I think the tactile quality of the swithces and knobs could be much, much better. And, there's too many flimsy parts-- stuff you can bend by pressing w/ your finger. FOr example, the A pillar trim-- you can almost pry it off w/ your hands-- can't do that w/ my e46 or the otehr cars. Finally, although i've liked the orange lighting in BMWs in the past, it doesn't really go w/the newer "modern" interiors. I also think that there should be a few more radio and climate control "hard buttons" that don't involve i-drive (air direction for example).

Originally Posted by robg

I actually like modern and minimalist designs. But, to pull them off you need to have very good execution and very clean lines. The e60's interior needs some higher quality touches (like real aluminum climate knobx and idrive knob for example)--and there's too many extraneous lines, seams and textures. Plus, the double-hump just looks gimicky and "80s future car concept" to me. And, some of the ergonomics are a suspect (like the placeent of the window swithces and the ridicuous (And ugly) cupholders. I agree that the other interiors aren't really "modern" (audi probably comes closenst), but they have nicer detailing and more pleasing, flowing designs. WHenever I look at the e60 interior it looks like a rough mock-up of the final thing. I think its the kind of thing that might look nice if they used really nice materials and cleaner design. I bet the original artist sketch was nice-- but it didn't get translated very well. Also, I think the tactile quality of the swithces and knobs could be much, much better. And, there's too many flimsy parts-- stuff you can bend by pressing w/ your finger. FOr example, the A pillar trim-- you can almost pry it off w/ your hands-- can't do that w/ my e46 or the otehr cars. Finally, although i've liked the orange lighting in BMWs in the past, it doesn't really go w/the newer "modern" interiors. I also think that there should be a few more radio and climate control "hard buttons" that don't involve i-drive (air direction for example).

All right- thanks! Anybody else out there have an opinion to share about their interior criteria?

I guess I've gotten used to the interior now. The "burlap sack" headliner used to really bother me but now I hardly think about it (until now). I love all the lines and everything fits very well...the I-Drive works awesome although I agree with robg that radio and air vent controls outside of the I-drive would be nicer. Otherwise, the I-Drive has been great!

Originally Posted by Ågent99

I guess I've gotten used to the interior now. The "burlap sack" headliner used to really bother me but now I hardly think about it (until now). I love all the lines and everything fits very well...the I-Drive works awesome although I agree with robg that radio and air vent controls outside of the I-drive would be nicer. Otherwise, the I-Drive has been great!

They're getting closer-- the e90 has hard air direction buttions. Maybe the next model out will have a few more radio buttons and slightly faster i-drive computer. Then it'll be If they could make the screen a pop-up rather than a permanent dash tumor-- that would be Throw some real aluminum bits in (instead of alumi-look plastic) and now we're really talking. Patience.. patience...

One other thing about the screen. It seems to me that the interface should be structured in a way such that there's rarely a need to use the screen while driving (except occasionally when using the nav). Nav directions? Primarily voice and a redundant display of the next turn info on the screen betwnee the guages. Radio/CD/ipod? Station/track displyed between the gauges. Basic OBC info? same thing. Then, the screen could relegated to a less obtrusive location (like maybe a pop-up for occasional use or for passengers to play with if they really must). I think they just put the screen there for the "bling", "i'm a high tech car" factor-- but its just ends up looking dopey. Hopefully, w/ the next gen they can be more secure in themselves and not have to scream "i'm such a high tech car, you need a screen to run me". In reality, that's not even the case now (as many idrive defenders hav epointed out), nor should it be desirable. Maybe I should write a letter to BMW saying "I believe you. You can make high tech cars w/ software glitches just like the best of them. Its ok. Calm down".

Do you guys agree?

I do love my 545, but my 528 had a much better looking dash! No question!