Test Drove the 2011 BMW 535i today....
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Test Drove the 2011 BMW 535i today....
I was invited to my local BMW dealer today for their Ultimate Driving Event which showcased the new 5 series. I had my eye on this car ever since it was announced. Well to make a long story short, I've owned 5 BMW's in the last 10 years and I gotta say after test-driving the new 535i that this is the frickin BEST BMW I've ever driven!!
I was so frickin impressed with the overall package that I immediately put down a $1000 deposit (refundable of course) for a new 535iX coming out in the fall. This car just blows away my TL in so many respects it's not even funny. Three words describe the new 5 series in a nutshell: smooth, smooth, powerful. I have never driven a car that is so frickin smooth on Chicago streets....bumps, potholes or what-not, yet so agile and taut in the corners. BMW's are geniuses when it comes to that perfect balance of ride and comfort and this 5 series may become the new King. The fit and finish and overall craftsmanship--the dials, switches, gauges, wood accents--is so precise and well-put together that it makes my TL feel like a cheap Honda after the test-drive. The new inline 6 is so incredily smooth, responsive and powerful that it makes you swear the engine makes much more than 300 hp--just the opposite of the TL's 3.7 which seems to make well below 305. The BMW's new 8-sp AT is so smooth and so in-sync with the inline-6, it makes my TL's 5AT seem like it's a 100-yrs old. Yes, BMW's new I-drive is still comfounding but it's gotten a lot better. The new 8" hi-res. Nav screen is impressive--much better than the TL's. The premium sound system sound sounded great too--about equal to my ELS system in the TL. So all in all, I've never been so thouroughly impressed with a test-drive. My last 5 series--a '05 545i-- was a great car, but this new 5 series may really be the best BMW ever made. I love the exterior--like the new 7 series--and the interior is just gorgeous. The car just exudes luxury and quality when you stand next to it. Yes, the 5 series is expensive as always, but to me, it's worth every penny. This is what a benchmark sports sedan should look, drive and ride like.
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#5
I was in ATL about 3 weeks ago and was the 12nd person to test drive the 2011 535i in the USA and I regret ever driving it since I just bought a 2010 BMW 535ix. It put my 535ix to shame. I was left speechless after test driving it. Smooth, quiet and great handling in one masterpiece vehicle. Absolutely agree with you
#6
I drove the new 550i at the same event
So the car had about 300miles on it (brand new, not a beat down demo yet) - right - So I pull out of the dealership. Give it a little gas to get up an incline out to the road - and on the cool heads up display - I get an "engine malfunction, reduced power" warning. now the car is actually shuddering, and definitely reduced power - so I get it down the street to the next parking lot - stop the car - and turn it off - then restart - and all is fine again (guess it just needed a reboot) Yes its a great car, but things like that and the N54 HPFP failures make me hesitate (why last time I bought my 4G and not a 335i) bmw is just too bleeding edge tech - cant be beat when all is working, but ...
I did love the comfort / sport switch, and Pete - your right the ride is great, smooth but still handles ( it didn't get to really push it as the local police had already figured out the event was going on )
the nav was much improved over the last gen and now the interior is up to the size I think of the 4G (bigger than the last gen 5)
The exterior is a smaller scale 7 series - I do like the design
One thing I didn't like about this event was that there were not a many models as in 2008 - then they had 335s, and M3 and Z4s
this time just 328s, the new 5s and X5s
but I did also get to drive the new 550GT - their new crossover thing more wagon than X6 - didn't like that nearly as much as the new 5 sedan
Pete it is a great car and I agree with what you said in your post
then new 535 starts at what 45 or 50? and then by the time you add your options like nav, .... it climbs so fast
the 550i I drove starts at 60 and after all the options it was almost 80
another car I drove was the X5 diesel - it was great - lots of torque - and the sound of the engine - if most people were not told it was a diesel - they would never know - I couldn't hear any diesel clatter like older diesels .
the E350 they had to compare to the 5 was also a smooth ride (not much for handling)
When I did this event in 2008 - the drive home in my 3G was - kind of hard as now I was back in fwd and not bmw like handling
this time w/ my 4G SH-AWD car it didn't bother me..
now if only like Pete said -
Acura could put that magnetic ride option (like for the ZDX and MDX) then maybe we could have the great handling and comfort. - I just mentioned this driving event in a survey I just filled out for Acura
Pete post pics when you get your new car and congrats
(my favorite tech was the heads up display, also liked the cameras in the ext mirrors and at the front fenders) ....
So the car had about 300miles on it (brand new, not a beat down demo yet) - right - So I pull out of the dealership. Give it a little gas to get up an incline out to the road - and on the cool heads up display - I get an "engine malfunction, reduced power" warning. now the car is actually shuddering, and definitely reduced power - so I get it down the street to the next parking lot - stop the car - and turn it off - then restart - and all is fine again (guess it just needed a reboot) Yes its a great car, but things like that and the N54 HPFP failures make me hesitate (why last time I bought my 4G and not a 335i) bmw is just too bleeding edge tech - cant be beat when all is working, but ...
I did love the comfort / sport switch, and Pete - your right the ride is great, smooth but still handles ( it didn't get to really push it as the local police had already figured out the event was going on )
the nav was much improved over the last gen and now the interior is up to the size I think of the 4G (bigger than the last gen 5)
The exterior is a smaller scale 7 series - I do like the design
One thing I didn't like about this event was that there were not a many models as in 2008 - then they had 335s, and M3 and Z4s
this time just 328s, the new 5s and X5s
but I did also get to drive the new 550GT - their new crossover thing more wagon than X6 - didn't like that nearly as much as the new 5 sedan
Pete it is a great car and I agree with what you said in your post
then new 535 starts at what 45 or 50? and then by the time you add your options like nav, .... it climbs so fast
the 550i I drove starts at 60 and after all the options it was almost 80
another car I drove was the X5 diesel - it was great - lots of torque - and the sound of the engine - if most people were not told it was a diesel - they would never know - I couldn't hear any diesel clatter like older diesels .
the E350 they had to compare to the 5 was also a smooth ride (not much for handling)
When I did this event in 2008 - the drive home in my 3G was - kind of hard as now I was back in fwd and not bmw like handling
this time w/ my 4G SH-AWD car it didn't bother me..
now if only like Pete said -
Acura could put that magnetic ride option (like for the ZDX and MDX) then maybe we could have the great handling and comfort. - I just mentioned this driving event in a survey I just filled out for Acura
Pete post pics when you get your new car and congrats
(my favorite tech was the heads up display, also liked the cameras in the ext mirrors and at the front fenders) ....
#7
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Just to add,
I went into today's test-drive not expecting too much. I've assumed the new 5 series was going to be good but not this good! Driving the new 535i and my TL back-to-back made me realize just how far Acura needs to go to be even competitive with cars like this. The craftsmanship of the switches, gauges, leather seats, solidity of the doors, precise alignment of the panels...all exceed anything seen or felt in my TL. I think even a blind person sitting in the new 5 series can tell this is a true Tier 1 car.
I think the best version of the 5 series is the 535i and not the 550i. Sure the 550i is a beast but it's nose-heavy and isn't as nimble and fuel-efficient as the inline-6. I didn't spec-out my order on the 535iX just yet since the final option list on that car isn't available, however, I'm not going to go crazy on the options.......and the option list goes on forever.......the packages I know for sure I'm getting is the Sports package, and Comfort access (keyless entry/ignition). The Sports package adds 19" rims, summer tires, paddle shifters, sports tuning and adjustable dampers.......I had the Sports package on my last 545i and I think it really makes BMW's come alive. BMW also has done something similar to Lexus and Acura and offers something called "Premium Package 2" which includes a whole smorgasbord of popular options like NAV, rearview camera, lane warning, etc.......it's $5K+ package but might be worth it (and cheaper) than getting each option separately.
Once again, I can't say enough just how smooth, refined and powerful the new BMW turbo inline-6 is. Teamed with the new 8AT, the car always seems to be in the right gear and responds instantaneously to your right foot. Throughout my test drive, I kept asking myself if there was "only" 300hp under the hood. What really helps I think is that peak torque in the turbo I-6 occurs at a pleasantly low 1200 rpm. The new 5 series is a Big car.....in person, it seems almost bigger than the 4G TL if you can believe that! However, it accelerates and handles like a much smaller car....very close to a 335i! It seems like what BMW has done is taken most of the luxury and hi-tech from the 7 series and the athleticism and handling prowess of the 3 series and melded it into a perfect balance in the new 5. The previous generation 5 series has been the best-selling 5 series of all time (despite the infamous bangle design), and I can no doubt believe the new 5 will easily eclipse that. Damn I can't wait for delievery!
(BTW, I test drove the 2011 Infiniti M37X last month and besides a nice interior, I think it pales in comparison to the new 5 series....as does most other vehicles!)
I went into today's test-drive not expecting too much. I've assumed the new 5 series was going to be good but not this good! Driving the new 535i and my TL back-to-back made me realize just how far Acura needs to go to be even competitive with cars like this. The craftsmanship of the switches, gauges, leather seats, solidity of the doors, precise alignment of the panels...all exceed anything seen or felt in my TL. I think even a blind person sitting in the new 5 series can tell this is a true Tier 1 car.
I think the best version of the 5 series is the 535i and not the 550i. Sure the 550i is a beast but it's nose-heavy and isn't as nimble and fuel-efficient as the inline-6. I didn't spec-out my order on the 535iX just yet since the final option list on that car isn't available, however, I'm not going to go crazy on the options.......and the option list goes on forever.......the packages I know for sure I'm getting is the Sports package, and Comfort access (keyless entry/ignition). The Sports package adds 19" rims, summer tires, paddle shifters, sports tuning and adjustable dampers.......I had the Sports package on my last 545i and I think it really makes BMW's come alive. BMW also has done something similar to Lexus and Acura and offers something called "Premium Package 2" which includes a whole smorgasbord of popular options like NAV, rearview camera, lane warning, etc.......it's $5K+ package but might be worth it (and cheaper) than getting each option separately.
Once again, I can't say enough just how smooth, refined and powerful the new BMW turbo inline-6 is. Teamed with the new 8AT, the car always seems to be in the right gear and responds instantaneously to your right foot. Throughout my test drive, I kept asking myself if there was "only" 300hp under the hood. What really helps I think is that peak torque in the turbo I-6 occurs at a pleasantly low 1200 rpm. The new 5 series is a Big car.....in person, it seems almost bigger than the 4G TL if you can believe that! However, it accelerates and handles like a much smaller car....very close to a 335i! It seems like what BMW has done is taken most of the luxury and hi-tech from the 7 series and the athleticism and handling prowess of the 3 series and melded it into a perfect balance in the new 5. The previous generation 5 series has been the best-selling 5 series of all time (despite the infamous bangle design), and I can no doubt believe the new 5 will easily eclipse that. Damn I can't wait for delievery!
(BTW, I test drove the 2011 Infiniti M37X last month and besides a nice interior, I think it pales in comparison to the new 5 series....as does most other vehicles!)
Last edited by PetesTL; 06-03-2010 at 10:53 PM.
Trending Topics
#9
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Just a few more tidbits about this car:
-- the new 5 has one of biggest standard moonroofs I've ever seen! It's not technically a panoramic sunroof but this thing is huge!....can easily swallow a refigerator!
-- an enormous trunk: from the outside, you think it's tiny (same as the TL's) but open it up and it's a frickin cave!.....can easily swallow 5-6 golf bags I think!
-- exquisite paint job: the best paint job I've ever seen on a car....the luster, polish, depth, gloss and uniformity goes beyond anything I've seen on an Acura or Lexus.
-- excellent steering: BMW employs a new standard electrical steering system in the new 5 series....the TL has this too but the BMW's gives a much better feel and is extremely precise.
-- LED "angel eyes"....I think it's great BMW finally has made these standard.....looks stunning from afar.
-- exhaustive option list: what doesn't this car have to offer?.....Geez, adjustable dampers, ventilated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, Heads-Up display, Night Vision, rearview camera, top view camera, side view camera, lane departure warning, parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, rear entertainment system, hi-res NAV, etc, etc.
-- the new 5 has one of biggest standard moonroofs I've ever seen! It's not technically a panoramic sunroof but this thing is huge!....can easily swallow a refigerator!
-- an enormous trunk: from the outside, you think it's tiny (same as the TL's) but open it up and it's a frickin cave!.....can easily swallow 5-6 golf bags I think!
-- exquisite paint job: the best paint job I've ever seen on a car....the luster, polish, depth, gloss and uniformity goes beyond anything I've seen on an Acura or Lexus.
-- excellent steering: BMW employs a new standard electrical steering system in the new 5 series....the TL has this too but the BMW's gives a much better feel and is extremely precise.
-- LED "angel eyes"....I think it's great BMW finally has made these standard.....looks stunning from afar.
-- exhaustive option list: what doesn't this car have to offer?.....Geez, adjustable dampers, ventilated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, Heads-Up display, Night Vision, rearview camera, top view camera, side view camera, lane departure warning, parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, rear entertainment system, hi-res NAV, etc, etc.
#11
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
I ordered mine silver....although I might change my mind later. However, it won't be black this time that's for sure.....keeping it clean is too much of a headache.
#16
Order the Mojave Metallic. It's a "blend in" type of color and will be easy to keep clean but avoids the blandness of silver or beige type colors.
Check it out on the Build Your 5-Series
Check it out on the Build Your 5-Series
![Big Grin](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#17
Burning Brakes
the newer bmw's seem to be really nice, i cant wait to see the f30 3 series.
-----
If you have never done european delivery with your previous bmw's I would suggest doing it with this one as driving and traveling in europe is amazing!
-----
If you have never done european delivery with your previous bmw's I would suggest doing it with this one as driving and traveling in europe is amazing!
#19
Instructor
#21
2010 TL AWD 6MT: New King
PetesTL:
1) How is the turbo in the new 5 series? Has the HPFP been redesigned? The high failure rate in the 3 series is what scared me away. IF the HPFP has been redesigned to be more reliable, hmm....
![Yum](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/yum.gif)
2) How would you compare the driving comfort of the 535ix vs the TL SH-AWD?
#22
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
+1
PetesTL:
1) How is the turbo in the new 5 series? Has the HPFP been redesigned? The high failure rate in the 3 series is what scared me away. IF the HPFP has been redesigned to be more reliable, hmm....![Yum](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/yum.gif)
2) How would you compare the driving comfort of the 535ix vs the TL SH-AWD?
PetesTL:
1) How is the turbo in the new 5 series? Has the HPFP been redesigned? The high failure rate in the 3 series is what scared me away. IF the HPFP has been redesigned to be more reliable, hmm....
![Yum](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/yum.gif)
2) How would you compare the driving comfort of the 535ix vs the TL SH-AWD?
1. The turbo I-6 in the new 5 series is all-new. Even though hp and torque output remain the same as in the previous gen, peak torque now occurs as 1200 rpm instead of 1500 rpm. I hear the engine has also received some other minor modifications to increase durability and performance. Whatever they did, I can't complain. This is the best 6-cyl engine I've ever driven...ultra smooth, ultra responsive.....like I mentioned before, it feels almost like a 350hp engine instead of 300hp.....puts the 3.7L in my TL to shame.
2. The ride in the new 5 series is simply the BEST. It's the perfect combination of comfort and handling. During normal cruising, the ride is butter smooth.....every bump, pothole and road imperfection is perfectly muted. The interior is bank-vault solid and quiet as a library. But as soon as you start to drive aggressively, the car takes on a whole new character and handles every road challenge like a pro athlete. No comparison to my TL. It's simply that good!
#24
Drifting
Can't wait to check that out. I'd freaking love a 5 series but need some other things to happen first before. (like getting a boat load of dispensable cash to pay for it)
#27
#28
Port & Polish Everything
Is the Ultimate Driving Event east coast only?
I've been looking for an event in socal..
honda really has to do something about the archaic 5 speed autos they are still using in accords let alone TLs.
Even if they started stuffing ZDX 6 speeds in everything that only makes them competitive in the mainstream lineup, and still behind on premium products..
I've been looking for an event in socal..
honda really has to do something about the archaic 5 speed autos they are still using in accords let alone TLs.
Even if they started stuffing ZDX 6 speeds in everything that only makes them competitive in the mainstream lineup, and still behind on premium products..
#32
#33
Drifting
![Why Me](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/whyme.gif)
#34
I feel strongly both ways
While I haven't seen the 5 series in the flesh, I have read about it extensively. I have seen and driven the new E-class, A6 and M37 and here are some random thoughts.
The M37 is a real disappointment. The interior, while of high quality, doesn't really "wow" you the way the previous generation M did. And the exterior is just horrible. A G on steroids is about the best I can say there. Looks like a friggin' jelly bean on wheels. It drives nicely enough although there's the raucous 3.7 engine to contend with. It's fine below about 2500 rpm, but above that it sounds coarse and unrefined. It does have a lot of power but that's about all I can say about it. What's really weird is that the interior room in the front in VERY cramped. Even with the driver's seat all the way back there's not even close to as much room as we have in our TL's....and to make matters worse, the center console intrudes on your right leg. For a car as enormous as this, it's absolutely amazing that there's not more interior front seat room! In the bells and whistles dept. it has everything you could ask for. I just can't see spending ~$55k and being cramped as well as listening to a coarse engine every time I push down the accelerator.
The new E-class is a step in the right direction for M-B and a real improvement over the outgoing E (except for one - ahem -rather important category). The cabin is nicely finished and all materials are top notch. In all-too-typical M-B fashion though, the switchgear continues to be 100% non-intuitive. You'll need to have the instruction manual right by your side until you master what does what. And they STILL (???) haven't figured how to put in a friggin nav system that's as good as a $150 Garmin!!!??? I mean c'mon guys, give us a break. How god damn hard is this? It drives nicely enough (M-B has always mastered the art of an almost operfect compromise between ride compliance and road feel). The steering, however, is dead and the steering wheel remains too large. The biggest sin of all in the 'new' E-class is the awful carryover 3.5 liter engine. 268HP in a world of 300-350 HP competitors? And in a car that's over 4000 lbs? File this under: 'You gotta be kidding me." Very comfortable highway cruiser. Beyond that...YAWN.
The A6 is a very nice car. With it's new supercharged 300 HP engine it's definitely competitive in the class. And the interior is flawless in typical Audi fashion. A couple of things kill this car as a potential purchase, however. It's nav system is right up there with the M-B' in terms of horribleness. Second, and most importantly, unlike it's Teutonic competitors it has not mastered the art of ride comfort/sportiness. It rides too damn hard (the TL does too). If I wanted a sports car I would go out and buy one. You have to provide comfort to potential buyers in this class. The A6 doesn't. Case closed.
So I'm really thinking the 5 series may be the runaway favorite in the<$60k category (in fairness I probably should have included the Jaguar XF in this little comparo but I haven't driven it or really studied it enough).
The M37 is a real disappointment. The interior, while of high quality, doesn't really "wow" you the way the previous generation M did. And the exterior is just horrible. A G on steroids is about the best I can say there. Looks like a friggin' jelly bean on wheels. It drives nicely enough although there's the raucous 3.7 engine to contend with. It's fine below about 2500 rpm, but above that it sounds coarse and unrefined. It does have a lot of power but that's about all I can say about it. What's really weird is that the interior room in the front in VERY cramped. Even with the driver's seat all the way back there's not even close to as much room as we have in our TL's....and to make matters worse, the center console intrudes on your right leg. For a car as enormous as this, it's absolutely amazing that there's not more interior front seat room! In the bells and whistles dept. it has everything you could ask for. I just can't see spending ~$55k and being cramped as well as listening to a coarse engine every time I push down the accelerator.
The new E-class is a step in the right direction for M-B and a real improvement over the outgoing E (except for one - ahem -rather important category). The cabin is nicely finished and all materials are top notch. In all-too-typical M-B fashion though, the switchgear continues to be 100% non-intuitive. You'll need to have the instruction manual right by your side until you master what does what. And they STILL (???) haven't figured how to put in a friggin nav system that's as good as a $150 Garmin!!!??? I mean c'mon guys, give us a break. How god damn hard is this? It drives nicely enough (M-B has always mastered the art of an almost operfect compromise between ride compliance and road feel). The steering, however, is dead and the steering wheel remains too large. The biggest sin of all in the 'new' E-class is the awful carryover 3.5 liter engine. 268HP in a world of 300-350 HP competitors? And in a car that's over 4000 lbs? File this under: 'You gotta be kidding me." Very comfortable highway cruiser. Beyond that...YAWN.
The A6 is a very nice car. With it's new supercharged 300 HP engine it's definitely competitive in the class. And the interior is flawless in typical Audi fashion. A couple of things kill this car as a potential purchase, however. It's nav system is right up there with the M-B' in terms of horribleness. Second, and most importantly, unlike it's Teutonic competitors it has not mastered the art of ride comfort/sportiness. It rides too damn hard (the TL does too). If I wanted a sports car I would go out and buy one. You have to provide comfort to potential buyers in this class. The A6 doesn't. Case closed.
So I'm really thinking the 5 series may be the runaway favorite in the<$60k category (in fairness I probably should have included the Jaguar XF in this little comparo but I haven't driven it or really studied it enough).
Last edited by PsychDoc; 06-04-2010 at 03:53 PM.
#36
Good luck finding a manual tranny 5 series unless you're planning on special ordering one. I'm in Chicago and have looked for 550i and 535i w/6 speeds and found VERY few (new - none, used - a few).
#38
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
My local dealer is getting the 535ix in Sept. They're taking orders now. (I have a deposit on one). It's not officially in the websites just yet but it should be there by next month.
Not sure about a manual in the x-drive model but it's definately available in the 535i. For me, though, the 8AT is so smooth, fast and precise, it makes the manual irrelevant. (As a matter of fact, my dealer says that the new 8AT is actually faster than the manual according to BMW!)
Last edited by PetesTL; 06-04-2010 at 10:33 PM.
#39
Senior Moderator
Great choice. ![Smile](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Have you looked into picking it up via European Delivery. Its worth it and I hope to do it again in the future.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...ghlight=munich
![Smile](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Have you looked into picking it up via European Delivery. Its worth it and I hope to do it again in the future.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...ghlight=munich
#40
Btw, congrats on the order....
I love the new 5 series.