[xander_g]

G30 is great but the F90 is current reigning champ with the E60 being a hall of famer

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by AP

I thought the pre LCI HK was ok. Certainly had more volume to it whereas the LCI feels constrained and lacking bass definition . When I want it loud I have to crank up to about 85% volume . Having to wind it up to that level suggests it’s underpowered to me

I’ve never. Experienced B&W so not sure what I’m missing , I’d like to think it’s a big jump up in quality though given the price

What I notice most about Bowers is that the sound quality is consistent as you increase volume. On some mediocre stereos I have noticed the volume will get plenty loud but you sacrifice quality as it gets louder.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by xander_g

G30 is great but the F90 is current reigning champ with the E60 being a hall of famer

No argument from me but the devils advocate to that would be that the G30 covers 3 powertrains. Something for everyone, as opposed to F90 implying a desire for more a very sporty and powerful driving experience.

[BMW012]

Originally Posted by Gautam

It was a really, really noticeable drop in the ix loaner I had, and honestly a significant part of why I disliked the car. If it had bowers, multicontour seats and soft close doors, I’d have been much warmer to it. Either it’s really bad or I’m really spoiled. I had hifi audio in my last bmw and it didn’t bother me, so it’s probably mostly the latter.

The standard burmester on Mercedes seems much better though. BMW has been subtly downgrading the audio options almost with every model year. It seems like an exercise to see what they can get away with.

yepp, always fully enjoyed the burmester and didn't realize how great they were and just thought that something like this (regardless of the brand) would be the standard in all luxury cars. recently tried out the b&w in an m8 and felt like that should be the standard for cars in this price tag. haven't had a chance to experience the pre-lci H&K.

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by xander_g

the E60 being a hall of famer

Yeah for being so ugly, must be a 60 thing as the G60 also looks as though it feel out of the ugly tree & hit every branch on the way down

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Yeah for being so ugly, must be a 60 thing as the G60 also looks as though it feel out of the ugly tree & hit every branch on the way down

I’ve always said the E60 was the worst 5-series ever created, bottom of the list. It was an ugly duckling outside as well as inside. Just a car with no personality. I think the G60 may rival it on the exterior.

I’ll post more of a rolling review I guess. More impressions.

The thing sits so friggin high and the wheel wells look like a crossover when seeing how much gap there is.

They replaced the traditional BMW sounds!! The traditional buckle up gong sounds like something in a Lexus. I guess they are trying hard to make it not feel like a BMW. It doesn’t for many reasons.

The grayed out vehicle settings can’t be adjusted while driving. The time zone is wrong and I can’t even change that while driving to “Automatic”, but I can fuck around with 200 Sirius stations.

No more 1-8 hot buttons. That sucks.

There are two physical dials under the screen below climate that I have no idea what they do.

No more buttons on the end of the blinker stalk to change the cluster or the auto high beam. You have to click around and of course it’s not grayed out.

The idrive controller SUCKS. It’s low profile and it’s way too easy to click down on it when you’re trying to go left or right.

I miss resting my hand in the shifter.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I’ve always said the E60 was the worst 5-series ever created, bottom of the list. It was an ugly duckling outside as well as inside. Just a car with no personality. I think the G60 may rival it on the exterior.

I’ll post more of a rolling review I guess. More impressions.

The thing sits so friggin high and the wheel wells look like a crossover when seeing how much gap there is.

They replaced the traditional BMW sounds!! The traditional buckle up gong sounds like something in a Lexus. I guess they are trying hard to make it not feel like a BMW. It doesn’t for many reasons.

The grayed out vehicle settings can’t be adjusted while driving. The time zone is wrong and I can’t even change that while driving to “Automatic”, but I can fuck around with 200 Sirius stations.

No more 1-8 hot buttons. That sucks.

There are two physical dials under the screen below climate that I have no idea what they do.

No more buttons on the end of the blinker stalk to change the cluster or the auto high beam. You have to click around and of course it’s not grayed out.

The idrive controller SUCKS. It’s low profile and it’s way too easy to click down on it when you’re trying to go left or right.

I miss resting my hand in the shifter.

It amazes me that Cops can pull you over for talking on your cell and give you a ticket for "distracted driving", yet its fine if you're trying to adjust your air conditioning by playing on a tablet for 10 seconds while not looking at the road.
LOL

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I’ve always said the E60 was the worst 5-series ever created, bottom of the list. It was an ugly duckling outside as well as inside. Just a car with no personality. I think the G60 may rival it on the exterior.

I’ll post more of a rolling review I guess. More impressions.

The thing sits so friggin high and the wheel wells look like a crossover when seeing how much gap there is.

They replaced the traditional BMW sounds!! The traditional buckle up gong sounds like something in a Lexus. I guess they are trying hard to make it not feel like a BMW. It doesn’t for many reasons.

The grayed out vehicle settings can’t be adjusted while driving. The time zone is wrong and I can’t even change that while driving to “Automatic”, but I can fuck around with 200 Sirius stations.

No more 1-8 hot buttons. That sucks.

There are two physical dials under the screen below climate that I have no idea what they do.

No more buttons on the end of the blinker stalk to change the cluster or the auto high beam. You have to click around and of course it’s not grayed out.

The idrive controller SUCKS. It’s low profile and it’s way too easy to click down on it when you’re trying to go left or right.

I miss resting my hand in the shifter.

Hmm, yeah I didn’t like the G60 anymore when I looked at one ‘in the flesh’ only positive I could say is that it’s very comfy, which is a bit shit when that’s the best thing I could say about it & that was an m60.

Reason it’s so high is that BMW are trying to accommodate an EV on an ICE platform, which can never be as good a job as a pure ICE or EV…an EV with a transmission tunnel….oh dear

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I’ve always said the E60 was the worst 5-series ever created, bottom of the list. It was an ugly duckling outside as well as inside. Just a car with no personality. I think the G60 may rival it on the exterior.

I’ll post more of a rolling review I guess. More impressions.

The thing sits so friggin high and the wheel wells look like a crossover when seeing how much gap there is.

They replaced the traditional BMW sounds!! The traditional buckle up gong sounds like something in a Lexus. I guess they are trying hard to make it not feel like a BMW. It doesn’t for many reasons.

The grayed out vehicle settings can’t be adjusted while driving. The time zone is wrong and I can’t even change that while driving to “Automatic”, but I can fuck around with 200 Sirius stations.

No more 1-8 hot buttons. That sucks.

There are two physical dials under the screen below climate that I have no idea what they do.

No more buttons on the end of the blinker stalk to change the cluster or the auto high beam. You have to click around and of course it’s not grayed out.

The idrive controller SUCKS. It’s low profile and it’s way too easy to click down on it when you’re trying to go left or right.

I miss resting my hand in the shifter.

As a car, it’s fine. Pretty nice, actually. Comfy. Lots of tech stuff and a cool iPad to play with.

As a 5 series BMW, it’s freaking blows.

And my first complaint is that it sits as high as a crossover. You’re spot on, there.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

...The time zone is wrong and I can’t even change that while driving to “Automatic”...

The last loaner I had was a 330 with the same problem; no way to fix the wrong time in the system. I mentioned it when I returned the car and they said they knew and it required some type of software update. :face palm:

[xander_g]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Yeah for being so ugly, must be a 60 thing as the G60 also looks as though it feel out of the ugly tree & hit every branch on the way down

appearance wise I have to agree.

[Gautam]

Originally Posted by NGT2

What I notice most about Bowers is that the sound quality is consistent as you increase volume. On some mediocre stereos I have noticed the volume will get plenty loud but you sacrifice quality as it gets louder.

Flip side is true too. Even if you have the volume low, you can still notice it’s crispness above other systems.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I’ve always said the E60 was the worst 5-series ever created, bottom of the list. It was an ugly duckling outside as well as inside. Just a car with no personality. I think the G60 may rival it on the exterior.

I’ll post more of a rolling review I guess. More impressions.

The thing sits so friggin high and the wheel wells look like a crossover when seeing how much gap there is.

They replaced the traditional BMW sounds!! The traditional buckle up gong sounds like something in a Lexus. I guess they are trying hard to make it not feel like a BMW. It doesn’t for many reasons.

The grayed out vehicle settings can’t be adjusted while driving. The time zone is wrong and I can’t even change that while driving to “Automatic”, but I can fuck around with 200 Sirius stations.

No more 1-8 hot buttons. That sucks.

There are two physical dials under the screen below climate that I have no idea what they do.

No more buttons on the end of the blinker stalk to change the cluster or the auto high beam. You have to click around and of course it’s not grayed out.

The idrive controller SUCKS. It’s low profile and it’s way too easy to click down on it when you’re trying to go left or right.

I miss resting my hand in the shifter.

This is the same G60 530i I test drove last week after the F90. It's comfortable, but that's about it. Competent, but no personality or endearing characteristics. I knew after 10 minutes I could be happy never driving that car again. Apparently there are favorites you can setup to replace the 1-7 shortcuts but I didn't get around to trying that out. When the 540i M sport becomes available at my local dealer I intend to give it a thorough vetting. It's a shame this is where the 5 series has gone as it's really the best vehicle for me but this latest iteration just leaves me....not eager to trade for it. I like the idea of an F90 M5 more than I think I'd like the actual ownership. It's like 1 or 2 days a week I'd love it, then the rest of the week I'd want something less edgy.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by AP

I thought the pre LCI HK was ok. Certainly had more volume to it whereas the LCI feels constrained and lacking bass definition . When I want it loud I have to crank up to about 85% volume . Having to wind it up to that level suggests it’s underpowered to me

I’ve never. Experienced B&W so not sure what I’m missing , I’d like to think it’s a big jump up in quality though given the price

My pre-LCI HK is pretty good, but my doctor tells me I'm experiencing hearing loss the last few years (and my wife says it's been more like 20 years). I added the Bav Sound Ghost Subs about 3-4 years ago and wondered what I paid for. After some break-in and adjusting the eq per their recommendations it was a little better. Then last week I finally coded in the B&W sound profile and my immediate reaction was the base hit much stronger, so much that I dialed back the low-end EQ. Rarely do I go past 50% lately but there were days on the drive home from work when I needed Ozzy's Crazy Train pretty loud to clear my head a bit. Haven't need that in a couple years. I've also never heard the true B&W system but would probably like it.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

My pre-LCI HK is pretty good, but my doctor tells me I'm experiencing hearing loss the last few years (and my wife says it's been more like 20 years). I added the Bav Sound Ghost Subs about 3-4 years ago and wondered what I paid for. After some break-in and adjusting the eq per their recommendations it was a little better. Then last week I finally coded in the B&W sound profile and my immediate reaction was the base hit much stronger, so much that I dialed back the low-end EQ. Rarely do I go past 50% lately but there were days on the drive home from work when I needed Ozzy's Crazy Train pretty loud to clear my head a bit. Haven't need that in a couple years. I've also never heard the true B&W system but would probably like it.

My experience is the same with HK. I did change a bunch of eq settings that I had posted up here in one of the threads (made a big difference to my ears). I find that the culprit for bad sound is usually poor quality audio files. When high quality audio is played, I'm surprised by how good it sounds...and often I have to turn settings down because I had them set for poor quality audio.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

This is the same G60 530i I test drove last week after the F90. It's comfortable, but that's about it. Competent, but no personality or endearing characteristics. I knew after 10 minutes I could be happy never driving that car again. Apparently there are favorites you can setup to replace the 1-7 shortcuts but I didn't get around to trying that out. When the 540i M sport becomes available at my local dealer I intend to give it a thorough vetting. It's a shame this is where the 5 series has gone as it's really the best vehicle for me but this latest iteration just leaves me....not eager to trade for it. I like the idea of an F90 M5 more than I think I'd like the actual ownership. It's like 1 or 2 days a week I'd love it, then the rest of the week I'd want something less edgy.

Yeah, on day 3 and returning it in about an hour. I did find the 1-7 hot buttons, but they aren't physical button, they are buried somewhere in the software. So you have to click a few times to get to the hot buttons to the best of my knowledge. Defeats the purpose.

Same impression as you after 3 days. It is a nice "car" and comfortable to drive, handles nice and certainly doesn't ever bottom out. Very vanilla. Nothing screams BMW about it. I bet this 4-banger is $70k. There are a lot more cheaper options out there for a "car" that drives smooth.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Yeah, on day 3 and returning it in about an hour. I did find the 1-7 hot buttons, but they aren't physical button, they are buried somewhere in the software. So you have to click a few times to get to the hot buttons to the best of my knowledge. Defeats the purpose.

Same impression as you after 3 days. It is a nice "car" and comfortable to drive, handles nice and certainly doesn't ever bottom out. Very vanilla. Nothing screams BMW about it. I bet this 4-banger is $70k. There are a lot more cheaper options out there for a "car" that drives smooth.

Most of the 530i’s are going for ~$65k around here. Occasionally see a 540iX for ~$75-78k. The Peabody dealer sends me offers now and then to trade my G30, latest offer is about $25k. No thanks.

[AWSB328iM]

Found my father a 2018 G30 540i to replace his F10 535i. It’s nicely equipped with Premium, Executive, Driving Assist, Ventilated Nappa Luxury Seating, Leather Dash/upper door panels, wireless charging, Apple car play, and HK Audio. Haven’t seen one optioned this nice while browsing online. Best part is it only has 45K miles.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by AWSB328iM

Found my father a 2018 G30 540i to replace his F10 535i. It’s nicely equipped with Premium, Executive, Ventilated Nappa Luxury Seating, Leather Dash/upper door panels, wireless charging, Apple car play, and HK Audio. Haven’t seen one optioned this nice while browsing online. Best part is it only has 45K miles.

Awesome! I had a 2018 540i before my M550. That car was awesome. Not as optioned out as the one you found but very nice. Had the same wheels. That’s a pretty car. He will enjoy it!

Here’s my old one:

[AWSB328iM]

Originally Posted by NGT2

Awesome! I had a 2018 540i before my M550. That car was awesome. Not as optioned out as the one you found but very nice. Had the same wheels. That’s a pretty car. He will enjoy it!

Here’s my old one:

Very nice, I’m debating on how much longer to keep my 2011 E92 6-Speed. Wife just got a new SUV and I recently inherited my forever sports car, an air cooled Porsche. I think a 2018-2019 540i M-Sport with a tune would be a great daily for me. We have one kid under 2 and plan to have one more. It’s a lot of car for well under $30K.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by AWSB328iM

Very nice, I’m debating on how much longer to keep my 2011 E92 6-Speed. Wife just got a new SUV and I recently inherited my forever sports car, an air cooled Porsche. I think a 2018-2019 540i M-Sport with a tune would be a great daily for me. We have one kid under 2 and plan to have one more. It’s a lot of car for well under $30K.

Congrats on the Porsche!

G30 is great. Mine have been great with two small kids. Wife also has an SUV.

Before my second kid was born, we took a trip to the beach (8 hours) with me and my wife and our first kid. He was maybe 4 or 5 at the time. All the luggage fit in the trunk and we were very comfortable. Great “dad” car that is also really fun.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by tsbrown

My pre-LCI HK is pretty good, but my doctor tells me I'm experiencing hearing loss the last few years (and my wife says it's been more like 20 years).

i believe many people have tried to tell me i have hearing loss but i can't hear them peeps so i'm not sure.