[Turbanator]

Does anyone have any clue of the possible launch date?

Most likely 3rd Qtr. If you want primarily for self-driving, do wait but if you are mostly chauffeured around, E - Class is no brainer. Buy before MB India increase prices

[mxh]

BMW designs have become so clumsy of late. They just look like any other me too luxury car. The have completely lost their edge and personality and somehow they just don't excite me nowadays. Something like the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is far more exciting to me, and beats all BMWs, Mercs and the rest of the pack in both looks and performance.

[naveen.raju]

Mat Watson reviews the new 5 series. Good to see the feature list of 7 series making it here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyeNLa23Gd4

Shmee explains the tech in detail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bawzisErdqQ&t=497s

Source - Youtube

[cityvic]

Guys, just read the review of the India Spec 2017 BMW 530d G30 in Autocar India's March issue. Quality of the materials and build is similar to the international variants. Loaded with some crazy features as well and looks really promising. Should definitely be the best drivers car in that segment. I shall upload the scans of the review if the forum rules allow.

Meanwhile I think I did find the perfect replacement for aging 2010 F10 525d which has just crossed a lakh kms.

[GTO]

If any Bombay BHPians wanted to check out the car, BMW is hosting a preview from 24th - 26th March @ The Four Seasons Hotel. Get invites out of your dealer.

Originally Posted by cityvic

I shall upload the scans of the review if the forum rules allow.

Absolutely no scans of copyrighted material please. Thank you.

[JoyPangli]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Most likely 3rd Qtr. If you want primarily for self-driving, do wait but if you are mostly chauffeured around, E - Class is no brainer. Buy before MB India increase prices

It will be self driven. After driving more than 1 lakh on my F30, moving on to G30 was a no brainer.

But Mercedes has really raised the bar very high. Huge difference between last generation and current generation E class. After watching some reviews, it seems like the only thing missing in E is probably the punch in the Engine. But it's got the looks on its side. Probably the best looking sedan and lovely interior feel.

I guess I have to wait until 5 is launched. Will make up my mind only after a few test drives.

[ajmat]

I took my first look at the 540i in Frankfurt Airport. One part of me liked the understated looks and very classy seats. Another part of me did not like the bluff front end and conservatism in how it has evolved.

[dipen]

Originally Posted by ajmat

Another part of me did not like the bluff front end and conservatism in how it has evolved.

Exactly, it does not somehow feel new in the look department. Everything looks just minorly upgraded or changed. Doesn't motivate enough to anyone to upgrade. Similar to how many felt that Iphone 7 was very similar to 6 in look and feel.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by dipen

Exactly, it does not somehow feel new in the look department. Everything looks just minorly upgraded or changed. Doesn't motivate enough to anyone to upgrade. Similar to how many felt that Iphone 7 was very similar to 6 in look and feel.

I think you nailed it. Coming from a Jetta, I might consider a 5, coming from a current 5, I do not know

BTW - I have an Iphone7 and love it but again I came from an iphone 5S

[R2D2]

All the tech wizardry aside, as much as I love BMW and the 5 series in particular I can't help but think how bland these cars are beginning to look compared to the refreshing new designs from Mercedes Benz.

[venom_op]

Originally Posted by R2D2

All the tech wizardry aside, as much as I love BMW and the 5 series in particular I can't help but think how bland these cars are beginning to look compared to the refreshing new designs from Mercedes Benz.

Just goes to show what they say is true, beauty does lie in the eye of the beholder!

While i absolutely love the look of the new C and S Class, i am somehow kind of disappointed with the styling of the new E. Looks uninspiring compared to its brethren.

On the other hand, i'm starting to fall in love with the M Sport versions of the 5 and 7 series.

Also, quite frankly if BMW keeps its head straight and sticks with pricing roughly around what they have now and don't overshoot to the (IMO) over-priced E Class at 82 (on road, Nashik), they have a very good chance! Frankly, i'm itching to pull the trigger on this when it launches.

Originally Posted by rishi_kapoor

I previewed the car yesterday at India Art Fair, BMW India was extremely sensitive to camera phones etc and no pictures were allowed. Here are my observations:
=========
Now, I am waiting for a test drive before unveiling at a secret location, I will keep you posted if I succeed

Did it come with the 360 degree cameras? Or is the indian consumer going to get short changed, as usual?

[manishk123]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Most likely 3rd Qtr. If you want primarily for self-driving, do wait but if you are mostly chauffeured around, E - Class is no brainer. Buy before MB India increase prices

Merc is getting the cream of the market right now with the fully speced E350. The prices are only going to come down from here. Expect a much cheaper E250D or even a 200D, at the time of BMWs launch to pull customers away.

[cityvic]

Originally Posted by manishk123

Merc is getting the cream of the market right now with the fully speced E350. The prices are only going to come down from here. Expect a much cheaper E250D or even a 200D, at the time of BMWs launch to pull customers away.

MB India is launching an E220d in May-June. Expected price tag of 62 lakhs ex showroom Delhi.

Prices of each variant are only going to go up. I think the next hike is going to be from April 2017. Never have luxury car manufacturers reduced prices apart from going CKD/SKD from the CBU route.

[Jeroen]

I’m not a huge fan of BMW, but I have had several 5-series as company car.

Earlier this week I had to take a friend with his family somewhere. She couldn’t drive herself due to some issues, so I offered to drive her. She has three big young adult sons who had to come along as well. We all piled in their 530. Three hour drive. For me a two hour wait, whilst they went about their business and another three hours drive back home.

I’m 1.93 tall and my biggest problem with cars is that very often I’m just not that comfortable sitting. This particular model had the all adjustable chairs, and very import for me, I could still sit up straight as well. Very, very comfortable.

Three hour drive with five adults with no problems. I don’t find these cars particularly inspiring, but for long drives around the motorways in Europe they are difficult to beat when it comes to creature comfort.

Jeroen

[androdev]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

I’m 1.93 tall and my biggest problem with cars is that very often I’m just not that comfortable sitting. This particular model had the all adjustable chairs, and very import for me, I could still sit up straight as well. Very, very comfortable.

I found the seats in these cars sold in UK and US to be of higher quality than what we get here. It could be that the cars I drove abroad were optioned with premium seats package or just localisation issue. It's high time we are allowed to spec/customise the car especially the seats - makes a world of difference.