New Review F10

I believe this is a new review, based on the date Nov 30. My apologies if it is not new...
It is very comprehensive, Generally very positive, with a few nits, most of which have been beat to death on every BMW board.
http://www.mercurynews.com/cars/ci_1...nclick_check=1

The reviewer lost all credibility with the statement below!

The 528i, 535i and 550i are rated at 240, 300 and 400 horsepower, respectively. The turbocharged version of the 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder in the 535i makes the 550i superfluous, rocketing the car to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds

the last paragraph and especially the last sentence is spot on.

The 5 Series' combination of capability with unprecedented comfort is bound to broaden its appeal overall. BMW isn't the only brand that has attempted to provide all things to all buyers. Lexus and Mercedes have been chasing that ghost for decades. Technology enables a single car to deliver a broad range of comfort and sportiness, and in some ways the new 5 Series sedan is a high-water mark in this regard, both for BMW's line and for the entire midsize luxury car segment. It succeeds in behaving like two types of car, but what it doesn't do is feel like two types of car, and I suspect the loss of that visceral feeling will disappoint the BMW faithful.

Originally Posted by SANguru

The reviewer lost all credibility with the statement below!

The 528i, 535i and 550i are rated at 240, 300 and 400 horsepower, respectively. The turbocharged version of the 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder in the 535i makes the 550i superfluous, rocketing the car to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds

Many, many people would agree that 300 HP and 0-60 in 5.6 seconds is way more than enough. Those people don't frequent these boards, but they are the majority of the car buying population whereas are the minority, albeit an increasing one and very vocal for our size.

I'm very happy that there are choices, keeps the price down on the versions I can afford.

Originally Posted by SANguru

The reviewer lost all credibility with the statement below!

The 528i, 535i and 550i are rated at 240, 300 and 400 horsepower, respectively. The turbocharged version of the 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder in the 535i makes the 550i superfluous, rocketing the car to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds

why would he lose all credibility for that statement? oh wait, you are the same person im bantering with on another thread Thats right, the true enthusiast,

Originally Posted by gregb10

why would he lose all credibility for that statement? oh wait, you are the same person im bantering with on another thread Thats right, the true enthusiast,

well we all know you can never have enough HP

Originally Posted by SANguru

well we all know you can never have enough HP

+1 I have to agree with that statement!

Extra horsepower is a handy partial substitute for driving skill.

Originally Posted by SANguru

well we all know you can never have enough HP

While more power is usually good. There comes a point of diminishing returns, where more power isn't going to get you more speed. If you can't put the power down to the wheels and subsequently control said power, it serves no purpose other than to set off the traction control or send you barreling into a hedge. (This is what is so great about a 911 or an M3. You can actually use that power, and control it with surgical precision. Where as something like a Viper or Corvette or even a Merc C63 can't put the power down in a way that won't send you to hospital.)

Originally Posted by SANguru

well we all know you can never have enough HP

For me it is not the HP but the massive torque the 550 has - all coming in at 1750 RPM . . WOW!

Originally Posted by TJPark01

While more power is usually good. There comes a point of diminishing returns, where more power isn't going to get you more speed.

Pfft! Who cares about speed! More HP = more "bragging rights" = more "respect" from your simple-minded friends/co-workers/relatives. If you won't get their "respect" this way, how the hell else can you do that??? Huh?

Originally Posted by AlexK

Pfft! Who cares about speed! More HP = more "bragging rights" = more "respect" from your simple-minded friends/co-workers/relatives. If you won't get their "respect" this way, how the hell else can you do that??? Huh?

I think you are wrong. As far as impressing people goes, most people do not even understand what having 400 hp / 450 lbs/ft available on tap means, so most people are just not impressed by that. I believe that most auto enthusiasts who enjoy hp are thrilled by the feeling of acceleration and speed that hp provides, so the satisfaction derived by a powerful and good handling car is internal. So it is not a matter of "mine is bigger than yours" but rather the satisfaction that being able to harness and control a powerful machine provides.

This board is funny. When someone buys a car with specs just so they can show off to simple minded people, something is wrong.

Originally Posted by Rafa

most auto enthusiasts who enjoy hp are thrilled by the feeling of acceleration and speed that hp provides

Try driving (safely, without endangering anyone else) during "rush hour" time in some NYC areas or anywhere in Moscow... See for how many milliseconds you can have that "feeling of acceleration and speed" while moving a huge distances of couple of feet before next complete stop. Yet I've seen plenty of expensive and needlessly powerful cars (especially in Moscow) there, most of them moving as fast as I was with my puny 230-hp (and even less so in Moscow) car

I take it you haven't driven a Z06 or a ZR1 vette on the track? it's pretty damn good.

Originally Posted by TJPark01

While more power is usually good. There comes a point of diminishing returns, where more power isn't going to get you more speed. If you can't put the power down to the wheels and subsequently control said power, it serves no purpose other than to set off the traction control or send you barreling into a hedge. (This is what is so great about a 911 or an M3. You can actually use that power, and control it with surgical precision. Where as something like a Viper or Corvette or even a Merc C63 can't put the power down in a way that won't send you to hospital.)

Originally Posted by TJPark01

the last paragraph and especially the last sentence is spot on.

Couldn't agree more.

I just read this review for the first time.

"...but we wouldn't have minded a little more front seat legroom".

Who is this guy, Shaq? I'm 6'2" and have to fold my left leg in a LOT of cars, including my MDX. The F10 has so much front leg room that I can stretch my left leg all the way out with room to spare. The passenger seat is likewise just as roomy.

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

For me it is not the HP but the massive torque the 550 has - all coming in at 1750 RPM . . WOW!

+1. Torque baby, torque!

Originally Posted by AlexK

Try driving (safely, without endangering anyone else) during "rush hour" time in some NYC areas or anywhere in Moscow... See for how many milliseconds you can have that "feeling of acceleration and speed" while moving a huge distances of couple of feet before next complete stop. Yet I've seen plenty of expensive and needlessly powerful cars (especially in Moscow) there, most of them moving as fast as I was with my puny 230-hp (and even less so in Moscow) car

Oh, I agree with you in that 400 hp will do nothing for you while in heavy rush hour traffic. Even on the open highway one would seldom, if ever, NEED such power. But 400 hp will get you ahead of a semi in a flash. The point I am trying to make is just that in my opinion most people who buy a powerful car do not do it to impress others, but rather because they like to have power under the hood for those occasions where it can be put to use, for pleasure or safety. And even in everyday driving one can feel the torque, without the need to floor the pedal. It is just satisfying to drive a powerful car, and one does it to obtain that satisfaction for oneself, without any regard for impressing anyone else.

Originally Posted by AlexK

Yet I've seen plenty of expensive and needlessly powerful cars (especially in Moscow) there, most of them moving as fast as I was with my puny 230-hp (and even less so in Moscow) car

By the way, I would not characterize your 230 hp car as "puny." My previous car was a 230 hp car, and that car could move! I thoroughly enjoyed driving it and I still miss it for its many qualities.

Originally Posted by AlexK

Try driving (safely, without endangering anyone else) during "rush hour" time in some NYC areas or anywhere in Moscow... See for how many milliseconds you can have that "feeling of acceleration and speed" while moving a huge distances of couple of feet before next complete stop. Yet I've seen plenty of expensive and needlessly powerful cars (especially in Moscow) there, most of them moving as fast as I was with my puny 230-hp (and even less so in Moscow) car

Then perhaps people in manhattan or Moscow shouldn't buy a 550i but for me I have plenty of open road here in Atlanta where rapidly accelerating to 80 or 90 will be quite fun.

Originally Posted by jimefam

Then perhaps people in manhattan or Moscow shouldn't buy a 550i but for me I have plenty of open road here in Atlanta where rapidly accelerating to 80 or 90 will be quite fun.

If you have the opportunity, try accelerating from 90 to 130. I did on the autobahn during my ED... The 550i will get there effortlessly and in a flash! That's where the additional hp shines, at higher speeds. Oh how I wish I had a fully broken in 550i on the autobahn, just to experience taking the car up to 150 and experiencing how the car behaves. Maybe someday I'll track it, who knows.

Originally Posted by SANguru

well we all know you can never have enough HP

Yes I do agree, power and Toque are where it's at.
I would not buy the 550i if I was a town driver, I just could not use the car to it's full potential.
I am glad I live Out of Town.

Originally Posted by Rafa

Oh, I agree with you in that 400 hp will do nothing for you while in heavy rush hour traffic. Even on the open highway one would seldom, if ever, NEED such power. But 400 hp will get you ahead of a semi in a flash. The point I am trying to make is just that in my opinion most people who buy a powerful car do not do it to impress others, but rather because they like to have power under the hood for those occasions where it can be put to use, for pleasure or safety. And even in everyday driving one can feel the torque, without the need to floor the pedal. It is just satisfying to drive a powerful car, and one does it to obtain that satisfaction for oneself, without any regard for impressing anyone else.

+1 Best description of my reasoning behind my 550 purchase.