Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose?

XDriver · 27th January 2025, 14:05

Voted for the G30. I own one and it is a timeless classic! It just oozes class, and the 6 pot diesel is in a league of its own. Love it !

turbowhistle · 27th January 2025, 16:20

Voted for G30/G31, will come to the reasoning in a bit..

E60 made me realize BMW can make crazy cars when it wanted, it's an iconic car especially for the V10 and it was quintessential BMW for many fanboys. A lot of people including me considered E39 the epitome of 5 series and never thought it was easy to top from there.

Compared to the E60 and the drama it created, F10 was really muted and understated. But the styling made sure it found a lot of takers. The timeless design works and still doesn't look out of place in 2025.

But then when the G30 debuted, that was it for me. It ironed out all the shortcomings in my opinions and it drives a tad better than F10. Plus the looks, what else can be said about it? for me its the best looking modern BMW (barring the M2) created in last 2 decades. The Estate version is even sexier and is more than enough car for 99% of households.

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Also, it's criminal to not include the legendary E39 in the poll, it's simply one of the greatest sports sedans ever made.

Kontoo · 27th January 2025, 16:29

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I have had the fortune of owing three 5 series cars and although I voted for the G30 (a better overall package), in terms of sheer looks I would still go for the clean, understated looks of the F10

Tutenkhamen · 27th January 2025, 16:32

G30 LCI any day of the week.
Wish it had stayed for a longer while.

The current gen is, well, tough to look at.
If Bmw brings back G30 LCI and make it costlier by 5L, it'll still sell well. May even give competition to G68 lol.

ssjr0498 · 27th January 2025, 18:42

G30LCI, anyday! What a beauty!

car_guy1998 · 27th January 2025, 19:06

Voted for F10 version as it looks timeless despite its design being decade and a half old, especially in M-Sport trim. I had a fortune to have a ride in this car in the year 2014-15 when one of my dad's friends used to have 530D M-Sport bought brand new with that beautiful 5 spoke rims and when he purchased the car in 2014, it had costed him nearly Rs.72L IIRC.

Second would be G30, again in 30D guise.

I still couldn't digest myself with the looks of G68 but will take time to get used to it though I still prefer F10 and G30 any day.

I hope, by another 3 years, a used G30 530D will be more affordable enough to buy as I always wanted a FTD luxury car for weekend drives.

gt3t0uring · 27th January 2025, 19:35

Barring the E39, the G30 5er, more specifically pre LCI is the best looking modern BMW, it cannot get any better, just perfect. Headlights and the grille are proportionate unlike the LCI which got bigger grille and thinner lights.

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Sensible_Speed · 27th January 2025, 20:08

My vote will always go to the e60 in this lot. My metric to judge the 5 series' ability is always to look at the M5 that the platform spawns. The M5 from F10 onwards got the disgusting N63 V8 which is probably the worst engine BMW ever built. Now, the new G68 even looks disgusting and weighs a ton more than it should. That V10, despite being the most troublesome powerplant in terms of reliability, is probably the sweetest sounding engine ever to come out of the BMW factory since the 6.0 V12 that went into the Mclaren F1.

I want manufacturers to bring back the simple, lightweight, mechanical cars that were built to last and designed to look timeless. This may even end up being good for the planet in the long run if recycled materials are introduced en masse. The E28 kickstarted the sports executive saloon race if I remember correctly. Hope BMW remembers its roots before it's too late.

gopi_rm · 27th January 2025, 20:09

The G30 LCI Touring. The most beautiful and sportier kombi including the interior with proper physical buttons. The G68 is the ugliest 5 series I have ever seen (sorry no offence to the owners).

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It's Magic · 27th January 2025, 20:53

Voted for BMW 5 series F10

In my opinion, it perfectly depicts the image of a BMW car that comes to mind when someone thinks about BMW.

It has classic, clean look which is elegant and has a feel good factor.
It has a solid build and premium quality inside and out.
It has an amazing air conditioner that can give you chills.
It offers decent fuel efficiency along with a smooth, comfortable, and silent ride.

Geo_Ipe · 27th January 2025, 20:55

F10 - doesn't need any more praise than it has already received here.

@Mods - Please have a poll for the E Class also. I'm already voting for the W124!

Yes, I'm officially old school!

LordSharan · 27th January 2025, 21:18

Voted for E60

Controversial opinion - has to be bangled E60. The corona rings and the flared headlamps seal the deal for me. Never has a sedan looked so aggressive. The heart wants what the heart wants.
If I had to buy one - it'd G30 530D. That engine has prolly no equals.

BlackPearl · 27th January 2025, 21:57

Very close call between F10 and G30, not able to decide which one to vote for.

Edit: voted for F10

Its_Arkk · 27th January 2025, 22:12

No E39 or E34 option ??

ron_9191 · 27th January 2025, 22:51

Nothing beats an E39 BMW M5 with a lovely set of BBS LM rims on it. The pic has a BBS-LM look alike rims. If I had another choice, it would be the E60 BMW M5 with a set of BBS FI-R Rims. These are two of the modern day BMW's that truly are timeless.

View Poll Results: Your choice?
E60 (2007 - 2009)	19	6.74%
F10 (2010 - 2017)	62	21.99%
G30 (2018 - 2023)	186	65.96%
G68 (2024 - Present)	15	5.32%
Voters: 282. You may not vote on this poll

27th January 2025, 14:05	#16
XDriver BHPian Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 98 Thanked: 462 Times	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? Voted for the G30. I own one and it is a timeless classic! It just oozes class, and the 6 pot diesel is in a league of its own. Love it ! Last edited by XDriver : 27th January 2025 at 14:06.
	(3) Thanks

27th January 2025, 16:20	#17
turbowhistle BHPian Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Berlin - Mumbai Posts: 365 Thanked: 1,175 Times View My Garage	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? Voted for G30/G31, will come to the reasoning in a bit.. E60 made me realize BMW can make crazy cars when it wanted, it's an iconic car especially for the V10 and it was quintessential BMW for many fanboys. A lot of people including me considered E39 the epitome of 5 series and never thought it was easy to top from there. Compared to the E60 and the drama it created, F10 was really muted and understated. But the styling made sure it found a lot of takers. The timeless design works and still doesn't look out of place in 2025. But then when the G30 debuted, that was it for me. It ironed out all the shortcomings in my opinions and it drives a tad better than F10. Plus the looks, what else can be said about it? for me its the best looking modern BMW (barring the M2) created in last 2 decades. The Estate version is even sexier and is more than enough car for 99% of households. Also, it's criminal to not include the legendary E39 in the poll, it's simply one of the greatest sports sedans ever made.
	(3) Thanks

27th January 2025, 16:29	#18
Kontoo BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 115 Thanked: 70 Times	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? I have had the fortune of owing three 5 series cars and although I voted for the G30 (a better overall package), in terms of sheer looks I would still go for the clean, understated looks of the F10
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27th January 2025, 16:32	#19
Tutenkhamen BHPian Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Kapurthala Posts: 104 Thanked: 584 Times	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? G30 LCI any day of the week. Wish it had stayed for a longer while. The current gen is, well, tough to look at. If Bmw brings back G30 LCI and make it costlier by 5L, it'll still sell well. May even give competition to G68 lol.
	(1) Thanks

27th January 2025, 18:42	#20
ssjr0498 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Blr-Ccu Posts: 958 Thanked: 690 Times View My Garage	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? G30LCI, anyday! What a beauty!
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27th January 2025, 19:06	#21
car_guy1998 BHPian Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: TG08/New Jersey Posts: 784 Thanked: 1,456 Times View My Garage	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? Voted for F10 version as it looks timeless despite its design being decade and a half old, especially in M-Sport trim. I had a fortune to have a ride in this car in the year 2014-15 when one of my dad's friends used to have 530D M-Sport bought brand new with that beautiful 5 spoke rims and when he purchased the car in 2014, it had costed him nearly Rs.72L IIRC. Second would be G30, again in 30D guise. I still couldn't digest myself with the looks of G68 but will take time to get used to it though I still prefer F10 and G30 any day. I hope, by another 3 years, a used G30 530D will be more affordable enough to buy as I always wanted a FTD luxury car for weekend drives.
	(1) Thanks

27th January 2025, 19:35	#22
gt3t0uring BHPian Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: NCR Posts: 98 Thanked: 312 Times	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? Barring the E39, the G30 5er, more specifically pre LCI is the best looking modern BMW, it cannot get any better, just perfect. Headlights and the grille are proportionate unlike the LCI which got bigger grille and thinner lights.
	(3) Thanks

27th January 2025, 20:08	#23
Sensible_Speed BHPian Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 287 Thanked: 761 Times	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? My vote will always go to the e60 in this lot. My metric to judge the 5 series' ability is always to look at the M5 that the platform spawns. The M5 from F10 onwards got the disgusting N63 V8 which is probably the worst engine BMW ever built. Now, the new G68 even looks disgusting and weighs a ton more than it should. That V10, despite being the most troublesome powerplant in terms of reliability, is probably the sweetest sounding engine ever to come out of the BMW factory since the 6.0 V12 that went into the Mclaren F1. I want manufacturers to bring back the simple, lightweight, mechanical cars that were built to last and designed to look timeless. This may even end up being good for the planet in the long run if recycled materials are introduced en masse. The E28 kickstarted the sports executive saloon race if I remember correctly. Hope BMW remembers its roots before it's too late.
	() Thanks

27th January 2025, 20:09	#24
gopi_rm BHPian Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Deutschland Posts: 249 Thanked: 570 Times	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? The G30 LCI Touring. The most beautiful and sportier kombi including the interior with proper physical buttons. The G68 is the ugliest 5 series I have ever seen (sorry no offence to the owners).
	(2) Thanks

27th January 2025, 20:53	#25
It's Magic BHPian Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: Pune Posts: 437 Thanked: 698 Times	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? Voted for BMW 5 series F10 In my opinion, it perfectly depicts the image of a BMW car that comes to mind when someone thinks about BMW. It has classic, clean look which is elegant and has a feel good factor. It has a solid build and premium quality inside and out. It has an amazing air conditioner that can give you chills. It offers decent fuel efficiency along with a smooth, comfortable, and silent ride.
	() Thanks

27th January 2025, 20:55	#26
Geo_Ipe Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Vellore Posts: 1,084 Thanked: 3,657 Times View My Garage	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? F10 - doesn't need any more praise than it has already received here. @Mods - Please have a poll for the E Class also. I'm already voting for the W124! Yes, I'm officially old school!
	(1) Thanks

27th January 2025, 21:18	#27
LordSharan BHPian Join Date: May 2014 Location: in Transit Posts: 195 Thanked: 772 Times	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? Voted for E60 Controversial opinion - has to be bangled E60. The corona rings and the flared headlamps seal the deal for me. Never has a sedan looked so aggressive. The heart wants what the heart wants. If I had to buy one - it'd G30 530D. That engine has prolly no equals. Last edited by LordSharan : 27th January 2025 at 21:22.
	() Thanks

27th January 2025, 21:57	#28
BlackPearl Team-BHP Support Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calcutta/London Posts: 3,662 Thanked: 17,375 Times View My Garage	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? Very close call between F10 and G30, not able to decide which one to vote for. Edit: voted for F10
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27th January 2025, 22:12	#29
Its_Arkk BHPian Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Kolkata Posts: 40 Thanked: 139 Times	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? No E39 or E34 option ??
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27th January 2025, 22:51	#30
ron_9191 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 390 Thanked: 302 Times	Re: Which BMW 5-Series Generation will you choose? Nothing beats an E39 BMW M5 with a lovely set of BBS LM rims on it. The pic has a BBS-LM look alike rims. If I had another choice, it would be the E60 BMW M5 with a set of BBS FI-R Rims. These are two of the modern day BMW's that truly are timeless. Attached Thumbnails
	(6) Thanks