Section: F10 5 Series

Rowing Gears: 6% of 5 Series Buyers Do It

Sections: //M5\\, F10 5 Series Aug 15th, 2010 15 Comments

The headline sums up the way things have gone. According to Inside Line only six percent of all 2011 F10 5 Series models that have been delivered in the US are equipped with a third pedal. That is not all that surprising considering the progress of automatics over the years and the softening of the American driver.

Ever take a walk through your local Starbucks or Mega-mall parking lot and glance inside the vehicles parked? The limited amount of stick-shifts is alarming even outside the BMW brand. Consumers pay for what they want, they speak loudest with their wallets and what this all shows is that greater than 90% of people buying cars in the US don’t want to shift but rather allow the car to it by itself. Most brands have taken the choice away and no longer bother to offer buyers anything but a slush box. BMW has its ear to the ground and hears us enthusiasts clamoring as being in favor of choice.

BimmerCast #27; 5 Series Steering, 1M Details & Why We Want the Feel back in our BMWs

Sections: //1M\\, ALMS, BimmerCast, F10 5 Series Aug 11th, 2010 5 Comments

We’re back after our summer break with news on the upcoming 1M and…

• A dissection 5 Series steering performance
• Thoughts on BMW NA sales (yes we talk about the 6 series)
• The Rahal Letterman M3 GT2 performance
• MINI (and BMW Motorsport) in the WRC
• Why feel is so important and Nurburgring times aren’t.

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Where Did the Road Go?

Sections: //1M\\, //M5\\, F10 5 Series, Opinion Aug 6th, 2010 9 Comments

BMWs since the mid-seventies have been referred to as the “Ultimate Driving Machine”. What began as a passionate tag line from the folks in marketing (penned by Martin Puris, co-founder of Ammirati and Puris) was merely stating the views of enthusiasts and automotive journalist in something the masses could relate to. BMWs at launch of the slogan simply drove the way a small sporty car should, they were the epitome of what people desired; a small economical car that was a blast to drive and gave a thrill in every corner.

It was not the norm for manufacturers to give the driver such a connection to the road, to not dumb out the feeling of the tires or to make the rear end compliant rather than just comfortable. Those same characteristics were taken a whole new level when M GMBH started to improve cars for racing homologation. M cars had increased performance in every way, from increased steering feel to finite throttle response and increased power. To drive an M product such as the E30 ///M3 was to drive a car that felt more like a go kart than luxury car, they turned when and where they were pointed, braked like nothing else outside a super car and were still quite economical and gave the driver tons of input (not a bad little package).

BMW Earns “2010 TOP SAFETY PICK” Award for 5 Series Sedan

Sections: F10 5 Series, Safety Jul 29th, 2010 1 Comment

“Safety has long been a priority for BMW, so earning a Top Safety Pick from IIHS means a great deal,” said Jim O’Donnell, President of BMW of North America, LLC. “The press has praised the car and our consumers have eagerly awaited its arrival in showrooms. This award demonstrates that we left no stone unturned in the development of the all-new 2011 5 Series Sedan.”

Car & Driver Places the New 5er Last in Comparison

Sections: F10 5 Series Jul 24th, 2010 19 Comments

The unthinkable… BMW completely redesigns a car and it promptly gets beat by its two key competitors in a major magazine. It’s hard to believe but according to Car and Driver the new 535i is simply not as good as the new Infiniti M37 or the aging Audi A6.

What do we think? While we’ve driven the new 550i (you can see Michael’s review here) we have yet to get any seat time behind the wheel of the 535i so we’ll withhold judgement. Of course this all presupposes that you have respect for C&D.

BMW NA 2011 Updates: The 5 Series

Sections: F07 PAS, F10 5 Series Jul 14th, 2010 3 Comments

5 Series sedan M Sport Package

The M Sport Package (ZMP) returns to the 5 Series delivering performance and style for the most enthusiastic of BMW drivers. The package starts where the Dynamic Handling Package leaves off but brings a number of M style visual cues. They are: The M Aerodynamic Kit for a sportier and aggressive look, M Steering Wheel for the best ergonomic grip, Aluminum Hexagon interior trim (wood available), and to finalize the look are the M double-spoke light alloy wheels (size 18” on the 528i and 19” on the 535i, 550i, 535i xDrive, and 550i xDrive – RWD models offer performance run-flat tires and xDrive models offer all-season run flat tires).

BMW UK Launches 5 Series M Sport

Sections: F10 5 Series, Official News Jul 2nd, 2010 1 Comment

And yes, it’s eventually coming to the US.

Officially Release: Both BMW 5 Series Saloon and Touring models will be available in M Sport guise this September when the highly popular specification goes on sale.

The package, which is specified on the vast majority of BMW 5 Series Saloon and Touring models ordered in the UK, has been developed by BMW M GmbH and comprises components that have been specifically adapted to match the suspension, aerodynamics, exterior and interior design of each model. The M Sports suspension, M aerodynamics package and 18-inch M light alloys featuring a double spoke design not only create an exceptionally powerful appearance but also contribute towards enhanced driving dynamics.