[PaulT_M5]

I just stumbled across this for the hearse lovers...

[Archer-s]

What a lovely behind

[Tengocity]

I was looking through all the pics released last night. It looks exactly like a 5 series touring I guess, but it looks so safe and boring design wise.

It's probably the ideal car for us, and I'm sure it will drive brilliantly, but as things stand I can't bring myself to spend so much money on something so bland looking.

[teaston]

It's like Kim Kardashian, pretty face, but the huge bulbous rear end spoils it!

[GaryUFM]

Has a look of the F31 about it...if BMW followed the current trend and created an off-road/all-road version of it.

[PaulT_M5]

Obviously I should have said it was the G31...

[Edinburra]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I was looking through all the pics released last night. It looks exactly like a 5 series touring I guess, but it looks so safe and boring design wise.

It's probably the ideal car for us, and I'm sure it will drive brilliantly, but as things stand I can't bring myself to spend so much money on something so bland looking.

Have to agree, it's anonymous, more evolution than revolution.

[ep22jg]

Originally Posted by GaryUFM

Has a look of the F31 about it...if BMW followed the current trend and created an off-road/all-road version of it.

I agree
I hadn't seen any F30 in the G30, but to me the G31 really looks like a refreshed F31

[Chrismac13]

Looks solid & safe in a good way & will no doubt be a good drive but also a bit bland & boring

[mcoops]

Interesting. I think they've done their best by raking the rear glass quite steeply and making the rear light clusters fairly slim (vertically). But it is a just a big rear.

[Tengocity]

Perhaps the big rear is because the rear glass is relatively shallow in take? It must make the surface area that bit larger than a steep flat one

[mcoops]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Perhaps the big rear is because the rear glass is relatively shallow in take? It must make the surface area that bit larger than a steep flat one

I think you've nailed the language better than me - I meant shallow/flat rather than steep (in the sense that the angle of the glass in a 4 series is shallower than a 3 series saloon which in turn is shallower than an F31).

But subjectively, I think the angle makes the rear less big/boxy. I think it would look even more ungainly if the angle was steeper. Like an old Volvo

[225]

I think it looks ok. Could do with a few more "sporty" trinkets but its a big estate car and short of doing an rs6 flared arch job there us only so much they can do.

The new 3er will undoubtedly be bigger as well so not sure I'd ever need a 5 estate but wouldnt be unhappy with one.

An m550i estate would do nicely mind..

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by 225

I think it looks ok. Could do with a few more "sporty" trinkets but its a big estate car and short of doing an rs6 flared arch job there us only so much they can do.

The new 3er will undoubtedly be bigger as well so not sure I'd ever need a 5 estate but wouldnt be unhappy with one.

An m550i estate would do nicely mind..

I'm not passing judgement until I actually see the touring in the metal, but like you, do think it looks OK.

Having lived with 5-series tourings do like the current simplicity of the shape and form. Not sure I'd want much of a change. Where do BMW go to make it better? Change for change sake does nothing, IMO.

I've watched a few of the videos and it does look good out on the road.

The Fives do have a large rear end, no doubt about it, not as sleek as the E39 touring but the E39 does look dated.

My old E39.



IMO, the E61 had good rear proportions. The E61 LCI 535d below was a good car.

[mcoops]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

The Fives do have a large rear end, no doubt about it, not as sleek as the E39 touring but the E39 does look dated.

IMO, the E61 had good rear proportions. The E61 LCI 535d below was a good car.

Two great bits of design. E39 rear has dated a bit, but the saloon is still a handsome BMW design classic. E60/61 a braver design direction, but it totally worked IMO.

[Torque of the Devil]

It will be a cold day in hell when I start finding estate cars appealing

[james d]

Harsh!
Very fond memories of my E39 540i Touring, fantastic car that. Followed it by E61 535 D touring which is still going very strong with a pal I sold it too.

[225]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

It will be a cold day in hell when I start finding estate cars appealing

Haha well bar an rs6 a saloon would be my first choice but the mini 225s give requirements for a bigger boot.

I have the same feeling about a soft roader or 4x4, however a special vehicles rangie does have appeal!

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by mcoops

Two great bits of design. E39 rear has dated a bit, but the saloon is still a handsome BMW design classic. E60/61 a braver design direction, but it totally worked IMO.

My neighbour runs an E39 535i saloon, (bought nearly new and now over 250,000 miles). Still looks current, amid more modern designs. I feel the E61 (M-sport models) look far better and a more 'complete' design, than the E60 saloon. IMO, the touring suits the more radical Bangle design.

[TodmordenLad]

Nice but not much different to its predecessor. Interior has been improved. Lovely for munching up the miles on the autobahn, less enticing on B roads, I'd imagine. I had two F11s and found them too big for comfort - I do a fair amount of driving on Cornish roads. The new one is slightly bigger, I believe

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Vanguard

It will be a cold day in hell when I start finding estate cars appealing

I never liked estate cars, always had saloons. Then one day back in 1998 had an estate while my saloon was in the garage for a couple of weeks, for warranty work. Realised how practical they are for my needs.

I often think, "go back to a saloon", but the practicality of a touring swings it each time.

[mcoops]

Is that a portable hairnet on the back of those headrests? Just flip it over to the front when you do a bit of spirited driving?