Interiors:
- CD changer flips down from inside the glove box, Neat! The e60 has it tucked all the way back inside which makes it hard to reach.
- DVD changer! The e60 came with a single DVD slot that too only in initial batches like mine.
-Instrument cluster has way too many buttons! I defiantly didn't feel at home. It could possibly figure out how to change the blower speed while driving as I was lost in the buttons! The e60 has a much more simple layout, AC blower is a single knob in the center.
-Sun shade at the back feels flimsy and short on width
-Interior quality,touch,feel as always was top notch
-iDrive is a big step up. E60 owners would need sometime to get used to this change.
-Headroom is significantly lowered ! Thanks to the coupe like styling
-Sunroof is bigger than the E60 and the shade's sliding is automatic too, Neat!
- Drive height is lower, the e60 sits higher. Not sure if ground clearance is lowered?
- Legroom seems slightly shorter but its compensated with a bit more angled rear backrest.
-Ambient lighting, Neat !
-Transmission tunnel has gone wider
-center arm-rest is smaller. The e60 has the full size arm-rest like the 7 series
Exteriors:
- Being a bangle fan, I prefer the design of the E60 to the F10. Reasons being, the F10 isn't as aggressive or modern
looking. It might have the LED treatment, and white chrono rings that addthe "modern touch". But overall design is much more understated and
timeless...which is not what appeals to me.
- Although todays 40 lakh buyer isn't exactly my age group, hence they would prefer this timeless design over the more aggressive Bangled one.
- Loved the white chrono-rings!.
-Liked the coupe-like roofline, but on thedownside, it affects the headroom.
- I also like the LED treatment behind the door handles, and also the well-rounded feel and shape (of the door handles).
- There are a few touches that should have been avoided. The orange turn signals at the back should have been clear-lamp instead (like the E60).
- Wheel rims matched the car perfectly (optional) - Not too sporty, nor too bold.
- I like the fact that they've maintained the shoulder line as in the E60
Power/Engine
- I had big expectations on the power delivery improvement. Not that it was lacking in my E60 525d. Although it has 50 more NM of torque, it felt likeit had 50 less. Reason being, that the power delivery is a lot smoother. The
"explosive" feel of the E60 is missing, and with an increase in engine smoothness, the aggressive nature is toned down too. Overall, feels as "fun to drive" as the 520d.
- Engine refinement is better. But then, my E60 has also covered
nearly 50,000 kms so I don't know how well this comparison holds.
- Just like in my 525d, torque at the end of the revv range could have been better.
Transmission
-Smoother changes, quicker (not a large difference over my
525d). I definitely see it giving the biggest advantage in the fuel economy
factor. The transmission (power delivery) itself feels more or less the same, but I don't use manual mode
- Wish they gave paddle shifters as they do in the 530d.
Suspension
- Suspension is immensely improved. My E60 rides on 245/45 R17 regular Michelins tubeless versus 245/45 R18 runflats. Even with runflats, and 18 Inchers, the F10 still won hands down.
- The F10 felt a lot more planted on rough / broken roads. Swap some
tubeless tyres on the F10 and they're guaranteed to give you Mercedes-like comfort.
- The electric steering is a boon at low speeds. But you do feel the lack of "heaviness" once you are pushing above 120 kph.
- No issues with the grip levels. But the E60 gives you a lot more
confidence thanks to the heavier steering.
- Traction control blinks more often in my car, but I never saw it happen in the F10 because it doesn't deliver power in the lunatic manner
I'm confused by what direction BMW is now taking. Are they going the Mercedes way, if they are then they have done a damn good job with the F10 OR are they sticking with the 'Ultimate driving machine' approach, in that case this seems a step back.
BMW has resolved all the issues I had with the E60- suspension and interiors in particular. But they have taken away the thing I love the most in the E60 too, the aggressive torque surge!
However I see this car appeal to a lot more buyers. It gives your Mercedes like comfort and interior with a more 'fun' factor in comparison to the E.
Looking forward to driving the 530d sometime, maybe that will win my heart, this one won my mind! |