Review Bmw 5 Series 3.0 litre 2005
Review
0 useful votes
Submitted by greg222
Key strengths: Comfort - the car was built around me.
Areas for improvement: iDrive - too fiddly.
After driving fairly ordinary vehicles until recently, the BMW is a significant step up! I love the smoothness and power of the engine, but somehow I feel it could use a bit more torque - just doesn't pull as hard as I'd like low in the rev range. This is a minor quibble, though, as it is a delight once you get motoring - a brisk and effortless cruiser!
Transmission is almost flawless, manual shift easier to use than many of those paddle shifts in other cars, but I tend to leave it in Drive mostly. Doesn't slur changes like many autos (I'd still prefer a manual... if BMW sold them here)
Comfort is to the degree that I feel like this car was built around me, although I think the brushed alloy look trim pieces show up marks too easily. Gauges very clear, but switchgear can be confusing. Like I said before, iDrive is a waste of technology. Conventional stereo system controls would be a huge improvement. It's worth putting up with in a vehicle like this, but it's a blight on a near-perfect car. Stereo sounds fantastic with clear mids, strong bass and very clear radio reception even when you get out of town.
Handling is as you'd expect from a BMW. Cornering flat, confident and rsponsive. Benchmark stuff for a car this size I'd think (has the edge on the A6 and E Class Benz I test drove). Steering is accurate, but ever so slightly over-assisted for my preferences. Controversial styling looks infinitely better in the metal.
With only 12000kms on the clock, nothing has had much of a chance to go wrong. This is also the reason why I haven't rated the dealer service - you really don't know what they're like until you have a problem!
IDrive is a pest to use. I'm still not used to it, especially the climate control. Very fiddly.
Buy a black one. Hopefully one day I'll have the cash to upgrade to M5. The running costs for Bmw 5 Series 3.0 litre are normal
Areas for improvement: iDrive - too fiddly.
After driving fairly ordinary vehicles until recently, the BMW is a significant step up! I love the smoothness and power of the engine, but somehow I feel it could use a bit more torque - just doesn't pull as hard as I'd like low in the rev range. This is a minor quibble, though, as it is a delight once you get motoring - a brisk and effortless cruiser!
Transmission is almost flawless, manual shift easier to use than many of those paddle shifts in other cars, but I tend to leave it in Drive mostly. Doesn't slur changes like many autos (I'd still prefer a manual... if BMW sold them here)
Comfort is to the degree that I feel like this car was built around me, although I think the brushed alloy look trim pieces show up marks too easily. Gauges very clear, but switchgear can be confusing. Like I said before, iDrive is a waste of technology. Conventional stereo system controls would be a huge improvement. It's worth putting up with in a vehicle like this, but it's a blight on a near-perfect car. Stereo sounds fantastic with clear mids, strong bass and very clear radio reception even when you get out of town.
Handling is as you'd expect from a BMW. Cornering flat, confident and rsponsive. Benchmark stuff for a car this size I'd think (has the edge on the A6 and E Class Benz I test drove). Steering is accurate, but ever so slightly over-assisted for my preferences. Controversial styling looks infinitely better in the metal.
With only 12000kms on the clock, nothing has had much of a chance to go wrong. This is also the reason why I haven't rated the dealer service - you really don't know what they're like until you have a problem!
IDrive is a pest to use. I'm still not used to it, especially the climate control. Very fiddly.
Buy a black one. Hopefully one day I'll have the cash to upgrade to M5. The running costs for Bmw 5 Series 3.0 litre are normal
Safety: 82
Equipment: 61
Reliability: 83
Driving: 72
Comfort: 96
Design: 63
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This is a subjective opinion from a ebuga.co.uk user and not from ebuga.co.uk.
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