2012 BMW 550dx (AWD only)

[MexicoCityM3]

BMW sells more 4WD cars than Audi worldwide. Believe it or not.

[Klackamas]

Test drove a 2012 BMW 535xi today. Rides and handles very well. Quiet. Well insulated. Starting to remind me more and more of Lexus.

There are things I just can't get over.

That humongous center console gives less leg room for the driver. The emergency handbrake is gone; no more fun yanking that up and turning the wheel in the winter time. There's some button controlled parking brake instead. The front end has a helluva lot more drag than my E39. The interior design just doesn't do it for me. A gear shift doesn't need lights on the handle - it should be plain leather covered. I won't even mention iDrive. Doesn't look nearly as sleek as the E39 from the front. Kidney grill should be integrated back into the hood, not the front bumper.

Getting too damned expensive vice the competition and moving too far away from being intuitive and ergonomic.

I hope someday they bring the fives back towards the E39.

[MexicoCityM3]

I think the 3 is the new 5 that you wish for. A new F30 is practically the same size as your E39 and much closer to it in spirit.

[Klackamas]

Thanks - I will have to test it.

[AltinD]

BMW sells more 4WD cars than Audi worldwide. Believe it or not.

If that includes the SUV-s (X1/3/5/6 series) then probably, but on saloon/sedan/wagon/hatchback/coupe categary, I see it impossible.

[Hachee]

I think the 3 is the new 5 that you wish for. A new F30 is practically the same size as your E39 and much closer to it in spirit.

I was thinking this as I was reading his post.  The new 5 is much closer to an older 7 Series, and while I haven't driven the current one, I thought the last one had really started to shift away from the E39 in terms of feel.  I like the looks and interior of the new one, but it's really just a great new 7-Series in a normal size.

[MexicoCityM3]

Not your father?s diesel. Check out this thing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ma-KBPcwRlc

[cawimmer430]

Not your father?s diesel. Check out this thing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ma-KBPcwRlc

Completely impressive. 

Why there are still so many people who argue against performance diesels is beyond me. Just because they rev to a maximum of 5,500 RPM or something? That's the lamest excuse I've ever heard!!!

[850CSi]

AWD non-SUV BMWs...

[MexicoCityM3]

AWD non-SUV BMWs...

I don?t think it is a problem. It?s not as if they stopped offering the RWD versions. And BMW has been building AWD cars for a very long time. They make sense for northern climates and without them, BMW would be ceding a lot of customers to Audi/Benz. I think they have to offer AWD cars.

[sportyaccordy]

AWD non-SUV BMWs...

Is a BMW SUV any better?

Most BMWs are not bought by enthusiasts.

[S204STi]

Most BMWs are not bought by enthusiasts.

lol, ok.  Sure.

[Raza]

lol, ok.  Sure.

Nah, he's right. 

[sportyaccordy]

lol, ok.  Sure.

Theyre not, they are mainly bought by brand whores and people who want to look rich. Thats not to say anyone here with a Bimmer fits that mold, obv if you post regularly on a car forum you like cars and prob enjoy the driving experience a Bimmer has to offer. But its a very aspirational brand for most people.

[Raza]

Theyre not, they are mainly bought by brand whores and people who want to look rich. Thats not to say anyone here with a Bimmer fits that mold, obv if you post regularly on a car forum you like cars and prob enjoy the driving experience a Bimmer has to offer. But its a very aspirational brand for most people.

Becomes less obvious everyday.

[Cookie Monster]

Becomes less obvious everyday.

[850CSi]

Is a BMW SUV any better?

Most BMWs are not bought by enthusiasts.

Makes a *little* more sense than an AWD sedan

I don?t think it is a problem. It?s not as if they stopped offering the RWD versions. And BMW has been building AWD cars for a very long time. They make sense for northern climates and without them, BMW would be ceding a lot of customers to Audi/Benz. I think they have to offer AWD cars.

I know they do. I'm saying AWD BMWs suck comparatively.

[cawimmer430]

I'm pretty sure these power monsters NEED AWD to help put all that power down.

[rohan]

AWD non-SUV BMWs...

I won't even touch snow with my 5- not even let my wife see the keys during snow.  If it was a xdrive we would use it all year long.  Sure it stays 'like new' but what the hell good is that when we're down to one car during the winter?  Thankfully I get the take home car or we would have gotten something else long ago.

[850CSi]

I'm pretty sure these power monsters NEED AWD to help put all that power down.

No?

I won't even touch snow with my 5- not even let my wife see the keys during snow. If it was a xdrive we would use it all year long

[rohan]

Confused about what?  

330 horses + rwd + icy/snowy roads + bad driving skillz wifey = traffic crash and dented car

[850CSi]

Confused about what? 

330 horses + rwd + icy/snowy roads + bad driving skillz wifey = traffic crash and dented car

I won't even touch snow with my 5

i still confus

[rohan]

i still confus

No sense in driving it in snow if it's not very good in snow, ya know?  

If we had an xdrive we would both be able to use it in the snow without nearly as much concern.  

[850CSi]

No sense in driving it in snow if it's not very good in snow, ya know? 

If we had an xdrive we would both drive it all the time. 

Yeah, I don't really get that, considering I drove my horrible-in-snow RWD car through 6 winters and never had a problem.

[rohan]

Yeah, I don't really get that, considering I drove my horrible-in-snow RWD car through 6 winters and never had a problem.

Yours has what- 210 horsepower?  Yeah- that's exactly the same thing. 

[850CSi]

Yours has what- 210 horsepower?  Yeah- that's exactly the same thing. 

I was never aware that more horsepower makes cars worse in the snow.

[rohan]

You also had one car to drive- we have 2 - 3 if you count my work car that I can drive off duty because I have to respond in to emergencies sometimes. 

[rohan]

I was never aware that more horsepower makes cars worse in the snow.

Then you should drive one with more power. 

[Submariner]

Yours has what- 210 horsepower?  Yeah- that's exactly the same thing. 

I've driven a 500hp car several times in winter conditions...just keep the car in 2nd and go light on the gas...

[rohan]

I've driven a 500hp car several times in winter conditions...just keep the car in 2nd and go light on the gas...

Was it your car?  And- define "winter conditions."  That's anything from a light dusting to several feet of snow.  Kinda vague.