Does F10 550 beat E39 540i?

"Of course the new car is going to be bigger and heavier, EVERY SINGLE CAR on market is the same.
They have to be increased due to safety regulation and what not."

Still, more small cars than ever are being produced and really large vehicles are being discontinued. Material technology have made huge strides to make lighter and stronger constructions.
Engines are dropping in displacement and there is no reason why cars should get bigger and heavier and I think we might be at the crest now. Porsche already dropped 400 lbs of the Cayenne, VW made similar reductions on the Touareg. The new Audi Q7 is rumoured to drop even more and the Range Rover still more. I think the next 5 series will be lighter than the F10 which I think will be keep it's position as the heaviest 5 series forever.

Originally Posted by solstice

"Of course the new car is going to be bigger and heavier, EVERY SINGLE CAR on market is the same.
They have to be increased due to safety regulation and what not."

Still, more small cars than ever are being produced and really large vehicles are being discontinued. Material technology have made huge strides to make lighter and stronger constructions.
Engines are dropping in displacement and there is no reason why cars should get bigger and heavier and I think we might be at the crest now. Porsche already dropped 400 lbs of the Cayenne, VW made similar reductions on the Touareg. The new Audi Q7 is rumoured to drop even more and the Range Rover still more. I think the next 5 series will be lighter than the F10 which I think will be keep it's position as the heaviest 5 series forever.

True. I suppose lighter cars will be the trend in a decade or so.
But as of right now, it's still pretty difficult to maintain the same safety while decreasing the weight in most mass market cars.

Quite interesting though BMW made the new F30 3 series lighter than the last generation. It must not be an easy task with all the new tech. I guess if you really want a light nimble sedan 3 series is the way to go.

Originally Posted by Sophisto

I owned a E39 528A Touring for 5 years.
I still am sorry for ever trading that car for an E61.

I am of the opposite opinion. I drove a 540i Sport with multiple Dinan upgrades. Incredible car, loved it. Then I bought a 550i Sport (E60) and I love it even more. Took a couple days to get used to the different "feel" of the car, but there has been no looking back. Absolutely fantastic car.

Next up, I'm going to buy either an F10 550 or an F13 650. Hence my hanging around these forum.

Originally Posted by astrohip

I am of the opposite opinion. I drove a 540i Sport with multiple Dinan upgrades. Incredible car, loved it. Then I bought a 550i Sport (E60) and I love it even more. Took a couple days to get used to the different "feel" of the car, but there has been no looking back. Absolutely fantastic car.

Next up, I'm going to buy either an F10 550 or an F13 650. Hence my hanging around these forum.

I also think the E60 is a notch above the E39. The F10 however is a totally different car and not in a good way for my personal preferences.

Originally Posted by solstice

I also think the E60 is a notch above the E39. The F10 however is a totally different car and not in a good way for my personal preferences.

Totally agree

I prefer the F10 to the E60. Just a better car overall.

Originally Posted by geo3515

I prefer the F10 to the E60. Just a better car overall.

Especially when you get out of the car and look at it. E60 was FUG beyond belief as were the 6/7 of that era.

Originally Posted by Keyser Soze

Especially when you get out of the car and look at it. E60 was FUG beyond belief as were the 6/7 of that era.

AGREE 200%!

I would never even consider getting into the E60 because of how UGLY it look.
Same as last generation 6/7.

Interesting. I actually preferred the exterior design of the E60 to the F10, in fact it still catches my eye.

But I absolutely HATED everything else about the E60 -- driving it, using it, the iDrive -- everything.

Overall, I am very satisfied with my F10. It might even be the best car I've ever owned, although I still think my B6 S4 beats it by a very small margin (the 340hp V8 might have something to do with that ).

Originally Posted by solstice

Engines are dropping in displacement and there is no reason why cars should get bigger and heavier and I think we might be at the crest now. Porsche already dropped 400 lbs of the Cayenne, VW made similar reductions on the Touareg. The new Audi Q7 is rumoured to drop even more and the Range Rover still more. I think the next 5 series will be lighter than the F10 which I think will be keep it's position as the heaviest 5 series forever.

I noticed the Bentley Continental GT went from 5181lbs to 5115lbs with the 2012 redesign. I guess every little bit helps.