[jesal]

a 22 lak car in india for 55 lak what a waste ?

[PlatzdaTurbo]

Originally Posted by GTO

As a fan of the A4's clean styling, I wouldn't see that as a bad thing at all. While Mercedes & BMW went overboard with quirky designs, Audi stuck to the honest, clean and timeless look.

Oh i love the looks as well , but then Audi wouldnt want a situation where prospective owners might end up thinking, "why should i pay more than double the amount for a car that looks so strikingly similar to the much cheaper A4?" Though i would never think on such lines , the excellent but strikingly similar looks to a much cheaper car might turn out to be the deal breaker for some as far as the new A8 is concerned dont you think ? Especially considering the fact that rivals at BMW,Merc & Jag have nothing in common as far as looks of their entry level and flagship luxury sedans are concerned .
I mean, for people who have loads of green to spend, do NOT have much knowledge about cars and just trust their eyes as far as "exclusivity" is concerned ,i doubt whether the new A8 would appeal to all of them as if the new A8 has any chance to go off the floors, its by attracting these new customers away from the "common" 7 series and S class.
I personally would surely buy the new A8 if i had the green.

[neeld]

Originally Posted by GTO

On Indian highways, 10 kpl is about right for a 6 cylinder diesel engine. This is also in line with what owners of the previous gen 525 / 530d have reported. With a really light foot, maybe 10 - 20% more, but then, you wouldn't drive a BMW on the highway solely for fuel efficiency, would you?

Totally agree to that GTO , but thought that with the new 8 speed transmission it could be nearer to 13/14 KPL.

[neeld]

Whats the main difference between the 8-speed Sports Automatic transmission with Steptronic in the 530d and 8-speed Automatic transmission with Steptronic in the 525d ?

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by GTO

On Indian highways, 10 kpl is about right for a 6 cylinder diesel engine. This is also in line with what owners of the previous gen 525 / 530d have reported. With a really light foot, maybe 10 - 20% more, but then, you wouldn't drive a BMW on the highway solely for fuel efficiency, would you?

E60 525d gives 12 on highways. +1.5 if you drive with a light foot and -1 if you do retarded things like touchdown to the speed limiter, constant flooring,etc

[issigonis]

A friend and neighbour took delivery of a new E60 (525i) yesterday. Will post pics with his permission soon. He got a discount of Rs 10 lacs.

Haven't stopped congratulating him since - have demanded a bottle of Bollinger and a traditional sweetmeat!

This brings to our residential building its second Bimmer (we have a 750i-will confirm this- as this comes very occasionally, when the owner visits his flat); we have a W203 as well. Total number of germans - four, with yours truly bringing up the rear in a Jetta.

Regards

[GTO]

Originally Posted by PlatzdaTurbo

"why should i pay more than double the amount for a car that looks so strikingly similar to the much cheaper A4?"

You have a point there. Mercedes & BMW do enough to differentiate their flagship cars (S & 7) from the entry level (C & 3).

Originally Posted by neeld

Totally agree to that GTO , but thought that with the new 8 speed transmission it could be nearer to 13/14 KPL.

IMO, 12 kpl is pretty respectable for a 6 cylinder diesel.

Originally Posted by neeld

Whats the main difference between the 8-speed Sports Automatic transmission with Steptronic in the 530d and 8-speed Automatic transmission with Steptronic in the 525d ?

The transmissions are exactly the same. Only difference, the 530d gives you paddle shifts.

Originally Posted by Sahil

E60 525d gives 12 on highways. +1.5 if you drive with a light foot and -1 if you do retarded things like touchdown to the speed limiter, constant flooring,etc

You sure about that, Sahil? My C220 - a car that's lighter, has a 4 cylinder engine and a 6 speed manual - gives 14 kpl on the highway (when driven spiritedly). A bigger car with 2 more cylinders giving the same sounds dicey.

[sidindica]

BMW 5 series with M sport package first images, courtesy 5post.com forums

[Akshay1234]

i like that m-sport kit. i think the rims could have been better i.e multispoke.

[suhaas307]

Excellent review, GTO! Fantastically detailed and well compiled! Well done!

Originally Posted by sidindica

BMW 5 series with M sport package first images, courtesy 5post.com forums

Originally Posted by akshay1234

i like that m-sport kit. i think the rims could have been better i.e multispoke.

I prefer the ones on the M5 in the 2nd page of this thread. Those are to die for! That said, the wheels that on offer here, especially the 19", don't look all that big in pictures! Trick photography? Or is the new 5er that much bigger?

[Raj2010]

Had a chance to drive the 550 last saturday and have to say the car is a 'beast' While in the car it feels like a 7 series very open and spacious. I had the car for about 20 min had some street and freeway driving. While cruising its very quiet and comfortable. Put into sport and hold on! By the time I got to the end of the freeway onramp I was already at triple digit speeds and I still had 5 gears to go. The speed is very deceiving cruising at these speeds feel like going 50mph in other cars. I can just see the tuning possibilities with the twin turbo once tuners can crack the ECU code. It will be interesting to see how the M5 drives once it is out.

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by GTO

You sure about that, Sahil? My C220 - a car that's lighter, has a 4 cylinder engine and a 6 speed manual - gives 14 kpl on the highway (when driven spiritedly). A bigger car with 2 more cylinders giving the same sounds dicey.

Yup, am sure. Have it documented in my ownership thread too

[GTO]

The 5 starts rolling off assembly lines. First cars a 530d

The BMW Plant Chennai will roll out the new BMW 5 Series today. Deliveries of the new BMW 5 Series in India will commence by July end.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Juergen Eder, Managing Director, BMW Plant Chennai said, “The BMW 5 Series is the core product in our model range and has significantly contributed to the image and success of BMW in India.”

The new BMW 5 Series was launched in India on 30 April 2010 in Mumbai with two petrol variants – 535i and 523i and two diesel variants – 530d and 525d. The 523i, 530d and 525d are produced as CKD (completely knocked-down) units at the BMW Plant Chennai. The 535i is available as a CBU (completely built-up unit).

BMW India has sold over 3700 units of the 5 Series in India since 2007 which has accounted for more than fifty percent of the company’s sales.

[FlyingSpur]

It's amazing how that M-sport kit can make the front look better and the rear worse than stock, at the same time.

[PlatzdaTurbo]

the front does look great with the kit, but seriously those rims really look out of place IMO. Could be much better