Monday, January 31, 2005
An Estate for Conservative
The 5 Series Touring has never caught the public's imagination in the same way as the saloon.Despite the fact that the UK is an 'estate' market, UK sales of the current Touring were just 5.8% of total Touring sales in 2003 despite BMW GB representing more than 10% of World wide sales. This can't be down to the product, as the current 5 Series Touring is as good as any estate.
Certainly, BMW staff have no suggestions as to the reason. What it does mean is that if they can uncover and solve the problem, they can double sales with the new Touring from only 2,142 in 2003, of which just 14 were the highly desirable 540i.
While the current 5 Series Touring was always considered to be stylish and elegant the new car does tend to make it look somewhat staid. Conservative buyers may favour the Touring over the saloon as the most controversial feature (the boot) is obviously missing on the 'estate'. It could be said that the Touring is one of the best of the Bangle designs as it looks like a more muscular and contemporary version of the old car, without any of the 'excesses' of other Chris Bangle-designed BMWs.
Four models will be available at launch; 525i SE (192bhp) and 545i (333bhp) petrol versions and 525d SE(177bhp) and 530d SE (218bhp) diesels. In Spring 2005 these will be joined by 520i SE and 530i SE petrols. TheGermans have a new game called 'Bockspringen' (or in English, Leapfrog) - Mercedes Benz had a 204bhp diesel so BMW launched a 218bhp unit, only to be pipped by Audi with 225bhp. It seems now that BMW has decided to hang on to the record for longer this time with an autumn launch of a 'stonking' two-stage turbo 3.5-litre six-cylinder diesel with 272bhp.
Quite frankly, the current 530d already goes like a sports car and, while probably 75% will be automatic, the 6-speed manual suits the car better and is quieter and smoother, not that there is anything wrong with the automatic. As usual the 525i needs revving and the 525d is more than adequate. For enthusiastic drivers the real peach is the 545i which is so fast yet so smooth and rewarding to drive. Surely more than 14 people will be seduced by this car in a full year.
BMW has honed the steering and suspension progressively and introduced more lightweight materials to the extent that these cars seem an extension of the driver - the word that comes to mind is 'silky'. As is the custom these days, the latest version is bigger in all dimensions than the current car and this is certainly felt in the interior, which is a very comfortable place to be, even in the back. Some may mourn the loss of the traditional BMW dashboard - which was all about function - with one that is more about form.
The I Drive is there in simplified form and, like so much about BMW at the moment, opinions are split. But those who take the trouble to learn the system will be well rewarded. Safety is also well provided for across the range, with a full tally of airbags and a five-star Euro- NCAP rating seems on the cards.
BMWs are much better specified these days and you can actually buy one without recourse to the options list.For best RVs, metallic paint and leather are essential (standard on some models) and, for the larger engines, automatic.
This car (particularly in diesel form) is ideal for senior managers who need extra space, as the RVs will undoubtedly remain class-leading and leasing rates will be very competitive. Tax avoiders will have to specify one of the diesels, which have impressively low CO2 figures.
FW OVERVIEWWhile it is difficult to improve a winning formula, BMW has moved the 5 Series Touring on yet again with even better dynamic qualities. The jury is still out on the styling but once detractors are familiar they will probably come round. BMW has more competition than ever, particularly from the recently launched A6, and it is going to be a tough fight for market leadership
BMW 530D SE TOURINGOTR price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £33,930Engine cyl/cc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6/2,993ccMax power . . . . . . . . . . . 218bhp @ 4,000rpmMax torque . . . . . . . . . . . 369lb.ft @ 2,000rpm0-62mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.2secsTop speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151mphCombined MPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39.2mpgCO2 emissions . . . . . 192g/km (27% in 04/05)
Source Fleetworld
Certainly, BMW staff have no suggestions as to the reason. What it does mean is that if they can uncover and solve the problem, they can double sales with the new Touring from only 2,142 in 2003, of which just 14 were the highly desirable 540i.
While the current 5 Series Touring was always considered to be stylish and elegant the new car does tend to make it look somewhat staid. Conservative buyers may favour the Touring over the saloon as the most controversial feature (the boot) is obviously missing on the 'estate'. It could be said that the Touring is one of the best of the Bangle designs as it looks like a more muscular and contemporary version of the old car, without any of the 'excesses' of other Chris Bangle-designed BMWs.
Four models will be available at launch; 525i SE (192bhp) and 545i (333bhp) petrol versions and 525d SE(177bhp) and 530d SE (218bhp) diesels. In Spring 2005 these will be joined by 520i SE and 530i SE petrols. TheGermans have a new game called 'Bockspringen' (or in English, Leapfrog) - Mercedes Benz had a 204bhp diesel so BMW launched a 218bhp unit, only to be pipped by Audi with 225bhp. It seems now that BMW has decided to hang on to the record for longer this time with an autumn launch of a 'stonking' two-stage turbo 3.5-litre six-cylinder diesel with 272bhp.
Quite frankly, the current 530d already goes like a sports car and, while probably 75% will be automatic, the 6-speed manual suits the car better and is quieter and smoother, not that there is anything wrong with the automatic. As usual the 525i needs revving and the 525d is more than adequate. For enthusiastic drivers the real peach is the 545i which is so fast yet so smooth and rewarding to drive. Surely more than 14 people will be seduced by this car in a full year.
BMW has honed the steering and suspension progressively and introduced more lightweight materials to the extent that these cars seem an extension of the driver - the word that comes to mind is 'silky'. As is the custom these days, the latest version is bigger in all dimensions than the current car and this is certainly felt in the interior, which is a very comfortable place to be, even in the back. Some may mourn the loss of the traditional BMW dashboard - which was all about function - with one that is more about form.
The I Drive is there in simplified form and, like so much about BMW at the moment, opinions are split. But those who take the trouble to learn the system will be well rewarded. Safety is also well provided for across the range, with a full tally of airbags and a five-star Euro- NCAP rating seems on the cards.
BMWs are much better specified these days and you can actually buy one without recourse to the options list.For best RVs, metallic paint and leather are essential (standard on some models) and, for the larger engines, automatic.
This car (particularly in diesel form) is ideal for senior managers who need extra space, as the RVs will undoubtedly remain class-leading and leasing rates will be very competitive. Tax avoiders will have to specify one of the diesels, which have impressively low CO2 figures.
FW OVERVIEWWhile it is difficult to improve a winning formula, BMW has moved the 5 Series Touring on yet again with even better dynamic qualities. The jury is still out on the styling but once detractors are familiar they will probably come round. BMW has more competition than ever, particularly from the recently launched A6, and it is going to be a tough fight for market leadership
BMW 530D SE TOURINGOTR price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £33,930Engine cyl/cc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6/2,993ccMax power . . . . . . . . . . . 218bhp @ 4,000rpmMax torque . . . . . . . . . . . 369lb.ft @ 2,000rpm0-62mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.2secsTop speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151mphCombined MPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39.2mpgCO2 emissions . . . . . 192g/km (27% in 04/05)
Source Fleetworld
# posted by Liz Laurie @ 6:17 AM 
