In-Person F10 Observations at the NY Auto Show

Looking at the car as a whole without attempting to identify and nitpick on specific design elements, I must say that none of the pictures that I have seen do justice to the quiet understated look of elegance and command that the F-10 portrays. IMHO it is a vast improvement over the E-60 and is a modernization of the feel that the E-39 exhibits.

You could not get closer than 8-feet or so to the cars and the show people could not open the doors. Both cars on display (535i, Space Gray Metallic, Venetian Beige Dakota Leather) (550i, Dark Graphite Metallic, Oyster and Black Nappa Leather) appeared to have the sport package and the 535i had a head-up display. I really liked the dark graphite color. Depending on the angle of observation it appeared almost black and sometimes had a dark purple cast to it. The florescent lights do not do justice to it and I have to see it in outdoor light, but in the end I will probably go for the Black Sapphire Metallic on my order. As seen through the closed tinted windows, the 535i headliner seemed to match the Venetian Beige seats and the 550i headliner was oyster.
I was almost sold on the Cinnamon Brown interior for my order based on the 5GT configurator pictures. They had a 5GT, a 2011 X3 and another car on the floor with Cinnamon Brown. They did not impress me like the website pictures did and I decided all black would be better for me. That’s all very subjective, but you have to see the color in person to decide. Do not depend on the configrator.

The placard on the 535i indicated an EPA estimated 19/28 mpg for the manual and 20/29 mpg for the automatic. 0-60 was 5.7 seconds for both. I didn’t look at the 550i info. The combination of acceleration and gas mileage are impressive and indicate that the 535i is a very competent and well balanced machine assuming that the electric steering doesn’t mess things up.

The multi-contour seats are awesome - very supportive and comfortable. I tried them on a 5GT. The F-10 has the same seats. The cockpits are almost the same on the 5GT and F-10 except for some minor changes to the center console.

The F-10’s will be ready for distribution from the NJ shipping center towards the end of April with each dealer receiving two. It is up to BWMNA as to when they want to release them, but they will probably be available for test drives and “private” showing by May 1. In June or July, there will be a test drive event with Mercedes E class, Audi 6 and the F-10 available for comparison.

how did you like the 550i sport package wheels?

how did you like the 550i sport package wheels?

I didn't try to pick out individual design elements for critique other than color. The wheels on both cars blended in well with the whole package and did not detract from it.

Great write-up, RadarGuy - thanks!

Originally Posted by radarguy

..... They had ..... a 2011 X3 .....

Was this this the new generation X3? Or perhaps it was a 2010, the current model?

Thanks
Bruce

Was this this the new generation X3? Or perhaps it was a 2010, the current model?

The placard said 2011. I didn't look at the vehicle other than to observe the interior color.

Originally Posted by radarguy

I must say that none of the pictures that I have seen do justice to the quiet understated look of elegance and command that the F-10 portrays.

The F-10's will be ready for distribution from the NJ shipping center towards the end of April with each dealer receiving two. It is up to BWMNA as to when they want to release them, but they will probably be available for test drives and "private" showing by May 1. In June or July, there will be a test drive event with Mercedes E class, Audi 6 and the F-10 available for comparison.

Bimmers always look better in the metal than in pictures. Pictures just can't get the whole essence of the cars.

Do you know if there's a place to sign up for interest or to register for this event?

Can you give a little more detail on the cinammon? We just placed an order for 2011 535I with Mojave over Cinammon (wife`s car and color choices). I`m not too sold on, but she`s confident. Appreciate anything you can offer.

Do you know if there's a place to sign up for interest or to register for this event?

I have no idea where, when or how you would sign up. It is supposed to be a traveling show going to different dealers. It could a national sign-up like the Susan Koman Ultimate Drive or local at your dealer. I'm sure this forum will pick it up as soon as it is announced.

Can you give a little more detail on the cinammon?

Since it's all a matter of personal preference it almost impossible to comment in a meaningful way. My wife, who liked Cinnamon as seen on the configurator on the website thought it was ugly in person. I did not have as negative an opinion, but it was not quite as dark or rich looking as the configurator suggested and as a result I don't think it looked that good with the black in the interior. Again, it's really a matter of personal preference and many on this forum would quickly reject the all black interior that I am leaning towards at the moment. If you can find a 5GT at a dealer or get to NY before Sunday you can see it in person. I just don't remember what the third car was that had it and I doubt if there are any 2011 X3's around. The color can be seen in the 5GT brochure, but on my copy it is nothing like the real thing. Good luck.

Just looking at the confugurator, I don't like any interior color other than Cinnamon Brown. Oyster's too light, Beige is too common, Gray and Black don't do it for me. Now if Cinnamon Brown's not too good in person either... I wish I could get Red

Originally Posted by masku

Just looking at the confugurator, I don't like any interior color other than Cinnamon Brown. Oyster's too light, Beige is too common, Gray and Black don't do it for me. Now if Cinnamon Brown's not too good in person either... I wish I could get Red

That's kind of where we are......this car is for the wife, and Cinammon is kind of the choice simply due to exclusion of all the others. Her first choice would be the Dark Graphite over the Oyster/Black combo interior, but with a 9-yr old, the Oyster will probably be too hard to keep clean.

Our CA showed us a swatch of the Cinammon in Merino leather from the X5/X6, and it looks redder in person than on the computer. BUT, that was Merino leather, not Dakota leather, so again, it's hit or miss.

She also likes the Mojave metallic for the exterior. Our dealership had a 335i convertible in Mojave, and it's a very "different" color, changes a lot depending on the sunlight, moreso than most of the metallics I've seen.

She's going to ponder the choice for a few more days... but you know what they say: If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

[QUOTE=radarguy;5085387]My wife, who liked Cinnamon as seen on the configurator on the website thought it was ugly in person. I did not have as negative an opinion, but it was not quite as dark or rich looking as the configurator suggested and as a result I don't think it looked that good with the black in the interior. The color can be seen in the 5GT brochure, but on my copy it is nothing like the real thing. /QUOTE]

In person, did the Cinnamon color look like any of the photos in the attached thread?
http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368908

Any news on the next M5? Power plant? etc.?

While I like what the news designs have in store from an exterior standpoint, I am not thrilled the path BMW is taking on the interior dash designs.

In person, did the Cinnamon color look like any of the photos in the attached thread?

My monitor is going to show colors different than yours and unless it's a good CRT monitor or one of the better Apple LCD's it's not going to be correct on either one of ours. Of course the camera that took the picture is another variable. If I look at the picture posted by E60525d in your referenced thread you can see various shades depending on how the light is hitting it. Never-the-less, on my LCD monitor it appears to be in the ball park.

When I saw that photo before I went to the auto show I said it doesn't look as good as the configurator, but it still looks good. When I view the photo today after seeing the interior in person I say the brown by itself is a great color, but it doesn't go with the black. Of course your mileage might vary because it is a personal preference. You have to see it in person. Ask your CA if he can find a 5GT with Cinnamon Brown at a dealer within a few hundred miles of your location and take a ride this weekend to see it for your self.

After reading the posts here I am getting a little shy about my color selections. Might just have to wimp out and play safe - either black on black, or grey on black - same 'Ole, same 'Ole.......

I was also at the NYIAS and went specifically to compare the sport pkg. wheels, among other things. I went in liking the 535i package from photos, etc. But the 550i wheels are edgy and aggressive, reminding me of reversable turbine blades, i.e. the vanes cutting the air in different directions, projecting both power and refined engineering.

The 550 wheels are really cool and unique.

Originally Posted by bbmertz

In person, did the Cinnamon color look like any of the photos in the attached thread?
http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368908

The photos in that thread are screenshots from the configurator. And the configurator colors are not to be trusted.

Originally Posted by masku

The photos in that thread are screenshots from the configurator. And the configurator colors are not to be trusted.

To get a better sense of how bad the configurator is, see these photos:

Here's a photo showing quite well what the E60 Natural Brown really looks like:




And attached below is a screenshot of E60 Natural Brown interior from BMW USA Configurator:

Originally Posted by masku

To get a better sense of how bad the configurator is, see these photos:

Here's a photo showing quite well what the E60 Natural Brown really looks like:




And attached below is a screenshot of E60 Natural Brown interior from BMW USA Configurator:

What's with the old style hand brake? I thought they moved to the up/down button.

Originally Posted by sdbrandon

What's with the old style hand brake? I thought they moved to the up/down button.

The photos are of the E60

Originally Posted by masku

The photos are of the E60

I realize that. I just thought the new shifter always got the new brake lever. I guess not.

I also was at the NY Auto Show yesterday. I noticed that the 535i had the twin pipes spread left and right, while the photos I've seen show the pipes next to each other. What's the story here?

As far as the colors go, I wish they had kept the older browns, they were richer colors when you see them in person. I initially was going to order a X5 in cinnamon brown/black interior and after I read all the comments about it being a muddy reddish brown, I immediately switched out to my fallback color of black/black. I know its a boring color combo, but the other colors just don't work for us (black lab who swims a lot, and a new baby girl).