[rpunwani]

Love the interiors, a few glaring omissions like rear window and rear windshield shades. Would love to hear the 655W B & W system as compared to the 600W HK system on the G30 which I have.

I do hope that the 225 wide profile tyres are adequate for the power, as the G30 has 245 width

[n:CorE]

Sporty RWD sedans like this(and the 3-er) were targeted at executives and businessmen who preferred taking the wheel. Times have now changed. BMW, especially BMW India, has realized that its target audience drives less and is driven around more. So now, like China, we, too, get both the 3 and 5 series in LWB. With the demise of the 6-series, this move is a neat opportunity for them to bump the prices up across the board.

The 5-series has ditched the low-profile tyres and switched to a square setup from the earlier staggered setup. It looks like it's got smarties for wheels. They have tried to change the 5-er's character to suit the market's needs better. Yet, things like rear seat recline, rear-seat entertainment screens (as standard), and rear window/windscreen sunblinds are conspicuous by their absence.

My cousin recently sold his 2019 E220d LWB, which he had bought for his aged father, as he barely used it. He was very keen on this upcoming 5-series as a replacement as he preferred BMWs focus on driving dynamics. He has personally driven the F10 5-series and the 6GT in the past.

I'm sure to folks like him; this 5-series now has a diminished appeal. Maybe BMW is trying to veer off such customers to the M340i. I will save my opinions on the drive experience until I get behind the wheel, but it seems unlikely that it will feel like the older F10 or G30.

As a luxo-barge, I feel the E-Class LWB has it pipped, and in terms of value proposition, it's hard to ignore the Audi A6. Also, this is an excellent opportunity for Volvo & Lexus to play catch-up in this space.

To whoever is buying this, please opt for the 19-inch wheels. With such a massive wheelbase, the 18s barely fill the wheel wells—low-profile tyres to go along with if you care about the stance.

PS: We're going to keep our 2014 BMW 530d (F10) M-Sport LCI for as long as possible. It's a shame they don't make them the same anymore.

[Hayek]

I do think a LWB 5 series makes a huge difference to many users. Not just for the chauffeur driven but also for anyone who wants adequate space for family members sitting in the rear seat. Naturally all LWB cars - be it the Superb or the E Class or this 5 look a little odd - especially when compared with the standard wheelbase product. But that is something I think 90% of users will get used to or live with - anyone who could live with the E60 5 series (remember Mr Bangle) could surely learn to love the G68.

The key concern I have is the price - suspect this is going to cost close to or over ₹ 1 cr.

[PrideRed]

BMW should employ similar strategy like 3 series. Short wheelbase for performance variant and long wheelbase for regular variants. This way they can cater to larger audience. At over 5M in length, 5 can be too cumbersome for self drive.

[84.monsoon]

I think this is a slightly blotched up launch. Couple of big misses on this car:

• Not providing the 32 inch cinematic display for the rear passengers that is already available in the Chinese version of the 5 series LWB. this could have been a major USP versus the E class. I'm at the last to understand why BMW did not provide this major differentiating feature when it's already available in the same model internationally and CKD kits have to be imported in any case from the same or similar sources.
• Not providing reclining rear seats. This is a major blunder, because it is a very useful feature for the Chauffeur driven. Mercedes is sure to call us out as a major reason one should opt for the E class LWB, when it launches. The ability to alter the seating position and the angle of the backrest based on the type of journey and the mood of the passenger is crucial ion this segment. For instance, I would like to sit more upright and alert on my relatively short morning ride to the office, but more laid-back and reclined on my longer evening sitting ion traffic and listening to music. Similarly, I might want a more reclined position on a long highway drive.
• Non-opening sunroof – this may not be a major requirement in many markets, but in India people do enjoy the airy feeling on those nights drives around the city or the ride up to a hill station.
• Not providing the sun shades on rear windows or even on the rear window. This is a crucial requirement in the Indian market, given the heat and sunny weather conditions, and the changing regulation that keeps flipping back-and-forth about legality of fixing UV film on the windows aftermarket. This feature is indeed available in the G60 as a standard feature in the US market. BMW probably did not have time to incorporate a modified version into the LWB prior to launch.
• Cheap plastic such gear on the doors, which is a complete mismatch from the quality of materials used on the dash.

The car is so long that people who prefer to be self-driven (not because they cannot afford a chauffeur but because they enjoy driving their BMW every day), may no longer want to drive this car, as it is simply too long (at 5.2 m) to drive, park and moneauver into and out of garages. The sheer size could completely rob away the fun of driving.

BMW could have offered the standard wheelbase version, at least as an option for the self driven, ideally in the 540i trim. I do still have faint hopes that this variant will be offered sometime soon in the product life cycle.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by sh3lby

Also, not that I'll be able to buy one anytime soon but capacitive touch buttons everywhere? Even on the doors & rear, I think this is overboard. I'm sure it'll feel cool and futuristic to use at first but I doubt it'll be as satisfying or easy to use as high-quality buttons.

I had exactly the same thoughts regarding the capacitive touch buttons before using them regularly. They need a little time getting used to but after putting on more than 6,000 km on the new G60 in about 2.5 months I feel they are nice upgrade. Another plus is no dust gets stuck in between the button gaps and it gives the interior a clean look.

The lack of physical climate control buttons also seemed to be a deal breaker initially but I have got used using the touch screen and voice controls. For the audio the steering wheel buttons and scroll wheel are very easy to use and the music info is shown on the HUD so you don't have to take your eyes off the road.

Originally Posted by Omkar

Next to the G30 5 Series. Note the difference in length and the 2.5-box design:

I think the elongating the car has ruined the side profile, here is a standard wheel base version next to the old G30.

[14000rpm]

Guess I am stating what has already been said here- the 5 LWB, especially with the 18'' wheels is one ugly car. All the G60 5's that I have been seeing lately are with 20'' wheels which look very tasteful and proportional. Not this Abomination that the G68 has become.

[ishlinea7260]

Such a lackluster launch of such an iconic model! The alloy wheels look horrendous! Its understandable that BMW wanted a piece of the pie of E class sales which is why they launched the long wheelbase model but the rear doors look disproportionate. IMHO the F10 and G30 are really timeless deigns, this one will take time to grow on you!

Here's my G30 LCI's side profile:

[v1p3r]

What on earth is BMW up to? No sun shades, no rear-seat boss mode or ICE controls, no reclining seats? And let's not even get started on that design...

At one time if you were a driving enthusiast and wanted a taut sedan, you got the 530d, or you got the LWB E class to be chauffered around in luxury. Now it looks like either you'll get the E or get tomatoes thrown at you.

[Rajjaiswal92]

They need to take a look at Audi, just look how timeless and classy the A6 looks, no funky body lines, no unnecessary bling here and there.
BMW is just losing its plot by adding unnecessary and repulsive design elements.
German business sedans were once the epitome of classic lines with timeless design, BMW has just thrown out that basic design essence.

[mgastor2022grey]

The BMW 5 Series

As we all might know by now, BMW is planning to get in India the new generation 5 series, codenamed G60. However, it has received a mixed opinion within the folks who have seen it. It is mainly due to reasons such as:

1) Too much edgy styling: When compared to the classy G30 and the stylish F10, the G60 just looks too blingy and has lost the soul of a BMW (no exhaust tips in bumper, unproportionate design and LWB)

2) The LWB: While the LWB may be a lame reason for why not to like the new 5, it actually is true. In the making of the LWB, BMW has lost its classy 3-box sedan silhouette for a 2.5-box design which just look uncomplete and stretched. The exact reason why the E-Class LWB doesn't win beauty pageants.(Though its a bestseller )

3) Price: Now, this is expected, but still, the new generation 5 would definitely be at least 10-15 lakhs costlier than the G30, considering new technology, LWB and the price hike. That actually puts the 3 series LWB in advantage of the enthusiasts, as it gets the same engines of the 5, a more proportionate look and lesser price.

Okay, now enough of the rant, and lets get to the pictures.


In the next 2 pictures, see how a class and timeless front fascia turned into a edgy and unconventional one. Many BHPians have disliked this. One comment caught my eye: "Remove that BMW badge and it looks like a 4 cylinder Kia sedan trying too hard to look sporty. Considering how good looking new Kia vehicles are, I think its insulting to Kia also. Whoever is approving these designs has absolutely no taste." :



In the next 2 pictures, we can see the sexy rear of the G30 and the modern rear of the G60. I'm not nitpicking or anything, but would have loved to see dual exhaust tips here (it's a BMW signature):



The next 2 pictures convery how a traditional 3-box sedan converted into a 2.5 box coupe-of-sorts:



The G30 and the G60 side-by-side comparison:


Image Credits: Team BHP and Google
Note: This thread has been made with the help of BHPian's posts and response on the new 5 series.

[vattyboy]

I must say, the G60 is not a bad-looking car at all. Interestingly, when the second generation of the Creta was first released, a lot of people didn't like the looks of it, but it ended up being more successful than the first generation.

BMW did quite a bit with the F10 and then gave it a facelift to create the G30. I don't think BMW can do much more to the design of the G30. At some point, they will have to completely revamp the design to launch a new model.

I have a feeling that the G60 will look much better in person. It appeals to me, and I appreciate that it offers a different taste.

The F10 and G30 are so similar that some people are buying the 2010 model pre-owned cars in pennies and converting them to G30 by changing the headlights and bumpers.

If BMW made only fractional changes to the G30 design for G60, then the same thing would happen again. People would convert their F10 and G30 to the new model for a fraction of the money. When I'm spending 90 lakhs, I want exclusivity.

[Sensible_Speed]

I feel it doesn't look that bad, to be honest. What I can't live with is the trend of introducing LWB models here. I hate them with a passion. It ruins the ride completely. It makes sense when a luxury/comfort oriented brand like Mercedes does it. But BMW too? Shame!

I rode the regular wheelbase model abroad and found this new iteration of the 5er to be softer overall than the outgoing model. With a stretched cab, I can only imagine how boring it must be behind the wheel. I guess, if I had the cash, I'd splurge for the i5 instead of this.

That said, the wheels are finally a smaller size. BMW wheels break way too often. My friend's M340 needed two replacements in the rear after he hit an expansion joint at speed. Again, what this all points to, is a shift towards comfort from BMW's MO of driving pleasure. But, without having tried this new model out, I guess I can't say anything about how it'll do out on Indian roads.

The interiors are a massive W for me. Looks amazing, if a bit overdone with the lighting. The giant curved screens are a boon if you use the swivel wheel instead of touch functionality. For the air-con, they should've given physical buttons though.

[TusharK]

BMW 5 Series Long Wheelbase bookings open on June 22

BMW will open bookings for the all-new 5 Series Long Wheelbase in India on June 22. Customers can pre-book the car at their nearest BMW dealership or online, through the BMW Online shop.



The 8th-gen BMW 5 Series features a redesigned kidney grille flanked by sleek twin-pod LED headlamps. It gets new door handles, metallic trim around the window frame and the number ‘5’ embossed on the C-pillar. The rear features slim wraparound LED taillights and a sculpted rear bumper with integrated reflectors.

Inside, you get fewer physical buttons and big screens. There’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the new 3-spoke steering wheel, and the centre console houses a 14.9-inch curved display running the latest generation BMW operating system 8.5.

In India, the new 5 Series is likely to be offered with 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and diesel engine options. Both engines will be paired with a mild-hybrid system and an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The BMW 5 Series Long Wheelbase will be officially launched on July 24, 2024.

Link to Team-BHP News

[ssjr0498]

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