[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Nor can you fold the ORVMs unless < ~20 km/hr! A sure recipe for acidosis in India on single lane roads.

I hope there is some override option through the touchscreen. I have to park in a tight multi-story garage at home and parking is always a pain given that parking spaces were made 20+ years ago and the size of cars just keeps increasing.

I feel cars have become too complex and even an enthusiast doesn't want to spend time going through the manual for each small irritation. My car for some reason keeps locking the rear doors as soon as I step out of it, yet to figure out how to prevent this.

[Foxbat]

When I was picking up the car the rather old and experienced Finance Manager(probably worked in sales earlier and knew her BMWs) said the alloy wheels seem to be inspired from the BMW M cars wheels from the 1990s. I vaguely remembered seeing similar designs decades ago as a child.

I recently came across these wheels on a rare Canada only 1995 BMW M540i and they seem to be similar but with only two spokes per arm instead of three in mine.





I initially didn't like the wheels in the pictures but like the vehicle itself it looks better in person and it suits the car well.

[Foxbat]

I recently got a notification on the BMW app and car startup screen about a free 3 month trial of the Remote parking feature. After trial I think its $50 for 3 months. I downloaded the feature on the app and then updated the software in the car via bluetooth.

With this new feature you can drive the car froward and reverse at a slow speed while standing near it (via bluetooth) via the BMW App. You can also park it in tight spots after leaving the car. The car could auto park before but now you don't need to be sitting inside.

Honestly I have not found much practical use of the feature as I absolutely avoid parking in tight spaces to avoid scratches from other people's doors or people trying to squeeze through. However its a great trick to drive the car around in empty parking lots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg7Da-ZwK2A

I have completed about 9,000 km (5,600 miles ) in 7 months and so far the car has been flawless except for a slow puncture due to a screw. Interestingly I drove my Ciaz 32k km for 5+ years all over India over terrible roads and never had a single puncture. I love the dual nature of the 2 Liter turbocharged B48 engine and the cars tight handling for its size. In Eco mode I can squeeze out 18 Km/L while cruising on the highway while occasionally I drive aggressively around hilly roads in sport modes and get 4 Km/L.

A recent picture with the USS Nautilus (worlds first Nuclear powered submarine) in the background at Groton, Connecticut.



I have been toying with the idea of getting 20 inch golden or bronze alloy wheels (like the ones in Need For Speed racing game in the 2000s) but so far I have been able to control my silly plans.

[Foxbat]

Completed 1 year today and about 12,500 km (7,800 miles). Its been an amazing ownership experience and I'm happy with my decision to splurge on a new G60 rather than a used G30.In fact I probably would have splurged a little more and gone for a new 540i xDrive with the 6 cylinder B58 engine if I could go back in time. The car has been flawless and I haven't had a single issue till date. I have done a few long distance trips with 5 people+ luggage and the car is great highway cruiser. Both front and rear passengers have had a comfortable experience with regards to space and ride quality. The seats provide great support and I really like the lumbar support for both front passengers. Overall mileage has been 13.4 Km/L or 31.6 MPG in about 60% highway driving and 40% city traffic.

The car is filled with tech and although many members feel they are gimmicky I use the following regularly:

1. Self parking. I rarely park the car myself and us this feature for both parallel parking on the road and perpendicular parking in parking lots. Its extremely helpful parking in tight spaces in NYC and getting out.
2. Voice Controls: I use them multiple times for opening the window, sunroof and sunroof shade, changing driving modes, interior lights, music source and channels and navigation. Also very helpful in getting directly to a certain feature (i.e. tyre pressure display) directly without using the touch screen.
3. Gesture Control: I use to change the volume and also change channels. For long drives it helps move your hands so they don't become stiff in one position.
4. Remote start using the App. In the winter this feature is extremely useful to heat the car and warm up the engine in freezing temperatures.
5. The touch sensitive buttons were awkward at first but I have now got use to them. I'm not sure about the long term longevity of the mechanism but I feel comfortable using them like regular push buttons.

Gimmicky Feature: Parking the car through the BMW App. Looks cool but has very little practical application. Might as well let the car self park or exit parking while you are sitting in it. Only use case is when its in a extremely tight space and you can't open the door but that rarely happens.

The only below expectations experience has been the service experience. Perhaps I was expecting too much but in the US BMW is a mass market manufacturer and the service centers are also strictly average. No major problems but washing, cleaning and customer attentiveness could definitely be improved. I felt I got a much more premium experience servicing my Ciaz at Nexa in Hyderabad 7 years ago.

A picture from one of the trips to upstate New York in the Fall.


Added a Ganesh idol (brought it from India because I had to have the same one as my previous car ) to the dashboard. I had picked up this flag also but it didn't last long as its too big and obstructed the view as well as interfered with the gesture control.


I always wanted to experience driving in a snowstorm with 4 wheel drive and got a opportunity a few months back. Not really a fun experience within the city with so much traffic and low visibility but a good picture opportunity.


I had purchased this model of the car and posted in the Scale models thread.

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Finally got this 1:24 Scale BMW i5 M60 from AliExpress. Not the best in terms of finish and shape but its currently the only scale model available of the current model 5 Series (G60).

More of a toy with working lights, spring action and Vroom sound!

A picture from today, after a birthday special carwash and interior cleaning.

[mobike008]

Congratulations Saurabh on completing 1 year. But, you need to take the car out more often and do more trips assuming you work hybrid.

I too do the same as I don't get the opportunity to drive much so 1-2 weekends in a month is reserved for long drives to the mountains ( 250 miles round trip type of day trips).

Driving in snow is fun if you go into the mountains but, city driving sucks. The car looks great and keep crunching those miles.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Congratulations Saurabh on completing 1 year. But, you need to take the car out more often and do more trips assuming you work hybrid.

Thanks.

I would like to take the car out more but unfortunately I live in a very congested area with huge tolls, very expensive parking and a lot of bad roads. It usually takes a minimum of 30-40 minutes of city driving before I can hit the open roads.

Hence I usually prefer taking the train/subway most of the time for short distances and the car us is used on average once a week

[4Runner]

The 5 series is an a absolute grail sedan. I wasn't sure about the modern and updated look but once I rented it at the back of renting a 4 series convertible, I was blown away at how bulletproof it felt. The 255 HP engine also doesn't feel lethargic even with the heft of the vehicle. Enjoy it in good health.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by 4Runner

The 5 series is an a absolute grail sedan. I wasn't sure about the modern and updated look but once I rented it at the back of renting a 4 series convertible, I was blown away at how bulletproof it felt. The 255 HP engine also doesn't feel lethargic even with the heft of the vehicle. Enjoy it in good health.

Yes its a great car in a sea full of luxury SUVs. 255 Bhp seems a bit low but with the 8 speed transmission 0-100 km/hr (60 Mph) is around 5.5 seconds which sufficiently quick for most people's driving needs.

The only drawback is the size of the vehicle in a crowded place like the NYC metropolitan area. By your user name I just remembered I rented a 2024 Toyota 4Runner last week. I felt it was huge but soon got used to it driving on the open roads of California.



I was shocked to find out the G60 5 series is actually 9 inches longer and just 1 inch narrower than the SUV!

[4Runner]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Yes its a great car in a sea full of luxury SUVs. 255 Bhp seems a bit low but with the 8 speed transmission 0-100 km/hr (60 Mph) is around 5.5 seconds which sufficiently quick for most people's driving needs.

The only drawback is the size of the vehicle in a crowded place like the NYC metropolitan area. By your user name I just remembered I rented a 2024 Toyota 4Runner last week. I felt it was huge but soon got used to it driving on the open roads of California.

Attachment 2747103

I was shocked to find out the G60 5 series is actually 9 inches longer and just 1 inch narrower than the SUV!

Yes thank you I was lucky to get a 5th gen while they were still available. I would not part with it for anything! But do plan to add a 5 series or an M2 at some point to the garage.